May 1 - Esther 4-6
I do not personally know why God chose to inspire the book of Esther to be written without any direct spiritual teachings or even the word God, but I know God is prominent throughout the whole book. When Mordecai and the Jews heard the decree to kill the Jews, they turned to God in humility seeking His protection. Tearing clothes and putting on burlap or sackcloth is a way of expressing sincere grief of heart and humility before God. Fasting was a way of showing God how serious a person was about finding God's will. It is clear that the Jews knew that God was their only hope. We should know this and practice crying out to Him all of the time. He is our only hope every day, not just in the crises of life. We should know like the Jews knew in Esther's time that God is powerful enough to take care of any need. He is waiting for us to trust Him for our needs.
Of course, the providence of God is evident in that Esther is a Jew, and she is the queen at this time of need. Mordecai calls for her to petition the king for the Jews, and he points out that this is probably the reason she became queen in the first place. However, it could make the king mad, and Esther could be killed. Therefore, Esther has to assume the risk of doing God's will for her life. She asks the Jews to fast for her, too. She accepts that she might die, but she must do the right thing. This is a great example for us. Why did God put each of us here? Are we willing to take the risk to do His will even if it could mean death? If not, what will happen? Mordecai makes it clear that God could deliver the Jews by some other means if Esther would not help, but Esther would miss God's will and fail to fulfill her purpose in life. That is a serious failure to admit to a Holy God in the time of Judgment.
God has a way of turning the tide on the proud like he did on Haman. Instead of hanging Mordecai, he had to lead him around the city and proclaim him as worthy of special honor. However, we see why God probably had this to happen when we read that Haman could not be happy until he destroyed Mordecai and the Jews. He had everything a person would ever want in life, but he was not happy. He felt that vengeance on the Jews was the missing piece to the puzzle of happiness. He was wrong, and God was trying to show him that sin. Haman did not listen, because of his pride. Is there something that keeps you from being happy? Do you look at that instead of all of God's blessings? You will never really be happy until you can be content in what God has given you and give Him the credit for blessing you. Haman could not do that, so he was miserable.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 7-10.
Of course, the providence of God is evident in that Esther is a Jew, and she is the queen at this time of need. Mordecai calls for her to petition the king for the Jews, and he points out that this is probably the reason she became queen in the first place. However, it could make the king mad, and Esther could be killed. Therefore, Esther has to assume the risk of doing God's will for her life. She asks the Jews to fast for her, too. She accepts that she might die, but she must do the right thing. This is a great example for us. Why did God put each of us here? Are we willing to take the risk to do His will even if it could mean death? If not, what will happen? Mordecai makes it clear that God could deliver the Jews by some other means if Esther would not help, but Esther would miss God's will and fail to fulfill her purpose in life. That is a serious failure to admit to a Holy God in the time of Judgment.
God has a way of turning the tide on the proud like he did on Haman. Instead of hanging Mordecai, he had to lead him around the city and proclaim him as worthy of special honor. However, we see why God probably had this to happen when we read that Haman could not be happy until he destroyed Mordecai and the Jews. He had everything a person would ever want in life, but he was not happy. He felt that vengeance on the Jews was the missing piece to the puzzle of happiness. He was wrong, and God was trying to show him that sin. Haman did not listen, because of his pride. Is there something that keeps you from being happy? Do you look at that instead of all of God's blessings? You will never really be happy until you can be content in what God has given you and give Him the credit for blessing you. Haman could not do that, so he was miserable.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 7-10.