The day comes which was meant to be the day of death and destruction. However, the Jews are ready and prepared. The enemy are still there but it is the Jews who go on the offensive, there is a sense in which victory has already been won, the ringleader has been dealt with and the… Continue reading The victory of God’s people
Category: Bible Study
Intercession
With Haman out of the way, the king hands his estate over to Esther and she appoints Mordecai in charge of it. Mordecai also receives the signet ring given to Haman, he is being exalted to a high position of authority in the kingdom (Esther 8:1-2). However, Esther is not yet satisfied, the danger has… Continue reading Intercession
The enemy
When Esther goes to King Ahasuerus to plead for her people, he asks who is responsible for the planned atrocity against them. He will of course know about Haman’s law but perhaps hasn’t yet connected Esther with the Jews. Esther explains that the one responsible is: An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”[1] Earlier we… Continue reading The enemy
The Great Exchange
Jesus once asked “What benefit is there in gaining the world (prospering materially) if you lose your soul?” Esther understood this well. The king and Haman have come to her banquet and Ahasuerus offers her anything she desires, even half the kingdom (Esther 7:1-2) . She could have used this opportunity to benefit herself, to… Continue reading The Great Exchange
Growing an appetite for God’s Word
I believe that two crucial ingredients need to be present in any local church that wants to thrive. These are prayer and Bible study/teaching. Both are important because they are signs of hunger to know God more and more. Having said that, sometimes it can feel like hard work to encourage these things. Why? Well,… Continue reading Growing an appetite for God’s Word
Bad timing
The King is restless and unable to sleep. This is a little bit of a theme in books describing the exile. Think of how Darius is restless whilst Daniel faces his ordeal in the lions’ den. To keep him occupied, and perhaps to read in a rhythm, that will help him drift off, the chronicles… Continue reading Bad timing
Haman oversteps
Haman returns from the palace in high spirits. It seems to him that he has not only won the king’s favour but the Queen’s too (Esther 5:9). However, he notices en-route that Mordecai is still defying him and refusing to bow down (5:10). This fills him with rage but he just about manages to restrain… Continue reading Haman oversteps
What kind of Church? A caring church (1 Corinthians 8)
How does what I do, say, prioritise affect other believers -especially those who are younger/more immature/struggling? Is what we do and say motivated by love? (v 1-3) The next big question the Corinthians had was about food sacrificed to idols. The issue was that the pagan temples functioned as the slaughter house or butchers, providing… Continue reading What kind of Church? A caring church (1 Corinthians 8)
A still small voice? Learning the wrong lessons from Elijah’s encounter
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has fled for his life from Ahab and Jezebel. God meets with him, gives him rest and food, then he tells him to go and stand in his presence, to prepare for the covenant Lord, Yahweh to pass by. We are then told: “Then a great and powerful wind tore the… Continue reading A still small voice? Learning the wrong lessons from Elijah’s encounter
Esther and the King
Esther goes to see the king (Esther 5:1). Remember that this was potentially dangerous. It was possible that he would not welcome her and if so, this could lead to punishment by death. It’s funny isn’t it that we tend to report and gloss over these facts in a matter of fact way. Of course,… Continue reading Esther and the King
