Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was the highest-ranking Jew, and he was admired by his numerous relatives. He worked enthusiastically for the good of his people and was an advocate for the welfare of all his descendants. (Esther 10:3)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. (Romans 8:15-18)
The book of Esther has an interesting end. Its focus is not on the queen, but on the relationship between the king and Mordecai. Mordecai has taken Haman’s place as second in rank and authority, and we read of the good works Mordecai did for his people. The sufferings that he and Esther experienced resulted in promotion for themselves, and life for their fellow Jews.
We, too, are called to do good works. Our Commander and King has set the example through Jesus Christ: His sufferings brought about our redemption, and we are now equipped to do good works for the people of the world. We, as children of God, are promoted to the position of “heir of God”, and our lives are a reflection of His glory, grace, and compassion.
The book of Esther serves as a wake-up call to those who believe their life choices are made in a vacuum. Our personal decisions can affect nations. Had Esther chosen to not listen to Mordecai, and if Esther had not appealed to the king, the trail of Jewish history would have been drastically altered.
God has called you to take risks, to suffer, to stand and speak against unjust acts, to appeal to His power and authority on behalf of the masses. Have you chosen to stay comfortable and embrace anonymity when God has called you to public ministry as His royal heir? Are you living under obligation to His Spirit, or are you too busy loving the world?
The strength to stand as "second in command" is only found as we submit ourselves to the Spirit of God. “So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:12-14) Brothers and sisters, let's stand strong.
The spirit of Haman still exists. The enemy of your soul has decreed your death, and his strategy is to cause you to ignore and avoid the rule of God your King. Your death would affect not only you, but also your family and community. So I encourage you, I urge you, to stand in faith and live a life of holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is what confirms your status as an heir, and it is how you stand strong in the face of suffering. Seek the Lord, put on your royal attire, and live.
Showing posts with label Esther 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esther 4. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Authorization.
If I perish, I perish! (Esther 4:16)
Frankly, the other famous quote in this chapter is more appealing: “Who knows if you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) We like the idea of being given a place of favor and recognition by God. Sometimes, we even like having the attention and accolades of man. But not too many of us like to embrace the idea of suffering or dying for a cause that we believe in.
Kairos time, the opportune moment in which we are called to step forward and do something, sometimes arrives with accompanying signs. Not celebratory handshakes, but accusatory remarks: Who do you think you are? Who invited you to the leadership meeting? Esther had favor with King Ahasuerus, but she also had to contend with Haman’s hatred of her people.
In Esther chapter 5, we see that the queen engaged a process of appealing to the king which extended over several days. Her unauthorized, but accepted, appearance in the king’s inner court was followed up by two banquet invitations. In the first banquet, she was a gracious hostess to the king and to Haman. Esther held her peace and did not make a single appeal during the first banquet meal.
Perhaps we can learn from this incredible exercise of restraint. Have you ever had to host your sworn enemy? Have you ever been placed in the position of showing love and maintaining decorum as you stand face-to-face with the person who is intent on destroying you and all you hold dear? Have you ever had to serve your modern-day Haman, providing sustenance for the person who has influenced the heart of your King Ahasuerus against you?
Haman was not just a man enjoying a free meal. Haman was a man who had been given a promotion by the king. Haman had been given ten thousand talents of silver by the king. Haman had been given the king’s signet ring and had the authority to write and send letters with the king’s signature on it. Further, Haman had already been in exclusive events with the king where Esther had not been invited. Esther’s inclusion of Haman, to some degree, seems to have validated his position of favor with the king rather than her own (see Esther 3:8-15).
God had a plan, and through Esther He brought deliverance for His people. But first, she had to establish herself as a woman of wisdom and peace in the face of impending loss. And in the act of blessing her sworn enemy, she set the stage for a soon-to-follow, incredible, undeniable act of deliverance.
Esther, I am taking notes.
Frankly, the other famous quote in this chapter is more appealing: “Who knows if you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) We like the idea of being given a place of favor and recognition by God. Sometimes, we even like having the attention and accolades of man. But not too many of us like to embrace the idea of suffering or dying for a cause that we believe in.
Kairos time, the opportune moment in which we are called to step forward and do something, sometimes arrives with accompanying signs. Not celebratory handshakes, but accusatory remarks: Who do you think you are? Who invited you to the leadership meeting? Esther had favor with King Ahasuerus, but she also had to contend with Haman’s hatred of her people.
In Esther chapter 5, we see that the queen engaged a process of appealing to the king which extended over several days. Her unauthorized, but accepted, appearance in the king’s inner court was followed up by two banquet invitations. In the first banquet, she was a gracious hostess to the king and to Haman. Esther held her peace and did not make a single appeal during the first banquet meal.
Perhaps we can learn from this incredible exercise of restraint. Have you ever had to host your sworn enemy? Have you ever been placed in the position of showing love and maintaining decorum as you stand face-to-face with the person who is intent on destroying you and all you hold dear? Have you ever had to serve your modern-day Haman, providing sustenance for the person who has influenced the heart of your King Ahasuerus against you?
Haman was not just a man enjoying a free meal. Haman was a man who had been given a promotion by the king. Haman had been given ten thousand talents of silver by the king. Haman had been given the king’s signet ring and had the authority to write and send letters with the king’s signature on it. Further, Haman had already been in exclusive events with the king where Esther had not been invited. Esther’s inclusion of Haman, to some degree, seems to have validated his position of favor with the king rather than her own (see Esther 3:8-15).
God had a plan, and through Esther He brought deliverance for His people. But first, she had to establish herself as a woman of wisdom and peace in the face of impending loss. And in the act of blessing her sworn enemy, she set the stage for a soon-to-follow, incredible, undeniable act of deliverance.
Esther, I am taking notes.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Fast Track.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:15-16)
In Arthur Wallis’s classic book God’s Chosen Fast, we are told that a fast such as the one called by Esther was a rare occurrence. The few biblical instances of fasting from all food and drink were either cases of supernatural sustenance (as in the forty-day absolute fasts) or extreme spiritual emergency or upheaval (as in the three-day absolute fasts). According to Wallis, “A crisis of the utmost gravity threatened the whole Jewish race with extermination. Even Esther herself could expect no immunity because she was queen. She called this absolute fast because desperate situations require desperate measures.”
Esther exercised incredible wisdom in her response to Mordecai. Her call for an absolute fast changed the dynamic of her appeal for mercy: rather than merely appealing to King Ahasuerus, she began the process by spending three days in appeal to God, King of all the universe.
It is also important to note that Esther did not act alone. She asked Mordecai to involve every Jewish person in the community, and Esther involved each of her attendants in the three-day fast. After the fast, Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king.
Why fasting and not prayer? Or, why fasting apart from prayer? The book of Esther does not give a specific answer. But we do have evidence from Christ Himself that prayer and fasting can be engaged as separate entities. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus outlines various spiritual disciplines. He says, “When you give…”; “When you pray…”; “When you fast…”. (See Matthew 6:1-18) And He tells us that the Father, who sees what we do in secret, will reward us openly. Esther experienced the privilege of having her life spared, and having an opportunity to appeal to King Ahasuerus for the life of her people, because she engaged in fasting.
O Lord, I make appeal to Your grace;
My legitimate needs are tossed aside.
Renouncing food and drink, I seek Your face;
Through fasting I ask You to take Your place.
No devil’s threat can stand where You reside.
Utterly destroy the enemy’s plan:
Make my self-denial Your burning spear,
Pierce through selfish hearts as only You can.
Break the contract between Hell and man;
Cause Your swift deliverance to appear.
Saints of God, are you caught in a spiritual emergency? Reclaim your lost weapon of warfare. Fast. Absolutely.
In Arthur Wallis’s classic book God’s Chosen Fast, we are told that a fast such as the one called by Esther was a rare occurrence. The few biblical instances of fasting from all food and drink were either cases of supernatural sustenance (as in the forty-day absolute fasts) or extreme spiritual emergency or upheaval (as in the three-day absolute fasts). According to Wallis, “A crisis of the utmost gravity threatened the whole Jewish race with extermination. Even Esther herself could expect no immunity because she was queen. She called this absolute fast because desperate situations require desperate measures.”
Esther exercised incredible wisdom in her response to Mordecai. Her call for an absolute fast changed the dynamic of her appeal for mercy: rather than merely appealing to King Ahasuerus, she began the process by spending three days in appeal to God, King of all the universe.
It is also important to note that Esther did not act alone. She asked Mordecai to involve every Jewish person in the community, and Esther involved each of her attendants in the three-day fast. After the fast, Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king.
Why fasting and not prayer? Or, why fasting apart from prayer? The book of Esther does not give a specific answer. But we do have evidence from Christ Himself that prayer and fasting can be engaged as separate entities. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus outlines various spiritual disciplines. He says, “When you give…”; “When you pray…”; “When you fast…”. (See Matthew 6:1-18) And He tells us that the Father, who sees what we do in secret, will reward us openly. Esther experienced the privilege of having her life spared, and having an opportunity to appeal to King Ahasuerus for the life of her people, because she engaged in fasting.
O Lord, I make appeal to Your grace;
My legitimate needs are tossed aside.
Renouncing food and drink, I seek Your face;
Through fasting I ask You to take Your place.
No devil’s threat can stand where You reside.
Utterly destroy the enemy’s plan:
Make my self-denial Your burning spear,
Pierce through selfish hearts as only You can.
Break the contract between Hell and man;
Cause Your swift deliverance to appear.
Saints of God, are you caught in a spiritual emergency? Reclaim your lost weapon of warfare. Fast. Absolutely.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Roles and Rules.
“All the servants of the king and the people of the king’s provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court – that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!” (Esther 4:11)
Esther had good reason to be concerned about breaking the rules. Her predecessor, Queen Vashti, had been removed from her post because she disobeyed the order of the king (see Esther 1:10-19). Mordecai’s word to Esther was that she must petition the king for the life of the Jewish people. Esther’s word to Mordecai was that she had no legal right to do so.
Are we in the same predicament?
There are good reasons, legally sound reasons, for not “speaking up”. We share Esther’s concern. Life may have blessed us with a title and a position of authority, yet we do not feel empowered to do much more than stand and look beautiful in our post. If we speak up on behalf of the disenfranchised, it may cost us our position, our title, our career. So we keep the title, keep the paycheck, and dutifully send money to “the cause”, whatever it may be. And we justify ourselves: after all, the position empowers us to give every once in a while, so it’s not like we’re totally ignoring the cause.
What’s the problem? The cause isn’t ameliorated by a donation. The cause cries out for attention, for a place at the table, for relevant dialogue that leads to relevant change. In Esther’s case, it meant breaking the rule and stepping into the inner court to appeal to the king .
We tread carefully on this path, because we don’t like the idea of breaking rules. Yet we see, even in the life of Jesus, that there are instances where the law became a hindrance to the grace and power of God. Jesus was criticized for healing people on the Sabbath day, yet His acts of mercy and grace were the means of salvation and deliverance for many.
Mordecai, in Esther 4:14, adds another dimension to the dialogue. There are times when our position of leadership gives us a platform from which we can challenge the law. We are in a position to stand in the gap for the disenfranchised: not as a rule-breaker, but as a respected leader seeking relevant change. Our minds recall the life-changing movements made alive by Ghandi, King, and others who peacefully sought to transform nations for the sake of the people.
The temptation is to downplay our own ability to effect change. Resist the temptation.
“Don’t imagine that because you are part of the king’s household you will be the one Jew who will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father’s household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!” (Esther 4:14)
Lord, help us to transform nations through the positions and abilities You’ve given us.
Esther had good reason to be concerned about breaking the rules. Her predecessor, Queen Vashti, had been removed from her post because she disobeyed the order of the king (see Esther 1:10-19). Mordecai’s word to Esther was that she must petition the king for the life of the Jewish people. Esther’s word to Mordecai was that she had no legal right to do so.
Are we in the same predicament?
There are good reasons, legally sound reasons, for not “speaking up”. We share Esther’s concern. Life may have blessed us with a title and a position of authority, yet we do not feel empowered to do much more than stand and look beautiful in our post. If we speak up on behalf of the disenfranchised, it may cost us our position, our title, our career. So we keep the title, keep the paycheck, and dutifully send money to “the cause”, whatever it may be. And we justify ourselves: after all, the position empowers us to give every once in a while, so it’s not like we’re totally ignoring the cause.
What’s the problem? The cause isn’t ameliorated by a donation. The cause cries out for attention, for a place at the table, for relevant dialogue that leads to relevant change. In Esther’s case, it meant breaking the rule and stepping into the inner court to appeal to the king .
We tread carefully on this path, because we don’t like the idea of breaking rules. Yet we see, even in the life of Jesus, that there are instances where the law became a hindrance to the grace and power of God. Jesus was criticized for healing people on the Sabbath day, yet His acts of mercy and grace were the means of salvation and deliverance for many.
Mordecai, in Esther 4:14, adds another dimension to the dialogue. There are times when our position of leadership gives us a platform from which we can challenge the law. We are in a position to stand in the gap for the disenfranchised: not as a rule-breaker, but as a respected leader seeking relevant change. Our minds recall the life-changing movements made alive by Ghandi, King, and others who peacefully sought to transform nations for the sake of the people.
The temptation is to downplay our own ability to effect change. Resist the temptation.
“Don’t imagine that because you are part of the king’s household you will be the one Jew who will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father’s household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!” (Esther 4:14)
Lord, help us to transform nations through the positions and abilities You’ve given us.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The "Anguish" Of The Affluent.
[For this week's blogs I am indebted to Pastor Sam, who provided me with a summary of Dr. Mac Pier's sermon content.]
When Esther’s female attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her about Mordecai’s behavior, the queen was overcome with anguish. Although she sent garments for Mordecai to put on so that he could remove his sackcloth, he would not accept them. (Esther 4:4)
Sackcloth and ashes, in Old Testament times, were a sign of mourning and despair. Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, took the measure of wearing sackcloth and ashes after learning of the plot to destroy the Jews.
Esther’s first response was to seek to give Mordecai proper clothing to replace his clothes of mourning. But, as anyone knows who has been in deep despair, a new set of clothes was not a viable response to the conditions that led Mordecai to put on the clothes of mourning.
Perhaps some of us are in the same predicament. We see the desperate situation of our brothers and sisters in poorer nations, and our first response is to send “clothing” of our choosing. For some of us, it’s to write a check or mail a care package. But our surface giving has not touched the deeper issues. Like Mordecai and the Jews of old, there are nationalities and cultures today that have been given a death sentence. Today’s Mordecai might not be killed by the edicts of kings, but lives are lost in the crossfire of conversations about sustainability, wealth distribution, compassionate aid, and long-term solutions to poverty. Our Socratic conversations, our donations offered out of our relative abundance, and the “compassionate care package” have become the garments we export to cover the sackcloth of those who mourn… and to cover our own anguish at seeing their condition.
“Although she sent garments… he would not accept them.” Mordecai, in refusing the clothing, gave testimony to the fact that a change of clothes was not a change of condition. The edict still stood, and the Jews were still destined to destruction. His refusal was a statement to his niece Esther: Your donation is insufficient to address the emergency our people are facing. You have to make a bolder step and become personally involved.
Lord, help us to move from making a contribution to being personally engaged. Help us to send the clothing of Your choosing, which is our selves.
Here am I, my Lord, send me.
When Esther’s female attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her about Mordecai’s behavior, the queen was overcome with anguish. Although she sent garments for Mordecai to put on so that he could remove his sackcloth, he would not accept them. (Esther 4:4)
Sackcloth and ashes, in Old Testament times, were a sign of mourning and despair. Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, took the measure of wearing sackcloth and ashes after learning of the plot to destroy the Jews.
Esther’s first response was to seek to give Mordecai proper clothing to replace his clothes of mourning. But, as anyone knows who has been in deep despair, a new set of clothes was not a viable response to the conditions that led Mordecai to put on the clothes of mourning.
Perhaps some of us are in the same predicament. We see the desperate situation of our brothers and sisters in poorer nations, and our first response is to send “clothing” of our choosing. For some of us, it’s to write a check or mail a care package. But our surface giving has not touched the deeper issues. Like Mordecai and the Jews of old, there are nationalities and cultures today that have been given a death sentence. Today’s Mordecai might not be killed by the edicts of kings, but lives are lost in the crossfire of conversations about sustainability, wealth distribution, compassionate aid, and long-term solutions to poverty. Our Socratic conversations, our donations offered out of our relative abundance, and the “compassionate care package” have become the garments we export to cover the sackcloth of those who mourn… and to cover our own anguish at seeing their condition.
“Although she sent garments… he would not accept them.” Mordecai, in refusing the clothing, gave testimony to the fact that a change of clothes was not a change of condition. The edict still stood, and the Jews were still destined to destruction. His refusal was a statement to his niece Esther: Your donation is insufficient to address the emergency our people are facing. You have to make a bolder step and become personally involved.
Lord, help us to move from making a contribution to being personally engaged. Help us to send the clothing of Your choosing, which is our selves.
Here am I, my Lord, send me.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Mac On A Mission.
[For this week's blogs I am indebted to Pastor Sam, who provided me with a summary of Dr. Mac Pier's sermon content.]
On Saturday and Sunday, our guest speaker was Dr. Mac Pier. He has been an important force behind the scenes at Bronx Bethany, helping us in our mandate to reach "the Bronx and the world". He's connected us with Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit; he led our congregation in an awesome prayer meeting a few years ago; he brought Bronx Bethany leadership into Movement Day (a successful ministry event that links pastors, administrators, and business leaders from all over New York City); and the list goes on. And though Pastor Sam said it jokingly, it seems to be more and more true that Dr. Pier is one of those rare people in the world that is known simply by his first name.
This weekend, Mac was with us to encourage us to connect (and for some, re-connect) to World Vision in a tangible way. The economic challenges we face here in the Bronx and surrounding areas pale in comparison to the crises faced in many regions of Africa. World Vision continues its legacy of making a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities in underdeveloped countries.
Mac shared three points from the life of Esther which we will reflect on in our blogs this week. For today, though, I encourage us all to re-read Esther chapter 4. The NET Bible version can be accessed at
https://net.bible.org/#!search/esther 4
Lord, help us to consider and respond to the needs of Your children around the world.
On Saturday and Sunday, our guest speaker was Dr. Mac Pier. He has been an important force behind the scenes at Bronx Bethany, helping us in our mandate to reach "the Bronx and the world". He's connected us with Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit; he led our congregation in an awesome prayer meeting a few years ago; he brought Bronx Bethany leadership into Movement Day (a successful ministry event that links pastors, administrators, and business leaders from all over New York City); and the list goes on. And though Pastor Sam said it jokingly, it seems to be more and more true that Dr. Pier is one of those rare people in the world that is known simply by his first name.
This weekend, Mac was with us to encourage us to connect (and for some, re-connect) to World Vision in a tangible way. The economic challenges we face here in the Bronx and surrounding areas pale in comparison to the crises faced in many regions of Africa. World Vision continues its legacy of making a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities in underdeveloped countries.
Mac shared three points from the life of Esther which we will reflect on in our blogs this week. For today, though, I encourage us all to re-read Esther chapter 4. The NET Bible version can be accessed at
https://net.bible.org/#!search/esther 4
Lord, help us to consider and respond to the needs of Your children around the world.