Good Morning! Praise the Lord for His eternal love and faithfulness.
My Key takeaways from today:
- God watches out for His people. Those who plot evil against the righteous are orchestrating their own fall and demise. Those who are plotted against will receive the full justice of God and He will recompense them for their trouble, 2 fold, 4 fold, 10 fold, 100 fold or a thousand fold
- Reverence and faithfulness. Esther displayed a reverence and faithfulness that gained her favour with both God and man. Her habitual practice of obedience and submission to first Mordecai, then the King’s servant, then the king, are worth emulating and adopting into our own lifestyles.
Healing and Discipleship 
Esther 2 World English Bible (WEB)
2 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. 3 Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them; 4 and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” The thing pleased the king, and he did so.
5 There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
God endowed Esther with everything that she needed to fulfill His plans and purposes for her. Physical beauty was part of this endowment. Very interesting how briefly the “tragedy” of her past is mentioned. Is it possible, we put too much weight on these issues today? I am continually stunned by Jesus’ brief yet powerful responses to someone’s history of pain and suffering.
I like the question you ask Lisa and it’s worth thinking about. Because we know God knows the whole arc of His plan for us He definitely doesn’t seem to give the same weight to our past and sufferings as we do … and because WE tend to we create needless suffering for ourselves if we dwell there.Our God continually and repeatedly reminds us not to dwell in the misery of what has been lost to us as He is all about restoration and making away in and the wilderness. Paul focussed on what was ahead ‘“forgetting what was behind” and Isaiah 43 :18 ” do not remember the former things; do not dwell on the past.” We can’t be fit for service in the Kingdom of God if we put our hand to the plow and look back. The enemy knows by getting us to live in the emotions of the past he can block us from fulfilling our destiny and purpose. KC
I was curious so looked up on Blue Letter Bible what her names mean
Vashti = “beautiful”
Hadassah = “myrtle”
Esther = “star”
Mordecai = “little man” or “worshipper of Mars”
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H635&t=KJV
I looked up the significance of myrtle.’.as its a shrub associated with ‘watercourses” it’s a fitting symbol of the recovery and establishment of God’s promises! I’ve always had a sense that what we name our kids can carry a sense of the destiny and purpose they will walk in.!KC
Good morning. Karen is going to be a bit delayed by a family matter.
I love that Mordecai took her as her own daughter. My understanding of women in those times was if they did not have a male protectorate their lives would be very very difficult and any number of things could happen to them that were terrible. So he must have loved his uncle very much and consequently loved her. He very probably saved her life.
Wendy
8 So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house. 10 Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known. 11 Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.
11 Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.
Certainly indicates the depth of their relationship and his love for her.
Rob
Being honest doesn’t necessarily mean shouting every detail about our lives from the rooftops. God instructed her to veil her heritage via Mordecai. These accounts are so brief. I wonder what it was that Esther did to pleease Hegai. Was it in her gentleness? Confidence? Quietness? We don’t know so really can’t speculate… reminds me of Joseph who was marked with favour wherever he went in Egypt.
It seems that God put her in a very Important place and made sure that she found favour with everyone that she came in contact with. Obviously Hegai was very influential and knew the King and what he would like quite well, so finding favour with him was a good thing for Esther and of course ultimately for her people. She listened to Mordecai and regarded his counsel wisely, which speaks to their relationship and how she valued him.
Wendy
Yes the favour of God upon her comes through so clearly in this story.! If we see the King as a ‘type’ of God Himself ,Esther teaches us a lot about how to approach the throne. There was a careful preparation respecting that He had the power of life or death,so there was an example of the fact that the ‘fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” You don’t just casually waltz into His courts if you are petitioning Him for justice. KC
12 Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women). 13 The young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name. 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
I’ve always thought of that year of purification and what it would have been like. It seems that they were very pampered and taken care of in the best way possible. I wonder what else they did, if they were schooled in any way or learned certain skills that would entertain the King. If there was competition among them, we really don’t get any details except of course the most important ones about Esther. It does sort of remind me of Joseph, Lisa and also Daniel, where they received favour and people looked up to them, for the most part!
Wendy
16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18 Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.
19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate. 20 Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him. 21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus. 22 This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.
vs 19… we see that Esther held Mordecai in deep esteem and reverence. Is this perhaps the quality that drew favour to her life? Quite something that God gives Mordecai access to this “secret plot”. Quite impossible to plot and scheme against one of God’s people and definitely not against God’s chosen nation (s)
This is so encouraging to know that whatever evil plots or conspiracies that may be at work out in the world right now ,we can anticipate God exposing them , bringing them to light… with the consequences coming back on those who scheme and work in darkness.KC
Yes I really love that. It gives me hope for this day. Because right now it could look very discouraging and dark.
Wendy
20 Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.
Another aspect of her relationship with Mordecai. Certainly honoured him with obedience.
Rob
Yes she learned obedience while she grew up so he shepherded her well and took on that responsibility very seriously it seems…something that God honours and expects from us, with our childrenKC
There was obviously something very special about Esther and the King was drawn to whatever that was and loved her more than all the other women. God also gave Mordecai favour with the King by allowing him to overhear the plot against the King. God was setting things up for Esther and Mordecai to ultimately save His people.
Wendy
Esther 3 World English Bible (WEB)
3 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. 2 All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down, and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage. 3 Then the king’s servants, who were in the king’s gate, said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s commandment?” 4 Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn’t listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai didn’t bow down, nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath. 6 But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even Mordecai’s people.
3 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.
Haman, a descendant of Agag and an Amalekite, devout enemies of Gods chosen and Prophets. Something about bloodlines is intriguing.
Rob
I wonder sometimes if these deep national hatred’s like those commonly addressed against the Jewish community mostly or all trace back to either a people that God commanded previous generations to completely destroy or to generational sibling rivalries. Islam (Ishmael’s generations) vs Israel (Isaac’s line). Humanly speaking the idea of wiping out even infants seems unthinkable and yet God commanded this on different occasions. Is it possible that bitterness can actually be carried in our genes and/or passed down spiritually to all of our generations?
Certainly makes you wonder, thinking of Herod and others.
Rob
Perhaps this is why God has moved to have people like Henderson bring teaching concerning “THe Courts of heaven” ,a subject not normally taught much till recently? KC
. 6 But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even Mordecai’s people
His hatred really comes through doesn’t it, he doesn’t just want to kill Haman, but all the Jew. He was so consumed by this one person that he wanted to wipe out a whole people. That certainly speaks to his heritage.
Wendy
Pharoah ,Herod, Haman, Hitler….all the same spirit moving with this same determination! KC
2 All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down, and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage
Certainly reminds me of Daniel 3:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you on this point. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!”
Rob
Yes it does. Have not really thought about that before, but that is true. So many times in scripture and in history where a power of some sort wants to be bowed down to, to make itself out to be greater than God. Which is exactly what Satan did that got him kicked out of heaven and the Father’s family.
Wendy
2 All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down, and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage.
The question that comes to mind is what would this look for us now, or possibly in the future….to not bow down to a Haman like spirit ,a governing official given authority by the government? How do we walk in Romans 13 verse 1-7 which I believe we are doing now ,but at what point do we refuse to bow down and obey government officials? What will be the circumstances that might require us at some point to not obey what the government puts in place by law? KC
7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, and chose the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 8 Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different from other people’s. They don’t keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain. 9 If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”
10 The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. 11 The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Strikes me how carefully and discerning we must be when choosing who we allow into our inner circle. Ad the bribe element….
Daniel 3 vs 8 At that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews.
12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”
The accusations against the jews show up time and time again. Brings to mind the “Accuser” satan, that accuses us day and night.
Rob
Absolutely! We are guaranteed persecution if we walk and live as we are called to do.
. 8 Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different from other people’s. They don’t keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain.
This reminds me of Satan the snake, whispering into the Kings ear, making him doubt and question the motives of these people. Not really lies, but truth that is twisted for his purpose, so that he will get his way and be allowed to destroy the Jews.
12 Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the king’s local governors, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king’s ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions. 14 A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Susa was perplexed.
Such a repeating theme. God’ss enemies go after His people and try to utterly destroy them. Conspiracies have been around since the beginning of time. Can you imagine if you could look at the record of every time God stepped in and saved you from pain, hurt, death… I can only guess that His unseen hand has marked our lives and punctuated our lives far more often than we realize
I agree, countless times.
Rob
Yes, I have often through of that and wondered when I have been delayed by something that is actually frustrating to me, if that was actually God saving my life is some way.
Wendy
Amen!KC
Esther 4 World English Bible (WEB)
4 Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and wailed loudly and bitterly. 2 He came even before the king’s gate, for no one is allowed inside the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 In every province, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 Esther’s maidens and her eunuchs came and told her this, and the queen was exceedingly grieved. She sent clothing to Mordecai, to replace his sackcloth; but he didn’t receive it. 5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, whom he had appointed to attend her, and commanded him to go to Mordecai, to find out what this was, and why it was. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai, to city square which was before the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to urge her to go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him, for her people.
This looked so so so bad for the Jews. An irrevocable decree had gone out that even the king could not alter. When it seems like the whole world is mounting an assault… God is still big enough.
8 He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to urge her to go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him, for her people.
I tried to copy and paste 2 verses that were not together and it didn’t work, so I will just comment on vs4. I find it interesting that Mordecai would not be comforted by Esther and would not take off his sack cloth and ashes. He knew the seriousness of this decree and wanted her to understand it also.
In Vs8, Mordecai also knows what it could mean for Esther if she goes into the King without being summoned, but it is a life or death situation either way.
Wendy
9 Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a message to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that whoever, whether man or woman, comes to the king into the inner court without being called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king might hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
12 They told Esther’s words to Mordecai. 13 Then Mordecai asked them to return this answer to Esther: “Don’t think to yourself that you will escape in the king’s house any more than all the Jews. 14 For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther asked them to answer Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Susa, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
vs 14.. I think about this verse a lot. When I read it what I hear is that if we do not obey God, our own life and that of our family line with absolutely face the consequence (in this case you and your father’s house will perish)… so we do have the power to radically impact what happens to us and to our immediate family. That said, I don’t think any man has the power to derail God’s big picture plan. Mordecai understood this powerfully… “Deliverance will come from another place”. God has promised. Romans 4:19-22 “He who promised is faithful and will deliver what He promised”. God has promised to maintain a remnant… not to protect or keep alive the entire population and has actually promised to bring judgement on those who refuse to submit to Him and obey. I do believe we are still positioned in this place today. What are your thoughts?
Mathew 3:8-10 Amplified comes to mind.
8 So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; 9 and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. 10 And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is [a]swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Certainly produces a repentance and brokenness.
Rob
Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17
Even though Romans 13 1:7 speaks to what our conduct should be, this was in the context of the government being God’s “minister of good”…vs 4. There was a time 30 years later when this view changed for believers as the government began to be viewed as a usurper of Gods power ,undermining His purposes. History has shown believers have always struggled with whether to obey or resist evil governments and Esther at this point had to risk disobeying the law ‘ in order for her and her people to be saved alive. I think about this eventual possibility and choice for believers in the days ahead by way of preparing my spirit,yet I seek that balance of being in a place of no fear , no anxiety, fully trusting God for redemptive justice.KC
Mordecai knows that there is a risk for Esther to go into the king without him summoning her, but it is clear that there is really not any other choice. She realizes with what Mordecai says that she can die either way. I’ve always loved the part of verse 14 that says “Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” That has come to me strongly over the years in many different times and situations. It is also true now in this time that we are in with such turmoil in the world on so many levels. But once she decided that she was going to do this, then she prepared, she did not go into the King without first having the preparation. A good model for me to follow.
Wendy
Good morning! I was dealing with a family matter this morning..a phone call arriving right at I will spend some time here this morning now and add any thoughts to the conversation later. Would appreciate continuing prayers for a serious family situation that will only be resolved by Gods Grace and Mercy❤️🙌🏻KC
Praying as the Lord leads.💜💜💜
Yes we will pray. WR
Esther 5 World English Bible (WEB)
5 Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house. 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”
4 Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
God has been talking to me a lot this week about the time between sowing and reaping. Culturally, we have been trained to expect instant gratification. There are many inspiring women I know who pray, seek the Lord, wait on the right timing, think of the details like Ruth and Esther demonstrate here, before approaching their husbands on certain topics. There is so much wisdom here. We can tend towards rushing in and not spending enought time in the sowing, watering and weeding part of the equation. We planted parsnips last year. These are possibly one of the slowest sprouting of everything we sprout.. 3 weeks I think to germinate. It is so so easy to think that they are not growing and give up and plant something else. We were still harvesting some this spring. Many many things like babies, prophecies and the plans and purposes of God need us to invest into them and sow into them deeply to thrive.
This is such a good point and I know I’m still in great need of learning this.I’m an instant gratification girl and have lived in a lot of disappointment as a result.I’m so thankful he keeps patiently bring me back to the keys of persistence and patience. I’m thinking of trying to grow some vegetables in my patio in pots this year for I thinking the act of gardening must yield a lot of important spiritual lessons!KC
2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.” It is clear that the King truly loved Esther and he was willing to give to her up to half of his kingdom. I love this as an allegory of how much my God loves me and wants to give me so much out of the pure love and delight He has in me. Esther was a treasure to the king and how much more am I to my King. I love this book so much for so many reasons.
Wendy
Amen! KC
I will start a new post tomorrow but pick up from here. Blessings on this day that the Lord has made. That each one would hear and walk according to His plans and purposes for us today.
with hugs and love in Christ.
Thank you Lisa! Kc
Blessings. Yes want to carry on in Esther. It is a book that had meant a great deal to us over the years and I think is very current for the time we are living in at the present. Have a wonderful day everyone.
Love and virtual hugs,🥰 Wendy❤️
Blessings! Enjoy this glorious day.