Day 18 - 40 Days in the Old Testament
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 18 | ESTHER IS ALL-IN
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 18 | ESTHER IS ALL-IN
ESTHER IS ALL-IN
Esther 4:14-16
“‘For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’ Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” (NIV)
Esther is one of two books in the Bible named after a woman and God is neither mentioned nor quoted in this book. Nonetheless, He is VERY present. The timing appears to be when the Jews were still exiled in Persia. For years, the Israelites had learned – after leaving Egypt – how to be a people of God in the land that He had promised. Now they are learning how to be His people away from the Promised Land.
Esther’s story of how she became the Queen is fantastic (the Book of Esther is only five chapters long – hint hint). Additionally, she was used to saving her people (God’s people) during a strategic power struggle when Haman – the King’s main advisor – wanted to exterminate all the Jews in the Persian Empire. He didn’t want to tolerate them; he wanted them all dead. (Does that sound vaguely familiar? World War 2? How about today? How about Iran, who wants to “exterminate them” just like Hitler did in his time and Haman in his.)
But God … (love those two words) … provided a way and fulfilled His promise to His Chosen people who survived – though not without losses – attempts to kill them all.
We learn in part from Esther that God protects His people even when He seems quiet. Today, the LORD expects us to exercise our faith – as Esther did – especially in times of difficulty and danger.
Prayer: LORD, help me to stand firm in the face of whatever comes my way. My faith is ultimately in You alone. Amen.
Esther 4:14-16
“‘For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’ Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” (NIV)
Esther is one of two books in the Bible named after a woman and God is neither mentioned nor quoted in this book. Nonetheless, He is VERY present. The timing appears to be when the Jews were still exiled in Persia. For years, the Israelites had learned – after leaving Egypt – how to be a people of God in the land that He had promised. Now they are learning how to be His people away from the Promised Land.
Esther’s story of how she became the Queen is fantastic (the Book of Esther is only five chapters long – hint hint). Additionally, she was used to saving her people (God’s people) during a strategic power struggle when Haman – the King’s main advisor – wanted to exterminate all the Jews in the Persian Empire. He didn’t want to tolerate them; he wanted them all dead. (Does that sound vaguely familiar? World War 2? How about today? How about Iran, who wants to “exterminate them” just like Hitler did in his time and Haman in his.)
But God … (love those two words) … provided a way and fulfilled His promise to His Chosen people who survived – though not without losses – attempts to kill them all.
We learn in part from Esther that God protects His people even when He seems quiet. Today, the LORD expects us to exercise our faith – as Esther did – especially in times of difficulty and danger.
Prayer: LORD, help me to stand firm in the face of whatever comes my way. My faith is ultimately in You alone. Amen.