KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Sunday, September 23, 2018
Chapters: Esther 1-4
Message: God’s Protection In Strange Places
Hello My Friend,
As God’s people, we can be brought into some strange situations, but by the strength of Jesus He will see us through them. Through these strange situations, while God will never put us in the will to go against His Word, He will put us to the test to show us that He is always with us no matter where we are. The Book of Esther contains ten chapters and was written to the Jews who where in Persia (Babylon). The author of the book is unknown, but most likely Mordecai. The timeline for these events took place approximately 464–434 BC. The purpose of the book is to testify to the secret watch and care that God has over His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God uses all people to serve Him in some way, but prepares His people to be witnesses and blessings to others. “For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” – Esther 10:3.
The story of Esther (Hadassah) is no exception, she too was brought up in a strange situation, she was one of the Jewish captives, her parents died so she was raised by her uncle Mordecai, and begins with a great feast that lasted a hundred and eighty days. Can you imagine drinking and partying for six months? As you can imagine, the men were pretty drunk, including the king, he sent for his queen, Vashti so that he can parade her around, but she refused to show up, this angered him, and by the advice on one man he dethroned her.
“And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” – Esther 1:16-21.
“Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.” Basically Memucan was saying that if he allowed the queen to go against his commands, no matter what the request, that all women would be free to refuse to do what was commanded of her, and that would be dishonoring to their husbands. Vashti was not about to go against her morals and because of that she was dethroned. Let me tell you, women face more challenges as a Christian than men do, they are told to obey mans every command while they can do what they please without consequence. Let me tell you, this is really not the way God handles women, yes, because Eve was the one who fell into sin first we are seen as the weaker vessel, but that does not give a man the right to abuse us. With that said, that does not give a woman the right to do as she pleases either, we are going to face many challenges, men and women alike, that will try to get us to go against our morals, but if you stick by your morals, you will be respected, and in the end God will bless you for it. We may not always understand where God places us in this life, but more often than we realize, it is to protect and or guide other people. Now, after all that, a decree was sent out to young virgin women that a new queen would be chosen.
“After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.” – Esther 2:1-2,4,8-10,17.
“And the king loved Esther above all the women,” While all the other women dressed themselves to entice the king, Esther remained modest, presenting herself just as she was, not extravagant jewelry, no loud makeup, no fancy clothes, she was herself, and that is how she won the affection of the king. Esther found herself in a situation in which she had no control of, she could only trust God for direction and protection. We should never doubt that God is in ultimate control to protect and care for His people. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” – Revelation 7:17.
As Esther adjusts to life as queen little did she know that she would play a part in protecting the Jews herself. It all started when Mordecai discovers a plot by two of the kings men attempting to kill him, after the men were caught and executed, a wicked conspirator named Haman was promoted. Now second in command, he thought himself to be king, expecting all the people to bow down to him the second they saw him, and that is what they did, except for Mordecai, he refused to bow. Haman hated the Jews enough as it is, and that was all he needed as ammunition to go to the king with some bogus tale to have a degree set out to have them all killed.
“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.” – Esther 3:1-2,8-11,15.
“but the city Shushan was perplexed.” The majority of people did not want this, they did not want to see the Jews destroyed nor be apart of killing them, they were ashamed at the decree that had gone out. The biggest reason we are persecuted as Christians is that, while we respect all in authority, we only bow down to God. Like Mordecai, we must not bow down to the Haman’s of this world, those who seek to destroy our loyalty to Christ. We are ambassadors for Christ and should maintain our integrity, even if that means we face persecution for disobeying some bogus law. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” – Hebrews 13:15-17.
After learning of the decree Queen Esther came up with a plan to expose Haman to the king, even if that meant she would lose her life. She encourages the Jews to fast and pray for three days, and then she would approach the king, even if that meant she would die for it.
“All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:11.13-16.
“Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house,” There is a time for us to be silent and not expose our faith to the world and then there is a time that we must let it be known and use our faith for the sake of our people. Over the centuries, especially in our current generation, our countries leaders are being deceived into signing laws that are pretty much trying to kill off God’s people. As Christians, we are forced to comply with laws that should never exist for the sake of a few egos that are hurt because we will not bow down to them. While we are no longer under the law, and while we are to be wise in our decisions, we must never let anyone destroy our faith. At one time it use to be a crime to discriminate against someone over their religion, yet we get discriminated for following Jesus. Stand by your faith, do not bow down to them! We have a right to be here, and no one can force us to break a law from the utmost authority, God. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.” – Proverbs 29:25,26.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:16.
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for always keeping watch on me, even working in the midst of the world, Your hand is never too far from catching me. It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long as I look to You I will see victory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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