I'm Following Jesus – Page 1309 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Chapters: Esther 1-4
Message: God In Strange Situations

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. [Esther 10:3 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.]

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.

[Esther 1:10-13,16,19,21 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 16 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. 19 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. 21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:]

[and the king did according to the word of Memucan:] Basically Memucan was saying that if he allowed the queen to go against his commands, no matter what the request, then all women would be free to refuse to do what was commanded by their husbands, and that would be dishonoring them. Let me tell you, women face more challenges as a Christian than men do, they are told to obey mans every command while they think they can do what they please without consequence. Let me tell you, 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 to God. Now, a decree was sent out to young virgin women that the king was looking for a new queen.

[Esther 2:5,7–8,16-17 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 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. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 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.]

[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. Now, 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.

[Esther 3:8,10-13 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. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. 11 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. 12 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. 13 And the letters were sent by posts 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 upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.]

[and their laws are diverse from all people;] The majority of people did not want this, they did not want to see the Jews destroyed nor be apart of killing them, and 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, [Hebrews 13:15-16 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. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.]

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.

[Esther 4:3-4,7,10-11,16 And in every province, whithersoever 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 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 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. 16 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.]

[and if I perish, I perish.] 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, [I Peter 4:14-16 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.]

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. I as this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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