Lessons from Esther: Mordecai hears “the news”

1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 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.  Esther 4:1-3

Have you ever found out about “a ruling” or “law” after it was passed? Basically this is what happened to Mordecai. A law was “slipped under the radar”, passed and now enacted.

When he realizes the impact on “his people” the Jews, he tears his clothes and puts on sackcloth (put on for mourning or humiliation) and ashes. Mordecai is crying, not just a silent cry but a loud, bitter cry with sobbing, uncontrolled weeping. John Gill says, “that all the Jews in the city might be alarmed by it, and inquire the reason of it, and be affected with it…”

He is so overcome with grief that he stands before the king’s gate in his sackcloth and ashes. In today’s world we might say “he was out of control” but really he was totally in control and knew that he had to get people’s attention. This was serious, a life and death situation.

Mordecai did get the attention of his fellow Jews. They banded together to fast, weep and wail.  They were fasting, going without food for a period of time, to get the attention of the God of Heaven.

Again, even though God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, one can see “His hand” throughout the pages.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21 

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1Peter 3:12 

Are  you going through an awful time in  your life? A time when all you do is cry? God is there in the midst of your troubles, call on Him today and He will help and show you the way.

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3 

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Psalm 86:7 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10 

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1Peter 5:6 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Sitting at the King’s gate

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. Esther 2:21-23

The workings of the palace went on as usual. Everyone was in their right place doing their job. Again, we find Mordecai at the king’s gate. As I mentioned in the last blog, he had a position of authority, probably as a judge or an official of the court.

One of the jobs of this position was listening. Mordecai sat and listened, maybe to complaints, maybe to cases, maybe to people asking for favors, whatever the reason, he was listening and probably making decisions.

One day, Mordecai got an “ear full.” Someone came and told Mordecai about a plot to kill the king. Mordecai probably researched the source, and then he went to Queen Esther and told her.

Esther documented the incident in “Mordecai’s name” meaning she had it written down with the details noting that Mordecai was the one who discovered the “plot.” After an investigation was held and verified, the men were hung on a tree. The case was written in the king’s book.

What can be learned from this portion of scripture?

Mordecai being in the right place at the right time was not an accident. Mordecai hearing about the plot to kill the king was not just hearsay.

God is in control

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. I Peter 3:12

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21

Pay Attention

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.  Epictetus 

When I was a child, my grandmother would quote this to me often. Usually it was when I was talking away and not listening or “carrying tales” about others.

A wise old owl lived in an oak

The more he heard the less he spoke1

The less he spoke the more he heard.

Why aren’t you like this wise old bird.

Be aware

We need to be aware of our surroundings. Mordecai was aware of what was going on around him. He was listening more than he was talking. He was a captive in a strange land, he needed to keep “his guard up”.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

Today as you do your daily tasks, pay attention, know God is in control and be aware of your surroundings.

I’ll end today with the words of an old hymn:

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Looking heavenward,

Donna

Lessons from Esther: The Keeper of the Women

9 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. 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. Esther 2:9-10

As we learned from the last lesson, all the women were brought back to the king’s house. They were in the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. Hegai was the one who took care of the women by getting them everything needed for the meeting with the king.

This portion of scripture tells us that Esther pleased him. He saw something in Esther and treated her with kindness. Hegai was so “taken “by Esther’s beauty as well as her calm demeanor that he gave her seven maids to take care of all the details.

Esther and her maids were given one of the best rooms. Keli & Delitzsch Commentary says, “he changed her and her maids into the best of the house of the women, i.e., he took them out of the ordinary rooms and placed them in the best apartments, probably in the state-rooms, where those who were accustomed to be brought to the king used to dwell.”

Throughout all the preparation and all the kindnesses shown to her, Esther kept her promise to Mordecai. She told no one of her Jewish ancestry.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 

… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7 

I can see “God’s hand” throughout this portion of scripture. God’s care and protection are everywhere. Hegai took her “under his care”. He gave her preferential treatment. Esther was in the center of God’s will and He was taking care of her.

When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 

Sometimes we think that if everything is not going “our way” then we must be doing something wrong. We need to trust God with every detail of our life. It doesn’t matter if it is small or large, God cares about everything. God was with Esther even in the middle of a foreign palace.

God cares about you and whatever you may be going through. Trust him with all your worries and problems.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5 -6

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Gospel gems – Temptation will come

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Luke 4:1-2 

Jesus was tempted BUT He was filled with the Holy Spirit. His temptation was for forty (40) days. Imagine forty days without a break of constant bombardment from Satan. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and resist the devil like Jesus did. Know the scriptures and be ready.

·        Know the enemy.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1Peter 5:8 

·        Get ready for the battle.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18

Temptation will come but Jesus is the overcomer.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from a trip – Lost and found

Did you ever lose something and look and look but could not find it? When you think it is gone you usually stop looking. We were gone on vacation for ten days. I stopped delivery of the mail and newspaper. We let the neighbors know we would be gone and asked them to keep an eye on the house. I made arrangements for my son to come over and feed the cat.

Everything was set. We left early Friday morning packing the car the night before. We doubled checked everything and were starting out the door when my husband asked if I saw Mimi. I did not see her that morning, which is not unusual because she will “hid” for hours and sometimes for a whole day. We set off for our vacation.

Two days later my son texted me to let me know he had been at the house but did not see the cat. Again I was not overly concerned because she will hide when someone comes over to the house. He stopped by again in a few days and noticed that food and water were not touched. He looked everywhere but could not find Mimi. Oh did I mention that Mimi is a house cat and does not go outside.

When we arrived home my husband looked inside and out, calling “Mimi” but still no cat. We resigned ourselves that she was gone. We went to bed after a long two days of driving. As we prayed together my husband prayed for Mimi, that we would find her. I was surprised and comforted by the prayer.

The next morning I got up and sat in my favorite chair to have quiet time. I was reading and happened to look up through my glass door. A cat was walking down my driveway and it didn’t look like one of the neighbor cats but it looked a lot like Mimi. As I opened the door the cat ran under my porch. I put slippers on and went to look under the porch. As I walked I called “Mimi” and heard a familiar meow. After a few minutes of coaxing she came to me. I could not believe my eyes. She was thin but otherwise looked healthy. I carried her inside, put her down and she ran to her food. After a ten day adventure Mimi the cat was home safe and sound.

This was a gentle reminder that God answers prayer. No matter how small or large the problem God knows. The answer may not always be the one we want but it is always the right one.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1Peter 5:7 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippines 4:6 -7

Is there a “small” problem in your life? Pray, God is there. Is there a “LARGE” problem in your life? Pray, God is there. No matter what the situation God know and cares. We need to reach out as He is reaching out to us.

Pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Job’s Wife

[9] Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.[10] But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.  Job 2:9-10

When you first hear “Job’s wife” what runs through your mind. My first thought, “she was not supportive but wanted him to just curse God and die.” Think for a minute with me, Job was not the only one who lost everything, so did his wife. The livestock that was killed was part of her livelihood too. The children that died were her children also. Her heart must have been breaking. I cannot image losing a child never mind ten, all at once. Not only did she lose everything with her husband, but it appeared that she was now losing him.

He was covered from head to toe with boils. Boils are extremely painful. He did not have one or two but so many that he was literally covered. He probably could not walk very well, because they were on the soles of his feet. His hands, most likely, were covered so he could not carry or hold anything without being in excruciating pain. He could not sit, he could not stand, and he could not lie down without pain wrenching his whole body. Thoughts from theologians believe it was anything from small pox, or leprosy to elephantiasis. The Hebrew meaning of boil is to burn; inflammation, that is, an ulcer: - boil, botch.

It appears that her faith was not as strong as Job’s, “do you still retain your integrity?” was the question asked. She was suffering too. She did not know how to reach out and comfort her husband. Maybe communication was not good between them. We need to remember this was a time when women kept silent. Eugenia Price says, “She saw her husband strictly from her own viewpoint, not at all from his.” We learn in Job 19 that his breath was offensive to her. It probably was because of the dreaded infection he had.

Only four verses mention Job’s wife. We do not know much, most is conjecture. We do know God gave Job double at the end than what he had in the beginning (Job 42:12).  God gave his wife a second chance with the birth of more children. Again there is much said about the end of Job’s life. Some believe it was a second wife, some believe it was his first wife. I side with it being the same wife. After looking through scripture I could not see the “second wife” theory.

Lessons I learned from Job’s wife:

Judgemental – do not be quick to judge, we need to walk in someone else’s shoes

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. ~ John 7:24

Offend – don’t be offensive, think before you speak, think before you act

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. ~ Psalm 49:3

Bitter – Bitterness festers inner “sores”

Let all bitterness… be put away from you… ~  Ephesians 4:31

Stern – Watch the tone of your voice

… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7

Weary – when one is emotionally drained it brings everyone down

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. ~ II Thessalonians 3:13

Inadequate –  realize we are inadequate but Jesus is there to help us

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ~ I Peter 5:7

Fatigue – when going through hard times find time to rest your tired body (physically and emotionally)

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: ...~ Psalm 37:7

Encourage– pray and ask God to help you be an encourager not a discourager

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Straddling the fence

[1] On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; [2] Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. [3] Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. Nehemiah 13:1-3

We are coming to the home stretch in the book of Nehemiah. This is the last chapter. While reading this I came to the conclusion that chapter 13 is not the same time frame as chapter 12 . Nehemiah was not in Jerusalem at the start of this chapter. He had gone back to his previous job after being the governor for twelve years. When reading this portion of scripture, one can see the people returned to their “old ways.” Nehemiah arrives and starts to restore the people back towards God.

The book of Moses is read. The people listen and obey God’s word.  The Israelites had been told not to let the Ammonite or Moabites come into the congregation of God (Deut 23:3). The Ammonites and Moabites are a type of the world. When the law was re-established they followed it and separated themselves from the world.

As I was thinking on this I thought of how stubborn the Israelites were, always being reminded to do the right thing. Oh that reminds me of myself. How many times to do I need to be reminded of things in the word of God? It seems that I have a selective memory.

God’s word is here to teach us, not for us to put on the “back burner” of our mind but for us to learn. We need God’s word to grow. We need to have it implanted into our lives each and every day.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 

We don’t have Nehemiah prodding us but we do have the Word of God. We need to beware of the lure of the world. Satan is standing in the shadows waiting.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1Peter 5:8 

God knows we have to physically  live in this world but we are not to participate in all of the world’s detrimental activities. It is a tall order but when He gives us something to do He also give us the power to do it.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 

As you start this week, reflect on God’s word. Is there something He wants you to change? Is there something He wants you to do? Only you can answer. Start today by reading and studying His word for the answers you need.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Overgrown gate

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:19


Another gate that is around our heart is a gate that is hidden behind overgrown foliage. Sometimes the weeds are so high or dense that you can barely see the gate. Is the gate of your heart hidden with overgrown things? Are the cares of the world crowding out the blessings of God?

Even the wisest man in the world, Solomon, let the cares and lusts of this world crowd out the Lord of his life. In the beginning of Solomon’s reign he asked God for wisdom to rule the people and make the right decisions. (I Kings 3:9-12) By the end of his life (I Kings 11:4-6) Solomon had allowed the weeds of the world to cover the gate of his heart. He no longer put God first in his life. The more I read about Solomon I wonder if God had any place in his later life. I am very doubtful that He did.

Sampson, a judge in the early days of Israel, was more concerned with how he could satisfy himself in the pleasures of the world. God blessed him with “superpowers” but he sought after what the world had to offer. Sampson lived for the “moment” never giving a thought to God. Sampson lived his life for himself, he was number one. As a result of his lifestyle he lost his eyesight and eventually his life.

In my own life, I know it does not take much for the weeds to cover my heart gate. I need to be constantly taking account of how I spend my time. I get busy with one thing or another and before I know it I have not spent a minute with the Lord.

What about you? Do you let the cares and worries of this life overtake your heart? Take a few minutes to clean the heart gate of excessive foliage and weeds.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1Peter 5:7
Have a blessed day,
Donna