Lessons from Esther: The Party Continues

And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; 6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.  Esther 1:5-8

Ahasuerus had a great feast for 180 days. When the feast ended, he immediately made another feast for “the common people”. All were invited to come to the court of the palace. As before, I’m sure there were not many “regrets”.  This feast lasted for seven days.

The people who attended not only had a feast to fill their stomachs but they had a feast for their eyes. The palace was “dressed to the nines” with beautiful hangings of marvelous colors. Everything was of the best quality; the materials were spectacular, gold, marble, reds, blues, greens a real “feast for the eyes”.

The people were amazed at the surroundings and if that was not enough they were served the best of wine in gold goblets. The wine was flowing and was free for the taking.

As we learn from history (Greek historian Herodotus), the feasting and gathering of people was probably for Ahasuerus (Xerxes) to discuss an invasion on Greece. Whatever the reason for the feast, many attended and the food and wine was abundant and free for the taking.

Do you think the partying is over? What happens when people have too much to drink? Join me the next time to find out.

Verses to ponder:

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Isaiah 5:11 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18  

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Unjustness

8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. 9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. 10  And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 8:8-10

At first look, one might say, the unjust get away with sin. In this life it may seem that way, people call good evil and evil good, but remember that is in this life. The Lord says:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14 

As Solomon said, someone did “hurt” to someone else but then it is forgotten once he is buried. It may be forgotten here on earth, but if the one who did the wrong did not ask forgiveness of God, it is not forgotten by God. When we do unjustness to others we are indirectly doing it to God.

In this world of” tick for tack” it is hard to turn the other cheek or walk away when someone is being unjust to us, but if you are a Christian, the Bible says this is exactly what we need to do.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 
1 Thessalonians 5:15 

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39 

The old hymn, "This World is not my Home” by Jim Reeves says,

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

When people are unjust, don’t let it get you down, but think about the justness and righteous of Jesus, Who will never let you down.

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 

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Justice will come

8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

Each day we see the injustice of governments against people and people against people. God is not sleeping. The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. (Psalm 33:13) He sees what is going on. In His time He will judge the injustice of the world.

We sometimes (well maybe most of the time) get frustrated with what we see happening in the world. Oppression of the poor and weak is not new; it occurred during Solomon’s time. We need to take heart and believe what God says in His Word. He tells us in His Word that this will take place when people do “their own thing”.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold Matthew 24:12.

Sin is rampant, just look around, people everywhere are calling good evil and evil good.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us God will take care of the injustice in His time.

O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Psalm 94:1 

And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. Micah 5:15 

God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. Nahum 1:2 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 

Take heart dear one, “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 

What are we to do? As Christians we need to:

Turn to Him

Trust Him

Obey Him

Have a blessed day, 
  Donna