Lessons from Esther: Esther’s feast

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. Esther 2:18-20

Time for another party! It appears that Ahasuerus (Xerxes) loved to give parties (feasts). There was a reason to celebrate. The king had picked a new queen. The feast was appropriately called “Esther’s feast.” He was so excited about his choice that the party extended to the provinces.

The king gave “a release” to the people. Depending on what commentary you read the release was either from paying taxes, or from work, such as a special holiday. Esther was given “gifts”, we are not told what type of gift but according to history of the Persian kings, it could be anything from lovely clothes to an entire city.

Meanwhile, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate. This was not your ordinary sitting but it was a position he held. J. Vernon McGee says, “This means that he is a judge, for the courthouse of the ancient world was the gate of the city.” We are not told how Mordecai came to receive this position but it shows that God is in control.  God had placed him in this new position. Mordecai is now sitting at the gate where he is able to hear and see what is going on in the kingdom.

Through her selection, the celebrations as well as the appointment of her cousin, Esther was harboring a secret. She kept the secret hidden in her heart because Mordecai, her adopted father, had asked her to. Her secret was even hidden from her Persian husband. No one but Esther and Mordecai knew that she was Jewish, and a captive from Jerusalem.

Behind the scene God was guiding each word said, each step taken by Esther and Mordecai. God will guide our words and our steps if we let Him. At the start of each day, we need to ask God for guidance and direction to lead us in the way we should go.

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

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalm 27:11

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Gospel gems – Priorities

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 

Have you ever thought about priorities? Sure you have, we have no choice if we have a family, a job, or attend school. To have things “run smoothly” we need to prioritize. Even if you don’t have a neat list written out, you know in your mind what needs to be done to have a day run efficiently.

What is God saying in this verse? Basically He is telling us to prioritize. He is saying, “Put Me first and I will provide for you.”

Wait the verse continues “… and his righteousness”, we are to put Him first and his righteousness. Righteousness in this verse means “equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification…” We need to put on a “God like” disposition.

“All these things” is explained in the preceding verses.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Mathew 6:31-32

 Let’s start today seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Chambers

[4] And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: [5] And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. [6] But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: [7] And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. [8] And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Nehemiah 13:4-8

As we continue through the last chapter of Nehemiah, you have to wonder, what was the priest thinking? Or was he thinking? Tobiah was an enemy not only to Nehemiah but to the things of God. The chamber in the house of God had been cleaned out to store the sacrifices and other items used in sacrifices. (Nehemiah 12:44) The priest went into the chamber and had it cleaned up and makes an apartment for Tobiah.  We are not told what the alliance was but historians believe Tobiah was married to a Jewess. 

Just picture the whole scene, Nehemiah has been away for awhile. He comes back to check and see how everything is running where he once was governor. He remembers how everything was left,  redistricting and everyone working together. I am sure the dedication and celebration are in his memory as he starts to go to the house of God.

Imagine his surprise and shock when he finds Tobiah in the house of God, living in a “great chamber.” In Nehemiah fashion, he does the right thing. He takes all of Tobias’s “household stuff” and throws it out of the chamber.

Are we filling the “chambers of our heart” with stuff that doesn’t belong there? Is it full of the “things of this world”? Where are your daily thoughts? Are they focused on the day’s activities or focused on what Jesus would have you do?

Review the following verses and make changes where needed.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45 

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Two mites

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. [42] And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. [43] And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: [44] For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:41-44

During Holy Week Jesus was at the temple observing the people. He watched as people placed money into the treasury. The rich men contributed large sums.

I always chuckle when I hear of some big name music or movie star donating $100,000 to a foundation. Everyone ooohs and aaahs because of the amount, but if you look at what they make per movie or song it is just a “drop in the bucket”. It would be like a common man making $50,000 a year and giving $5.00 to a worthy cause and making sure everyone knew about it.

Basically this is what the rich men were doing. Giving of their abundance or their discretionary income (the left over money after all necessities were paid for). They made sure they had plenty left over for themselves.

Following the men was a poor widow. Widows in Bible times had nothing. There were no government programs to help poor people. Whatever she had was from working a job, which was not common in those times, or someone in her family gave her some money for the bare necessities. Wherever she got her money does not matter. What matters is how she used it.

Two mites, is all she had. A mite was the smallest of all Jewish coins. It was not only small in size but also in worth. Two mites were all the widow had. She probably did not know where her next meal was coming from, but she knew what she had to do and she did it. This poor widow’s priorities were right. God was first in her heart and she showed it by being a willing giver.

Time and money are usually the items that most of us waste. The poor widow was using her time and money to give glory to God.

What are our priorities? How do we spend our money? Where do we spend our time?

Meditate and pray asking God to show you what He would have you to do with your time and money.

I will leave you with a few verses from God’s word to ponder:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:21

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna