Lessons from Esther: Feasting and gladness

16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. Ether 9:16-19

The battles are ended and victory belongs to the Jews. The death toll outside of the king’s city is high, very high at 75,000. Again it is mentioned that the Jews did not take any spoil.

The goal was to defend their lives. They fought so they could live. When the conflict ended they gathered together to rest and rejoice by feasting. The Jews in the king’s provinces fought on the 13^th and celebrated on the 14^th day. The Jews in Shushan fought on the 13^th and 14^th days and celebrated on the 15^th day. Remember, Esther asked for another day of battle in the palace city.

The scriptures say it was “a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another” verse 19. The Jews had so much, so very much to be glad about. How about you? Can you celebrate today as a “gladness” day? Take a few minutes to name things you are glad about.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Psalm 9:2

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Psalm 31:7

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. Psalm 40:6

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Psalm 104:34

The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Psalm 126:3

Have a blessed day,
Donna

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

Lessons from Esther: A Great Feast

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. Esther 1:1-4

Esther is a wonderful book with a beautiful story. Esther is one of two books named after a woman. It is also one of two books in the Bible that does not mention God’s name. As we will see, as the story progresses, God’s name is not mentioned, but one can see the “presence of God” throughout the entire book.

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

Background info:

Writer: Unknown

Time: 486-464 B.C.

Place:  Persia

The story begins “in the days of Ahasuerus” (Xerxes his Greek name). The king reigned from India to Ethiopia and ruled over 127 provinces, a huge kingdom, to rule and reign. There were about 60 nations that were under the reign of Ahasuerus (A. Barnes).

This king was extremely powerful and when he spoke people listened and obeyed. In his third year, Ahasuerus decides to have a great feast for all his princes, nobles and servants. I’m sure all the RSVPs came back with “will attend”.

It appears that the reason for the feast was to “show off” all his great and wonderful possessions. The “brag” fest lasted for 180 days. Can you imagine hosting a party for 180 days? Can you image the cost of hosting a party for 180 days which included food, drink and lodging?

The king was full of pride. His main concern was for his welfare. It was all about him. He obviously did not know the verse, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Pride is an attribute we should not try to attain. When we are prideful it is all about us, nothing absolutely nothing matters but what we want. A prideful person does not care about anyone else.

Take a few minutes to do a study on pride. Here are a few verse to get you started:

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Psalm 73:6 

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4 

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16 

Join me the next time to find out what else the king is planning. Until then,

 Have a blessed day, 

Donna