What does it say?
King Ahasuerus displayed his riches for 180 days, then he gave a seven day banquet for his invited guests while Queen Vashti entertained the women. The king wanted the Queen to come into his banquet, so that he could parade her beauty before his guest but she refused; therefore, the king asked his advisors and Memucan a prince suggested divorce and to send out word that the every man should be master in the home. The kings advisors suggested that beautiful young virgins be brought to the king and the one who pleases him should become queen. Mordecai was raising his uncle’s daughter (Esther) Hadassah. She was taken to the kings palace, given cosmetics, and brought into see the king in the tenth month. The king married Esther, made her queen and served a royal banquet in her honor. Mordecai heard two men plotting against the king, he told Esther and she related to the king; therefore, the two men were hanged. The king promoted Haman as head prince; therefore, all the kings servants who gathered at the gate bowed to Haman but Mordecai refused. When Haman heard that Mordecai was a Jew, he sought to destroy his entire race. Haman spoke against the Jews to the king and suggested that they be destroyed. The king gave him the authority to make into law his suggestion. On the thirteenth day of the first month, Haman sent the kings couriers throughout the kingdom to deliver the message to annihilate all of the Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month and seize their positions. Mordecai and all of the Jews went into mourning because of this news. When Esther heard that Mordecai was mourning she sent the kings eunuch Hathach to learn the reason. Mordecai requested that she go to the king about the matter but she knew that doing so may mean death; therefore, she told Mordecai through Hathach. Mordecai sent word back that she should go because she may have received royalty for the preservation of the Jews. Esther replied to Mordecai to have the people fast for three days and she will go to the king. When the king saw Esther, he extended the scepter of mercy to her. Esther requested that the king and Haman join her in a banquet at which time she will reveal her petition. Haman pridefully spoke to his wife of his riches and honor, also of his hatred for Mordecai. His wife suggested that Haman prepare gallows to hang Mordecai the Jew.
What does it mean?
The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good. Even what may seem evil has a purpose and God’s purpose is always good. Men are going to act wickedly but God will use their evil intentions for his good purpose. Esther was put in place to deliver the Jews from Haman’s intention of destroying them. God has raised up Jesus Christ to deliver his elect from the evil intentions of the Satan.
What shall I do?
God in Jesus Christ has promised eternal life to all who trust in him. I work at the beside as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit seeing great illness. The entire world and the community that I live in is in disorder because of the Corona virus. The Father God has sent a deliver in the Son of God Jesus Christ the Lord. I cannot see eternity now amid the fear, illness and death that abounds in this present world. However, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and he will raise all who believe in him to eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth on the last day as he promised. Our deliverer is on the thrown of God! Therefore, I shall trust in the Lord!
