-
The Book Of Esther
Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 29, 2019 (message contributor)
-
1. The King Who Rules
Contributed on Jun 29, 2019
Looking at the splendour and power of the Persian king, the author set the stage for his readers to appreciate the work of the unseen King who rules.
Last week Michael gave us an overview of the book of Esther. Let’s recap the timeline. Cyrus (559-530) Ezra 1:1 – 1st year of his reign over Babylon, allowed Jews to return Zerubbabel led the first returnees in 538 BC Started rebuilding altar/Temple but halted until 2nd yr Darius (Ezra ...read more
-
2. God Makes A Way
Contributed on Jul 8, 2019
We are introduced to God's cast in His sovereign plan, Mordecai and Esther. They may be unlikely candidates but God uses them to accomplish His purposes.
With the deposed of the Queen (Vashti) in chapter 1, which happened in the 3rd year of King Xerxes’ reign (1:3), the stage is set for the rise of Esther. • The Jewish girl Esther was made Queen in chapter 2, in the 7th year of the King’s reign (2:16), so some 4 years have passed between chapter 1 ...read more
-
3. For Such A Time As This
Contributed on Jul 23, 2019
Esther comes to understand the providence of God in retrospect. God has been preparing her for such a time as this.
We ended last week on a sad note, with Mordecai and the Jews across the Persian Empire mourning. They had just received an edict for their execution. Haman, the evil high official to the King, hatched a plot to kill, not just Mordecai (his enemy and Jewish subordinate), but also his entire ...read more
-
4. God Has A Plan
Contributed on Aug 6, 2019
We see the remarkable providence of God in this chapter. Everything happens according to God's way and time to accomplish His purpose. No one can plan for this. It is humanly impossible to plan for it. Only God could have done it.
We are going to see the remarkable work of God’s providence today. • In chapter 6 the tables are turned and evil is overcome by good. • And it happened almost imperceptibly, without us noticing it was coming or expecting it to turn out this way. • Let’s read the entire chapter – Esther ...read more
-
5. The Great Reversal
Contributed on Aug 18, 2019
God did a great reversal. On an individual level, everything that Haman has and craved for, ended up with Mordecai. On a national level, the Jews were given the right to fight for their survival, against sure extermination.
The enemy Haman has been removed. The King’s anger subsided. Mordecai has gotten his recognition, but the problem remains. • The removal of Haman is not the end of the problem for the Jews. There’s still an unfinished task. The first edict of the King issued through Haman still stands. • The ...read more
-
6. Remember God's Goodness
Contributed on Sep 3, 2019
The Feast of Purim was instituted to remember God's deliverance of His people, for the generation that was saved, as well as for the generations to come.
We have come a long way through the book of Esther. • Against all odds, and through a set of amazing and miraculous twists, Esther and Mordecai achieved the mission – the mission of God, actually - to save their people from certain annihilation. • It was successful because God has a hand in it. ...read more