In the Word Wednesday – An Esther Wrap Up

Recently, I’ve finished up a Beth Moore study on Esther. 

I’ve read Esther on a few occasions and prior to this study it was a bit of a disturbing story of a crazy guy (as in psycho crazy) and a pretty…for lack of a better word “ballsy” queen and a people who were saved from certain tragic death. 

I mean…that IS it in a nutshell…BUT there IS so much more…SO much more.

Take that psycho guy, Haman.  He was a trusted advisor who held the kings signet ring.  Historically, that means Haman could make very important decisions for Susa.  He WAS authorized to kill every Jew in the land after all.  Does this sound like a familiar story?  God’s chosen people were sentenced to extermination at the beginning of the last century too.  George Santayana’s saying: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” rings true doesn’t it?  This highlights just ONE reason the story of Queen Esther is so important. 

Next, take Queen Esther.  She was an orphaned JEWISH girl picked to be queen AFTER the former queen was BANISHED.  Please take note that the book of Esther does NOT tell what happened to the banished Queen Vashti.  In those days banishment could have meant she had to move out of Susa OR it could have meant death. 

With those details in the back of your mind turn your attention to the fact that under Haman’s edict, all Jews would be killed.  Remember Queen Esther was a Jew.  She risked her own life by going to the king to talk to him and eventually with God’s protection saved the Jewish people from certain death. 

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.  Esther 5:2

As his wife, in that time, it was customary to WAIT FOR HIM to address her.  Can you imagine not being able to talk to your husband when you want to?  Even more, can you imagine that if you did go talk to him unrequested that if he had a bad day that day he could in fact have you put to death?  Praise God for living in the country we do at a time such as this. 

And lastly the Jews are God’s chosen people.  Through the years you will hear stories of their survival.  You will hear stories about God saving them from circumstance.  In Exodus, God equips Moses to bring them out of slavery in Egypt.  

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Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again."  Exodus 14:13

In Esther, God equips a WOMAN to influence a King to save them from certain death.  In modern day after incredible atrocities were committed to the Jews by the German Nazis, the demise of the Jewish people was halted.  The Jews have gone through SO much as a people, but they have been ultimately saved from certain destruction each time. 

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  Romans 2:9

Esther is inspiration for those of us afraid that OUR smallness in the world can not make change.  The story of Esther shows that we should not be weary of our smallness in this world because with God BIG things can happen. 

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"  Esther 4:14

What have you been learning in the Bible?  Please join myself and these fantastic ladies for this encouraging linkup!  

Becky at Tales of Beauty of Ashes

Sarah at Fontenot Four 
Falen at Upward Not Inward 
Kelly at Exceptionalistic 

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Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:

1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week.

2.  Follow the host and hostess. 

3. Grab a button to put on your blog - the more the merrier!

4. Check out (and comment) other people's blogs and be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!