Esther 6
Sleeplessness = Providence of God verse 1- 2
On that night could not the king sleep
and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles
and they were read before the king
and it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh
two of the king’s chamberlains the keepers of the door
who sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus
Question of the king verse 3
And the king said
What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?
Then said the king’s servants that ministered to him
There is nothing done for him
Second question of king = Providence of God verse 4
And the king said
Who is in the court?
Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house
to speak to the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows
that he had prepared for him
Third question of king verse 5- 6
And the king’s servants
said unto him
BEHOLD – Haman stands in the court
And the king said
Let him come in
So Haman came in and the king said to him
What shall be done unto the man whom the king
delights to honor?
Now Haman thought in his heart
To whom would the king delight to do honor
more than myself?
Haman’s answer to question verse 7- 9
And Haman
answered the king
For the man whom the king delight to honor
let the royal apparel be brought which the king used to wear
and the horse that the king rides upon
and the crown royal which is set upon his head
let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the
king’s most noble princes – that they may array the man
withal whom the king delights to honor
and bring him on horseback through the street of the city
and proclaim before him
Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor
King agrees with Haman’s answer verse 10
THEN the king
said to Haman
Make haste – and take the apparel and the horse – as you hast said
and do even so to Mordecai the Jew – that sits at the king’s gate
let nothing fail of all that you have spoken
Haman does as the king orders verse 11
THEN took Haman the apparel and the horse – and arrayed Mordecai
and brought him on horseback through the street of the city
and proclaimed before him
Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king
delights to honor
Zeresh his wife gives interpretation of event verse 12- 13
And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate
BUT Haman hasted to his house mourning
and having his head covered
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything
that had befallen him
THEN said his wise men and Zeresh his wife to him
IF Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews – BEFORE whom you
have begun to fall – you shall not prevail against him
BUT shall surely fall before him
Haman to go to Esther’s banquet verse 14
And while they were yet talking with him – came the king’s chamberlains
and hasted to bring Haman to the banquet
that Esther had prepared
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. (8142 “sleep” [shehah] means slumber or asleep, a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended and dreams occur, or an altered state of awareness that is not being awake, with the possibly focus this as a state of pp=orper rest or improper inactivity)
DEVOTION: The Bible states that “Pride comes before the fall.” Here we have an example of this. Haman had built an gallows to hang Mordecai. He was planning to ask the king for his head in the morning.
That very night the king had insomnia or as the Hebrew states it “sleep fell away.” Do you think that the king lost sleep that night by accident? Do you think it was fate? Do you think God did not appoint it? The providence of God is one main idea in that is found in many place in the Bible. Throughout the book of Esther we have evidence of the providence of God. Nothing happens by accident in our world. Everything has a purpose. God has a purpose and direction for every life.
Haman thought he had the upper hand. He thought he was in control of the situation. He was coming for the head of Mordecai. The whole plan was turned around by a sleepless night. He had to honor Mordecai instead of kill him.
His friends and family understood what was happening. They realized that God was protecting HIS people and that Haman was the one who was going to fall instead of the Jews.
As we study the Word of God we see HIM working in many lives this way. Everything that happens in this world is under the control of God. HE allows sin to go just so far. HE allows HIS children to drift so far from HIM and HE warns them. HE allows our enemies to gain only so much in our lives.
The LORD knows that there are people who want to hurt us. God is in the business of protecting HIS children. Sometimes we don’t understand what is going on but that doesn’t mean that HE is not in control. HE never causes us to sin. HE is not the author of confusion. Trust HIM in all our circumstances. Mordecai and Esther were in a seeming impossible situation and yet the rest of the book tells us otherwise. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!
If your enemies seem to be winning, remember the book of Esther. If you think that you have more on your plate than you can handle, remember the promise of the LORD in I Corinthians 10: 13.
CHALLENGE: In all circumstances trust the LORD. HE has a plan and is working HIM plan for your life. HE knows what is best. HIS timing is perfect. HIS plan is perfect. HIS promises are real!!!
________________________________________________________________
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 3 And the king said, What honor and dignity has been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered to him: There is nothing done for him. (1420 “dignity” [gaduwlah] means greatness, some act that is held in esteem and honor, magnitude, great deeds, great action, or majesty)
DEVOTION: Mordecai was not looking for recognition for his warning of the king regarding those who were plotting to kill him. He was just looking to make sure the king was not killed. Esther gave him recognition when she told the king about the plot. So it was recorded in the history of the Persians for him to read another time.
Every historical event was recorded in many nations for future reference. There were individuals who had the responsibility to make sure that events were recorded. Babylon had records of all the items taken from Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar was ruling. This made it possible for the king of Persia to give the children of Israel all the items that were taken from the Temple.
Now we a king who can’t sleep reading about what has taken place in his reign. One of the events is the warning of Mordecai regarding the two servants that wanted to kill the king. This is all being done well after the event took place.
So sometimes rewards for good behavior don’t come right away. We have to wait on the LORD’S timing for rewards. Our responsibility is to do things right and watch for the LORD’S blessing in the future.
Rewards are going to be passed out when those who are believers stand before the LORD Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat. HE will give us what we deserve at that time if HE has not given us things here and now.
Whether we get the rewards now or later should make no difference to us if we genuinely are doing things to please the LORD alone. Our goal should not be for personal profit but for the glory of the LORD.
Mordecai didn’t expect any reward but it happened on a future occasion when someone wanted to kill him instead of honor him.
CHALLENGE: We can wait to see what the LORD is going to do for us after we do things that are pleasing in HIS sight. Sometimes the “nothings” turn into somethings!!!
_________________________________________________________
: 6 So Haman came in, And the king said to him, What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? (2654 “delight” [chaphets] means to take a high degree of pleasure or mental satisfaction in, to be favorable, wish to, be inclined , to bend down, or be mindful of)
DEVOTION: Do we realize that the LORD knows what is going on in the mind of even those who are not followers of HIM? Here is a pagan king who wants to do good to someone who has kept him alive. He wants to honor Mordecai for an action that he had done many years earlier.
The LORD always times things right. HE knows just what needs to be done in our lives and in the lives of all those who follow HIM. HE doesn’t always act when we would like HIM to act but HE is never acting in the wrong time or in the wrong manner.
Here is a king that couldn’t sleep having his servants read to him about past history. He finds out that Mordecai has saved his life and that he was never honored for his actions.
Haman comes in with thoughts of killing Mordecai because he didn’t like him. Mordecai would not honor Haman the way he wanted him to honor him.
Now here is wear the LORD acts at just the right time to help HIS people. HE knows what has happened in the past and what Haman wanted to do in the present. HE works for the good of HIS people and an individual who is a genuine follower of HIM.
We need to not to think too highly of ourselves because if we do this is what could happen to us. Haman was on top of the world. He thought that he had a special place in the heart of the king. He thought he could ask the king for anything he wanted because he was the only one invited to the banquet of Esther with the king.
He didn’t realize that the LORD was working out all the details to protect HIS people through Esther and she was going to deal with Haman at the banquet. Timing is everything in the eyes of the LORD.
We need to make sure that we don’t have pride in our lives because the saying is “pride comes before the fall.” Haman is going to fall for trying to hurt the people of God. Those who challenge God’s people will have to deal with the LORD in HIS timing.
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to be faithful servants of the LORD and then let HIM honor us when HE wants to. It might not be in this life but it is coming. Our rewards are promised.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as you have said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sits at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that you have spoken. (4116 “haste” [mahar] means speed, quickly, to act rashly, to act or move at high speed, in a hurry, impetuous, dash headlong, or prepare quickly)
DEVOTION: Unexpected responsibilities were given to Haman. He had his thoughts but the king had other ideas. He thought he deserved special treatment but others did not deserve it. He thought the king was going to honor him. He was excited about the question that was asked but wasn’t excited about what happened next.
We need to make sure that we expect the unexpected from the LORD. The LORD can use anyone at any time to give us a blessing. Mordecai was not expecting a blessing but he received one that was given to him by an enemy.
Can our enemies be a giving us a blessing and we not realize it? Sometimes their challenges cause us to go to the LORD more or study the Word of God more. There are people who would like to see each one of us fall. Yet the LORD has them in our life to cause us to trust HIM more.
Life is not supposed to be easy. We grow through the LORD sending someone to prune off the stuff in our life that is not pleasing to HIM. Haman was the one that God used in the life of Mordecai.
Who is God using in your life to cause you to become a better servant of HIM? Are you practicing the same attitude that Mordecai had regarding how Haman treated him? Was Mordecai’s attitude correct in the eyes of the LORD? What was the LORD’S attitude toward the descendants of Esau? Were the Edomites on the blessing list of the LORD?
We need to realize that there was hatred between the descendants of Esau and Jacob. It was a feud that was never going to end. Yet the LORD understands what is going on and HE is working to help those who are HIS servants. This is one example of how the LORD works out the details regarding those who are willing servants of HIS.
CHALLENGE: Remember that we are serving for not present blessings but our future time with HIM for eternity. The present blessings are a bonus.
________________________________________________________
: 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. THEN said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, IF Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, BEFORE whom you have begun to fall, you shall not prevail against him, BUT shall surely fall before him. (3201 “prevail” [yakol] means to prove superior, be capable of, overcome, have power, be victor, or have strength)
DEVOTION: Here is a pagan wife informing her pagan husband that the circumstances don’t look good if his Jew has been honored by the king using her husband as the means of honoring him.
Haman had come to the palace to ask for permission to hang Mordecai and ended up being the one who had to take him through the streets of the capital stating that the king wanted to honor the man who saved his life.
The timing of the LORD is always perfect and here we find that because Esther waited an extra day to tell the king of her request the LORD used that night to change the outcome of the use of the gallows that was to be used to hang Mordecai.
We need to give the LORD time to work in our life and in the lives of those around us if we expect HIM to bless us. HE knows just the right time to give us the blessings we deserve for our service to HIM.
Here we find that HE even gives insights to those who are not followers into the wrongs that they are doing to HIS people. Haman’s wife spoke correctly regarding what was going to happen in the future to her husband.
Just like the handwriting of the LORD on the wall in Babylon. Judgment was coming to those who opposed the LORD. The LORD is longsuffering but HE will judge in HIS timing and it will be one that everyone will know HE has done to those who hurt HIS people.
The power is ultimately in the hands of the LORD. Trust HIM to protect us from our enemies. Too often we try to fight on our own and in our own timing. One night can make a difference.
CHALLENGE: Waiting on the LORD is never easy but HIS timing is always right. _______________________________________________________________
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Book of records verse 1
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
___________________________________________________________
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
King Ahasuerus/Xerxes verse 1- 10
Could not sleep
Book of records read to help him sleep
Found that Mordecia had warned him
of those who wanted to kill him
Wanted to know what honor or diginity
had been given to Mordecai for
warning him of attempted murder
Found out nothing had been done
Enters Haman
Asked Haman what delight to honor
Should be given to Mordecai
Bighthana and Teresh verse 2
King’s chamberlains
Keepers of the door
Sought to lay hands
on Ahasuerus
Haman verse 4- 14
Came to talk to king about hanging
Mordecai on gallows
Called in to king
King asks what honor should be given
To someone king delights in
He thought it was for him
Told king that the person should have
Royal apparel
Ride on king’s horse
Proclaim of person that the king
delights in him
King told him to do these actions to
Mordecai the Jew
He did it but went to his house mourning
and having head covered
Told wife what happened
Told by friends and wife that he was going
to fall before Mordecai
Brought into the banquet of Esther
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Killing of king verse 2
Hang an enemy verse 4
Pride verse 4, 7, 13
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Providence of God = sleeplessness verse 1
Honor verse 3, 6, 7, 9, 11
Dignity verse 3
Providence of God = Haman in courtyard verse 5
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Mordecai verse 2- 12
Warned king of servants that
wanted to kill him
Honored for his actions of past
Arrayed by Haman on the king’s
orders
Went back to king’s gate
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
___________________________________________________________
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church, please use that method. Thank you.
________________________________________________________________
QUOTES regarding passage
There is no distinction in Hebrew between “can” and “may,” since yakol expresses both “ability” and “permission,” or prohibition with the negative. Both God and man can act. There is no limit to God’s ability apart from His own freely determined limits of patience with continued disobedience and insincerity (Isa. 59:1-2) and will (Dan. 3:17-18).
The Septuagint translates yakol by several words, dunamai being by far the most common. Dunamai means “to be able, powerful.” It is first used in the New Testament in Matt. 3:9: “… God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 31). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
_________________________________________________________________
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate, where he had been sitting before Haman had been forced to lead his foe through the streets of Susa mounted on the king’s horse. The honor had not changed Mordecai’s position before the king as a Jew awaiting the execution of Eiaman’s edict. Haman, however, rushed home with his head covered, an expression of his grief and wretchedness. Covering the head was a way of expressing mourning (cf. 2 Sam 15:30; Jer 14:3–4). Haman must have hoped to find solace from his wife and friends. (Huey, F. B., Jr. (1988). Esther. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, pp. 823–824). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
_________________________________________________________________
In his insomnia, the king, at last despairing of natural rest, called for “the strangest soporific ever sought.” “He commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king” (ver. 1). Surely in those bloodstained annals there was enough to have driven away sleep forever. But One is overruling all, and the august Iranian emperor is but as a chess-king in His hand to be moved by Him at will.
As the records of his reign are read aloud in his hearing, “it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hands on Ahasuerus” (ver. 2). How well had all been timed! He who knows the end from the beginning had caused this service to be here recorded. He had also so ordered it that, at the time it was rendered, the preoccupied monarch should overlook entirely the one to whose faithfulness he owed his life. To Mordecai this may have seemed at the time like base ingratitude, though we read of no word of complaint. Possibly he had learned to “endure as seeing Him who is invisible.” At any rate it was now made manifest that there was a divine reason for the king’s forgetfulness. God had timed everything well, and He “makes everything beautiful in its season.”
Do these pages meet the eyes of some tried and discouraged saint? Have you been overwhelmed at times by a nameless dread as though God had utterly forgotten you, and you were cast off forever? Have you wearied yourself devising one human expedient after another, in the vain hope of averting threatened disaster by the arm of flesh? Learn, then, from God’s dealings with His servant of old that His heart and hand are for you still. And “if God be for us, who can be against us?” He has heard every sigh; noted, and stored in His bottle, every tear; taken account of every cry of anguish; heard every confiding prayer. His arm is in nowise shortened; His ear is in no sense deaf to your cry. At the appointed time He will awake in your behalf, and you shall know that it is “the God of all grace” with whom you have to do. Only look up: be not cast down, for you are ever on His heart; and if you just leave all with Him, He will make your affairs His care. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” How sweet the words! He careth. He, the most high God: yea, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ careth. He is no indifferent spectator—no callous, unconcerned looker-on; but, as no one else can, He careth for you. Assured of this, may not the reader and the writer well cry, “I will trust, and not be afraid”?
The hitherto neglectful king is at once aroused as his memory is refreshed in regard to Mordecai’s service in days gone by. “And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him” (ver. 3). He had shown himself to be a loyal and faithful subject, despite the fact that he was of the children of the captivity; but though the king had profited by his devotion, he allowed him to go utterly unrewarded, while bestowing favors with lavish hand on so worthless a character as the selfish and despicable Haman. Such is the favor of princes. “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land, and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in time of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:5–8). How sharp the contrast between the time-serving man of the flesh, whose eyes are fixed on man for his reward—doomed ever to disappointment—and the God-fearing man of faith, who rises above all creature-help to the Most High Himself! Mordecai has left all in His hands. He is now about to make his way prosperous.
And yet even at the last moment how active is Satan in his efforts to thwart God’s purpose of grace! At this moment a step is heard in the outer court of the royal sleeping apartment. “And the king said. Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in” (vers. 4, 5).
If God is at work, so is the great adversary. Haman, still burning with wounded vanity, is early on the scene. He would forestall all further slights from Mordecai by getting the easily-influenced and luxurious despot to sign the order for the Jew’s execution as soon as he shall rise. Then, the hated object out of the way, he will be in good humor for the festal board. He is, however, but to learn that “those who walk in pride, God is able to abase.” He has reached the highest pinnacle of earthly glory to which he can lawfully aspire. He is about to be hurled into the lowest depths of shame and ignominy.
The king’s first words fairly cause his head to swim with wild exultation, and seem to point to the early fulfilment of his most cherished dreams. “What,” asks his royal master, “shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?” It is hardly to be wondered at that the vainglorious prince whose only concern was the advancement of his own interests “thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?” What a place that same “myself” had in this conceited, wretched man’s mind! And what a snare is self-occupation, in any form, to the saint of God! Pride is distinctly said to be the cause of Satan’s fall. “Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground” (Ezek. 28:17). And when giving instruction concerning overseers in the house of God, in the New Testament, the Holy Ghost says, “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6).
When we see pride in another, how hateful a thing it is! Haman is the very incarnation of it; and how we loathe so despicable a character! Yet, alas, how readily we tolerate in ourselves what is so detestable in others. “The proud He knoweth afar off,” but “the meek will He guide in judgment; the meek will He teach His way.” (Notes on the Book of Esther by H.A. Ironside: Loizeaux, P. J. (1921). Prefatory Note. In Notes on the Book of Esther (2d ed., pp. 67–72). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)
___________________________________________________________________
We wonder what Haman’s response was when the king told him to do all those things for Mordecai. Was he shocked? Did he show his astonishment openly? Probably not, because you didn’t express yourself that freely before an Eastern monarch. With the practiced duplicity that got him where he was, Haman bowed to the king’s commandment and obeyed.
First, he had to go out to the king’s gate, get Mordecai, and bring him into the palace. Then he had to dress Mordecai in the king’s robes. After putting Mordecai on the king’s horse, Haman had to lead the horse throughout the city and proclaim, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” (v. 9, NIV) After he had visited all the city streets, Haman had to lead the horse back to the palace, remove the royal garments from Mordecai, and send him back to his place at the city gate. What irony! For almost a whole day Haman was the servant of Mordecai, commanding the people to bow down and honor him! The thing Mordecai wouldn’t do for Haman—bow down—Haman had to tell others to do for Mordecai!
How did this pageantry and prominence affect Mordecai? When it was over, he simply returned to his place at the gate and continued to serve the king. Applause doesn’t change truly humble people, for their values are far deeper. God can trust His blessings with the humble because they seek to honor only the Lord.
Haman’s reaction was quite different, for he was humiliated. He went home as soon as possible, his head covered as though he were grieving for the dead. This had been the way Mordecai had responded to the king’s edict concerning the Jews (4:1–2). Again, the tables were turned.
Even if they did bow down to him, Haman had no desire to see the public, because he had been humiliated before them and he knew that they were laughing at him behind his back. Such is the difference between reputation and character. Haman was a famous man, a man of reputation, only because the king had made him so; but he was not a man of character. His reputation depended on his office, his wealth, and his authority, all of which could easily be taken from him.
What a contrast between Haman’s family gathering in 6:13 and the one recorded in 5:10–12! Whereas before, Haman had boasted of his greatness, now he had to confess how he had been humiliated. If there had been any other official on the horse but Mordecai the Jew, Haman might have been able to handle the situation; but having to give honor to a Jew demoralized Haman completely.
At this point, his wife and counselors made an interesting statement: “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him” (6:13, NKJV). His humiliation in the streets and these words in his house should have alarmed Haman and moved him to change his course of action. God was warning Haman, but the proud prime minister wouldn’t heed the warning. Had he sincerely repented and asked for mercy, it’s likely that he could have saved his own life and the lives of his ten sons.
The Persians were a very superstitious people, and the advisers saw in the events of the day a “bad omen” for Haman’s future. Perhaps they were also familiar with God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3), or maybe they just knew Jewish history. At any rate, they saw Haman falling from his place of prominence; and this dire prediction should have brought him to the place of humility and repentance.
While Haman was discussing his misfortunes with his wife and advisers, the king’s eunuchs arrived at the door to escort Haman to the queen’s banquet. He had planned to go “merrily” to the feast, with Mordecai safely out of the way (5:14); but now everything had changed.
What would happen next? And what was the mysterious petition that Queen Esther would reveal at the banquet?
Off Haman went with the eunuchs to his last meal.
When God sounds the alarm, it pays to stop, look, and listen—and obey. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Be Committed (pp. 134–136). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
______________________________________________________________
Ver. 12. And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate, &c.] To attend his post and office at court; which confirms what has been already hinted, that he was in some office in the court, which this phrase is expressive of, and not a porter at the gate; for it is not probable he should return to such a station, after so much honour had been done him; and much less that he returned to his sackcloth and fasting, as Jarchi and the former Targum; since he might reasonably conclude things were taking a turn in his favour, and that of his people; though as yet he knew not what success Esther had had, to wait for which he returned to court: but Haman hasted to his house; pushed forward as fast as he could: mourning; at his sad disappointment: and having his head covered; through grief and sorrow, confusion and shame; so Demosthenes, being hissed, went home with his head covered, as confounded and ashamed to be seend. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 178). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
______________________________________________________________
12. Reader! Observe, and closely observe, the different effects wrought upon the minds of those two men. Mordecai was not elated: he did not hasten to the king after his promotion. He did not seek to get the decree, for the destruction of himself and people, reversed: neither did he seek to be revenged upon Haman. No, his cause was in good hands, the Lord’s hands. He that believeth shall not, for he need not, make haste. On the other hand, Haman, stung to death, feels all that mortified pride can feel: but no grace of repentance, no sorrow, no compunction at, the infamy of his conduct, only at his disappointment. And, Reader! Can you desire stronger evidence than this affords, that there is, there must be, all this difference between grace and nature: Wherefore was the nature of Mordecai thus directed, but because grace had wrought it in him. And wherefore Haman still hastening to ruin, but from the malignity of his own mind. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 718). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
_______________________________________________________________
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
_____________________________________________________________
Daniel 6
God miraculously delivers Daniel from the lions’ den.
INSIGHT
Daniel is a man of prayer. He loves God deeply and God in turn shows Daniel mercy. We are told several interesting things about Daniel’s prayer life. Verse 13 says that he prays “three times a day.” His prayers included giving thanks (v. 10) and “supplication” (v. 11)–that is, Daniel asks God for things for himself and others. If our prayers reflect the commitment and balance of Daniel, our relationship with the Lord will grow.
(Quiet Walk)
__________________________________________________________________
Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture
Acts 19:21-41
When I was pastoring my first church in Western New York, I had an opportunity to go into a factory and have Bible studies with several men from the church. The first several weeks went well and numbers grew. Then subtle conflict began to occur and soon I was not able to have the studies any longer. The company did not want conflict in the break room during work hours.
Paul had a fantastic ministry in Ephesus and God had worked through the time to bring people from all over Asia to hear of Christ’s love and life. As the two years of ministering in Ephesus concluded, Paul desired to travel through Greece and then to Jerusalem. Despite all the victories and new churches begun throughout Asia Minor, there remained many who opposed the teachings of the gospel.
Demetrius was one of those whose business and income had been affected by the preaching of the gospel. A businessman whose lifestyle depended upon the sale of idols from the temple of Diana or Artemis began to raise concerns about the decline of purchases. An accusation was stated that their sales were plummeting, and that the temple was in danger of decline as a result of Paul’s preaching.
The temple of Diana was a major contributor of the economy in Ephesus. It was one of the wonders of the world with the temple covering over the size of a football field and attracting people from all over the world. Diana was useful not only to the silversmiths but to all the businesses in Ephesus as thousands flocked to see and worship in the temple. Financial security throughout the city depended upon the temple’s prosperity and success.
When the truth of the gospel is presented, and people turn from idols to worship Christ, the impact is felt in every area of the society. Paul stated to Timothy, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10) and here we see this love being used to manipulate the crowd to oppose the message of Christ. The allegations against Paul led to a crowd forming and soon the entire city was in an uproar with many going to the amphitheater to protest.
Paul’s proclamation of the gospel affected lives, not just morally but economically as well. As the truth about idols were received, the new believers began to live and spend money differently in the city. When Christians cease to solicit the temples of today’s idols, we can expect to receive hostility as well.
J.M. Boice says it well, “… if our Christianity is not affecting the economy of our world, we do not have much Christianity. When Christians live as Christians, it will affect how they use their money…”. Examine what would cause anger or hostility if suddenly you ceased supporting that in your life. Instead of shrines and idols we may choose to spend our money today on internet, pleasures such as sports, movies or the latest fad. Are any of these things robbing your devotion to Christ?
With an Expectant hope, Pastor Miller
____________________________________________________________________
ORDAINED TO ETERNAL LIFE
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48
The salvation of men and women, and of certain of them in particular, was determined by God before the foundation of the world. He does this entirely according to His own good will and His grace. Read Matthew 11:25-26: “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” And in John 6:37 we read, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.” In verse 44 our Lord says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” In Acts 13:48 we read, “And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”
Above all, realize that if you are a child of God, it is because God has determined it, and what He has determined about you is certain and safe and sure. Nothing and no one can ever take you out of His hands or make Him forego His purpose in respect to you. The doctrine of the eternal decrees of God before the foundation of the world has decreed this! He knew me. He knew you. And our names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the world was ever made, before you and I or anybody else ever came into it.
Let us bow before His Majesty. Let us humble ourselves in His holy presence. Let us submit ourselves to the revelation that He has so graciously been pleased to give.
A Thought to Ponder
Nothing and no one can ever take you out of God’s hands or make Him forego His purpose in respect to you.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 101-102. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
_________________________________________________________________
Jeremiah and Inspiration
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jeremiah 20:9)
Contained within the books of the Old Testament are nearly three thousand claims to its precise trustworthiness. Over and over again, the various authors claim to be communicating the very words of God.
A number of such claims were recorded by Jeremiah in his book. As we see in our text, Jeremiah was somewhat discouraged with the lack of response to his ministry. But, just as he decided to refrain from passing on God’s Word to the people, he felt an inner burning, recognizing that these words were much too important to ignore. These words had come from God Himself!
On other occasions, he heard the words of God directly and was commanded to pass them on with precision. “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not [literally ‘to shave,’ or ‘to lessen in effect’] a word” (Jeremiah 26:2). This straightforward teaching of verbal inspiration is applied to the written accounts, as well: “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book” (Jeremiah 30:1-2).
This book, which throughout contains such strong condemnation of falsehood, and which was written over a period of more than two thousand years by numerous authors, yet without any contradiction between these writers, surely is the Word of the eternal, holy God. It is the information our Creator knows we need.
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
_______________________________________________________________________
|
Magnified Mercy
“Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die.” (Genesis 19:19)
This rather presumptuous plea of Lot to the angels who had spared his life when they called down fire from heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah is noteworthy because it contains the first reference in the Bible to the mercy of God. Lot was a believer and a righteous man but carnal in attitude and greedy in motivation. Yet, God not only showed grace in His dealings with Lot but even magnified mercy!
As appropriate for the principle of first mention in Scripture, this first reference to mercy lays the foundation for the dominant theme of the doctrine of mercy throughout Scripture. The key is that God’s mercy can only be described properly in superlatives, and this fact is noted repeatedly throughout Scripture.
“The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,” said David (Psalm 103:17). “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11). His mercy, therefore, is both eternal and infinite. Nothing could ever be more “magnified” than this!
No wonder, therefore, that Paul says He is “rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4), and Peter tells us that “his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope” (1 Peter 1:3).
It is only “according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5), surely “not [because of any] works of righteousness which we have done.” Therefore, with David, we can say, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
_________________________________________________________
What are the key elements of the doctrine of Scripture?
While there is no official list, there is general consensus. This article simply summarizes them. It is not an attempt to wade into any debates, only to refresh our minds and point out helpful resources for further learning—including a new documentary on the authority of Scripture. Here are those traditional categories succinctly stated, followed by brief commentary.
Inspiration: The linchpin of the doctrines of Scripture, inspiration means that all the words of Scripture are God’s words (2 Tim. 3:16). John Frame says that inspiration “means that God takes words of human beings and makes them his own…. [It] is a divine act creating an identity between a divine word and a human word” (Systematic Theology, 594).”
Authority: Because Scripture is God’s Word, it is authoritative. It carries the weight of God’s command as ruler over all creation. The Westminster Confession of Faith says in chapter 1, article 2, that Scripture is “given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life” (referencing Luke 16:29, 31; Eph. 2:20, Rev. 22:18–19; and 2 Tim. 3:16).
Infallibility: Because Scripture is God’s Word, and God cannot lie, Scripture is incapable of erring (Ps. 119:43, 142, 151, 160). God’s very nature is truth, so his word tells the truth. As Jesus says to the Father in John 17:17, “Your word is truth.”
Inerrancy: Closely related (and hotly debated), inerrancy traditionally holds that Scripture is free from error—or as the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy puts it, “free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit.” Stated positively, Scripture is completely truthful. Most people who deny inerrancy do so outright; naturally, non-Christians have no reason to confess inerrancy. But when Christians debate the topic, often they end up exploring the relationship between precision and truth. Does inerrancy require that the Bible speak with absolute precision about every detail? John Frame offers this wisdom: ‘[Scripture] has a level of precision sufficient for its own purposes, not for the purposes for which some readers might employ it.”Clarity: In brief, Christians can make sense of Scripture. I like the way the Westminster Confession of Faith links clarity, sufficiency, and the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit. Article 6, chapter 1, has more to do with clarity, the assertions in article 7 with sufficiency (which we’ll tackle next):
- All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: (2 Pet. 3:16) yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them. (Ps. 119:105, 130)
Sufficiency: In the words of John Frame, sufficiency means “Scripture contains all the divine words needed for any aspect of human life.” For example, Scripture is sufficient to reveal God, save, and teach one to live righteously (2 Tim 3:15–16). Again, the Westminster divines explain with wonderful precision and nuance:
- The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men. (2 Tim. 3:15–17, Gal. 1:8–9, 2 Thess. 2:2) Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: (John 6:45, 1 Cor 2:9–12) and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. (1 Cor. 11:13–14, 1 Cor. 14:26, 40)
Necessity: Related to sufficiency, but slightly different, this doctrine holds that “the Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing God’s will, but is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God’s character and moral laws” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, 116). This gets at the difference between special and general revelation. Scripture alone provides special revelation: knowledge of God’s will and salvation (Rom. 10:13–17, Acts 4:12).
Sources
- John Frame, Systematic Theology
- Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
- Westminster Confession of Faith
- Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
___________________________________________________________________
THE PROPER USE OF A GUN IN AN EVIL WORLD (Friday Church News Notes, March 23, 2018, www.wayoflife.org,fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) – On Tuesday, March 20, a student at Great Mills High School in Maryland opened fire on fellow students with a handgun. Within one minute, Blaine Gaskill, an armed sheriff’s deputy on duty as a “school resource officer” (SRO) and a SWAT team member, engaged the shooter and stopped further harm to the student population. The shooter, 17-year-old Austin Rollins, died in the conflict. Since prayer and Bible reading were removed from American schools in the 1960s by Supreme Court rulings and since the schools have become cesspools of moral relativism and evolutionary/humanistic propaganda, they have been plagued with violence to an ever-increasing degree. The actions of Blaine Gaskill demonstrate the right use of guns in a fallen and dangerous world. He used the gun to stop evil. He was authorized by the government to use it (Romans 13:1-4), skilled in its use, and mentally prepared to confront oppressors. He did not hesitate. He ran toward the offender and engaged him. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said, “This is a tough guy who closed in quickly and took the right action” (“Student gunman dies,” The Washington Post, Mar. 20, 2018). In these perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-4), it is wise for schools to hire men of Blaine Gaskill’s caliber to protect their students from hate-filled people (often) inflamed by drugs and the more destructive elements of the pop culture such as dark music, dark video games, and pornography. ( fbns@wayoflife.org,)
____________________________________________________________
Many things about God are difficult to understand. But there is one thing about God which is easy to understand. He earnestly longs for the lost to be saved. In the parable of the lost sheep, we see a God who is willing to leave the multitudes to seek just one which is lost. In the parable of the lost coin, we see a God who will move heaven and earth to find a prized possession. In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a God who rejoices with great joy when a lost one comes home.
As Christians, we should not let that which we don’t know cloud that which we do know. We must focus on the roses rather than the thorns. God loves the sinner, and on that, we can rest. (Quiet Walk)
_____________________________________________________________
Bill Johnson teaches (MO): Quite often, some Christian will talk about Karma. Although it is closely related to cause and effect which the Bible mentions (reap what you sow), Karma is actually a non-Christian belief. I have preached a couple of sermons against the concept of Karma.
Karma is a teaching of various Eastern religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and others. Why I don’t believe in Karma:
1. It has a faulty view of our existence. Karma teaches reincarnation. Things happen to me in this present life because of things I did in a previous life. That is Karma and it is unbiblical.
2. It has a faulty view of evil. Some young girl is raped and murdered. Karma would explain that as happening because of some act the young girl did in a previous life. She got what she deserved; she was paying for evil she had done in a previous life.
3. Karma excludes grace, forgiveness, and the work of Christ on the cross to atone for sins. Karma teaches you must pay for your bad works either in this life or in the next reincarnation, while the Christian belief is that Christ on the cross bore our sins making edemption and forgiveness possible.
4. Similarly, Karma is a work-based teaching. There is no conversion experience. Christians put their trust in a faith in Christ for a better life in the hereafter. Karma says for a better reincarnated life, I must perform good deeds. I must work my way to a better next-life.
So although, Karma is superficially similar to the Christian teaching of reaping and sowing, there are significant differences in the two. Karma is not Christian.
___________________________________________________________
We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.