Morning Message: Vashti’s Costly Disobedience

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Vashti's Costly Disobedience"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Last week’s look at Ancient Elam was due to current events in Iran, which used to be called Persia. But the Persian Empire didn't begin until around 550 BC/BCE. The oldest culture we know of in Iran was the Elamites. They flourished from around 6000 years ago; as old as the world's oldest known civilizations in nearby Sumer (or Sumeria) in southern Iraq today. The main cities of Elam were Anshan in the southwest Zagros mountains, and Susa (Shush) on the plain of what was Khuzestan, Susiana or Ilam.

In Jeremiah 49, the Elamites that God had a burden for were those in the land where the Book of Esther takes place, the Capitol City of Susa. The events that take place in Esther were just after Persia’s ascension to Empire status. Elamite culture was foundational to the Persians. The Elamites had their own language, which was diverse from all other Middle Eastern tongues, probably one of the confused tongues of Ancient Babel (Babylon being just northwest of the Elamite Kingdom). When the Medes conquered the region, which was later conquered by the Persians, Elam never recovered. By the 7th Century BC, the Elamites and Persians were already so intertwined, that some historians interject that the Persian Empire could well be called the Elamite Empire.

As we read in Esther’s first chapter, the Elamite Kingdom controlled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia in Africa. They controlled the Trade Route from Africa to the Far East. The wealth would have been overwhelming.

Elam also had its own remnant of Jews, left over from the Babylonian Captivity. And as a young Jewess, Esther became the Queen of Elam’s King Ahasuerus. And so, we embark on Esther Chapter 1.

“And (God) changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them who know understanding." - Daniel 2:21

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Esther 1:1-22 - "Vashti's Costly Disobedience"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

We are beginning a new Series from the Book of Esther.  The book is named for the “star” of the story, a young Jewish girl named Hadassah who was taken from her guardian, Mordecai, and forced to compete for the affection of the king. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of Persia and renamed Esther, meaning “star.”

The events in the book of Esther occurred from 483 BC to 473 BC, during the first half of the reign of King Xerxes, who chose Esther as his queen. During this time period, the first remnant of Jews who had returned to Judah were struggling to reestablish temple worship according to the Law of Moses. But Esther and Mordecai, along with many other Jews, had chosen not to make the trek back to Judah. They seemed content to stay in Susa, the capital city of Persia, in which the story is set.

Haman, the king’s evil second-in-command, was a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites, who were ancient enemies of God’s people (Numbers 24:7 1 Samuel 15:8). He cast the lot, called “pur,” in order to determine the day that the Jews would be exterminated (Esther 3:7–9). The feast of Purim, still celebrated by Jews today, commemorates the Jews’ deliverance from Haman’s plot (9:24–32).

While the primary purpose of the book of Esther was to relate the dramatic origins of the feast of Purim, a greater theme shines through the story. The sovereignty and faithfulness of God permeate each scene. Nothing is truly coincidental, the book of Esther says to us. God’s sovereignty is best summarized in Mordecai’s exhortation to Esther: “and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).

When events seemed out of control to Esther and Mordecai, when the king dictated ruin for their people, when evil was poised to triumph . . . God was at work. He worked through their dark days (Esther was taken to the harem [2:1–16), their faithful obedience (Esther risked her life before the king [5:1–3), and their victories (Esther revealed Haman’s plot and the Jews’ destruction of their enemies [7–9). This message is clear: God is sovereign even when life doesn’t make sense.

God is also the great Promise Keeper. Mordecai said to Esther: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai’s words reflected his faith that God would honor His eternal covenant with Abraham and David.

Chapter 1 Summary:

In Chapter 1, the Book of Esther opens by introducing the reader to King Ahasuerus of Persia and his queen, Vashti. Ahasuerus threw a 6-month celebration in Persia to celebrate the greatness of his kingdom. Towards the end of the feast, the king ordered Vashti to present herself before his friends so they could admire her beauty. Vashti refused! Ahasuerus was so angry that he stripped her of her royal title and banished her from his presence forever. This sets up the storyline of the book, and in Esther 2, we’ll see the King searching for a new queen.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  Upcoming!

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Ahasuerus (1:1) - Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name for the Persian king commonly identified as Xerxes I (ruled 486–465 BC) in the Book of Esther, known for marrying Esther and sparing the Jews from Haman's plot. He is portrayed as a powerful yet temperamental ruler who reigned over a vast empire.

One Hundred and Twenty-Seven Provinces (1:1) - The kingdom comprised twenty regions (3:12; 8:9; 9:3) which were further divided into provinces ruled over by governors (3:12).

India to Ethiopia (1:1) - Ethiopia, not Asia Minor, is mentioned as representing the western edge of the kingdom to avoid any remembrance of the king's previous defeat by the Greeks c. 481-479 B.C. This description also avoided any confusion with the Ahasuerus of Daniel 9:1.

Shushan the Palace (1:2) - The Hebrew rendering of the Greek Susa, the winter residence, was one of four capital cities of the Persians; the other three included Babylon, Ecbatana (Ezra 6:2), and Persepolis.  The Palace refers to the fortified palace complex built above the city for protection.

The Third Year (1:3) - This would be 483 B.C. This probably included the planning phase for Ahasuerus's later campaign against Greece in which the king suffered a humiliating defeat (c. 481-479 B.C.).

Persia and Media (1:3) - Cyrus the Persian inherited Media and, thus, the name Media became just as prominent as Persia (c. 550 B.C.)

Queen Vashti (1:9) - Greek literature records her name as Amestris.  She gave birth (c. 483 B.C.) to Ahasuerus's third son, Artaxerxes, who later succeeded his father Ahasuerus on the throne (Ezra 7:1).

Vashti Refused (1:12) - Her reason is not recorded, although suggestions have included that (1) her appearance would have involved lewd behavior before drunken men, or (2) that she was still pregnant with Artaxerxes.

The Seven Princes (1:14) - These highest-ranking officials (cf. Ezra 7:14) were perhaps equivalent to the magi of Daniel 1:20.

That it be Not Altered (1:19) - The irrevocable nature of Persian law (cf. Daniel 6:8, 12, 15) played an important role in how the rest of Esther concluded (cf. 8:8).

Letters (1:22) - The efficient Persian communication network (a rapid relay by horses) played an important role in speedily publishing kingdom edicts (cf. 3:12-14; 8:9, 10, 14; 9:20, 30).

Prophecy Update: Look Up! - Part 9

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Look Up!"

Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

We are people of habits, and we do not like changes, or upheavals in our lives. We like to have “all our ducks up in a row” way in advance. We write dates and times on our calendars to minimize surprises, and to not be late for appointments. It puts us on a schedule that simply makes it easier to get through each day, week, and month. We like seeing what is in store for us.

But our personal schedules do not necessarily match God’s. His schedule will take precedence over ours every time. His prophetic time table is the same. It is with good reason that He does not share His schedule with us; He instead tells us to remain flexible, so that we are doing His will rather than our own.

If it is about His coming Kingdom, we willingly bow to His plans, because His plans include us! He has given us warnings ahead of time: 

“And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” - John 14:29 

The Apostle Paul echoes this thought in Romans 15:4 – 

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope.” 

These verses are the two witnesses we need to understand God’s prophetic truths: Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through Paul’s Epistle. We do not know when, but we are assured of a coming event.

Matthew 24 tells us of spiritual warfare manifested on earth as "wars and rumors of war." Jesus’ words are quoted, and comfort us that the end is not yet. One would think we would be prepared, but the whole of mankind is rarely prepared for God’s timing.

Ezekiel 38 & 39 speaks of Russia initiating a war against Israel. And with Iran falling apart today, we know that it will not be Iran that initiates such an invasion any time soon. It will have to occur at some point in the future, and with Russia leading the charge against Israel, because that’s what God has said.

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” - Luke 21:28

Bobservations Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Jeremiah 49:34-39 - Look Up! - Part 8

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

When people talk about Iran in Bible prophecy, they are not engaging in speculation or modern politics dressed up as theology. Scripture itself repeatedly references this region under its ancient names—Persia and Elam—and places it squarely within God’s prophetic timeline.

Iran has been in the biblical record from the beginning of Israel’s exile to the birth of the Church, and it has not disappeared from prophecy concerning the last days.

In the Old Testament, Iran appears first as Elam, a region east of Babylon, west of Persia proper, and south of Media. The prophet Jeremiah pronounced judgment on Elam, foretelling both its destruction and its eventual restoration:

“I will break the bow of Elam… Yet it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam.” (Jeremiah 49:35, 39)

Iran’s involvement in the end times will be as one of the nations involved in the battle of Gog and Magog, which probably occurs during the first half of the tribulation. Ezekiel 38:5 specifically mentions Persia as an ally of Magog/Russia. Other nations included in this coalition will be Sudan, Turkey, Libya, and others. This vast army will come against Israel, who at that time will be “a peaceful and unsuspecting people” (Ezekiel 38:11).

The outcome of this end-times invasion is predicted: God supernaturally intervenes, and Gog’s coalition is utterly destroyed. “On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals” (Ezekiel 39:4–5). Iran, allied with Russia, will think their invasion of Israel is a sure victory, but God has different plans. In protecting Jerusalem, God will send a strong message to the world: “I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Elam (49:34) - Modern day Iran. This prophecy against Elam, an ancient kingdom located in what is now modern-day southwestern Iran.

The Bow (49:35) - The passage speaks of God breaking "the bow of Elam," scattering them to the four winds, and setting His throne there.  The "bow" signifies the destruction of its military strength, pride, and power. Elam was known for elite archers and the composite bow, which symbolized their supreme military might.

Scatter Them to the Four Winds (49:36) - Global dispersion. Iranians are scattered to the "four winds" among all nations, suggesting significant diaspora or displacement.

Set My Throne in Elam (49:38) - God declares judgment against the nation of Elam (modern-day Iran). He will establish divine sovereignty over the region, breaking their military power ("the bow of Elam"), and destroying their leadership.  

The King and the Princes (49:38) - The rulers and leaders of the nation will be destroyed.

I Will Bring Back (49:39) - promising future restoration to the ancient nation of Elam (modern-day Iran) after a period of intense destruction and scattering by divine judgment. This promise occurs in the "latter days," offering hope after judgment.

 

Prophecy Update: The Rapture of Noah - Part 8

Bobservations Column
Titled - "The Rapture of Noah"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In 2 Peter 3: 3, 4, we read of scoffers that mock the Lord’s promise to come again after His ascension to Heaven. They shall appear in the last days, full of themselves and their wisdom. “Where is the promise of His coming?”

The scoffers grew impatient, noting that everything continues as in the days of their forefathers, and as it has been since the days of Creation.

Since the Apostles heard of the second coming of Christ, as spoken by the Angels to them in Acts 1: 10, 11, it had been many years. They had taught the people that Jesus would return the same way they saw Him depart. He left in clouds, so we understand He would return the same way.

Jesus’ Second Coming is described in detail in Revelation 19. Jesus comes back with the “armies” of Heaven (Revelation 19:14). Not just the host of Angels, but armies, in the plural! The phrasing is a strong indicator that the Church is counted among those armies. The rest is logistics. Study 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-17 where we read of our gathering together to Him, with those who have died in faith. Their graves will open. Continue reading through 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11. Believers are taken off the Earth, literally snatched away to Christ in the air.

Just as Noah and his family were invited into the Ark, The Apostle John is told by a voice from heaven to “come up hither,” in Revelation 4:1, joining the source of that voice that sounds like a trumpet from on high. Revelation 1: 10, 11 describes the same voice, as a trumpet, saying “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” The voice came from behind the Apostle John, the Apostle who Jesus loved. From verse 10 through verse 18 of that first chapter of Revelation, Jesus gives John instructions of what John was to do, and He reveals himself to John, while He was in His glorified, heavenly body. This vision is very similar to what Daniel saw in his chapter 10, and what John saw a second time in Revelation 2: 18, and He identifies Himself as the Son of God.

As with the Flood of Noah, the Rapture of the Church raises Believers up, above the destruction occurring on the Earth below, keeping us from destruction, and the wrath of God. God sealed Noah in. The Holy Spirit seals the Church.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Genesis 6:5-15; 7:1-12 - "The Rapture of Noah" - Part 8

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

"As in the days of Noah" is a biblical phrase from Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke 17:26-27, where Jesus compares the time before his return to the pre-flood era. It describes a society marked by extreme corruption, violence, and utter disregard for God, with people living in normalcy—eating, drinking, and marrying—unaware of impending judgment.

Jesus used this comparison to warn that his second coming will be sudden and unexpected, catching a worldly, distracted society off guard. The parallel suggests a future, rapid judgment, similar to the suddenness of the flood, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness.

Noah's Ark is frequently interpreted as a "type" or shadow of the Rapture, symbolizing believers' protection from divine judgment while the world faces destruction. Parallels drawn from Matthew 24 suggest that, like Noah's sudden removal into safety, the Rapture will occur unexpectedly, leaving the wicked behind.

God is characterized in Scripture as a perfectly righteous and impartial judge who evaluates individuals based on their actions, hearts, and hidden motives rather than outward appearance. His judgment is equitable for all, rendering to each person according to their deeds—rewarding righteousness and punishing evil

Those safe from eternal judgment are individuals who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. They are considered "born again," adopted into God's family, and possess eternal security. These believers are not condemned (John 3:18) and have passed from death to life.

The biblical account of Noah and the Flood serves as a direct parallel to the end times, warning that those who do not believe or prepare will be caught off guard by sudden, divine judgment. Jesus referenced this, stating that just as people in Noah's day were consumed with daily life and ignored warnings until the flood came, so will it be at the return of the Son of Man.

Looking at the great principles that govern human society, those principles which produce straining social problems, such as war, crime, poverty, unequal distribution of food, improper use of leisure, and urban blight. These all arise when men who are made in the image of God, but have lost the likeness of God, seek to fulfill the original command of God to master the earth and fill it, but without the Spirit of God within. As is so evident in our day, man succeeds only in darkening the skies, ravishing the ground, poisoning the water, setting men against each other in violence and cruelty, and in spreading death, fear, and hatred throughout the earth. But all this is done in the midst of increasing comfort and luxury and the technical brilliance that builds impressive cities and produces astonishing gadgets of incredible complexity and power. The seeds of all this are found in the first five chapters in Genesis, as we have been seeing.

Now no house built upon such a shaky foundation can long stand, therefore the record of history has been the collapse of one civilization after another.

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

His Heart Was Only Evil Continually (6:5) - This is one of the strongest and clearest statements about man's sinful nature.  Sin begins in the thought-life (see James 1:13-15).  The people of Noah's day were exceedingly wicked, from the inside out (cf. Jeremiah 17:9, 10; Matthew 12:34, 35; 15:18, 19; Marke 7:21; Luke 6:45).

Grieved (6:6) - Sin sorrowed God who is holy and without blemish (Ephesians 4:30).  Compare with Exodus 32:14; 1 Samuel 15:11; Jeremiah 26:3. 

I Will Destroy (6:7) - God promised total destruction when His patience ran out (Ecclesiastes 8:11). 

Noah Found Grace (6:8) - Lest one believe that Noah was spared because of his good works alone (cf. Hebrews 11:7), God makes it clear that Noah was a man who believed in God as Creator, Sovereign, and the only Savior from sin.  He found grace for himself, because he humbled himself and sought it (cf. 4:26), he was also obedient to God (v. 22; 7:5; James 4:6-10).

A Just Man...Perfect...Walked (6:9) - Compare with Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 2 Peter 2:5.  The word order is one of increasing spiritual quality before God:  "just" is to live by God's righteous standards; "perfect" sets him apart by a comparison with those of his day; and that he "walked with God" puts him in a class with Enoch (5:24).

Corrupt...Filled With Violence (6:11) - Compare with verses 3 and 5.  The seed of Satan, the fallen rejectors of God, deceitful and destructive, had dominated the world.

I Will Destroy Them with the Earth (6:13) - Destroy did not mean annihilation, but rather referred to the Flood judgment, both of the earth and its inhabitants.

Ark (6:14) - This was a hollow chest, a box designed to float on water (Exodus 2:3).

Gopher Wood (6:14) - Probably Cedar or Cypress trees, both are in view, abundant in the mountains of Armenia.

This is the Fashion (6:15) - While the ark was not designed for beauty or speed, these dimensions provided extraordinary stability in the tumultuous floodwaters. A cubit was about eighteen inches long, making the ark 450 feet long. 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.  A gigantic box of that size would be very stable in the water, impossible to capsize.  The volume of space in the ark was 1.4 million cubic feet, equal to the capacity of 522 standard railroad box cars, which could carry 125,000 sheep.

Righteous (7:1) - Just, lawful, righteous.  Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” Such behavior is characterized by accepted standards of morality, justice, virtue, or uprightness. The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God’s laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness.  It's important to understand that we are made righteous in the sight of God; that is, that we are accepted as righteous and treated as righteous by God on account of what the Lord Jesus has done. He was made sin; we are made righteousness.

Seven . . . Seven (7:2,3) -The extra six pairs of clean animals and birds would be used for sacrifice (8:20) and food (9:3).

To Keep Seed Alive (7:3) - To keep the species alive. God could use them to replenish the earth.

Seven Days (7:4) - Still in God's mercy allowed another week for sinners to repent, but they didn't.

Rain...Forty Days and Forty Nights (7:4) - A worldwide rain for this length of time is impossible in post-Flood, atmospheric conditions, but not then.  The canopy that covered the whole earth, a thermal water blanket encircling the earth, was to be condensed and dumped all over the globe (v.10).

Month...Day (7:11) - The calendar system of Noah's day is unknown, although it appears that one month equaled thirty days.  If calculated by the Jewish calendar of Moses' day, it would be about May.  this period of God's grace was ended (cf. v. 4; 6:3, 8).

All the Fountains of the Great Deep Were Broken Up (7:11) - The subterranean waters sprang up from inside the earth to form the seas and rivers (1:10; 2:10-14), which were not produced by rainfall (since there was none), but by deep fountains in the earth.  Such a catastrophe would also easily explain why so many of the earth's mountain ranges give evidence of having once been under the sea.

The Windows of Heaven (7:11) - The celestial waters in the canopy encircling the globe were dumped on the earth and joined with the terrestrial and the subterranean waters (cf. 1:7).  This ended the water canopy surrounding the earth and unleashed the water in the earth; together, these phenomena began the new system of hydrology that has since characterized the earth (see Job 26:8; Ecclesiastes 1:7; Isaiah 55:10; Amos 9:6).  The sequence in this verse, indicating that the earth's crust breaks up first, then the heaven drop their water, is interesting because the volcanic explosions that would have occurred when the earth fractured would have sent magma and dust into the atmosphere, along with gigantic sprays of water, gas, and air - all penetrating the canopy and triggering a downpour.