Attention: The order of Esther Chapter's 3 and 4 have been mistakenly reversed. Posted below is Chapter 4, and Chapter 3 will be posted after this Sunday morning's service. While we apologize for our error, the misordered chapters really fall in line with current middle east events. Thanks for your understanding.
Titled - "A Fast Is Called"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Proverbs 26:27 says, “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” This quote seems like an appropriate passage in the aftermath of the Resurrection story. It applies to Adolph Hitler’s 3rd Reich, as well as today’s look at Haman the Agagite. It applies to what has happened in Gaza, and in Iran currently: in Lebanon in the near future, and anywhere else that holds a cultural hatred towards God’s people. Certain people in Minneapolis, Minnesota may accel for a time, but they too shall be trapped in their own plans. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should parish, but that all should come to repentance.”
There are so many that yet have to be saved and brought to repentance. If we all understood that God, Jesus Christ is preparing a place for us, we would all rethink how we live. It is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves us.
Loyalty to a religion? Doesn’t count. Familiarity with a church or temple? It cannot save you. Brick and Mortar cannot save you, not even with regular visits. Following a friendly teacher-pastor won’t challenge you towards salvation. Only the man Jesus Christ is worth following for salvation. Keep your hearts and minds focused of Jesus’ teachings. Heaven responds to prayer, and praise. Lift up your hands, and the battles will be won. Let your hands fall, and the battle is already lost. Be a prayer warrior. Send. Go. Follow through. Help the stranger. Feed the hungry. Help the poor. And do it in humility so only the Lord sees it. And if you think you have done it all, look at 1 Thessalonians 5: 11-28.
" Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” - Matthew 25:44
Proverbs 26:27 says, “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” This quote seems like an appropriate passage in the aftermath of the Resurrection story. It applies to Adolph Hitler’s 3rd Reich, as well as today’s look at Haman the Agagite. It applies to what has happened in Gaza, and in Iran currently: in Lebanon in the near future, and anywhere else that holds a cultural hatred towards God’s people. Certain people in Minneapolis, Minnesota may accel for a time, but they too shall be trapped in their own plans. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should parish, but that all should come to repentance.”
There are so many that yet have to be saved and brought to repentance. If we all understood that God, Jesus Christ is preparing a place for us, we would all rethink how we live. It is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves us.
Loyalty to a religion? Doesn’t count. Familiarity with a church or temple? It cannot save you. Brick and Mortar cannot save you, not even with regular visits. Following a friendly teacher-pastor won’t challenge you towards salvation. Only the man Jesus Christ is worth following for salvation. Keep your hearts and minds focused of Jesus’ teachings. Heaven responds to prayer, and praise. Lift up your hands, and the battles will be won. Let your hands fall, and the battle is already lost. Be a prayer warrior. Send. Go. Follow through. Help the stranger. Feed the hungry. Help the poor. And do it in humility so only the Lord sees it. And if you think you have done it all, look at 1 Thessalonians 5: 11-28.
" Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” - Matthew 25:44
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Esther 4:1-17 - "A Fast Is Called"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
Esther Chapter 4 is a sad chapter. We are about to see that the Jewish people, Mordecai, and Esther experience crippling fear. The villain of this story - Haman - has figured out a way to pass a law requiring that the entirety of the Jewish people in all of the 127 provinces of Persia be murdered on a certain day. This caused confusion throughout the city of Susa, which was the capital city at the time of Esther, and most likely the rest of the empire. Meanwhile, we see that key people in the palace are sitting down for a drink - and I think this is the author’s way of saying that the king, Haman, and the rest of those in the royal palace were out of touch with what was going on. They gave little thought to the well-being of their people.
The dialogue between Esther and Mordecai plays a significant role in the narrative. The dialogue begins at a point of disagreement, with Mordecai refusing to accept clothes sent by Esther (4:4) yet ends with Mordecai agreeing to carry out Esther’s instructions of gathering all Jews for a fast (4:16–17). This progression instils a glimpse of hope in the reader that rather than give in to their fear, they are turning to the Lord, and trusting Him.
Esther Chapter 4 details Mordecai’s profound mourning over Haman’s decree to destroy the Jews, urging Queen Esther to intercede with King Ahasuerus. Despite the risk of death, Esther embraces her purpose, famously stating she will approach the king, saying, "...if I perish, I perish", after calling for a three-day fast.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Sackcloth and Ashes (4:10) - An outward sign of inward distress and humiliation (cf. Jeremiah 6:26; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 11:21). Mordecai realized that he had prompted this genocidal retaliation by Haman.
She Sent Garments (4:4) - Mordecai could then enter the king's gate (cf. 4:2) and talk with Esther directly (cf. Nehemiah 2:2).
Hathach (4:5) - A trusted eunuch who knew of Esther's Jewish background.
Golden Scepter (4:11) - In order to protect the king's life from would-be assassins, this practice prevailed. Seemingly, the king would extend the scepter (a sign of kingly authority) only to those whom he knew and from whom he welcomed a visit (cf. 5:2; 8:4).
These Thirty Days (4:11) - Perhaps Esther feared she had lost favor with the king since he had not summoned her recently.
Relief and Deliverance (4:14) - Mordecai exhibited a healthy faith in God's sovereign power to preserve His people. He may have remembered the Lord's promise to Abraham (cf. Genesis 12:3; 17:1-8).
You . . . Will Perish (4:14) - Mordecai indicated that Esther would not escape the sentence or be overlooked because of her prominence (cf. 4:13).
Such A Time As This (4:14) - Mordecai indirectly appealed to God's providential timing.
Fast (4:16) - The text does not mention prayer being included such as was Daniel's practice (Daniel 9:3), though it surely was.
Perish (4:16) - Esther's heroic willingness to die for the sake of her fellow Jews is commendable.
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