Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; “All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, “Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 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?”
Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Esther 4:10-17
Mordecai
Exalted GOD Exalts His People
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
Esther 10:1-3
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth for ever.
Psalm 111:1-3
Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12
The Scepter of the King
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Esther 5:1-2
The Agagite Haman was seeking to destroy the Jews who were in the provinces of the Mede/Persian empire. Haman hated the Jews probably for at least two reasons. Haman was a descendant of the king of the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15 who was Agag.
Samuel had given Saul, the king of Israel, word to destroy all the people, and all their livestock and to keep nothing. Saul had disobeyed the command from God’s servant, thus from God. Thus it came down for Samuel to kill Agag. Evidently someone of Agag’s people escaped death that day and thus we have Haman trying to destroy the Jewish people of the Mede/Persian empire. Read the book of Esther for the second reason. It involved Mordecai.
Esther had not seen the king for a month, and Mordecai sends her a message that she needed to act in defense of her people; remember Esther is a Jew as well. She needs to approach the king on a busy day, and she puts on the proper attire, and she has called for Mordecai, and other Jews to fast and pray. Though the name of God is never used in Esther, He can definitely be seen.
Esther breaks protocol for visiting the king. He life hangs in the balance. She comes through the door of the palace. The king sees her, has mercy on her and holds out his scepter to her, which grants her privilege to enter without further fear. She touches the top of the scepter in recognition of the favor she has been granted.
Though God may be silent, He is still Sovereign in all.
It is by the grace and mercy of our King Jesus that He gave us the scepter of His cross, and anyone coming to Him in faith believing Him and touching that cross, believing in His death for our sins, His burial, and resurrection will live eternally in His presence. That scepter of the cross is still held out to all who will come to Him.
Day 32 – Providence
My reading today consisted of the last five chapters of Esther, and the first nine of Job. The commentary this morning will deal solely with Esther.
Esther is a book of the Bible that never names the name of God. God is not even mentioned in person; however the work, power and presence of God is clearly seen by those who have the eyes to see it. There are many times in Christian life where it feels as though God is nowhere to be found; and all we have to go on is faith.
I have heard the term “Providence”, and usually speaking of the work of God in the events of mankind. Well, if there is a Biblical case for providence, then, it can certainly be seen throughout the book of Esther.
Let me give you a list of the characters in Esther. First there is the king, Ahasuerus, “Xerxes” in newer translations; there is the queen who is not in the story very long, but plays a prominent part in the development of the story; there is Mordecai – a Jewish captive from Jerusalem; there is Haman – an Agagite; and then there is Esther – who will be queen.
One thing that can be seen by this event in the story of Israel, its captivity, and return is that even though we may mess up, sin, and seemingly ruin our lives through disobedience we do not thwart the plan and will of God. That can be seen in the story of Esther as well.
Let us first find out about Haman – the Agagite. Haman was a descendant of Agag whom king Saul of Israel was disobedient to God in letting him live. Samuel eventually kills Agag (1 Samuel 15). For many centuries this hatred for the Jewish people had been stewing in the hearts of the family of Agag; and in this story it came to fruition. Haman had it in his heart to rid the Persian Empire and the world of the Jewish people.
Though God is not mentioned; He had another plan. God’s plan was to bring the children of Israel back to their Promised land; so that the Messiah and Savior of the world would one day come, and die for our sins.
Haman sets a course of action after his appointment as prominent leader in Persia. All others were to bow to him; however Mordecai would not bow to him. Mordecai knew who Haman was, and saw his heart. Mordecai had also overheard a plot to assassinate the king, revealed it and the perpetrators were hanged (2:21-23).
One verse that stands out in the book of Esther is one that is well known to many of us –
“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 (KJV)
This occurs following the murderous plot of Haman to exterminate the Jewish people. It is not yet known that Esther is Jewish, and Mordecai, as the uncle of Esther, is telling her that it is time to reveal the truth of her identity, for the salvation of her people. Mordecai is asking Esther to enter the throne area of the royal house without invitation, and that in the Persian courts could be deadly, meaning immediate and sudden death, if the king did not recognize the one entering by holding out his scepter (4:11); and after three days of fasting she enters the throne room, and the king holds out the scepter (5:1-2).
The night before the banquet of Esther the king cannot sleep remembering what Mordecai had done saving his life from the plot of the two who were hanged for their assassination attempt. Haman’s plot is known by the king, he has even given him the authority to send the message with the kings signet ring seal on the documents authorizing its execution. The following day, however, Haman is put to humility by walking Mordecai around the streets of Jerusalem, exalting him for the great deed he has done in exposing the plat of assassination. Haman probably realizes by now that “his goose is cooked”.
It becomes even more apparent when Esther reveals it to the king at the banquet. Haman has built a gallows on which to have Mordecai hanged; and finds himself hanging on the device of his own imagination.
God, though not named, is also a prominent presence in the book. His hand of Providence is seen, in the elevation of Esther, a Jew, to the seat of the queen of Persia; the man despised by the Agagite is exalted to the Agagites position after his plot is foiled. God’s people do return to Jerusalem; and the Messiah is born, dies on the cross for the sins of the world, is buried, and rises bodily from the grave conquering sin, hell and death.
Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God ever lives; that those who trust in Him might live too.
Christian take note of the Providence of God; even when you do not think He is present and working; take another look.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Daniel 1:8-16
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
1 Peter 5:7
When You Purposely Stand For Him
Daniel 1:8-16
Purpose – To see by faith, that God cares for His people when we must take a purposeful stand to forward His name and His faith.
OUTLINE –
I. DANIEL TOOK A PURPOSEFUL STAND NOT TO EAT OF THE KING’S PROVISIONS (v. 8).
II. DANIEL IS REMINDED OF THE POSSIBLE COST OF TAKING THIS STAND – ESPECIALLY FOR HIS FRIEND (vv. 9-10).
III. DANIEL IS NOT STANDING ALONE – HANANIAH, MISHAEL, AND AZARIAH ARE STANDING WITH HIM (vv. 10-13).
IV. GOD BLESSES THEIR FAITH AND THEIR STAND (vv. 14-16).
We must all consider the fact, as Christians, that we are strangers in a foreign land. Some may not like, nor appreciate that statement, but if our citizenship is in heaven, and with God, then, we are indeed strangers in this land. It matters not what nation we live in; we are strangers in a foreign land. We are even “captives”, yet ambassadors in this foreign land, until the Lord returns to call us home to be with Him.
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were ambassadors of God in Babylon. It seems, that they were about the only godly witness there. That is not so however. There was Ezekiel the prophet; and Esther and Mordecai [evidently cousins] (Esther 2:5-7). These were captives in Babylon, and there could have been many more. We have the four teenage boys taking a stand which was probably unheard of. It is a very encourageing thing to see teenagers take a stand for their godly convictions; not in rebellion, but in obedience to God.
I. THERE ARE TIMES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THIS WORLD THAT CALL US TO PURPOSELY STAND FOR GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (v. 8 ).
In Daniel’s and his friend’s world it doesn’t seem that there were too many who were seeing a problem with eating the “king’s meat”. There were other youth who evidently took and enjoyed the lush, and rich foods they were not accustomed to. These young men had been brought up in the Hebrew culture with strict meat restrictions; this mean certain bleeding principles which would drain the dead animal of all its blood. They were not to eat blood (Leviticus 17:10-16) . They were not to eat meat that had been offered to idols. Read Leviticus 11. To receive this meat was the same for them as recognizing the idols as deities.
You can notice that Daniel did not reject this food by a callous, and stubborn refusal; disrespectful of his caregiver. As Daniel had a plan in taking a stand there are also ways Christians can take a stand and not be offensive. We can stand with our lives everyday. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine forth from our lives by developing friendships (as much as is possible) with the people you are around. As Daniel had developed a good relationship with the melzar [the steward]. (Rather than being a proper name “melzar” is probably a title such as servant or steward; one appointed by the chief eunuch to care for the Hebrew youths.)
II. IT IS GOD WHO BRINGS HIS PEOPLE INTO GOOD FAVOR WITH OTHERS, AND WE SHOULD BE LIVING TO GIVE THEM CAUSE TO SUPPORT OUR STAND (vv. 9-10).
Matthew Henry has written of verses eight and nine, “Whoever are in favour, it is God that has brought them into favour; and it is by Him that they find good understanding. Herein was again verified that word (Ps. cvi. 46), ‘He made them to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.’ Let young ones know that the way to be acceptable is to be tractable and dutiful” MATTHEW HENRY’S COMMENTARY Vol IV. pg 1019. “When a man’s ways please the LORD He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7).
If we are going to stand and we live in a condition where what we do may harm another it seems that we better have their permission before we proceed. Daniel and his friends not only had permission, but he provided their veggies for this ten day period. Of course, we need to be in good terms with them for God to direct their paths too. That is not to say that should Daniel have been refused in this matter that he shouldn’t have did something, but he did what was necessary and God gave him close communion with a man in charge who was, himself, willing to take the risk along side Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
There are times to stand when no one will help you. No one will stand beside you. You may have plenty that will say, “I am [We are} behind you all the way.” Those who stand behind you can “stab you in the back”. That may sound suspicious, un-nerving, un-trusting, and/or negative. It is, however, the truth. In most cases, those who will walk beside you, can be trusted.
You will notice that there is an early reference to all Daniel’s friends with him in verse ten, “…why should he see your faces”. So Daniel had at least Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah standing with him in this faith experience.
III. LIKE THE CONVICTIONS OF DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS TRUE CONVICTIONS CANNOT BE LAID ASIDE (vv. 10-13).
Daniel had the convictions that should they eat the “king’s meat” they would be sinning against God, thus he, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah chose to refrain from eating the king’s dainties.
Matthew Henry write again, “Perhaps it was not in itself unlawful for them to eat of the king’s meat or to drink of his wine. But, 1. They wer scrupulous concerning the meat, lest it should be sinful.” MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY Vol. IV pg. 1020. They were wise to seek to be kept from even the temptation of the food. “How far can you go until it is sin?” is a question often asked. The answer to that is “If you have to ask that you have probably already sinned”.
What many people call convictions are often on preferences. A conviction is something you will die for, and maybe even another’s life. A preference is nothing to die for. Let me give you an idea of what a preference is. I prefer to drive Ford trucks and cars, but I wouldn’t fight you over it. I could drive a Chevrolet, Buick, Toyota, etc., if I had no other choice. My conviction is that God’s Word, the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, God breathed word of God; and that is something I will give my life for and that my Savior Jesus Christ is the God/Man, incarnate Son of God, died on the cross for my sins and the sins of the world, that Jesus is the only way to God and to heaven, and Jesus is coming back one day to call his children home to be with Himself. Those are my convictions, some of them, and I will hold them until I draw my last breath; with the power and strength of God.
It is great knowing that we have family, friends, other relatives, and neighbors world wide who hold these convictions and have found that “Hill on which to die”, and land in which to live. As it is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).
IV. GOD PROVES OUR FAITH WHEN WE ARE FAITHFUL (vv. 14-16).
Remember Daniel and his friends were in a three year program (v. 5) for training and the food regimen. All Daniel was asking for was a ten day trial period to prove that the vegetables, etc., was better for them in their appearance and probably their minds too. Maybe there is something we could learn from following such a diet; but is anyone among us interested?
The faith they express in God is astounding, and God honors and proves their faith. Faith is not something we boast of; it is what we live, how we speak, where we go, what we do, and how we live. Faith is not just believing God when things are going good, but keeping on believing Him even when He doesn’t seem to hear.
It seems that the utmost goal of Daniel’s heart was that God be glorified in the king of Babylon, and the people of Babylon. His heart was set on obedience to the word of the LORD; and even if the cost was his life. God came through for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; proving that their obedience was blessed by the God of Israel and all that is. “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” Daniel 1:15 (KJV)
The LORD honored Enoch’s faith, by translating him; He honored Joseph’s faith by making him a ruler in Egypt; He honored Moses’ faith by leading the children of Israel out of Egypt; and many more in the Old Testament. The LORD honored Peter’s faith when he walked on the water with the LORD; He honored John’s faith by giving him the letters of the revelation and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. God will honor the faith of all who will give their all to the Lord Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION –
i. Take a purposeful stand for God and all that is godly and righteous in the world, even if no one else does.
ii. Take a purposeful stand and trust the LORD for the good favor of others.
iii. Take a purposeful stand all the time on your convictions; and stand when they are being attacked as well.
iv. When we take that purposeful stand trust that the LORD will reward the faith of the faithful – I suppose that is what Paul; inspired by God; meant when he wrote, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 