The Jews within the one
hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the empire of Persia were
notified of the annual celebration of Purim. Queen Esther and her
cousin Mordecai insured that all of them would know the importance of
remembering the days when God delivered them from their enemies, and
this yearly feasting time would perpetuate the recalling of their
victories even when some desired their demise. In chapter nine and
verse thirty two we see the long lasting affect this story has as it
was written in a book. We read:
And the decree of
Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the
book.
The
verse begins, “And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters
of Purim;” At one point in our story we remember when Esther
was noted only as a child who was exiled to a new land with her older
cousin Mordecai. Her parents were dead, and Mordecai took care of her
as they traveled to their new land. Her experience must have been
tragic at the time, however, little did she know that she was going
to be used in a mighty plan of God to save the entire Jewish nation.
It was “Esther” who was placed in the position of importance who
would confirm the decree of the days of Purim. All the while she was
in her state of sadness in her early days, God knew that she would be
the vessel He used to carry out His mighty plan.
The
verse goes on to say, “and it was written in the book.” Our
time of study in the book called “Esther” within the Bible is
because they wrote this story “in the book”. Those who
were in charge of writing the historical facts have given us a
beautiful compilation of the threats, the emotions, the spiritual
workings, and the victorious defense of the Jews. Because they wrote
these words, we have the benefit of not only knowing the story of
Queen Esther, Mordecai and the Jews, but we have the encouragement
that since God worked in their lives, surely He is at work in ours as
well.
Writing
God stories whether it be in a book or short pages will not only
encourage us, but it may be used by God to encourage others. This
book was written some four hundred plus years B.C, and although it is
almost twenty-five hundred years old, it still has an impact upon us
today. Who knows the value that writing our “God stories” will
have upon others. Perhaps as we consider how we have been benefited
by this wonderful story we too will begin to put words on a page. One
thing is for sure, God's ways through the recorded words penetrated
our lives as we have enjoyed this story- To God be the Glory, great
things He has done.
Next
time we will begin the final chapter of Esther and learn more about
King Ahasuerus' reign, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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