When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
Esther 8:15-17
- The king of Persia removed his wife, Queen Vashti, from the position of Queen, for disobedience. A search is held for a new queen, and a young Jewish woman named Esther is chosen for her beauty and grace. Esther had kept her Jewish identity a secret.
- Mordecai was Esther's cousin and guardian, he overheard and exposed a plot to assassinate the king and saved his life.
- The king's arrogant and powerful official, Haman, planned to hurt Mordecai, for he had refused to bow to him. Haman made plan to destroy all the Jewish people in the empire. He convinced the king to issue a decree for the jews to be killed.
- Mordecai learned of the plot and urged Queen Esther to intervene. He warned her that she couldn't remain silent, for she may have become queen for such a time, to save her people.
- Risking her own life, Esther approached the king without being summoned. Instead of making her request immediately, she invited the king and Haman to two separate banquets.
- At the second banquet, Esther revealed her Jewish identity to the king and exposed Haman's plot to kill her and her people. Eventually, Haman was executed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai.
- The king issued a new one decree allowing the Jewish people to defend themselves against their enemies. The Jews were victorious. Mordecai was promoted to a place of honor, and the freedom of worship for the jews was restored.
LESSONS FROM QUEEN ESTHER'S STORY:
DO NOT SURRENDER TO THE ENEMY. PRAY UNCEASINGLY, INSTEAD.
"pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
The Jews could have also chosen to die. Are there cases where we surrender to the enemy instead of praying and listening to God with steadfast faith?
How about the challenges we face, are you ready to give up and surrender? In your opinion, why is it important to listen to the Holy Spirit in spiritual warfare?
DO NOT FEAR, DO NOT STOP. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT GOD IS ON THE THRONE, HE NEVER SLUMBERS, HE NEVER LOOSES. MAY HE BE NEAR TO THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY CALL ON HIM FOR HELP.
The Example of Queen Esther:
