Month: June 2020

Esther 6, Perfect Timing!

Est 6:1, That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

Not a coincidence that he couldn’t sleep, it was from the LORD! NOTE: THE LORD ALSO HAS A BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE! ARE YOU ON IT?

Mal 3:16, …And the LORD listened and heard them; SO A BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE was written before Him FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD AND WHO MEDITATE ON HIS NAME.

Est 6:2-3, AND IT WAS FOUND WRITTEN THAT MORDECAI had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. Then the king said, “WHAT HONOR OR DIGNITY HAS BEEN BESTOWED ON MORDECAI FOR THIS?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE FOR HIM.”

THIS IS THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD! THE KING IS NOW WANTING TO HONOR MORDECAI FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE KING!

Est 6:4, … Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace TO SUGGEST THAT THE KING HANG MORDECAI ON THE GALLOWS THAT HE HAD PREPARED FOR HIM. 

Pro 26:27, WHOEVER DIGS A PIT WILL FALL INTO IT, AND HE WHO ROLLS A STONE WILL HAVE IT ROLL BACK ON HIM. 

BOTH MORDECAI AND HAMAN WILL REAP WHAT THEY HAVE SOWN! ONE HONOR AND GLORY AND THE OTHER SHAME AND DEATH!

Est 6:6, So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “WHAT SHALL BE DONE FOR THE MAN WHOM THE KING DELIGHTS TO HONOR?” Now HAMAN THOUGHT IN HIS HEART, “WHOM WOULD THE KING DELIGHT TO HONOR MORE THAN ME?” 

Pro 18:12, BEFORE DESTRUCTION THE HEART OF A MAN IS HAUGHTY, AND BEFORE HONOR IS HUMILITY.

THE HEART OF MAN IS DESPERATELY WICKED AND HAMAN IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF IT! GOD WILL ONE DAY REVEAL ALL THE HIDDEN THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR HEARTS AND THEY SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE LIGHT!

Ecc 12:14, For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. 

Esther 5, pride comes before the fall!

Est 5:1-2, Now it happened on the THIRD DAY that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, …SO IT WAS, WHEN THE KING SAW QUEEN ESTHER STANDING IN THE COURT, THAT SHE FOUND FAVOR IN HIS SIGHT, AND THE KING HELD OUT TO ESTHER THE GOLDEN SCEPTER THAT WAS IN HIS HAND….

It took great courage to go before the king knowing that she could have been killed for it!

Psa 56:3-4, WHENEVER I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN YOU. In God (I will praise His word), IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN FLESH DO TO ME?

Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet, but it wasn’t the right time! THIS IS ALSO OF GOD! FOR THE LORD RESTRAINED HER; HE WAS STILL SETTING THINGS UP!

Est 5:9-10, SO HAMAN WENT OUT THAT DAY JOYFUL AND WITH A GLAD HEART; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, HE WAS FILLED WITH INDIGNATION AGAINST MORDECAI. nevertheless Haman RESTRAINED himself and went home, …

Haman had riches, and was being honored by the king and queen of Persia, Yet his heart was filled with Anger because of just one man! THE RICHES AND HONOR OR THIS WORLD CAN’T SATISFY A MAN’S HEART, ONLY THE LORD CAN! THE HEART IS DESPERATELY WICKED WHO CAN KNOW IT! JER 17:9

Both Esther and Haman restrained themselves, The LORD has HIS timing! IN TIMES OF TROUBLE WE WANT THE LORD TO ACT QUICKLY ON OUR BEHALF, WE GROW ANXIOUS AND WORRY! HE IS NEVER LATE!

Mic 7:7, Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. 

HAMAN BOASTED ABOUT HIS RICHES AND INFLUENCE TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, YET LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT THIS WAS HIS LAST NIGHT ON EARTH!

Pro 16:18, PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION, AND A HAUGHTY SPIRIT BEFORE A FALL.

Pro 18:12, Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

Esther 4, for such a time as this!

Est 4:1, When Mordecai learned all that had happened, HE TORE HIS CLOTHES AND PUT ON SACKCLOTH AND ASHES … HE CRIED OUT WITH A LOUD AND BITTER CRY. 

Mordecai knew it was because of him that the decree to kill all the Jews went out in the first place! But once written it cannot be changed!

Est 1:19, … and let it be recorded in the laws of the PERSIANS AND THE MEDES, SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE ALTERED

We should always be in communion with the LORD thru prayer Especially in times of trouble! HE IS OUR FATHER WHO LOVES US AND IS WILLING TO HELP US IF WE ASK!

Est 4:11, “… know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, WHO HAS NOT BEEN CALLED, HE HAS BUT ONE LAW: PUT ALL TO DEATH, EXCEPT THE ONE TO WHOM THE KING HOLDS OUT THE GOLDEN SCEPTER, that he may live. …

WHAT HAS THE LORD CALLED YOU TO DO? ESTHER WAS NOW IN A POSITION TO HELP HER PEOPLE, YET SHE WAS PLACED THERE BY THE LIVING GOD FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!

Psa 75:7, BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTS DOWN ONE, AND EXALTS ANOTHER. 

Est 4:14, FOR IF YOU REMAIN COMPLETELY SILENT AT THIS TIME, RELIEF AND DELIVERANCE WILL ARISE FOR THE JEWS FROM ANOTHER PLACE, but you and your father’s house will perish. YET WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?” 

Mordecai trust was in the faithfulness of GOD, not in Esther. Man is easily pushed from side to side, BUT THE LORD IS OUR STEADFAST ROCK AND HIS PROMISES ARE FAITHFUL!

2Ti 2:13, IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE REMAINS FAITHFUL; HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF. 

HE HAS A PLAN FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US, TRUST IN HIM! THERE IS A REASON HE HAS YOU WHERE YOUR AT NOW!

Jer 29:11, FOR I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARD YOU, SAYS THE LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.

Esther 3, the battle against the flesh!

Est 3:1, After these things King Ahasuerus PROMOTED HAMAN, the son of Hammedatha THE AGAGITE, and ADVANCED HIM AND SET HIS SEAT ABOVE ALL THE PRINCES WHO WERE WITH HIM.

Psa 12:8, THE WICKED PROWL ON EVERY SIDE, WHEN VILENESS IS EXALTED AMONG THE SONS OF MEN. 

Remember even this is from the LORD; when a wicked man such as Haman is promoted to power! Haman was a descendant of Agag who was the king of the Amalekites!

Exo 17:14,16, THEN THE LORD SAID to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, THAT I WILL UTTERLY BLOT OUT THE REMEMBRANCE OF AMALEK FROM UNDER HEAVEN.” … for he said, “BECAUSE THE LORD HAS SWORN: THE LORD WILL HAVE WAR WITH AMALEK FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.” 

Amalek, for the Christian, is a type of flesh that we battle on a daily basis! THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT!

Est 3:2, And ALL THE KING’S SERVANTS who were within the king’s gate BOWED AND PAID HOMAGE TO HAMAN, for so the king had commanded concerning him. BUT MORDECAI WOULD NOT BOW OR PAY HOMAGE. 

AS CHRISTIANS WE WILL ONLY BOW DOWN TO HIM WHO IS WORTHY OF PRAISE, NOT TO CORRUPTIBLE MAN!

Php 2:10, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 

Est 3:5-6, When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, HAMAN WAS FILLED WITH WRATH. BUT HE DISDAINED TO LAY HANDS ON MORDECAI ALONE, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, HAMAN SOUGHT TO DESTROY ALL THE JEWS …

TODAY, MEN RIOT AGAINST ALL THE POLICE FOR THE ACTIONS OF BUT A FEW JUST AS HAMAN SOUGHT TO KILL EVERY JEW FOR THE ACTIONS OF JUST ONE!  THE STAGE IS SET

Gal 5:17, For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 

Esther 1, being drunk!

Est 1:1,4,5,7, Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus… when HE SHOWED THE RICHES of HIS GLORIOUS KINGDOM and THE SPLENDOR OF HIS EXCELLENT MAJESTY…. the king made A FEAST LASTING SEVEN DAYS … And THEY SERVED DRINKS in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, WITH ROYAL WINE IN ABUNDANCE, according to the generosity of the king.

King Ahasuerus, in his PRIDE, showed off his wealth, power, and majesty.  PRIDE MIXED WITH WINE MAKES A GREAT COMBINATION!

Pro 20:1, WINE IS A MOCKER, STRONG DRINK IS A BRAWLER, AND WHOEVER IS LED ASTRAY BY IT IS NOT WISE. 

Est 1:10-11, On the seventh day, WHEN THE HEART OF THE KING WAS MERRY WITH WINE, he COMMANDED … to BRING QUEEN VASHTI BEFORE THE KING, wearing her royal crown, IN ORDER TO SHOW HER BEAUTY TO THE PEOPLE AND THE OFFICIALS, FOR SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL TO BEHOLD.

A wise mother once told her son

Pro 31:1,4-5, …THE UTTERANCE WHICH HIS MOTHER TAUGHT HIM…. IT IS NOT FOR KINGS, O Lemuel, IT IS NOT FOR KINGS TO DRINK WINE, NOR FOR PRINCES INTOXICATING DRINK; Lest they drink and forget the law, AND PERVERT THE JUSTICE OF ALL THE AFFLICTED.

Est 1:12, BUT QUEEN VASHTI REFUSED TO COME AT THE KING’S COMMAND… THEREFORE THE KING WAS FURIOUS, AND HIS ANGER BURNED WITHIN HIM. 

Eph 5:22-23, WIVES, SUBMIT TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS, as to the Lord. FOR THE HUSBAND IS HEAD OF THE WIFE, as also Christ is head of the church; …

BUT HUSBANDS MUST LOVE THEIR WIVES!

Eph 5:25, HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, JUST AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR HER, 

A DRUNK KING LOST HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE IN JUST ONE NIGHT; FOR VASHTI WAS REMOVED FROM HER POSITION!

Eph 5:18, And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, 

Ezra 10, Sin destroys families!

Ezr 10:1, Now while Ezra was praying, and while HE WAS CONFESSING, WEEPING, AND BOWING DOWN BEFORE THE HOUSE OF GOD, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; FOR THE PEOPLE WEPT VERY BITTERLY.

The work of the HOLY SPIRIT is clearly seen when men are convicted of their sin and confess before the LORD!

1Jn 1:9, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. 

Ezr 10:2, And Shechaniah … said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have TAKEN PAGAN WIVES from the peoples of the land; YET NOW THERE IS HOPE IN ISRAEL IN SPITE OF THIS.

Someone said that our GOD is the GOD of second chances? YET, I’M THANKFUL THAT HE IS THE GOD OF 10TH AND 11TH CHANCES!

Ezr 10:11, Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, AND DO HIS WILL; SEPARATE YOURSELVES FROM THE PEOPLES OF THE LAND, AND FROM THE PAGAN WIVES.”

Mal 2:16, “FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL SAYS THAT HE HATES DIVORCE ,” …

Rth 1:15-16, And she said, “LOOK, YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW HAS GONE BACK TO HER PEOPLE AND TO HER GODS; … BUT RUTH SAID: … For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; YOUR PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND YOUR GOD, MY GOD.

As Ruth left her gods/idols and made the LORD her GOD, these families had the same choice!

YET, SOME WERE NOT WILLING TO DO SO AND THEY WERE SET APART!

Ezr 10:44, …SOME OF THEM HAD WIVES BY WHOM THEY HAD CHILDREN.

SIN HURTS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MAINLY CHILDREN, BUT HE IS SEEKING GODLY OFFSPRING NOT A DIVIDED HOME! FOR WHAT FELLOWSHIP HAS RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH LAWLESSNESS? AND WHAT COMMUNION HAS LIGHT WITH DARKNESS? 2Cor 6:14

Ezra 9, knowledge of GOD!

Ezr 9:1-2,  … the leaders came to me, saying, “THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES HAVE NOT SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM THE PEOPLES OF THE LANDS, with respect to the abominations… For they have taken SOME OF THEIR DAUGHTERS AS WIVES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR SONS, SO THAT THE HOLY SEED IS MIXED with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, THE HAND OF THE LEADERS AND RULERS HAS BEEN FOREMOST IN THIS TRESPASS.” 

Israel just came back from captivity only to find out that the people as well as the leaders have taken foreign wives! This is clearly an offense to the LORD in Deu 7:3-4

2Co 6:14, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 

This is why Solomon’s heart turned from following the LORD! THE LORD SEEKS A GODLY OFFSPRING NOT A DIVIDED HOME!

Mal 2:15, BUT DID HE NOT MAKE THEM ONE, HAVING A REMNANT OF THE SPIRIT? AND WHY ONE? HE SEEKS GODLY OFFSPRING.

Ezr 9:3-4, So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and SAT DOWN ASTONISHED. THEN EVERYONE WHO TREMBLED AT THE WORDS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL ASSEMBLED TO ME, …

The people trembled! This is a good sign for the FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF UNDERSTANDING & WISDOM, Pro 1:7, 9:10

MOST PEOPLE CALL THEMSELVES GOOD SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T BOTHER TO READ THE BIBLE! THEY USE THEIR STANDARD TO DEFINE GOOD, BUT THIS LEADS TO DESTRUCTIONS!

Hos 4:6, MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. BECAUSE YOU HAVE REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I ALSO WILL REJECT YOU from being priest for Me; BECAUSE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THE LAW OF YOUR GOD, I ALSO WILL FORGET YOUR CHILDREN. 

Ezra 8, embarrassed because of fear!

Ezr 8:21, THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE AT THE RIVER OF AHAVA, THAT WE MIGHT HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE OUR GOD, TO SEEK FROM HIM THE RIGHT WAY FOR US AND OUR LITTLE ONES AND ALL OUR POSSESSIONS. 

Ezra, was about to leave Babylon on their way to Jerusalem, and they humbled themselves before the LORD.  They had their children they had gold and silver for the temple, but the way back home was dangerous!

Ezr 8:22  FOR I WAS ASHAMED TO REQUEST OF THE KING AN ESCORT OF SOLDIERS AND HORSEMEN TO HELP US AGAINST THE ENEMY ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAD SPOKEN TO THE KING, SAYING, “THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THOSE FOR GOOD WHO SEEK HIM, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 

With great confidence Ezra told the king “OUR GOD WILL PROTECT US”, YET ASKING FOR AN ESCORT WOULD CONTRADICT HIS WORDS!

TODAY, AS WE COME BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD; HOW CAN WE FEAR THE VIRUS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROCLAIM THE STRENGTH OF OUR GOD? THIS IS A CONTRADICTION OF OUR FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD! HE SAYS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, DO NOT BE AFRAID!

Isa 41:10, DON’T BE AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU. DON’T BE DISCOURAGED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU. I WILL HOLD YOU UP WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND. 

BEING AFRAID IS NORMAL, BUT STILL ILLOGICAL IF YOU KNOW WHO IS WITH YOU!

Psa 56:3, BUT WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU. 

Ezr 8:23, SO WE FASTED AND EARNESTLY PRAYED THAT OUR GOD WOULD TAKE CARE OF US, AND HE HEARD OUR PRAYER. 

EZRA WITH THE PEOPLE SOUGHT THE LORD IN PRAYER ASKING FOR HELP AND HE HEARD THEIR CRY!

Mar 9:23-24, Jesus said to him, “IF YOU CAN BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “LORD, I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!”

Ezra 7, living the word of GOD!

Ezr 7:1,5, Now after these things, IN THE REIGN OF ARTAXERXES KING OF PERSIA, EZRA THE SON OF SERAIAH… THE SON OF AARON..

Ezra came to Jerusalem in the second wave of people returning to their homeland!

Ezr 7:6, this Ezra came up from Babylon; and HE WAS A SKILLED SCRIBE IN THE LAW OF MOSES, WHICH THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL HAD GIVEN. THE KING GRANTED HIM ALL HIS REQUEST, ACCORDING TO THE HAND OF THE LORD HIS GOD UPON HIM. 

This king Artaxerxes Longimanus was the son Artaxerxes found in Ezra 4:7. Whereas the father stopped the work of GOD; his son blessed and funded the work of GOD!

Ezr 7:10, FOR EZRA HAD PREPARED HIS HEART TO SEEK THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND TO DO IT, AND TO TEACH STATUTES AND ORDINANCES IN ISRAEL.

Ezra was a blessed man, not just because he knew the word of the LORD, but because he lived it! KNOWING HIS WORD AND DOING IT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS! JESUS SAID…

Mat 7:24, “THEREFORE WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOES THEM, I WILL LIKEN HIM TO A WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK:

Eph 5:15-17, SEE THEN THAT YOU WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, NOT AS FOOLS BUT AS WISE, REDEEMING THE TIME, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL. THEREFORE DO NOT BE UNWISE, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.

IF WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT OUR BLESSED HOPE IS AT THE DOOR AND READY TO RETURN THEN WE MUST BE ABOUT OUR FATHERS BUSINESS, REDEEMING THE TIME! JESUS SAID THE FOLLOWING!

Mat 24:46, BLESSED IS THAT SERVANT WHOM HIS MASTER, WHEN HE COMES, WILL FIND SO DOING. 

NOT JUST KNOWING HIS WORD BUT DOING IT!

Ezra 6, HIS guiding hand!

Ezr 6:1-2, THEN KING DARIUS ISSUED A DECREE, AND A SEARCH WAS MADE IN THE ARCHIVES, … A SCROLL WAS FOUND, AND IN IT A RECORD WAS WRITTEN THUS:

After a letter sent to king Darius from the governor who was trying to get the work of GOD stopped; Darius found the scroll of Cyrus!

Ezr 6:3, In the first year of King Cyrus, KING CYRUS ISSUED A DECREE CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD AT JERUSALEM: “LET THE HOUSE BE REBUILT,

Darius could have found the scroll of Artaxerxes, where he told them to stop the work, BUT HE FOUND THE SCROLL OF CYRUS!

Rom 8:31, …IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 

Ezr 6:6-7, Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai…, KEEP YOURSELVES FAR FROM THERE. LET THE WORK OF THIS HOUSE OF GOD ALONE; LET THE GOVERNOR OF THE JEWS AND THE ELDERS OF THE JEWS BUILD THIS HOUSE OF GOD ON ITS SITE.

GOD has the power to frustrate the work of evil men and to prosper the work done for HIM! HIS WORD WILL NOT COME BACK VOID!

Job 5:12-13, He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

Ezr 6:11, Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this.

Jer 1:19, They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. FOR I AM WITH YOU,” SAYS THE LORD, “TO DELIVER YOU.

IT’S AMAZING WHAT GOD CAN DO EVEN WITH NON-BELIEVERS! THE WORK OF THE TEMPLE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED, BECAUSE THE LORD NEVER LEFT THEIR SIDE! HE IS ALWAYS THERE WORKING ON OUR BE-HALF!

Job 11:7-8, “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?