The world is watching this morning as we watch and hear about the 33 miners being rescued from the half mile underground in a trapped mine in Chili. Last I checked 9 miners had been raised up from the depths of the earth. I watched the video clip as the first miner came up and saw the reaction of his 9 year old son when he finally got to see his dad and they gave each other this huge bear hug. Wow, not a dry eye in this house :-). Can you imagine the celebration going on and praising God for all these miners as they come up 1 by 1? The second miner that came up said that he met God and the devil and God found him. That speaks volumes doesn't it? Lets step back to Esther - Esther is getting ready to ask King Xerxes to spare her people.
Chapter 7
Verses 1-4 King Xerxes asks Esther again what is her request. Esther responds very carefully and being respectful to the king. She says if it pleases the king, to spare her people from being killed. Esther doesn't ask for herself - she asks on behalf of the whole Jewish nation living under Xerxes rule.
Verse 5 - King Xerxes asks who would in his heart could do such a terrible thing?
Verse 6 Esther replies saying the wicked Haman devised this plan! Now Haman had no idea Esther was a Jew, but yet he is horrified to be found out for what he has done.
Verses 7-8 King Xerxes left the room in anger, and then Haman begins to plead for his life with Esther. Somehow he falls on the couch near Esther and he is still on the ground when the king returns back to the room. This angers the king even more, asking if Haman is now making advances to the Queen! Then a cloth is put over his face for he will be hanged.
Verses 9-10 One of the eunuchs sees that Haman has built a gallows for Mordecai. The king says to hang him on this gallows. This is one time where evil is quickly dealt with, many innocent people are spared because of one man's guilt.
Chapter 8
Verses 1-2 King Xerxes gives Esther Haman's house, and gives Mordecai the signet rign, and Esther appoints Mordecai over the house.
Verses 3-6 Esther now pleads on behalf of her people, she gets down to his feet and cries, and asks that Haman's decree be revoked, for she cannot endure watching her people be killed.
Verses 7-14 King Xerxes could not revoke the decree he had already authorized because it had been signed with his signet ring. He makes another decree stating that whoever does harm to the Jewish community, they were allowed to protect themselves and their families even if it meant killing to protect themselves.
Verses 15-17, Mordecai is honored with robes and a crown and now in a position such as a prime minister.
The Jews rejoice for this great turn of events, and many came to the Jewish faith because they feared the Jews. I think they saw how great God is and delivered his people in such an amazing story.
Father God, today we rejoice hearing about 33 trapped miners coming out of a mine 69 days after the mine collapsed, and we rejoice that Esther was able meet with King Xerxes and he quickly dealt with the situation, he was just and killed Mordecai and then proclaimed that Jewish lives be spared. Life is precious God. We thank you for lives being saved, and reminding us that good prevails. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
10/13/2010
10/12/2010
Oct 12, 2010 Esther 5-6
Good morning! We are experiencing a hot dry October here in Indiana. We need rain, farmers are concerned about fields catching fire because it is so dry out. Their hot machinery could cause fires to start. I wouldn't mind some cooler weather myself :-).
Lets continue on with our story of Esther. At the end of our reading yesterday Esther had requested that her maids and the Jewish community in Susa fast for 3 days to prepare for her going in and speaking to the King on behalf of saving their people, without his permission. She could be killed for talking to him. Lets see what happens today.
Chapter 5
Verses 1-5 Esther dresses in her robes and stands in the inner court of the King's palace. Xerxes sees her and finds favor on her, and invites her in. She touches the Golden scepter that was in his hand. He asks her what she wants up to half his kingdom. Esther is wise and doesn't tell him what she wants. She tells him she wants to throw a banquet and Haman and Xerxes are invited.
Verses 6-8 Esther puts on the first banquet and the king asks her again what her petition is. She says if he will come to another banquet tomorrow she will tell him. One wonders if she is scared to tell the King, or maybe God has told her it is not yet time to speak.
Verses 9-13 Now the story's focus is on Haman. Haman is very pleased that he is invited to the banquet, in fact he boasts about it to his friends and family. He boasts about all that he has. BUT he sees Mordecai sitting at the gate - again - and Mordecai will not stand when he sees Haman. This angers Haman greatly and he tells his friends and family that until Mordecai pays him respect none of his fame and fortune mean nothing to him. We all do this - we can have everything but there is one thing that just really angers us - it just festers and becomes our focus. WAY OUT of focus. I have a few hot buttons of my own, I just can't seem to overcome them. I have prayed for a change of attitude and I just can't seem to overcome them. Maybe admitting I have this sin is a good first step, but it sure is tough to overcome. I sadly know that until I truly release these "hot buttons" I will never fully be free to worship God. Gosh that's tough to see in writing.
Verse 14 So Hamans friends tell Haman to kill Mordecai and he takes their advice and decides that Mordecai should be hung after going to the second banquet. There are several steps to sin. First is the initial thought, then planning the sin, and finally acting upon it. Haman hates Mordecai so much he plans on killing him!
Chapter 6
Verses 1-3 King Xerxes has a sleepless night - so he decides to read. He reads a record of the chronicles, which means remembrance, so maybe it was some kind of journal. And he reads about Mordecai's story of the two men who plotted to kill him, Bigthana and Teresh. And Mordecai wonders why Mordecai wasn't given any recognition for saving his life. Don't you just love these coincidences God puts into place. Of course they aren't coincidences they are all a part of God's plan.
Verses 4-5 Xerxes hears someone in his court, and asks who it is. He finds out it is Haman and says let him in.
Verse 6 Xerxes asks Haman what would he like and he asks this question in a favorable light and of course it goes to Haman's head. Oh wow the king is in a good mood today and he knows I'm just this great guy. What great honor would the king like to bestow upon me?
Verses 7-9 So Haman responds by saying that the king should give the man he honors a robe and horse and parade around the town. Haman doesn't have an ego problem does he?
Verses 10-11 The king tells Haman to lead this procession for Mordecai for the king wants to honor Mordecai. Haman went to see the king to ask to have Mordecai killed and the king wants to honor Mordecai. We can only imagine what was going through Haman's mind.
Verses 12-14 Haman goes home and covers his head in mourning for having to show honor to Mordecai. Haman's family could see that Mordecai was more important than Haman. Then Haman is requested to go to the banquet Esther put on. We leave today with this cliff hanger.
Father God, we read today about how anger/pride can take control over our mind, and be so wrong be we think it should be so right. When we are angry we prayerfully ask to come before you and ask for discernment as to what is the truth, what is right, and what is just. We also thank you God for putting events into place that brings glory to you. You can make the impossible possible. We can never thank you enough for doing this for advancing your kingdom and protecting us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lets continue on with our story of Esther. At the end of our reading yesterday Esther had requested that her maids and the Jewish community in Susa fast for 3 days to prepare for her going in and speaking to the King on behalf of saving their people, without his permission. She could be killed for talking to him. Lets see what happens today.
Chapter 5
Verses 1-5 Esther dresses in her robes and stands in the inner court of the King's palace. Xerxes sees her and finds favor on her, and invites her in. She touches the Golden scepter that was in his hand. He asks her what she wants up to half his kingdom. Esther is wise and doesn't tell him what she wants. She tells him she wants to throw a banquet and Haman and Xerxes are invited.
Verses 6-8 Esther puts on the first banquet and the king asks her again what her petition is. She says if he will come to another banquet tomorrow she will tell him. One wonders if she is scared to tell the King, or maybe God has told her it is not yet time to speak.
Verses 9-13 Now the story's focus is on Haman. Haman is very pleased that he is invited to the banquet, in fact he boasts about it to his friends and family. He boasts about all that he has. BUT he sees Mordecai sitting at the gate - again - and Mordecai will not stand when he sees Haman. This angers Haman greatly and he tells his friends and family that until Mordecai pays him respect none of his fame and fortune mean nothing to him. We all do this - we can have everything but there is one thing that just really angers us - it just festers and becomes our focus. WAY OUT of focus. I have a few hot buttons of my own, I just can't seem to overcome them. I have prayed for a change of attitude and I just can't seem to overcome them. Maybe admitting I have this sin is a good first step, but it sure is tough to overcome. I sadly know that until I truly release these "hot buttons" I will never fully be free to worship God. Gosh that's tough to see in writing.
Verse 14 So Hamans friends tell Haman to kill Mordecai and he takes their advice and decides that Mordecai should be hung after going to the second banquet. There are several steps to sin. First is the initial thought, then planning the sin, and finally acting upon it. Haman hates Mordecai so much he plans on killing him!
Chapter 6
Verses 1-3 King Xerxes has a sleepless night - so he decides to read. He reads a record of the chronicles, which means remembrance, so maybe it was some kind of journal. And he reads about Mordecai's story of the two men who plotted to kill him, Bigthana and Teresh. And Mordecai wonders why Mordecai wasn't given any recognition for saving his life. Don't you just love these coincidences God puts into place. Of course they aren't coincidences they are all a part of God's plan.
Verses 4-5 Xerxes hears someone in his court, and asks who it is. He finds out it is Haman and says let him in.
Verse 6 Xerxes asks Haman what would he like and he asks this question in a favorable light and of course it goes to Haman's head. Oh wow the king is in a good mood today and he knows I'm just this great guy. What great honor would the king like to bestow upon me?
Verses 7-9 So Haman responds by saying that the king should give the man he honors a robe and horse and parade around the town. Haman doesn't have an ego problem does he?
Verses 10-11 The king tells Haman to lead this procession for Mordecai for the king wants to honor Mordecai. Haman went to see the king to ask to have Mordecai killed and the king wants to honor Mordecai. We can only imagine what was going through Haman's mind.
Verses 12-14 Haman goes home and covers his head in mourning for having to show honor to Mordecai. Haman's family could see that Mordecai was more important than Haman. Then Haman is requested to go to the banquet Esther put on. We leave today with this cliff hanger.
Father God, we read today about how anger/pride can take control over our mind, and be so wrong be we think it should be so right. When we are angry we prayerfully ask to come before you and ask for discernment as to what is the truth, what is right, and what is just. We also thank you God for putting events into place that brings glory to you. You can make the impossible possible. We can never thank you enough for doing this for advancing your kingdom and protecting us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
10/11/2010
Oct 11,2010 Esther 4
Today's bible reading is somber. Mordecai learns of King Xerxe's decree to kill all the Jewish people in 12 months. Lets read along and discover the strategy that develops in this chapter.
Chapter 4 Verses 1-3. When Mordecai hears of the decree, he tore his clothes, put on a sackcloth and ashes, and walked around in the city wailing loudly. This is a tradition the Jewish peoples when they are in mourning or have sinned. There was a great mourning amongst all the Jews when they heard about this also. They also fasted, and many wore sackcloths and ashes.
Verses 4-7 Esthers maids went to Esther and told her about Mordecai. She sent clothes to him but he refused to wear them. She sent Hathach to Mordecai to find out why he was in mourning. Hathach spoke with Mordecai and he relayed the story back to Esther.
Verses 8-12 Mordecai asks Esther to speak to the king and intercede on behalf of all Jews. Esther relays back to Mordecai that if one speaks to the King without being summoned they will be put to death. And it has been 30 days since she had seen the king.
Verses 13-14 Mordecai responds to Esther saying that there is a purpose for Esther to be Queen in such a time as this, so they need to come up with a plan to save the Jewish nation. Mordecai realizes that God has place Esther where she is as part of God's plan.
Verses 15-17 Esther replies back to Mordecai that she and her maids will fast for 3 days and she asks Mordecai to assemble all the Jews in Susa to also fast. Then she will go to the King. She says if I die, I die. Wow, such wisdom and strength for a young woman! Mordecai follows Esther's instructions.
Father God, today we read about how Esther plans how to save the Jewish people in the land. She places the lives of others before her, she fasts and asks others to do the same. She has prepared an action plan and will boldly do whatever it takes to see the king. I pray that if we encounter such dire situations that we will be level headed like Esther, look at the big picture, fast and pray and ask other believers to do the same for us. We ask for you to intercede on behalf of our pleas. You alone can work miracles when we come to you with the right attitude of prayer and fasting. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Chapter 4 Verses 1-3. When Mordecai hears of the decree, he tore his clothes, put on a sackcloth and ashes, and walked around in the city wailing loudly. This is a tradition the Jewish peoples when they are in mourning or have sinned. There was a great mourning amongst all the Jews when they heard about this also. They also fasted, and many wore sackcloths and ashes.
Verses 4-7 Esthers maids went to Esther and told her about Mordecai. She sent clothes to him but he refused to wear them. She sent Hathach to Mordecai to find out why he was in mourning. Hathach spoke with Mordecai and he relayed the story back to Esther.
Verses 8-12 Mordecai asks Esther to speak to the king and intercede on behalf of all Jews. Esther relays back to Mordecai that if one speaks to the King without being summoned they will be put to death. And it has been 30 days since she had seen the king.
Verses 13-14 Mordecai responds to Esther saying that there is a purpose for Esther to be Queen in such a time as this, so they need to come up with a plan to save the Jewish nation. Mordecai realizes that God has place Esther where she is as part of God's plan.
Verses 15-17 Esther replies back to Mordecai that she and her maids will fast for 3 days and she asks Mordecai to assemble all the Jews in Susa to also fast. Then she will go to the King. She says if I die, I die. Wow, such wisdom and strength for a young woman! Mordecai follows Esther's instructions.
Father God, today we read about how Esther plans how to save the Jewish people in the land. She places the lives of others before her, she fasts and asks others to do the same. She has prepared an action plan and will boldly do whatever it takes to see the king. I pray that if we encounter such dire situations that we will be level headed like Esther, look at the big picture, fast and pray and ask other believers to do the same for us. We ask for you to intercede on behalf of our pleas. You alone can work miracles when we come to you with the right attitude of prayer and fasting. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
10/10/2010
Oct 10, 10 Esther 2:19-3:15
Lots of excitement going on in my family this weekend. First, my twin granddaughters came home yesterday! We are so thankful they were well enough to come home, and I can say with 100% certainty that their household will never be the same again :-). I hope and pray their home will be filled with more laughter than tears, more peaceful than fighting, and that their children will grow up knowing about Jesus. And today my 2 month old nephew was baptized this morning. My sister is 23 years younger than me, so we never grew up together. We don't have a close relationship, something I wish we had but I have inserted my foot into my mouth a time or two too many so its been a rocky road.
Lets continue our story about Esther - a beautiful young woman who has been chosen to be Queen.
Verse 19-23. Mordecai goes to the King's gate daily to hear how his cousin Esther is. While Mordecai is sitting at the gate one day, he overhears two of kings officers, Bigthana and Teresh, get into an argument and they conspire to plot to kill King Xerxes. Mordecai tells Queen Esther about this, and she in turn tells the king. They follow up on this tip, find out its true and they hang Bigthana and Teresh. And a side note here - Mordecai has told Esther not to reveal the fact that is of the Jewish nation.
Chapter 3
Enter the evil person in the story Haman. Verse 1. After these events Haman is honored and given a seat higher than all the other nobles.
Verses 2-3 King Xerxes had commanded that everyone in the kingdom bow down to Haman. Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. One commentary I read said Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman because Haman's ancient ancestors were enemies of the Jews.
Verses 4-6 Day after day Mordecai refuses to bow down to Haman, so the officals told Haman that Mordecai refused to bow down to him, and that he was a Jew. Haman becomes enraged, and he decides to kill of all the Jews who live under King Xerxes rule.
Verse 7 In the 12 year of King Xerxes rule, in the first month, Haman casts lots to determine which day the Jews should be killed. The lot fell on the 12th month.
Verses 8-9 Haman tells King Xerxes his plan by saying that some people in the land do not obey his laws so they should be eliminated. The King agrees with this plan, and issues a decree. And Haman says he will pay the people who kill the Jews 10,000 talents of silver. The talents of silver will come from the Jews they kill.
Verses 10 -11 King Xerxes gives his ring to Haman, agrees this should be done, and Haman do whatever he wants with the people and the money. King Xerxes has no idea that Esther is a Jew and he has just issued her death warrant.
Verses 12-15 The decree was was issued through out the land. Many people were confused why this decree was issued for the Jewish people where known as good, hardworking citizens.
Father God, we read today about how one man in power has a personal issues with another man and he convinces the King to kill off a whole ethnic group of people. We know that you already have a plan in place for your people, but today we want to be made aware that we should not allow personal bad feelings towards one another become so out of control, innocent people are killed. This continues today Lord with ethnic cleansing. It is so wrong. I pray today for those being senselessly murdered, and I pray that those can allow this to happen - to be stopped. I ask this day also that those who take a stand for Christ - that you show mercy upon them - that they will not be severely punished for these people follow your law, not man's law. We know you have the power to stop these actions. We also thank you for all the family members who go above and beyond to raise and care for other family members, such as Mordecai. In Jesus name we pray.
Lets continue our story about Esther - a beautiful young woman who has been chosen to be Queen.
Verse 19-23. Mordecai goes to the King's gate daily to hear how his cousin Esther is. While Mordecai is sitting at the gate one day, he overhears two of kings officers, Bigthana and Teresh, get into an argument and they conspire to plot to kill King Xerxes. Mordecai tells Queen Esther about this, and she in turn tells the king. They follow up on this tip, find out its true and they hang Bigthana and Teresh. And a side note here - Mordecai has told Esther not to reveal the fact that is of the Jewish nation.
Chapter 3
Enter the evil person in the story Haman. Verse 1. After these events Haman is honored and given a seat higher than all the other nobles.
Verses 2-3 King Xerxes had commanded that everyone in the kingdom bow down to Haman. Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. One commentary I read said Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman because Haman's ancient ancestors were enemies of the Jews.
Verses 4-6 Day after day Mordecai refuses to bow down to Haman, so the officals told Haman that Mordecai refused to bow down to him, and that he was a Jew. Haman becomes enraged, and he decides to kill of all the Jews who live under King Xerxes rule.
Verse 7 In the 12 year of King Xerxes rule, in the first month, Haman casts lots to determine which day the Jews should be killed. The lot fell on the 12th month.
Verses 8-9 Haman tells King Xerxes his plan by saying that some people in the land do not obey his laws so they should be eliminated. The King agrees with this plan, and issues a decree. And Haman says he will pay the people who kill the Jews 10,000 talents of silver. The talents of silver will come from the Jews they kill.
Verses 10 -11 King Xerxes gives his ring to Haman, agrees this should be done, and Haman do whatever he wants with the people and the money. King Xerxes has no idea that Esther is a Jew and he has just issued her death warrant.
Verses 12-15 The decree was was issued through out the land. Many people were confused why this decree was issued for the Jewish people where known as good, hardworking citizens.
Father God, we read today about how one man in power has a personal issues with another man and he convinces the King to kill off a whole ethnic group of people. We know that you already have a plan in place for your people, but today we want to be made aware that we should not allow personal bad feelings towards one another become so out of control, innocent people are killed. This continues today Lord with ethnic cleansing. It is so wrong. I pray today for those being senselessly murdered, and I pray that those can allow this to happen - to be stopped. I ask this day also that those who take a stand for Christ - that you show mercy upon them - that they will not be severely punished for these people follow your law, not man's law. We know you have the power to stop these actions. We also thank you for all the family members who go above and beyond to raise and care for other family members, such as Mordecai. In Jesus name we pray.
10/09/2010
Oct 9, 2010 Esther 2:1-18
Today is a beautiful fall day, its a Saturday, the leaves are turning colors, its going to be warm and sunny all weekend. I just love the beauty of God's handwork this time of year. There is comfort that the harvest is in, and we are prepared for the coming seasons.
Today we continue with the amazing story of Esther! I attended a bible study with Beth Moore and we talked about how exciting it would have been to spend a year in a spa becoming beautiful to meet the king. And then we talked about what a lonely life this must have been. One of hundreds of women for one man. This is not a normal life for a woman. Yes, we would be well taken care of, but we would be just another pretty face. If the king liked you you may see him more than once. If not, one night with him and you are done. Women desire more than this, we want a husband and a family to care for, or have a career. A life of our own. So lets read the developing story.
Chapter 2 verses 1- 4. Four years later .... King Xerxes misses his queen and may have realized what foolish thing he did banishing her from his courts. So he makes this decree that a search go on in his providence's for a beautiful young virgins. He may have selected 400 women. Its kind of sad to think that a man focuses on a woman's beauty alone.
I am reading George MacDonald's book the Highlander's Last Song. And in the first chapter of the book, he describes 4 daughters. The first daughter is very pretty and the second daughter is very plain. He writes that a man will be wise to pick the plain girl if she looks lovely in his eyes - for she has not yet matured into a woman, and her loveliness from with in will be more beautiful than the pretty sister. That comment has really stuck with me. We cannot judge a book by its cover - we need to "see" the real person behind the face. Somewhere in 1 Samuel there is a verse that says man looks upon the face but God looks upon the heart. I think this is what the author is saying too. We can fleetingly look at something beautiful but there is no substance to it. What men/women really desire is a soul mate if you will. Someone they can love, cherish, and share their life with for life is empty without it. And lets talk about sex for a moment. Sex between a man and a woman is very private precious gift one gives to one another. Once you experience the pleasure of sex you desire it over and over. But how can you really enjoy sex with a new partner over and over again. Once the initial passions subsides people move on because the physical spark seems to be gone, but they are missing the fact that the best that is yet to come. I am talking about forming the emotional bond that comes with a committed relationship. You can have all the sex you want but in the end will feel empty because you really haven't connected. Solomon writes about this too, to love the wife of your youth. He writes this when he is old. He also has had many wives but he still yearns for his first love. My guess is this is where King Xerxes is at. He misses the queen - his lover and his confidant. And God will provide in a most unusual way.
Verses 5-7 Now we learn about Esther and her family. Mordecai is a Jew from the line of Benjamin. His family had been banished to exile when King Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) when he defeated Jehoiachin, king of Judah. He is the cousin of Esther. We don't know what happened to Esther's parents but she is an orphan. the bible says she is lovely in form and in features.
Verse 8 Esther is taken to the palace, and was entrusted to Hegai, who took care of her. We can assume she had no choice in this matter.
Verse 9 Hegai was immediately pleased with Esther, so he moves her to the best place in the harem, gives her 7 maidservants, and begins a year of beauty treatments and fine food.
Verses 10-11 Mordecai warned Esther not to reveil her Jewish heritage, and he daily watches from afar at the gate, to know how she is doing.
Verses 12-14 describes what happens to prepare the women in order to spend the night the king. They spend a year having beauty treatments, then when she was ready to see the king, she was allowed to take anything she wanted. After a woman spent the night with the king she went to a different part of the palace, under care of Shaashgaz, and wait until the king asked for her again. For some this never happens.
Verses 15-18 Now it is Esther's turn to meet with the king. She takes nothing with her but what Hegai advises. She goes to him in the 7th year of his reign. The king was attracted to her more than any other virgins and makes her the Queen. They throw a big banquet in honor of the new Queen.
Father God, we read today about this amazing story of a young Jewish woman who wins the favor of a King. She is beautiful on the inside and the outside. We ask today that we remain faithful to our spouses if we are married, when we quarrel, seek to resolve our differences. The loss of a spouse is a very lonely road, and if we are there Lord, we ask that we seek a new spouse in a way that is pleasing to you Lord. Help us not give into the temptation of sex, but seek a lover to last to the end of our days in marriage. We also ask for character and beauty on the inside because this is most important in a relationship. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Today we continue with the amazing story of Esther! I attended a bible study with Beth Moore and we talked about how exciting it would have been to spend a year in a spa becoming beautiful to meet the king. And then we talked about what a lonely life this must have been. One of hundreds of women for one man. This is not a normal life for a woman. Yes, we would be well taken care of, but we would be just another pretty face. If the king liked you you may see him more than once. If not, one night with him and you are done. Women desire more than this, we want a husband and a family to care for, or have a career. A life of our own. So lets read the developing story.
Chapter 2 verses 1- 4. Four years later .... King Xerxes misses his queen and may have realized what foolish thing he did banishing her from his courts. So he makes this decree that a search go on in his providence's for a beautiful young virgins. He may have selected 400 women. Its kind of sad to think that a man focuses on a woman's beauty alone.
I am reading George MacDonald's book the Highlander's Last Song. And in the first chapter of the book, he describes 4 daughters. The first daughter is very pretty and the second daughter is very plain. He writes that a man will be wise to pick the plain girl if she looks lovely in his eyes - for she has not yet matured into a woman, and her loveliness from with in will be more beautiful than the pretty sister. That comment has really stuck with me. We cannot judge a book by its cover - we need to "see" the real person behind the face. Somewhere in 1 Samuel there is a verse that says man looks upon the face but God looks upon the heart. I think this is what the author is saying too. We can fleetingly look at something beautiful but there is no substance to it. What men/women really desire is a soul mate if you will. Someone they can love, cherish, and share their life with for life is empty without it. And lets talk about sex for a moment. Sex between a man and a woman is very private precious gift one gives to one another. Once you experience the pleasure of sex you desire it over and over. But how can you really enjoy sex with a new partner over and over again. Once the initial passions subsides people move on because the physical spark seems to be gone, but they are missing the fact that the best that is yet to come. I am talking about forming the emotional bond that comes with a committed relationship. You can have all the sex you want but in the end will feel empty because you really haven't connected. Solomon writes about this too, to love the wife of your youth. He writes this when he is old. He also has had many wives but he still yearns for his first love. My guess is this is where King Xerxes is at. He misses the queen - his lover and his confidant. And God will provide in a most unusual way.
Verses 5-7 Now we learn about Esther and her family. Mordecai is a Jew from the line of Benjamin. His family had been banished to exile when King Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) when he defeated Jehoiachin, king of Judah. He is the cousin of Esther. We don't know what happened to Esther's parents but she is an orphan. the bible says she is lovely in form and in features.
Verse 8 Esther is taken to the palace, and was entrusted to Hegai, who took care of her. We can assume she had no choice in this matter.
Verse 9 Hegai was immediately pleased with Esther, so he moves her to the best place in the harem, gives her 7 maidservants, and begins a year of beauty treatments and fine food.
Verses 10-11 Mordecai warned Esther not to reveil her Jewish heritage, and he daily watches from afar at the gate, to know how she is doing.
Verses 12-14 describes what happens to prepare the women in order to spend the night the king. They spend a year having beauty treatments, then when she was ready to see the king, she was allowed to take anything she wanted. After a woman spent the night with the king she went to a different part of the palace, under care of Shaashgaz, and wait until the king asked for her again. For some this never happens.
Verses 15-18 Now it is Esther's turn to meet with the king. She takes nothing with her but what Hegai advises. She goes to him in the 7th year of his reign. The king was attracted to her more than any other virgins and makes her the Queen. They throw a big banquet in honor of the new Queen.
Father God, we read today about this amazing story of a young Jewish woman who wins the favor of a King. She is beautiful on the inside and the outside. We ask today that we remain faithful to our spouses if we are married, when we quarrel, seek to resolve our differences. The loss of a spouse is a very lonely road, and if we are there Lord, we ask that we seek a new spouse in a way that is pleasing to you Lord. Help us not give into the temptation of sex, but seek a lover to last to the end of our days in marriage. We also ask for character and beauty on the inside because this is most important in a relationship. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
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