Archives for 2021

Good morning,

On our learning this lesson depends our comforting walk heavenward

(Letters of William Romaine, 1714-1795)

When the Holy Spirit takes of the things of Christ and preaches them to the heart–oh, what a sweet peace follows! For the believer then finds himself saved from all the miseries of sin, and entitled to all the blessings of eternal glory.

Being thus persuaded of his safety by believing in the sin-atoning blood of our Great High Priest, the Holy Spirit then teaches him how to live upon Christ, and how to make use of Christ’s fullness.

On our learning this lesson depends our comforting walk heavenward. For Christ does not give us a stock of grace and expect us to improve it by being faithful to grace given. No, no, that is not His way. Our souls must depend upon Him, just as our bodies do upon the elements of this world. Every moment we must live by faith upon His fullness, and be every moment receiving out of it grace upon grace.

And this is our happiness–to have all in Christ!

A beggar in myself, but rich with unsearchable eternal riches in Him.

Ignorant still in myself, but led and taught by His unerring wisdom.
A sinner still, but saved by His blood and righteousness.

Weak and helpless still, but kept by His Almighty love.

Nothing but sorrow in myself, nothing but joy in Him.
Oh, this is a blessed life!

No tongue can tell what a Heaven it is, thus to live by faith upon the Son of God. Thanks be to Him, that I do know a little of it. Surely I could not have thought, some years ago, that there was such a Heaven upon earth as I now find. May you find it more and more! Sweet Jesus keep you, my dear friend!

Yours,
William Romaine
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The grand object of the eye of faith!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen–but on what is unseen.
 For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!”
   2 Corinthians 4:18

In our Christian pilgrimage it is well for the most part to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown–and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love–the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith!

Looking into the future–the Christian sees sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of eternal glory. Looking further yet, the believer’s enlightened eye can see death’s river passed. He sees himself . . .
  enter within the pearly gates,
  hailed as more than conqueror,
  crowned by the hand of Christ,
  embraced in the arms of Jesus,
  glorified with Him, and
  made to sit together with Him on His throne!

Contemplation of my glorious future may well relieve,
    the darkness of the past, and
    the gloom of the present!The joys of Heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth!

Hush, hush, my fears!Death is but a narrow stream–and you shall soon have forded it!

Death–how brief!
Immortality–how endless!

Time–how short!
Eternity–how long!

The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there!

“In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me–but to all those who have loved His appearing!” 2 Timothy 4:8

“Our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who . . . will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body!” Philippians 3:20-21

 ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Forty Scripture Directions

(John Willison, “Forty Scripture Directions” 1680-1750)

Never let the world come into God’s place. (1 John 2:15)

Keep up the same opinion now of things of the world, that you will have when you come to die. (Matthew 16:26)

Put a high value upon precious time, and lose none of it by sloth. (Ephesians 5:16)

Allow a little time every day to think upon eternity. (Matthew 25:46)

Employ Christ as your refuge in all cases, and in every strait go to Him for relief. (Hebrews 12:2)

As you expect to live with Christ in Heaven, study to live for Christ on earth. (2 Corinthians 5:15)

Cleave fast to Christ and the way of holiness, whatever it may cost you. (Acts 11:23; 2 Timothy 3:12)

Delight much in thinking upon Christ–particularly of His death and sufferings for us. (1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 6:14)

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17)

Spend as much time as possible in secret prayer and converse with God. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

 ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Oh how ashamed you would be if men could see your thoughts!

(Richard Baxter)

Is not the eye of God ten thousand times more to be regarded?

“You alone know each human heart!” 2 Chronicles 6:30

“Behold, I know your thoughts!” Job 21:27

“Would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart?” Psalm 44:21

“You have set our iniquities before You,our secret sins in the light of Your presence!” Psalm 90:8

“You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar!” Psalm 139:2

“Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD–how much more the hearts of men!” Proverbs 15:11

“I know what is going through your mind.” Ezekiel 11:5

“I know their works and their thoughts.” Isaiah 66:18

“Lord, You know everyone’s heart.” Acts 1:24

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

“God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.” Romans 2:16

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chapla1n@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 25 February and ends on the evening of 26 February.

Today we conclude our study of Esther. We will look at Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman, promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves, Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted, and Mordecai’s greatness.

Please read these chapters for the complete story.

Chapter 7 Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman

“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.” (7:3-6)

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (7:10)

Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)

“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)

Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted

“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)

“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)

“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)

Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness

“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.” (10:3)

Chapter 7

Esther tells the king that Haman has plotted to kill her people the Jews. As the king contemplates what to do, Haman throws himself on Queen Esther for mercy. The king, however, thought that Haman was assaulting the queen. Haman is sentenced to be hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.

Chapter 8

The problem still exists, what will become of the Jews? The king’s decree could not be revoked.

The king promotes Mordecai to Haman’s position. He suggests that Mordecai write a new decree. He does. “Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,”.

Chapter 9

The Jews defeated their enemies. To commemorate this event the festival of Purim was initiated.  It has been celebrated from that time till today.

Chapter 10

Mordecai is second to the king. More importantly, he is accepted by the Jews as a great benevolent leader.

So the story has a happy ending.

God orchestrated each event. He was in every circumstance that Mordecai, Esther, and Haman encountered.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 25 February and ends on the evening of 26 February.

Today we will look at Chapters 4-6 Mordecai informs, Jews fast, Esther prepares to go to the king, the courage of Esther and the pride of Haman, and Mordecai Rewarded and Haman shamed. Please read these chapters for the full story.

Chapter 4 Mordecai informs, Jews fast, Esther prepares to go to the king

“And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.” (4:7-8)

“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? (4:14)

“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.” (4:16)

Chapter 5 Courage of Esther and the Pride of Haman

“And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.” (5:2)

“And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king.” (5:11-12)

Chapter 6 Mordecai Rewarded and Haman shamed

“And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.” (6:2-3)

“Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor.12 And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. (6:10-12)

These three chapters tell of God’s intervention in the affairs of men. We will see the courage of Esther and how Haman’s pride is turned to Mordecai’s honor.

Chapter4

Mordecai gets a copy of the king’s commandment to destroy the Jews. He cried with a loud and bitter cry. The Jews of the provinces were in great mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing.

Mordecai challenges Queen Esther to go to the king for deliverance. Initially she hesitated. However, Mordecai made a convincing argument and she decided she would go.

Chapter 5

Esther goes and the king held out the golden scepter. She requests that the king and Haman come to a banquet she has prepared for them. Then she invites them to a second one the next day.

While this is going on, Haman is boasting to his family how great he is. He is also encouraged to go to the king and request to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had built.

Chapter 6

The king could not sleep. They brought the book of records of the chronicles and they were read to him. They read the entry about how Mordecai saved the king’s life. The king asks, “What honor and dignity hath been done to honor Mordecai?” the answer was that nothing had been done for him.

Mordecai has come to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows.

The king asks Haman, “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?” Haman’s pride kicks in and he describes what he would like the king to do for him. When he gets finished, the king tells him to all these things for Mordecai. The irony is that Haman had to honor Mordecai. Haman was utterly shamed. It gets worse for Haman.

Tomorrow the story concludes. Will the Jews be saved? Does Haman’s plot come to fruition? What happens to Esther and Mordecai? How is Purim initiated?

Come back tomorrow and find out!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

The Book of Esther

The Festival of Purim

Key players:

Ahasuerus: King of Persia. He reigned from 485-465 BC. The book of Esther portrays him as ruling a vast empire, being very wealthy, being sensual, continually giving feasts, and being cruel and acutely lacking in foresight (1:13-22). Ahasuerus banished his queen, Vashti, taking two years to find a replacement. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Vashti: Queen to King Ahasuerus. Refused the King’s command to appear before the King. She is removed as queen.

Mordecai: The hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin, Hadassah (Esther), into his home as her adoptive father (2:7). Later, Mordecai uncovered a plot to murder the king and saved his life (2:21-22). This good deed was recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia (2:23). Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and as a result, Haman introduced a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire (3:6). Mordecai then exhorted Queen Esther to approach the king and save her people (3:1-4:17). Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai (7:10), and Mordecai became second in command, succeeding Haman. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Esther: The Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She save her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (2:15, 9:29) and cousin of Mordecai (2:7-15). After her father and mother died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “Myrtle” (2:7). The story of Esther’s rise from an unknown Jewish girl to queen of a mighty empire illustrates how God uses events and people to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. Ahasuerus appointed Esther to replace Queen Vashti (2:17) Esther exposed Haman’s sinister plot to slay all the Jews. As a result, Ahasuerus granted the Jews the right to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai.

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org)

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther

Chapter 1 The Fall of Queen Vashti

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” (1:12)

“If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰ And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹ And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” (1:19-21)

Chapter 2 The Rise of Esther

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:15-17)

Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2)

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6)

Chapter 4 Mordecai informs, Jews fast, Esther prepares to go to the king

“And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.” (4:7-8)

“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? (4:14)

“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.” (4:16)

Chapter 5 Courage of Esther and the Pride of Haman

“And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.” (5:2)

“And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king.” (5:11-12)

Chapter 6 Mordecai Rewarded and Haman shamed

“And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.” (6:2-3)

“Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor.12 And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. (6:10-12)

Chapter 7 Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman

“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.” (7:3-6)

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (7:10)

Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)

“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)

Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted

“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)

“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)

“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)

Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness

“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.” (10:3)

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 25 February and ends on the evening of 26 February.

Today we will look at Chapters 1-3. The fall of Vashti, the rise of Esther, and the promotion and wicked plan of Haman. Please read these chapters for the full story.

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther

Chapter 1 The Fall of Queen Vashti

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” (1:12)

“If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰ And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹ And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” (1:19-21)

Chapter 2 The Rise of Esther

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:15-17)

Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2)

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6)

These three chapters give us the, who, what, when, where, and why for the Book of Esther.

So far we know that the king is easily swayed by his advisors, that his new queen is a Jew, that Mordecai will not bow down or worship anything but the one true God, and Haman hates Jews.

The rest of the book tells us what happens to the Jews, Haman, and Esther.

Come back tomorrow to find out what happens next.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 25 February and ends on the evening of 26 February. Today we will look at the key players in the Book of Esther.

The Book of Esther

The Festival of Purim

Key players:

Ahasuerus: King of Persia. He reigned from 485-465 BC. The book of Esther portrays him as ruling a vast empire, being very wealthy, being sensual, continually giving feasts, and being cruel and acutely lacking in foresight (1:13-22). Ahasuerus banished his queen, Vashti, taking two years to find a replacement. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Vashti: Queen to King Ahasuerus. Refused the King’s command to appear before the King. She is removed as queen.

Mordecai: The hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin, Hadassah (Esther), into his home as her adoptive father (2:7). Later, Mordecai uncovered a plot to murder the king and saved his life (2:21-22). This good deed was recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia (2:23). Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and as a result, Haman introduced a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire (3:6). Mordecai then exhorted Queen Esther to approach the king and save her people (3:1-4:17). Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai (7:10), and Mordecai became second in command, succeeding Haman. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Esther: The Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She saved her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (2:15, 9:29) and cousin of Mordecai (2:7-15). After her father and mother died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “Myrtle” (2:7). The story of Esther’s rise from an unknown Jewish girl to queen of a mighty empire illustrates how God uses events and people to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. Ahasuerus appointed Esther to replace Queen Vashti (2:17) Esther exposed Haman’s sinister plot to slay all the Jews. As a result, Ahasuerus granted the Jews the right to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai.

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org)

The Book of Esther tells the tale of the rich and powerful, the weak and powerless, and the sovereignty of God. It gives us a clear picture of an anti-Semite, Haman, bent on destroying the Jews. It shows the courage of a young Jewish girl, Esther, who gave up everything to save her people the Jews. It shines a light on the wise Counsel of Mordecai.

What a great story. Although God is not named in the text, God is in every event. God allows all the plot lines to fit His will and purposes. We serve a great God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Chapter 4 is the conclusion of this great book. Boaz becomes the kinsman redeemer, marries Ruth, and has a son named Obed.

Chapter 4 Ruth’s Reward v13

Boaz redeems the inheritance of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. Verses 1-12

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.² And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.³ And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:⁴ And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.⁵ Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.⁶ And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.⁷ Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.⁸ Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.⁹ And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.¹⁰ Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.¹¹ And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:¹² And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.

 Boaz marries Ruth Verses 13-15

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.¹⁵ And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

Ruth’s son Obed is David’s grandfather. Verses 16-22

• Naomi nurses the child named Obed v16-17

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.¹⁷ And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

• Genealogy of Pharez v18-22

¹⁸ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,¹⁹ And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,²⁰ And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,²¹ And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,²² And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Ruth goes from being a hated Moabite to the ancestral line of Christ. God can save, redeem, whoever He chooses. We should not be too quick to condemn others. They might be someone God is going to greatly use for His glory and honor.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com