Christianity
is under attack! The New York Times this week said that they were tired of
hearing “God bless America.”
According to BOTT radio on Wednesday February 10, 2016, NASA’s Johnson Space
Center in Texas has banned the name of “Jesus”
in any communications. How have we gotten to this point in our country where
Christianity is under attack?
Although Christianity has been attacked over
the years, it has gotten much worse in today’s society. Not since the early church
in the first century have we seen a time when the whole world wanted those who
are Christians to either disappear or shut-up. But, why is there such
intolerance in the world today for Christianity? Well, everyone knows that the
opposite of love is hate; so with Satan’s promotion of hate within the hearts
of many there are more and more people who think that those who don’t agree
with their beliefs are to be hated. Furthermore, we live in a society in which
everyone wants things to be their way, so they certainly don’t want to hear
that they may be immoral, unethical, socialistic, or a myriad of any other
things that are the opposite of Christianity. As a result, Christians are facing
hate and intolerance today from many different directions, as not only our beliefs,
but our actual persons, in some cases, are attacked.
One
of the main reasons, though, that we are being attacked for our belief in God
and Jesus Christ is because many Christians have failed to live by God’s
standards, and we have failed to spread the Gospel message even within our own
families. In addition, we have also failed to use our God-given positive
influence to show others what God expects of people, by not setting
godly examples and by not speaking up for God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Instead, we all have succumbed in some way or another to the easier path of “live and let live”. Just as importantly,
though, we have failed to “stand in the
gap” when there have been controversial issues or when political figures
and government rulings have slowly eroded our right to worship God and Christ in
not only our homes but also in our businesses. It has come to point where
living our lives without being badgered or threatened with law-suits that
specifically attack our beliefs is no longer possible. Sadly, though, many
Christians do nothing to influence others about the Truth or to “stand in the
gap” for those that are suffering from political correctness. Indeed, most
Christians think, “I’m just one person, and what can one person do to stop the
political and personal attacks against Jesus Christ and our faith?”
So,
we do nothing, and we let these attacks continue. Unfortunately, these attacks
against our faith have gone on for so long without the majority or without even a few Christians stepping forward to defend God, Christ, or even our personal
freedoms, that now, we are now at a dramatic cross-road. If, we do nothing to
stop this onslaught of negativity and hate, we will all lose our right to
worship God and Christ and lose our personal freedoms. Moreover, even though to
some it may appear that these hateful attacks against Christianity are just happening
sporadically and gradually, that is just another one of Satan’s delusions that
he perpetrates. For, in truth, these attacks are racing forward like an out of
control train. But, what can we do to stop these attacks?
We
can “stand in the gap” by praying, by
not keeping silent when we see others’ rights or our rights being attacked, and by
taking a political stand if necessary. In addition, though, we need to become
an active positive influence on those we encounter and a positive
influence on our friends and family. Only by becoming actively involved in
living for Christ and by standing up when needed, as well as by clarifying our
beliefs when we are falsely attacked, can Christians ever hope to stem the tide
of this tsunami that is threatening to overcome the world. If we have an
opportunity to speak up against these new laws that denigrate the beliefs of
Christians, we also have step forward to “stand
in the gap” against the enemies of Christ.
Christ
has told us to go into nations and spread the Gospel: “Therefore, go and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have
given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the
age.” – (Matthew 28: 19, 20. NLT). Certainly, many people have gone into the
world and spread the Gospel. That is why there are now Christians throughout
the nations of the world. However, with the hate that is permeating the Middles
East with ISIS and with the spread of their Islamic fanatical beliefs of hate throughout
the nations of the world, Christians are now facing destruction and the loss of
life within other nations. But that isn’t the only thing that Christians are
facing. For nations that have long been recognized as Christian nations are now
facing liberal and pagan beliefs that denigrate and try to destroy
Christianity. Why is this occurring? Well, it is occurring because Christians
have failed to continue to spread the Gospel throughout our own nation as well
as throughout the nations of the world. Oh, we still have missionaries abroad,
but there are not as many as their used to be. We also have fewer missionaries
to share the Gospel within our own nation. Worse still, Christians have failed
to share the Gospel, failed to share God’s commandments and Truth, and have
failed to study His Word with their children and the future generations; thus
setting the stage for future generations to become self-centered liberals who
hate Christians.
We
can stop the flow of this volcanic eruption of hate, miss-trust, and liberal
ideas by again becoming a positive influence on our children and on
those young people who feel lost and are looking for something that will fill
the gap in their souls. We can do this by becoming Active Relational Christian
Mentors and by “standing in the
gap” for those who need someone to comfort, support, and empower them. As
women mentors we can positively influence those who need our help and who need
to know more about God and living for Christ. Unfortunately, many of you
probably think that you don’t have the time to mentor, or the devil tells you
that someone else will do it so you don’t have to get involved. But that is
exactly what has gotten us into this place and to this point in time. We have
failed to mentor our children and future generations about God and our Savior.
We have failed to “stand in the gap”
for those who need extra prayer and help. We have failed to take a stand when
the government or other anti-Christian organizations have threatened our
freedoms and beliefs. But, we cannot just give up because we have failed in the
past. We have got to take some initiative and begin to serve the Lord and the
Kingdom of God by stemming the flow of this volcanic flow of disinformation and
hate against God and Jesus Christ and His Christian followers.
One
person can make a difference in the outcome of a situation. In fact, throughout
the Bible, we are given many examples of the difference that one person made in
the life of one or in the lives of many. Some of those individuals even made a
difference in the life of an entire nation. Each of these individuals, whether
male or female were used by God to influence
the outcome of a situation or to “stand
in the gap” against evil. Indeed, some of those examples in the Bible are
of individual women who have made a difference by influencing others. Other examples
are of women who have “stood in the gap”
for an individual or a nation.
Last
week I talked about two women who made a dramatic difference on not only
history but the lives of each other. Those two women were Naomi and Ruth. Had
they not helped each other they would not have survived. But more importantly,
had Naomi and her family not introduced Ruth to God, Ruth would not be in the
ancestral lineage of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. As just one woman,
Naomi made a difference in the life of one woman, but that difference changed
the world.
Today,
I would like to introduce you to another woman who made all the difference in
the world as well. Her name is Esther. Esther, not only influenced her husband,
but she “stood in the gap” for her
people and kept them from all being annihilated. She is a fascinating woman,
but she was also just an ordinary woman who was willing to step forward to do
that which was right and to make a difference in the world not only back then,
but for today as well. Her story is a little longer than usual, but I hope you will take the time to read about Esther for she truly made a difference that is still seen today.
Esther
Becomes Queen
Esther
lived during the glorious times of the Persian Empire which dominated the
Middle East. It was such a large Empire that the King’s wealth was almost
beyond measure. Esther’s story, though, begins in 483 B.C. At that time, she
was just an ordinary but beautiful young Jewish woman living with her cousin, Mordecai. Mordecai
had adopted Esther when her parents died. Although their families were
originally from Judah, it had now been over a hundred years since the Jewish people
had been captured by King Nebuchadnezzar and taken into his Babylonian Empire
as a denigrated minority who had little rights. Later, though, the Persians
conquered the Babylonian Empire. They then acquired the Jews and other
minorities that were living in the land. But, instead of persecuting the
minorities that Nebuchadnezzar had captured, the Persians treated the minorities
fairly, even allowing many of the Jewish people to establish their own businesses
in the towns where they lived. In fact, the Jewish exiles had great freedom in
Persia.
The
Persian Empire consisted of 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia and
all were under the rule of the King and his governors. Remarkably, when King
Cyrus ruled the Empire, he felt a special connection to God and God’s people,
so he eventually gave the Jewish people their freedom to return home to
Jerusalem if they wished to do so. However, Esther’s parents and Mordecai, like
many other Jewish people living in Persia, chose to stay in Persia even after
King Cyrus gave the Jews permission to return home.
Esther’s
story actually starts in the city of Susa, which also held the winter palace of
King Xerxes. It was there after returning from Greece and a battle defeat at
Salamis, that King Xerxes held a banquet, which lasted for nearly six months
for the sole purpose of getting his governors and generals to agree to back the
next military action to conquer even more land. This grand banquet was also a
way to plan battle strategies and at the same time show the governors,
generals, officials and guests that the King had the wealth and military force
needed to go against another country like Greece. Getting this backing was
important, because attacks against and the invasions of other countries were a way
to conquer more land and gain even more wealth for Persia. In other words, this
banquet was used as the epitome of networking for the purpose of
convincing people to agree to and follow Xerxes’ plans while still celebrating
and enjoying themselves in the winter palace.
King Xerxes put on a magnificent banquet that
was not only something for the eyes to see but also for the stomachs as well.
The palace was also beautifully decorated with displays of gold and silver as
well as exotic animals and flowers. In addition to glorious vistas for the eyes,
every kind of food imaginable was served along with the best alcohol that was
available for the palates and stomachs. The entire celebration was topped off with
the best entertainment available at that time. But as the partying continued, King
Xerxes and his guests eventually got very drunk. Unfortunately, as we all know,
alcohol can cause a person to do things that that he/she would not do if he/she
were sober and thinking properly. King Xerxes was no exception. Then when you
add to Xerxes’ diminished judgment from the alcohol the fact that he was prideful and proud with
a desire to flaunt and show off his possessions and wealth, you get the makings
of a disaster. In this case the disaster would result from his wanting to show
off his most beautiful possession, which was Queen Vashti who was not at this
magnificent banquet.
At
the same time that King Xerxes was giving a banquet, Queen Vashti was giving a
banquet for the wives of the Governors, officials and diplomats. But suddenly,
on the seventh day of the banqueting after King Xerxes and his guests had
become intoxicated and Xerxes’ judgment was at its lowest, the king called for
Queen Vashti to come to his banquet and to parade before all the King’s guests.
He wanted to show all the other men her beauty. But the Queen refused to come.
The King was upset and humiliated that Vashti had refused to come. So, after
consulting with his advisers and asking them what should be done to Queen
Vashti, the advisers told him to forever banish Queen Vashti from his sight and
to then choose a new Queen. So, in his intoxicated and humiliated state this
was exactly what King Xerxes did. He banished Queen Vashti from his sight
forever, and now he would need to choose a new queen.
Now
Mordecai, who was an official at the palace there in Susa, heard about the
search for a new Queen. So, he arranged to have his cousin Esther, who was also
known as Hadassah, taken to the palace along with the many other women who
would be presented to the king as a potential queen. Through God’s providence
Esther was indeed chosen as one of the women that would be presented to the King.
Then, Esther was placed in the King’s haram that was run by a eunuch named
Hegi. Hegi was very impressed with Esther and her beauty as well as her overall
demeanor. He felt that she had a real chance of catching the King’s eye. So,
Hegi gave her the best room in the haram and assigned her seven maids. But to
insure that she would look her very best, Hegi also ordered a special menu for
Esther and specially developed beauty treatments. With all this special
attention and her natural beauty Mordecai felt that Esther had a good chance of
being chosen as the next Queen, but he had told Esther to not let anyone know
that she was Jewish.
Then
it was Esther’s turn to go in to King Xerxes. “When Ester was taken to King
Xerxes at the royal palace in the winter of the seventh year of his reign, the
king loved her more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with
her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her the queen instead
of Vashti.” --
(Esther 2: 16, 17. NLT).
The
King then held a banquet to show off his new queen. But even through all the
pomp and circumstance Esther still did not let anyone know that she was Jewish
or that she was related to Mordecai. For, everyone knew that Mordecai was a
Jew. Moreover, it seems that during the previous twelve months during Esther’s
beauty treatments and education in proper decorum before the King, Mordecai’s life
position had changed as well. He had become a palace official. So over the past
year, Mordecai had become well known by the other servants and officials in the
palace as a good man, but Jewish nonetheless. Esther knew that if the servants
at the banquet or if any of the other women who were celebrating Esther’s new
position as Queen became aware that she was related to Mordecai, they would find
out that she, too, was a Jew. So, Esther kept quiet about her ethnicity during
and after the banquet.
A
few weeks or months later, while Mordecai was on duty, he overheard two of the
King’s eunuchs plotting to assassinate the King. So, Mordecai went to Queen
Esther and told her about the plot. She then went and told the king. “When
an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two
men were hanged on a gallows. This was all duly recorded in The Book of
History of King Xerxes’ Reign.” – (Esther 2: 23. NLT).
But, Mordecai was never recognized for his role in saving the king.
Haman
Plans to Kill All the Jews
Now
there was a man named Haman, an Agagite, who sometime later was appointed prime
minister by the King. This made him second in power to the King Xerxes himself.
Long ago, though, the Agagites were actually ancient enemies of the Jewish
people, and they were genetically part of the Amalekite nation that God wanted
destroyed. In fact, the Amalekites were a mean and cruel people, always thinking
only of themselves and their gain. Then at one point in time they had tried to
wipe out Jewish people. So, God had told the Jewish people to “destroy
the Amalekites and erase their memory from under heaven” –
(Deuteronomy 25: 17-19 and Exodus 17-16. NLT). Unfortunately,
they were not all wiped out and generations later Haman was one of their
descendants. But, Haman was not just an Amalekite, as he was actually a descendent
of King Agag, who had been king of the Amalekites.
As an Agagite, Haman felt
that he was better than everyone else, because he was in a royal line of people.
Naturally because the Amalekites had nearly all been destroyed by the Jews, Haman
hated the Jewish people. At first, though, Haman just bided his time and did
not let on how much he hated the Jewish people, because he felt that he was
finally getting the recognition that he so deserved by being appointed prime
minister. He felt that he was finally with royalty in the palace where he belonged.
Haman
was now the prime minister, which gave him great power, and so as a matter of
course and in recognition of his high position in the government, all of the
palace officials would bow down to Haman as he passed by them. This gave Haman
the feeling of being powerful and respected. However, God had told the Jewish
people that they were not to bow down to anyone other than God. So, in honoring
God, Mordecai was the one person in the palace who would not bow down to Haman
even if he was the prime minister.
Mordecai’s
failure to give Haman the honor that he felt he deserved, created great anger
in Haman. But, when Haman found out that Mordecai was a Jew, his anger grew
even more. He wanted to destroy Mordecai, but Haman decided that it would not
be enough to just destroy this one Jew. Now, he finally had the power to
destroy his people’s enemies. So, Haman decided to destroy all the Jews in the
Empire, and “… during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast (the
lots were called “purim”) to determine the best day and month to
take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later.” -- (Esther 3: 7. NLT). Having set a date helped to temporarily appease Haman's anger toward the Jewish people.
Then to follow through with his plan, Haman went before the King and told him that there were a certain group
of people within his kingdom that refused to obey the laws of the King. He told
King Xerxes that these people did not deserve to live. Certainly, the King
could not put up with people not obeying his laws. So, Haman then asked the
king to issue a decree to destroy these people. But to sweeten the deal, he
told the King that he would give the King “375 tons of silver to the government
administrators so they can put it in the royal treasury.” –
(Esther 3: 9. NLT). Where was Haman going to get this silver
or money? Well, he was going to confiscate the money from all of the Jews that
he killed. Not only would this give Haman revenge, but it would give him the
honor and a portion of the wealth that he so thought he deserved.
Unfortunately,
the King was persuaded, because he was told that these people had refused to
obey his laws. So, Xerxes agreed with Haman, but he told Haman to keep the
money, “… but go ahead and do as you like with these people.” –
(Esther 3: 11. NLT). Then
the King gave Haman his signet ring, which gave Haman the authority to do
whatever he wished. Little did the King realize, but his own ring would sign
the death warrant for his queen, because Haman, in his lie to the King, had not
told the King that it was the Jewish people who were refusing to obey the laws.
But then, neither did the King know that Queen Esther was Jewish when he was
persuaded to kill all these people.
Haman
then sent out letters to all the governors of the provinces to kill all the
Jews, sealing his message with the King’s signet ring and authority. The
letters with the official decree told the government officials that “…
young and old, including women and children – must be killed, slaughtered, and
annihilated on a single day… nearly a year later on March 7. The property of
the Jews would be given to those who killed them.” –
(Esther 3: 13. NLT). Obviously, as the decrees went out and
the subsequent announcements were made and posted, cities throughout the
provinces, including the city of Susa, were thrown into confusion at what the
King had allowed Haman to do.
Esther
Is asked to Influence the King and to “Stand
in the Gap” for the Jewish People
When
Mordecai heard the news he became deeply distraught. But, when Esther found out
that Mordecai was in sackcloth and mourning, she sent one of the King’s
eunuch’s to find out what was wrong. So, Mordecai told Hathach, the eunuch,
what Haman was planning and even gave him a copy of the decree. Then Mordecai
begged Hathach to tell Esther everything Mordecai had told him and to urge the
queen to go to the King and to beg for mercy for her people.
Then
Esther sent Hathach back to Mordecai with a message: “The whole world knows that anyone
who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed
to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called
me to come to him in more than a month.” Then Mordecai responded to her
message with one of his own. In the message he told her: “Don’t think for a moment that you
will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed. If you keep
quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other
place, but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that
you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this.” -- (Esther 4: 11, 13, 14.
NLT).
How
many times have we not done something that the Holy Spirit has prompted
us to do or not done something that we know that we should do, only to
find out later that our lives have changed dramatically or that someone else
has received the blessing that came from listening to the Holy Spirit and
following through. Many times we find ourselves at a cross-road, and we don’t
know which way to turn, because we have selfishly thought only of our self and
what is best for “me.” Esther was at a cross-road. She had providentially been
placed there by God to be in a position to save the Jewish people. But, would she “stand in the gap” for the entire nation
of Israel and somehow influence the King to do something to save the Jewish
people? Or, would she choose to think that someone else could take on that
responsibility and then think only of saving herself? Like Esther, we often sit
back and hope that someone else will do something so that we can go on with our
normal routine or lives. But as Mordecai reminded her, deliverance would come
from somewhere else if she refused to act, and then God would punish her for
refusing to do what He had providentially placed her there to do.
We
all like to think that God is a loving God who won’t hurt a fly. Yes, God is a
loving God. But, He is also a just, righteous, and caring Father, who like any good father, will not put up with our
refusal to do what He has asked us to do. That doesn’t mean that he will kill
us like Mordecai said could happen to Esther, even though God has the authority
to do so if he feels it is appropriate, and even though He has the authority to
decide what our punishment for disobedience will be. For, God, as our Creator,
can do what in His justice is righteous and needed, including discipline and
punishment for those who fail to do what He has specifically asked them to do.
More often, though, God’s punishment or discipline comes with the lack of
blessings, which could have been ours if we had only heeded the Holy Spirit’s
promptings. In fact, God has many blessings that He wants to bestow on each of
His children. But, we have to be obedient children to receive them. For, “A
faithful man will abound with blessings.” –
(Proverbs 28: 20. NASB). Furthermore, God wants us to fight the
spiritual battles that Satan throws at us and not just sit back and hope for
the best. That is why, the Scriptures tell us: “But those who rebuke the wicked
will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” –
(Proverbs 24: 25. NASB). The blessings will come from a loving
God who cares but demands obedience.
In
fighting Satan and his minions God has not left us stranded, but has given us
help. In fact, He has told us that there is “Armor” that He has given us to wear in our fight against spiritual
enemies, which include, Satan and his minions and our own emotional trials and
doubts that are egged on by fear and lack of faith. That is why Christians are
told to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil, For, our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of
this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God so that you will be able to
resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.” -- (Ephesians 6: 11-13.
NASB).
Although
God had not yet sent His Son to offer Salvation and Eternal life at Esther’s
period of time in history, Esther was not alone either. In fact, she had the
ear of God, if she was willing to “stand
in the gap” against this evil force trying to destroy her people. God would
help her, if she would not fear, and if she would have faith that He would be
there for her every step of the way. All she needed to do was to trust in God’s
provision, and then fast and pray, and that is just what Esther did. For,
Esther sent a message to Mordecai telling him to: “Go and gather together all the
Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night and
day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I
will go in to see the king. If I must die, I am willing to die.” –
(Esther 4: 16. NLT). As you can see, Esther trusted in God to save her and her people.
Esther
Risk her Life to See the King
Three
days later Esther went to the palace to see the King. She entered the inner
court and the King saw her. Then he held out his gold scepter to Esther. She
carefully approached and touched the tip of the scepter. (Had the king not held
out the scepter for her to approach, she would have been killed by his
attendants). Unquestionably, the King must have been in a good mood, because
after he had beckoned her to enter, Xerxes said, “… What is your request? I will
give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” –
(Esther 5: 3. NLT). Certainly, Xerxes must have been
surprised, to see Esther, but He was even more surprised when Esther just asked
if the King and Haman would come to a banquet that day that she had prepared
for the King. The King was not only in a good mood, but he was curious as to
what the Queen wanted so badly that she had come to see him without being
invited. So, the King said “yes, and then sent a message to Haman to come
quickly, so that they could go to Queen Esther’s banquet. Obviously, the King
knew there was something on Esther’s mind, but he patiently waited until the
banquet to find out what she wanted.
The
King and Haman went to Esther’s banquet. While they were eating and drinking
the King stopped and asked Esther to tell him what she really wanted. He wanted
to know her request, and he again offered her half his kingdom. But, Esther did
not want half the kingdom, however, neither was she ready to make her request
to the King at that time. Instead, she said, “… This is my request and deepest
wish. If Your Majesty is pleased with me and wants to grant my request, please
come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for you. Then
tomorrow I will explain what this is all about.” –
(Esther 5: 7, 8. NLT).
This banquet then was just leading to another banquet for both the King and
Haman.
Haman’s
Disappointment
You
can probably imagine how thrilled Haman was to be included in the Queen’s
banquet. He felt like he was finally receiving the accolades and honor he
deserved. But on his way out of the palace, he passed by Mordecai who again refused
to bow to him. Although just moments before he had been on cloud nine at having
again been invited to eat with just the King and Queen, now Haman was furious!
When he got home he told his wife and his friends about Mordecai’s disrespect,
and they encouraged Haman to kill Mordecai and to do so by hanging him publicly. But, to make the event even more spectacular than an ordinary
hanging, they suggested that Haman build a gallows seventy-five feet tall and then
to go to the King the very next morning to ask him to have Mordecai publicly executed for his failure to honor the second in command.
During
that same night, though, the King had trouble sleeping, so he asked an
attendant to bring him the historical records of his reign to read. While
reading them, the King ran across the record of Mordecai thwarting the
assassination plot against him. But, the records did not say anything about
Mordecai having received a reward or some kind of recognition for his actions
in saving the king. The king wanted to rectify that oversight by doing something for Mordecai.
When
the morning came, the King heard someone outside his chambers. When he asked
who was out there, his attendant told him that it was Haman. At that, the king
told the attendant to bring Haman in. Maybe Haman could help him determine what
kind of recognition that Mordecai should have. “So, Haman came in, and the King
said, ‘What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?’” –
(Esther 6: 6. NLT). Immediately, Haman assumed that the King was talking about
him. So he said to the King, “If the king wishes to honor someone he
should bring out the king’s own royal robes, as well as the king’s own horse
with a royal emblem on its head. Instruct one of the king’s most noble princes
to dress the man in the kings’ robe and to lead him through the city square on
the king’s own horse. Have the prince shout as they go: ‘This is what happens
to the those the king wishes to honor!” – (Esther 6: 7-9.
NLT).
The
king liked Haman’s suggestion, but to Haman’s surprise it was Mordecai and not
Haman that the King had been talking about. Now, the King not only wanted to
act upon Haman’s suggestion, but he also told Haman that he would be the
official that would dress Mordecai and place him on a horse. But, the worst
part was that Haman would be the official who would have to walk beside the
horse shouting “This is what happens to
those the king wishes to honor.” God really does have a sense of humor!
Humiliated
and dejected, Haman did as the King wished and then went home to tell his
family of his ordeal. But, he didn’t have much time to dwell on the matter,
because just a little later, the King’s eunuch arrived to bring Haman to Queen
Esther’s banquet. Haman must have felt at least a little better, as he was
actually going to be eating with the King and Queen again, but his comfort, happiness
and pridefulness would not last long.
Esther
“Stands in the Gap” for Her People
The
King and Haman arrived at the second banquet given by the Queen. Certainly, the
King was intrigued about the two banquets that his queen had arranged for him
and Haman. What could she possible need? So, King Xerxes again asked Queen
Esther to tell him her request, and then he again offered her up to half his
kingdom if she wanted it. But, Esther said, “If Your Majesty is pleased with
me and wants to grant my request, my petition is that my life and the lives of
my people will be spared. For my people and I have been sold to those who would
kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had only been sold as slaves, I could
remain quiet, for that would been a matter too trivial to warrant disturbing
the King.” – (Esther 7: 3, 4. NLT).
Naturally, the King was horrified! “‘Who would do such a thing? King Xerxes
demanded. ‘Who would dare touch you?”
--
(Esther 7: 5. NLT). Then, Esther looked over at Haman and
told the King that the person who was going to kill her and her people was
wicked Haman who was eating with them at that moment at the banquet.
You
can imagine how furious the King was, but instead of immediately hitting Haman
or calling for his attendants to kill Haman, Xerxes went out onto the patio to
think. But, Haman stayed where he was to plead for his life from Queen Esther.
Unfortunately, in his pleading despair, he fell onto the queen’s couch where
she was reclining. At exactly that moment the King came back in the room. It
appeared to the King that Haman was assaulting Esther. Immediately, the King shouted, “Will
he even assault the queen right here in the palace before my very eyes?” -- (Esther 7: 8. NLT).
The attendants standing around in service immediately ran over and threw a
cloth over Haman’s head, which signaled his doom. Then one of the attendants
told the king that Haman had erected a seventy-five foot gallows in his own
courtyard. So, the King ordered Haman to be hung from his own gallows.
On
that same day, Xerxes gave Esther Haman’s estate. Esther then told the King how
she was related to Mordecai. Mordecai was then brought before the King, and the
King gave Mordecai his signet ring that had been taken back from Haman, now making
Mordecai the second in command. Esther also gave Mordecai charge over the
estate of Haman’s that she had received from the King.
Mordecai
and Esther Save the Jewish People
There
was still one problem, though. The problem had to do with the Laws of the Medes and Persians. When a
King made a law, the law was written in the books forever, and that law could
not be changed. So, how were they going to stop the slaughter of all the Jews
after Haman had already sent out the order to do so on March Seventh? Could they find a way to change the law?
Within a few days, Esther again came before
the King about Haman’s plan to destroy all the Jews. She asked the King to send
out another decree stopping the slaughter of all the Jews. Unfortunately, the
King could not reverse the previous decree. But, he told Esther and Mordecai
that they could write a decree to save the Jews. They just needed to remember
that whatever was sealed with the King’s signet ring could not be reversed
according to the Laws of the Medes and
Persians.
Mordecai
then sent out a decree to the princes, governors and local officials in all the
provinces of the Empire. This new decree was written in all the languages of
the Empire as well, so that no one would misunderstand it’s meaning, and it was
sealed with the King’s signet ring, which he had given to Mordecai.
Unequivocally, the King’s new decree gave the Jews in every city and province the
right to unite together to defend their lives. Furthermore, they were told that
they had permission to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any
nationality who might try to attack them or their families. Moreover, they then
had the right to take the property of the person or enemy who had tried to
attack them. This event was to take place on March 7th of the
following year, occurring on the same day that the previous decree to kill all
Jews was to take place. This meant that anyone coming against the Jews to kill
them would be killed instead, and their property would be confiscated by the
Jews. In essence, this new decree nullified and countermanded the previous
decree. The Jews were saved.
Many
of the Jew’s enemies were killed on March 7th throughout the
Persian Empire. Because they were saved by Mordecai’s decree on what was
supposed to have been their total annihilation day, the Jewish people to this
day celebrate The Festival of Purim.
It is a day to commemorate the day when the Jewish people were saved from a
wicked scheme to kill every Jew. Haman had used “Purim” or the casting of lots to determine the exact or best day to
kill all the Jews. But, instead of it being the day of their destruction, that
chosen day became the day the Jewish people received relief from their enemies,
and it was a day for gladness and joy. Forevermore they would call this
commemoration day “The Festival of Purim”.
One
Person Can Make a Difference
One
person can make a difference in the lives of one or many. But we have to
actually step forward to “stand in the
gap” or to influence and empower another person. Esther was put in her
position by God. She was chosen for her character and her ability to get the
job done. You, too, are put in positions or places by God so that you can speak
to someone, so that you can make a difference, or so that you can “stand in the gap” when no other person
would be able to accomplish what you can do. You just have to be willing to
listen to the Holy Spirit, and to be obedient to God and His Word.
All
Christians need to “stand in the gap”
through prayer for our country. We also need to “stand in the gap” for those who are being persecuted throughout the
Middle East and beyond just for being a Christian. But we also have to use the influence that we have to speak up and
stand up for Truth and God’s Word. Don’t let political correctness scare you so
much that you will not stand up for Christ or for the Truth. In fact, each of
us needs to stand up legally against laws or against the implications of what
could happen because of a politically correct law. There is no law yet that
schools have to ban Christianity in schools and Universities. But, when we hear
stories of a principal or dean pushing Christianity out of school, we need to
stop what we are doing and get involved in telling the Truth before the Truth
is obliterated and new self-serving laws are put in place to discriminate
against Christians.
We
need to make sure that we stand up and vote this year! But, before we vote, we
need to do our research and not just accept what the media or someone else says
about a candidate. We need to gauge a candidate’s words with their previous
actions and also try to determine what they really plan to do in the future.
So, many of the those who are running for president have their own power hungry agenda that
has nothing to do with honoring God or helping our country, even though they would like for you to think that they just want to help the American people. As strong women,
and like Esther, we need to do that which God has called us to do. He has
called us to vote. Your one vote has influence. Your prayers are part of “standing
in the gap” for our country and for others.
You
can do it! You can Actively and Relationally Mentor another for Christ. You can
influence and empower another woman, and you can “stand in the gap” for spiritual battles against the enemy. Right
now the enemy is trying to destroy our Christian nation and destroy our right
to worship the way that God wants us to be able to do. Please speak up and have
conversations about God and Jesus Christ with your friends and neighbors. Tell
your children about God and influence their lives for Him. Then “Stand in the
Gap”!
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