![]() ![]() ![]() How did the “wise men” advise the king?ī. When I stop looking for answers for me–and turn to His Word to know more of Him–there is a satisfying calm that comes over me. And, not sure if this makes sense out-loud–but there is a RELIEF, a peace that comes from taking myself out of the center. There is a richness and depth that draws me in for more. When I read the Bible in context, with God, instead of Self, as the center, the reference point–the Bible is…indescribable! I am noticing now that even one verse strikes me as it never has before. In case you missed it, I want to share something Elizabeth wrote at the end of last week: What have you learned about reading the Bible so it transforms you - is it making a difference? Explain. When you read the Bible quickly so that you don’t really connect with God - what heart idols do you think are deceiving you?ģ. What stands out to you from the above and why?Ģ. God is hidden in the book of Esther, but His fingerprints are everywhere. In each, you’ll learn more about reading carefully so you see and are transformed. This week we will read of her capitulation, and next week her leap of faith. He saw, He wept, and He eventually turned her ashes into beauty. I don’t understand why God allows abuse to happen, but I find comfort in knowing that His unfailing love was with Esther. The word “favor” is the Hebrew word “hesed” which is God’s unfailing love. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or love someone who has been. We don’t know how old she was, but we know the pressure was enormous. I believe God was also very sympathetic with the pressure on Esther. He loved us first, He loved us when we were yet sinners, and He loves us and is with us when we fail. And He is with you and with me when we fail Him, when we don’t take the highest road. You expect God to be with you when you suffer and are completely innocent, but when you have given in to pressure, you might expect Him to withdraw. One of the truths hidden in this passage is that God was with Esther. Parents like the Bonhoeffers and the parents of Sophie Scholl (see the movie on Netflix!) are the exception - encouraging their children to take a stand for the voiceless when to do so seems so likely that martyrdom will happen. I tend to hold Mordecai more responsible - and yet I wonder, what I really would do if I were a parent in such a situation? Would I be able to give my daughter up? Refusal surely would have meant her martyrdom. I tend to think she was young, submissive, and simply obeying Mordecai. Was Esther wrong? Many of you have chimed in with your thoughts already. Often He does not sweep our pain away, but He is with us, and He is a Master at turning ashes into beauty. But the Hebrew is very clear that He was with Esther during the abuse. ![]() Why did He let it happen? That is a mystery. She explains that though the beauty treatments given to all these girls were akin to marriage preparation (such as still happens in Iran and North India), the sad thing is that most of these young girls were preparing for a life of widowhood. One of my most helpful commentaries on Esther was from Joyce Baldwin. It is also important to see that it is satirical - the proud are ridiculed and brought down - including Mordecai.
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