October 18, 2010 (Esther, Ezra 7-10)

I love the book of Esther. From her submission to the authority of others, to her being willing to die (but only after seeking God for three days first through fasting and prayer), there is much to be learned in the book of Esther. Although God is never mentioned by name, His presence is sensed throughout - especially the timing of the king not being able to sleep and the story of Mordecai being read to him during his insomnia. God's hand is throughout. But the thing that I never picked up on before, made me think about the current day situation with Islam:

^3:8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.

I think this is the mindset of 'devout' Muslims. I just did a search on "Koran kill the infidel" - and clicked on this link:

http://www.letusreason.org/islam12.htm

This is scary stuff. American's need to get their head out of the sand and realize the threat that is against us. All the more reason to have a relationship with Jesus - to know that some day when the craziness of this world has come to fruition, we will be resurrected with Him. We went to church here in Breckenridge this weekend - the pastor was speaking on the "I am" statements of Jesus, and spoke on this passage - "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in Me and will never perish. Do you believe this Martha?" I believe that - if I was to be killed in a terrorist attack, I will live eternally with Jesus. There is great freedom and peace in that. But there is also responsibility - we, as Christians, know the truth. (And I know that every 'religion' thinks their 'truth' is the correct truth). But I also believe another of Jesus' "I am" statements - "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me." We are to share our faith and allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction as to the truth of these words.

Now to Ezra, where it says "The king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him." And then a few verses later we read:

⁹ ....for the gracious hand of his God was on him. ¹⁰ This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.

Cause and effect - why was God's gracious hand upon him? Because he had determined to study and obey God's word.

In Esther, and now in Ezra (²³ So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.) there is a recurring theme - when God's people needed to hear from God and be delivered by God, they fasted and prayed - and God answered.