Please join us for our next Online Bible Study!
“16-Day Love Challenge:
Matching our Words and Actions with
1 Corinthians 13:4-8″
by Cherie Zack and Rebecca LeCompte.
This study begins November 4th.
Be sure to go to our Registration page for more details, and to sign up today!!
The Registration page can be found by clicking on this LINK.
We hope you will join us!!
As we read this lengthy section of Scripture, we see the final explanation of this time of salvation and rejoicing for the Jews. The Jews in the provinces killed their enemies on the 13th of Adar and rested on the 14th (Esther 9:17). But the Jews in Shushan were given permission to stand against their enemies two days, 13th and 14th, and then rested on the 15th (verse 18). On those days of resting from their enemies, there was a great celebration—gladness, feasting, and exchanging of gifts (verses 22-23). Esther and Mordecai confirmed that this celebration would become a new holiday for the Jews called Purim (verses 29-30), named after the Pur (lot) that was cast for their destruction was turned on their enemies (verses 24-26). It is still celebrated every year by faithful Jews.
Darlene Schacht includes a commonly accepted fact that Moses was circumcised on the 13th of Adar. “Circumcision represents the cutting away of the flesh and the putting off of a former life.” The Jews “cut down” their enemies on Adar the 13th. God provides the way for us to have our old life “cut away” to cleanse us from all sin (Haman), and celebrate new life and freedom (Purim) in Christ. Darlene and I ask, “Have you exchanged your sinful life for a new life? If not, you can make that decision right now by…asking God to forgive you for your sins and inviting Jesus into your life.” Now is the time to put your faith in Him.
After the Jews cut down their enemies, they rested (Esther 9:22). God gives us rest from our enemy, sin, when we allow Jesus to cleanse us and give us His gifts. He gives us:
…a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:3
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
This doesn’t mean that we won’t have trials and temptations. It’s not a “sunny day at the beach ever-after.” But, James 1:2-5 and 12, encourages us that we will want to “…persevere under trial because, having stood the test, that person (we) will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Did you notice that it wasn’t Esther’s position as queen that set her people free from the sentence of death? It was actually because of the king’s love for her and his generosity (grace) to her people that he provided a way to put them in “right-standing/righteousness” with him. It was upon his word and his name (Esther 9:25) that Mordecai and Esther were given permission to write the new decree that made the way for the Jews to live and have rest.
The joyous truth of our salvation in Christ is that we are forgiven and are now in right-standing/righteousness with God. It is not based on our own merit, our position, our own standard of right and wrong, or even on keeping every ‘jot or tittle’ of the old law. There is no rest in those. Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) tells us, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Instead, it is based on His love and His grace. In His righteousness there is rest. There is freedom from condemnation, and a blessed assurance that we belong to God.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1, 2
Esther knew that she would find her salvation only in her king, so she came to him in obedience and courageous submission. When we realize that our salvation can only come from the power, love, and authority of the King of kings, Jesus, we too will want to live in obedience and courageous submission to Him.
This great story of love and salvation of Esther and the Jewish Nation was, and is, to be shared from generation to generation, and in every province (Esther 9:26-32). The Great Love Story of our salvation given us through Christ Jesus is to be shared in every family from generation to generation and in every “province” until Christ returns for His Bride, the Church. “…future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn—for He has done it” (Psalms 22:30-31). “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the Water of Life” (Revelation 22:17).
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
Psalms 103:1-2, 17-18
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Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the rest we find in our salvation that comes only from You, not from our own merit. Thank You for changing our mourning into joy and our despair into a garment of praise! We praise You that the joyous truth of our salvation is evidenced in our right-standing before God, our Father. Help us, O Lord, to live in the beauty of courageous submission to You, our King of kings. Help us find creative ways to share Your Great Love Story with our families from generation to generation, and in every “province” until You return for Your Bride. In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
