{"id":15419,"date":"2013-10-24T00:01:51","date_gmt":"2013-10-24T05:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=15419"},"modified":"2013-10-23T23:34:46","modified_gmt":"2013-10-24T04:34:46","slug":"esther-chapter-89-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/10\/24\/esther-chapter-89-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Esther – Chapter 8:9-15"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"16DayCover\"<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

Please join us for our next Online Bible Study!<\/span><\/h2>\n

“16-Day Love Challenge:<\/h2>\n

Matching our Words and Actions with<\/h2>\n

1 Corinthians 13:4-8″<\/h2>\n

by<\/span> Cherie Zack and Rebecca LeCompte.<\/h3>\n

This study begins November 4th. \u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Be sure to go to our Registration page for more details, and to sign up today!!<\/p>\n

The Registration page can be found by clicking on this\u00a0LINK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We hope you will join us!!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

__________________<\/p>\n

Esther 8:9-14 sounds very familiar!\u00a0 The phraseology parallels the verses of Esther 3:12-14, but this time the decree written by Mordecai gave the Jews life<\/em> instead of death<\/em>. \u00a0It was written so that \u201cevery people after their language\u201d (Esther 8:9, KJV) in the whole kingdom, could understand the good news of the salvation of the Jews from the previous death sentence.<\/p>\n

Notice this parallel:\u00a0 In Acts 2:5-12, on the day of Pentecost there were Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem.\u00a0 They heard these simple Galilean disciples declaring in their own languages \u201cthe wonders of God,\u201d the good news of salvation (Life<\/em>) for all through Jesus Christ. Today, God still wants the same Good News to reach everyone, everywhere; and it\u2019s our responsibility as believers to share it (Matthew 28:18-20).<\/p>\n

I stated in our study of Esther 3:12-15 that King Xerxes just went \u201calong for the ride\u201d and didn\u2019t really care about the details of the first decree or the end results. This time is very different as the king realizes that he has a vested interest in this whole event and especially the results.\u00a0 This new decree would save the life of his queen, his \u201cbride,\u201d the woman he loved.\u00a0\u00a0 The king\u2019s name was essential for the authenticity of this decree and his seal made it irrevocable.<\/p>\n

When Adam and Eve sinned, God had to pronounce a death sentence on all mankind (Genesis 3) because He is Holy and cannot stand sin. \u00a0This \u201cdecree\u201d was irrevocable by any human standards. However, God doesn\u2019t live by human standards.\u00a0 He had, and still has, a vested interest in His creation, His children, His Bride.\u00a0 God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to use His Name to \u201csign\u201d a new decree for Life<\/em>, our salvation, and He sealed it with His \u201csignet ring,\u201d the Holy Spirit, making it irrevocable.<\/p>\n

It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,\u2026 Salvation is found in no one else,
\nfor<\/span> there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
\nActs 4:10-12<\/p>\n

Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit\u2026
\nEphesians 1:13<\/p>\n

The king gave the Jews permission to gather together
\nand<\/span> stand against all those who would assault them.
\nEsther 8:11<\/p>\n

Our King instructs us, through Paul and the author of Hebrews, to gather together to strengthen and encourage one another (I Corinthians 14:26 and Hebrews 10:24-25). \u00a0Our King also tells us to stand and fight our spiritual enemy, and He even equips us with God\u2019s armor to ensure that we will win!<\/p>\n

\u2026<\/span>Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.\u00a0 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.\u00a0 Take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.\u00a0 And pray in the Spirit\u2026.
\nEphesians 6:13-18<\/p>\n

Are we ready for that day when the enemy comes against us? \u00a0Actually, it\u2019s a daily battle.\u00a0 We must meet together to encourage and strengthen one another.\u00a0 We must not take off our armor. We must not let down our guard. \u00a0We must pray.<\/p>\n

As I read Esther 8:15, my first thought was, \u201cWow!\u201d\u00a0 Besides Mordecai\u2019s new authority, he was honored by being clothed in royal clothing of blue and white, a robe of linen and purple, and given a great crown of gold and presented publicly!\u00a0 There was great rejoicing as Mordecai appeared before the citizens of Shushan.\u00a0 I believe not only was Mordecai well-liked by all, but he also represented justice, honor, life, and freedom (a far cry from what Haman had represented). We will rejoice at our Lord\u2019s appearing because He represents justice, honor, life, and freedom for us!<\/p>\n

Darlene Schacht points out that linen, blue, and purple were used in the making of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1a KJV). \u00a0The tabernacle was the dwelling place for God (Exodus 40:34). \u00a0So Mordecai\u2019s attire signified that he was the temple of the Holy Spirit. \u00a0As Christians, we are God\u2019s temple (I Corinthians 3:16). \u00a0As King Xerxes\u2019 representative, Mordecai wore purple, which signifies royalty. \u00a0We wear the robe of righteousness.\u00a0 We too are royalty. \u201cBut you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God\u2026\u201d (1 Peter 2:9).<\/p>\n

Mordecai persevered through the trials caused by Haman\u2019s decree.\u00a0 The final result was that he came out the victor and was given a golden crown—a symbol of power and position.\u00a0 As Christians we will receive the crown of life when we stand strong, in our God-given authority, through the trials that the enemy throws at us.<\/p>\n

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
\nthat<\/span> will never fade away.
\n1 Peter 5:4<\/p>\n

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
\nRevelation 2:10b<\/p>\n

Everything that Mordecai, Queen Esther, and the Jewish Nation received from the king was given to them because of his favor, his grace.\u00a0 When we submit our lives to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we receive His grace and everything we need to be victorious in this life and with Him for all eternity. Praise the Lord!<\/p>\n

Let’s Pray<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord, thank You for reminding us that the \u201cdecree\u201d for Life<\/em> has already been \u201csigned\u201d by Jesus\u2019 Name and \u201csealed\u201d by Your Holy Spirit. \u00a0Help us share this Good News with others. \u00a0Please remind us to regularly fellowship together to strengthen one another.\u00a0 Thank You for equipping each of us to stand against the enemy of our souls.\u00a0 We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood belonging to You by Your grace, and Your grace alone.\u00a0 We bow in worship to honor You, our King of kings.\u00a0 In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. \u00a0 Be sure to go to our Registration page for more details, and to sign up today!! The Registration page can be found […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":15420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[4221,4227,106,4235,3660,2749,3475,1543,4232,4220,3512,4237,4238,4230,4225,425,436,452,454,3685,4229,506,4228,4240,4243,4244,4224,4222,555,3826,3492,4234,3266,2054,4223,2503,4242,4236,3932,4245,2206,4241,928,4233,4226,4231,4239,1739],"class_list":["post-15419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens","tag-acts-25-12","tag-acts-410-12","tag-authenticity","tag-blue","tag-clella-gilbert-fox","tag-crown","tag-darlene-schacht","tag-ephesians-113","tag-ephesians-613-18","tag-esther-89-15","tag-esther-the-beauty-of-courageous-submission","tag-exodus-261","tag-exodus-4034","tag-gather-together","tag-genesis-3","tag-girlfriends-coffee-hour","tag-god","tag-good-news","tag-grace","tag-haman","tag-hebrews-1024-25","tag-holy-spirit","tag-i-corinthians-1426","tag-i-corinthians-316","tag-i-peter-29","tag-i-peter-54","tag-irrevocable","tag-jerusalem","tag-jesus-christ","tag-jews","tag-king-xerxes","tag-linen","tag-matthew-2818-20","tag-mordecai","tag-name","tag-pentecost","tag-priesthood","tag-purple","tag-queen-esther","tag-revelation-210","tag-righteousness","tag-royalty","tag-salvation","tag-shushan","tag-signet-ring","tag-strengthen","tag-temple-of-the-holy-spirit","tag-womens-on-line-bible-study","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Crown.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p39pHp-40H","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15419"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15419\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15429,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15419\/revisions\/15429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}