1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: Let us pray, Then, said the king unto her. What 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: wilt thou Queen, Ester, and what is thy request? It 3 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: shall be even given thee to half of the kingdom 4 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: Ester five three. Heavenly Father, as I listen to the 5 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: story of Esther to day, it helps me to realize 6 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: that every ounce of influence you have given me is 7 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:30,640 Speaker 1: for a specific purpose. Help me to realize for such 8 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,919 Speaker 1: a time as this, you have given me the ability 9 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,880 Speaker 1: to stand in the gap for those who can't stand 10 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:42,879 Speaker 1: for themselves. With this responsibility, I also acknowledge that you 11 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: have given me the ability to have uncommon favor with 12 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: those who can change the situation for your children for good. Therefore, 13 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,639 Speaker 1: I will not stand by when I have the ability 14 00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: to speak up. I will not watch as your children 15 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: live below the callings that you have for them. Strengthen 16 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: my resolve, Silence all fear, and give me strength like 17 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 1: the roar of a lion, to speak on your behalf. 18 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: I will not be timid, and I will not be 19 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: afraid when the time comes for such a time as this, 20 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: like Esther, you have elevated me, and I am ready. 21 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, Thank you for praying with me today. 22 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,479 Speaker 1: Continue listening for an incredible Bible story brought to you 23 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: by Bible in a year dot com. 24 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 2: It's time to take back freedom over your health care. 25 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: This open enrollment learn more about how Christian health Care Ministries, 26 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 2: a faith based alternative to health insurance, empowers you with 27 00:01:56,560 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 2: choice as you make medical decisions. Discover flexibility to pick 28 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 2: your providers with programs as low as ninety two dollars 29 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 2: per month plus. When you prep ahead, you can have 30 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,359 Speaker 2: the peace of mind as you're surrounded in spiritual support. 31 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:16,639 Speaker 2: So what are you waiting for? Start saving today? Enroll 32 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 2: at chministries dot org slash prey. 33 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 3: Esther, the Jewish Queen of Persia. In our last story, 34 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 3: God's people were freed from the Empire of Babylon and 35 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 3: Persia to return home. The exiles journeyed back to the 36 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 3: home of their forefathers. There they rebuilt the temple and 37 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 3: attempted to rebuild their broken hearts. Now we meet a 38 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 3: Jewish exile by the name of Ester in a time 39 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 3: of great uncertainty for the Jews in Persia. Esther is 40 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 3: raised up as a beacon of deliverance. Inspired by the 41 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 3: Book of Esther. 42 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 4: Hello, Pastor Jack Graham here with today's episode of the Bible. 43 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 4: In a year, in our last time together, we heard 44 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 4: of the return of God's people to Judah and Israel. 45 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 4: God had moved in the heart of the Persian king 46 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 4: to release the exiles and provide them with the means 47 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 4: to rebuild their city and the temple of the Lord. 48 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 4: But even as they returned, there was tension and strife 49 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 4: and division. Their hearts still needed healing, they needed revival. 50 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 4: Today we'll hear a reading from the Book of Esther 51 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 4: and learn of this amazing Jewish exile who was used 52 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 4: by God to protect his people to save a nation. 53 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 4: Her life will become an example of how God often 54 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 4: places courageous people in the right place at the right time, 55 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 4: for the right purpose. Let's hear now the reading of 56 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:56,119 Speaker 4: God's word. 57 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 3: The light of the Persian empires shone from India to Ethiopia. 58 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 3: The arms of King Xerxes stretched outward to the east 59 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 3: and west from his throne in the Persian capital of Susa. 60 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 3: He ruled with drunken force. King Xerxes was not like 61 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,799 Speaker 3: his father Darius. He was a drunk with very little 62 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 3: regard for the people around him or under him. He 63 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:26,239 Speaker 3: held banquets and feasts in his own honor, and soaked 64 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 3: in the praise of his people like a god. One evening, 65 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 3: during the third year of his reign, Xerxes was holding 66 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 3: yet another feast for him and his military officers. Nobles, princes, 67 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:43,119 Speaker 3: and prostitutes leaned against the palace walls. Music and sweat 68 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,479 Speaker 3: filled the air as Xerxes drowned himself in fine wines 69 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 3: and spirits. Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the 70 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:54,359 Speaker 3: women of the royal palace. The celebration lasted one hundred 71 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 3: eighty days. It was truly a tremendous display of opulent wealth. 72 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 3: Parades of exotic animals filled the Golden Palace halls, and 73 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 3: Xerxes bast in the jealousy of his peers. Xerxes sent 74 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,480 Speaker 3: out a decree in the land that for an entire week, 75 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:15,719 Speaker 3: the entire capital will revel with him. So the whole 76 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 3: capital of Susa was drunk with wine, exotic sex, and food. 77 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 3: By the seventh day, the king had lost all his sense. 78 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 3: He fumbled around his throne like a toddler and screamed 79 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 3: at his servants to come near. Bring me, my queen. 80 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 3: He yelled, I want all the men here to see 81 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 3: her beauty. So the servant went to fetch Queen Vashti, 82 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 3: but she refused to come. She did not want to 83 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 3: be paraded around like one of his animals. Xerxes boiled 84 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 3: with anger. He stumbled to his feet and called for 85 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 3: his advisers to come near. If my queen will not 86 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 3: listen to me, who's to say the rest of your 87 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 3: wives will not follow in her example? Xerxy slurred. The 88 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 3: men all nodded in drunken agreement. You should write a decree, 89 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 3: one of the men shouted, a law that banishes Vashti. 90 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 3: Then you should find another wife, more beautiful and submissive. 91 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 3: That will set an example to all the husbands that 92 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 3: they should never allow their wives to say no to them. 93 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 3: The king nodded in agreement, so, in his drunken rage, 94 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,359 Speaker 3: he banished the queen and sent out word to have 95 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 3: the finest women in the land taken for his choosing. 96 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 3: Days passed, and Xerxes was detoxing from his months of 97 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 3: endless drinking. His body ached and his head felt as 98 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 3: heavy as iron. As his mind sobered, he considered what 99 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 3: he had done to Vashti. There was a hint of 100 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 3: regret in the king's heart, but not enough regret to 101 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 3: let go of his pride. So he sent his servants 102 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 3: around the empire to find the most beautiful young women 103 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 3: in the land. One by one, they were brought to 104 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 3: the king's harem for him to gaze upon and take 105 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 3: into his bedroom. For weeks, the king shopped for women 106 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 3: like objects, seeking the most beautiful and the most silent. 107 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 3: In the land of Suza there was a Jewish community. 108 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 3: Some of the exiles from Jerusalem stayed in the land 109 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 3: of Persia and made a life for themselves. They worked 110 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 3: the fields, labored in the city, and advised some of 111 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 3: the nobles in literature and philosophy. Among those Jews was 112 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 3: a man named Mordecai. He lived in the Jewish community 113 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 3: with his beautiful young niece, Hadasha, who was also called Esther. 114 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 3: When her father and mother died, Mordechai had adopted her 115 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:45,560 Speaker 3: and raised her as his own daughter. The two were close. 116 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 3: It was late and the sun had set over the 117 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 3: Susan horizon. Mordecai and Esther were eating next to the fireplace, 118 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 3: enjoying the stories and jokes. Esther loved her uncle and 119 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 3: hung on every word he spoke. The meal was interrupted 120 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 3: by a violent knocking on the door. Morrichai answered and 121 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 3: was with guards pushing open the door. They shoved him 122 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 3: aside and set their sights on Esther. Without a word, 123 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 3: they took her arm and escorted her out of the house. 124 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 3: Both of them knew where Esther was being taken. She 125 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 3: was being taken to the King's harem. It was dark 126 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 3: and all Esther could see was the looming tower of 127 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 3: the palace. She was taken inside. The halls were dimly 128 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 3: lit by torches, and Esther could smell the faint scent 129 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 3: of fine oils and merh Growing stronger, she was taken 130 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 3: into a second corridor. The guards opened the door to 131 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:42,200 Speaker 3: the harem and left her into the care of Hagai. 132 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:46,959 Speaker 3: She was pampered with fine oils, beauty treatments, and massages 133 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 3: for six months. She was soaked in exotic perfumes and 134 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:54,439 Speaker 3: trained in the ways of pleasure. It was rigorous, depressing, 135 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 3: and spiritually draining. Yet Esther maintained hope and kept her 136 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 3: Jewish identity hidden. When the time of beautification had finished, 137 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 3: she would be escorted into the King's chambers. If she 138 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 3: pleased the king, she would be made his wife. All 139 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 3: the while, Mordecai was in the palace, working his way 140 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,320 Speaker 3: up the ranks as one of the servants, so he 141 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 3: could keep an eye on his knees. The sun painted 142 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 3: the sky a deep orange. Its hues peeked through the 143 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 3: window of Esther's room. She looked in the mirror, both 144 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 3: pleased and disgusted with herself. The six months of pampering 145 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 3: had done a fine work on her outer beauty. However, 146 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 3: Esther maintained the knowledge that it was the heart that 147 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 3: truly mattered. She took a deep breath and then walked 148 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:44,079 Speaker 3: towards the king's chamber. Xerxes was lying in his bed naked, 149 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 3: awaiting his newest guest. He was hungry with anticipation. As 150 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 3: he sipped his wine, he watched as the door slowly opened. 151 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 3: Entering in was Esther. Her long and wavy hair fell 152 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 3: over her shoulders and down to her curvy waist. Her 153 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:02,839 Speaker 3: lips were red and full, and her almond eyes were 154 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 3: filled with depth. Her hips swayed as she walked towards 155 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 3: the king. Her presence was intoxicating to him. He stood 156 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 3: to his feet and took Esther into his arms. The 157 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 3: next morning, est awoke to an empty bed. At first, 158 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 3: she thought she would be returned home, since the king 159 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 3: seemed to be done with her. Instead, Hagei opened up 160 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: the door and escorted her to the queen's chambers. She 161 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:30,920 Speaker 3: was given the queen's wardrobe and given charge over her 162 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: own servants and eunuchs. However, she was instructed to never 163 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 3: approach the king or speak to him unless he called 164 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 3: for her. It was winter, and King Xerxes grew very 165 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,079 Speaker 3: fond of Ester. He fell in love with her beauty 166 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 3: and her noble heart. He put a crown over her 167 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:54,439 Speaker 3: head and made her Queen of Persia. However, she continued 168 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 3: to keep her identity secret, as there was a deep 169 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 3: prejudice against the Jews at that time. One day, Mordechai 170 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 3: was on duty at the king's gate. He held his 171 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 3: spear at attention, listening for any rumors about the new 172 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 3: Queen of Persia. As he was listening to the gossip 173 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 3: and secrets, he overheard two guards in a peculiar conversation. 174 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 3: Under the cover of the gates barracks. Morrachai heard two 175 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 3: guards conspire against King Xerxes. They were angry with the 176 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 3: king and plodded to assassinate him in his sleep. Mordechai 177 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 3: looked up at the sun, seeing that there was only 178 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 3: an hour left of daylight. The king would retreat to 179 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 3: his chambers soon, so he dropped his spear and ran 180 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 3: into the palace. He stuck through the back doors of 181 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 3: the palace into the queen's chambers. He peeked his head 182 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 3: through the lattice to get Esther's attention. She was overjoyed 183 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 3: to see her uncle, but there was no time for 184 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 3: a pleasant greeting. He warned Esther of the plan to 185 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 3: kill the king, so she ran to tell Xerxes and 186 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 3: gave Mordechai the credit. The king had the guards put 187 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:03,600 Speaker 3: to death and was forever grateful to Mordechai for saving 188 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 3: his life. Time had passed and the king had promoted 189 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 3: one of his servants, Hamman, in charge of all the 190 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 3: nobles in the land. Hamman was a wicked man, filled 191 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:19,320 Speaker 3: with self love and malicious ambition. Under the king's nose, 192 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:22,320 Speaker 3: Hamman sent a decree in all the land for every 193 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:25,640 Speaker 3: man and woman to bow to Haman when they saw him. 194 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 3: Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. This vexed the selfish 195 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 3: servant Hamman knew that Mordecai was a Jew and was 196 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 3: filled with rage against him. However, he knew that Mordecai 197 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 3: had the favor of the king, so he plodded against 198 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:45,439 Speaker 3: Mordecai by whispering hatred into the King's ear about the 199 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 3: Jewish people. He filled the king's cup with much wine, 200 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 3: and he spun webs of lies against the Jewish people. 201 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 3: The king once again found himself in a drunken rage, 202 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 3: fueled by Haman. Together, they sent a decree that on 203 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 3: March seven, the nobles were to kill every last Jew 204 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:07,200 Speaker 3: in their lands. Word reached Mordecai and he violently pursued 205 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 3: a word with Esther. However, he was not allowed in 206 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 3: the palace at that time. He raged against the gates, 207 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 3: trying to get the queen's attention. He knew that she 208 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 3: was the only one who could stop this madness, so 209 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 3: Mordecai sent a messenger to Esther and the two spoke 210 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:28,359 Speaker 3: through him. Esther was told about the decree and became terrified. 211 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 3: The king was locked up in his tower strategizing with 212 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,640 Speaker 3: his commanders. Esther had the favor of the king, but 213 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 3: she knew that if anyone interrupted him in the next month, 214 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 3: they would be put to death. She sent this excuse 215 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 3: to her uncle, and it made him furious. Do not 216 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,559 Speaker 3: think for one moment that your crown makes you safe 217 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 3: from this decree. If you remain silent, I promise you 218 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 3: relief will come to the Jews by someone else, and 219 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 3: you will regret doing nothing in the face of danger. 220 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 3: The Jews will always survive as is their way, but 221 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,959 Speaker 3: you will fade and be forgotten. The words stung Esther, 222 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 3: but she was still afraid to approach the king. It 223 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 3: meant certain death. Mordecai calmed himself and sent a message 224 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 3: to Esther, who knows? He asked, perhaps you were put 225 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 3: in the palace for this very purpose. The words resonated 226 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 3: in Esther's mind. If she remained silent, her people would perish. 227 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 3: She ward in her heart. Did she remain safe and 228 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 3: allow for thousands of innocent people to die? She banged 229 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 3: her fist against her bedroom wall. She looked outside her 230 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 3: window and lifted her eyes to the city. Tears streamed 231 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 3: down her face. Then a wave of resolve came upon her. 232 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 3: She closed her eyes and whispered, if I die, I die. 233 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 4: In today's reading from God's Word, were introduced to the 234 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 4: son of King Darius, a man named Xerxes. He rules 235 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 4: from the Persian city of Susa, and he's nothing like 236 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 4: his father. He was a drunkard and a reveler, given 237 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 4: to pleasure of all kinds, and none of them God. 238 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 4: Honoring his wife, Queen Vashtai, held a banquet for him, 239 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 4: and after days of partying in a stupor, the king 240 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 4: summoned Vashtie to show her off to the court, but 241 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 4: she refused, and this angered Xerxes, and because to him 242 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 4: people were expendable, merely instruments for his enjoyment, he banished Vashtie, 243 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 4: removing her as queen. This should paint a picture of 244 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 4: the kind of man Xerxes was. He was reprehensible and 245 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 4: not to be toyed with. So the king had his 246 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 4: servants scour Susa looking for the next queen, the object 247 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 4: of his own selfish, lustful desire. And make no mistake, 248 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 4: that is what women were to King Xerxes, just objects. 249 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 4: Is here that we meet Esther, a young Jewish girl 250 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 4: living in Susa. She was an orphan adopted by a 251 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 4: man named Mordecai, a righteous Jew who cared deeply for 252 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 4: his niece and his Jewish brothers and sisters. One day, 253 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 4: Esther was taken away by the King's men to be 254 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 4: prepared as a candidate for queen. Imagine the horror, the 255 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 4: terror of this young girl ripped from her home and 256 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 4: sent to become property of the king, one of his harem, 257 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 4: one of many. Esther knew that Jews were hated in Susa, 258 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 4: so she hid her ethnic identity, but maintained her devotion 259 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 4: to God, holding on to the teachings of God's word 260 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 4: passed down to her by Mordecai. We may at times 261 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 4: find ourselves in situations when the wisest thing to do 262 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 4: is not stand out or call attention to ourselves. This 263 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 4: is the case for countless persecuted Christians today around the world. 264 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 4: But not standing out does not mean we conform or compromise. 265 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 4: We must always ask God for wisdom and strength to 266 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 4: remain faithful to Him in all circumstances. Finally, one day 267 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 4: Esther was sent before Xerxes, and he was very pleased 268 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:16,639 Speaker 4: with her. She was chosen among many others to be 269 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 4: made queen. But we must not imagine this as a 270 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 4: great love story. She was just property for the king. 271 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 4: Expendable property. This wasn't a marriage as God intended and 272 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 4: designed marriage to be, and Esther was given strict orders 273 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 4: to not speak to Xerxes unless she was summoned. But 274 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 4: behind the scenes, God is at work. His providence is moving. 275 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:46,959 Speaker 4: God worked in the life of Esther's uncle Mordecai. He 276 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 4: placed Mordecai in a place where he uncovered a plot 277 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 4: to kill Xerxes, so he warned Esther, who rushed to 278 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 4: the king and tipped him off. Xerxes was indebted to 279 00:17:56,160 --> 00:18:01,200 Speaker 4: Mordecai and to Esther. All seemed well until an very 280 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 4: evil man named Hamon rose among the ranks and got 281 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 4: close to Xerxes. He expected everyone to bow to him, 282 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 4: and because Mordecai refused to do so, he hated Mordecai 283 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 4: and all the Jews. So Hamon got Xerxes drunk and 284 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 4: began to poison his mind against the Jews. He convinced 285 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:23,640 Speaker 4: the king to issue a decree that amounted to an 286 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 4: order of genocide. When Mordecai discovered this, he and all 287 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 4: the Jews went into mourning. Then he found a way 288 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:34,679 Speaker 4: to get word to Esther. She was afraid and reluctant 289 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 4: to get involved, knowing that the king was cruel, calloused, 290 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,920 Speaker 4: and unreasonable. But listen to what Mordecai said to Esther 291 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 4: in Chapter four, verse fourteen. If you keep silent at 292 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:51,520 Speaker 4: this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews 293 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 4: from another place. But you and your father's house will perish. 294 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 4: And who knows whether you have not come to the 295 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 4: kingdom for such a time as this. There is so 296 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 4: much truth in that statement for us today. We live 297 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 4: in a very evil world, and we face many obstacles 298 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 4: in living for Christ in our generation. But God is 299 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:17,919 Speaker 4: raising up his people. God is raising up courageous people 300 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 4: today to stand true to his word and to stand 301 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:26,240 Speaker 4: faithfully for the testimony of Jesus Christ. God will always 302 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 4: find a way to accomplish his purpose, whether we are 303 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 4: involved or not. May we choose to be involved, may 304 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 4: we choose courage. We must always ask ourselves every day, 305 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:40,719 Speaker 4: what is my purpose in life? What is my reason 306 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,679 Speaker 4: for being here in this office, or this school, or 307 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 4: this neighborhood. I am born to the Kingdom for such 308 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 4: a time as this. Esther understood the profound truth of 309 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 4: these words. Everything in our life has been leading up 310 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 4: to this moment when God would work through her to 311 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:02,399 Speaker 4: save a nation. It wasn't easy for her, but it 312 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 4: did remove any doubt. She had to act whatever the cost, 313 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 4: and she ultimately said, if I perish, I perish, but 314 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,239 Speaker 4: I will do what God wants me to do. And 315 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:18,040 Speaker 4: we'll discover what she does in our next episode. Dear God, 316 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:20,720 Speaker 4: we thank you for the scripture and how it challenges 317 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 4: us to know how we could be used by you 318 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:28,640 Speaker 4: in circumstances and opportunities that You've made available to us, 319 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:32,439 Speaker 4: that we would always live for your purpose. We know 320 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 4: that we have been made on purpose and for a purpose. 321 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 4: May we fulfill your plan for our lives every day, 322 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 4: and may we have courage just as Esther did in 323 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 4: Jesus's name. Amen. Once again, thank you for listening to 324 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 4: today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham 325 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:54,639 Speaker 4: from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage you to download the 326 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 4: Prey dot com app and make Bible study and prayer 327 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 4: a real priority in your life. And if you are 328 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:05,879 Speaker 4: enjoying this podcast, share it with someone you know, someone 329 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 4: you care about, because sharing God's word has a powerful 330 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:13,600 Speaker 4: impact upon people's lives. And if you want more resources 331 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 4: as to how you can find faith. Grow in your faith, 332 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:21,359 Speaker 4: develop as a disciple and follower of Jesus. Be sure 333 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,679 Speaker 4: to visit me at Jack Graham dot org. We have 334 00:21:24,800 --> 00:21:27,720 Speaker 4: plenty of resources that will encourage you and equip you 335 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 4: for life. God bless you.