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