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