Bible Study - Esther 6

Mordecai Honored

1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?”7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Discuss:

All → If you were Haman, would you have fulfilled the kings request, or would you have been so upset that you would have simply had yourself paraded through the streets, or completely ignored everything that Xerxes said?

Worship - Oceans

This great song is a reminder of just how powerful our Father is. Also reminds me of a post I had about my friend in Ecuador, and how God is the same everywhere. 

Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

- Things that I want to teach my children in preparation for everything that life 'throws at them'

Dear child, basically these will all be things that I have learned "the hard way," I want you to be ready for your life, I do think it is good to learn things on your own - they stick with you better that way- but I want you to understand that others go through the same things. I am human just like you, and you do not have to be afraid to admit that you are scared. I want you to know that life is not easy, but that I want you to succeed in everything that you do. So I am going to share some things that I have been writing down about experiences that I have been through, and what I have taken from them. Please child, know that I love you, and want you to be happy!

Love you,

Momma Ann

Bible Study - Esther 5

Esther’s Request to the King

1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Esther faced death by going before the king unannounced, but because God was with her, Xerxes was not compelled to do her any harm. God sent Esther to be his servant, and He strengthened and helped her.

Isaiah 41

9 I took you from the ends of the earth,

   from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

   I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;

   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Discuss:

All → If you were Mordecai, and knew how much the king’s highest man wanted you dead, would you still stand outside the castle gates for the sake of your niece(who you raised), and your people?

Update

I would like to update everyone on my current recovery. I have made leaps and bounds towards being 100% healthy! Prayer and support are what have done it for me, I would not be so improved if I didn't ave the LORD on my side, and I thank Him for my improvement. I have learned a lot through this process, and look forward to sharing it all with you over the next few months. 

I hope to get a bible study for Esther 5 up later today or tomorrow. And will start a series Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids) - things that I will teach my children in preparation for life and all it 'throws at you'. 

Blessings to all,

Jacqueline Ann

An Apology

I apologize for my absence this last week or so, I have a concussion and have a very limited time to use a computer each day. Due to this, there will not be many, if any posts for the next week or so. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience this brings you, I hope to be back in full swing in the next few weeks.

Blessings,

Jacqueline Ann