Esther 1-5: Day 353: Journey Through the Bible in a Year
December 20, 2022
Esther 1-5
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Day 353: Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Focus Verses for Today: Esther 3:1-6
Take a moment and pray, asking for understanding of today’s reading. Read Esther 1-5. Let’s journey!
Commentary: This is the only book in the Bible where God is not mentioned by name, yet you can see God working throughout the book to save His people. Esther did not rely upon herself or her own knowledge to become queen but relied upon others who were wiser. Esther was willing to sacrifice celebrating Passover, to fast in preparation to go before the king.
In Persia, it was forbidden for anyone, not even the king’s wife to approach him without permission. The punishment was death. Esther shows wisdom in her decision to invite the king and Haman, who wished to destroy the Jews, to a banquet instead of making her request before everyone. Haman is prideful about the invitation.
Focus Verses: Esther 3:1-6 – Haman’s nationality demonstrates the importance of knowing Biblical history. He is an Agagite, who are the descendants of Agag, king of the Amalekites, whom Saul was instructed to completely destroy, Saul failed to obey the Lord, and let the king live. Saul’s failure to wholly follow the Lord’s instructions placed future Jews in danger. We may not be able to see the outcome of the Lord’s plan (or our failure to follow the plan) but the Lord knows! Are you wholly following the instructions given to you by the Lord? Do you know what He is saying?
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