For several generations, God used secular leaders like Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Darius and now Artaxerxes to punish and preserve the Jews. The punishment, they could see. The temple was destroyed, Jerusalem was in ruins and they were forced to live in a foreign country for seventy years. Now, Ezra is responsible to lead the Jews into… Read More »
Blog – Judgement Day Foretold
The words of Malachi were not exactly what the Israelites wanted to hear. His message included a warning to the people and the priests regarding disobedience. The people, however, wanted pests to stop devouring their crops and fruit to stop dropping from the vine before it was ripe. “You can have these things, if you… Read More »
Blog – Meet Malachi
After construction of the temple was completed, the Israelites had a sense that God had abandoned them; and they became lax in their worship and obedience to God. Malachi reminded them that God loved them; but, required a faithfulness in their relationship both for the people and the priests.
Blog – Meet King Artaxerxes
King Artaxerxes ruled the Persian Empire from 465-424 B.C. The strength and influence the Empire achieved under the leadership of Cyrus and Darius was beginning to decline; partially because of rebellions in Babylon and Egypt. But more importantly, both Cyrus and Darius acknowledged that God enabled them to expand the empire. They provided the Jews… Read More »
Blog – Fate of the Jews in the Persian Empire
The Jews in the Persian Empire went from weeping and mourning in fear of a total destruction by the Persian government to happiness and rejoicing at the leadership of Mordecai.
Blog – The Second Banquet Hosted by Queen Esther
It should have been a wake-up call when Haman’s wife and friends reversed their position on Haman’s opposition to Mordecai. But, Haman’s pride prevented him from admitting his error in judgement. “If Mordecai is a Jew,” they said, “this is just the beginning of your troubles! You will end up a ruined man.” What a… Read More »
Blog – Mordecai Honored and Haman Humiliated
Somehow this day didn’t go as Haman had expected. He had planned to ask the king for permission to have Mordecai hanged. Instead, the king honored Mordecai and he had to lead the horse around the city. Can it get any worse?
Blog – The Banquet
The banquet that Queen Esther had prepared for King Xerxes and Haman left Haman elated because he received an invitation to attend a second banquet. The only thing that dampened his enthusiasm was the picture he had in his head, of Mordecai refusing to bow to him. But his wife had a suggestion that he… Read More »
Blog – King Xerxes’ Reaction to Queen Esther
King Xerxes looked up and there stood Queen Esther in the inner court. In that instant, his heart was moved by God and he was pleased with Esther’s appearance. He sensed that there was an important reason for her presence. He not only wanted to know the reason, but wanted to fulfill her request, up… Read More »
Blog – Queen Esther: “If I Perish, I Perish”
“Mordecai, the law states that a person that enters the king’s inner court without being summoned shall be put to death, unless he extends the golden scepter,” Queen Esther said. “And if you refuse to approach the king on behalf of the Jews, God will find another, in your place; but, you and your family… Read More »
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