tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post8825526359792533099..comments2023-08-27T06:33:12.637-05:00Comments on The Bible in a Year - and Beyond!: Friday, January 11, 2013 - RoxieTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12045517118866436340noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-49985209362298572372013-01-13T21:53:36.839-06:002013-01-13T21:53:36.839-06:00Great thoughts and insights! I didn't realize ...Great thoughts and insights! I didn't realize it was three months either.<br /><br />Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02770898936799604859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-10180001418004137722013-01-11T23:46:41.321-06:002013-01-11T23:46:41.321-06:00Actually, Driscoll's sermon brings that up ~ e...Actually, Driscoll's sermon brings that up ~ especially with regards to the decision to extend the edict for a second day. So many other places, the Scriptures indicate how God felt about certain events, or they're mentioned in either a positive or negative light elsewhere in the Bible, but there's just NOTHING on this one! I guess figuring that out is probably not the focus God really wanted us to take on this story...tammihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03803890115567631062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-66458191627087141922013-01-11T20:34:52.395-06:002013-01-11T20:34:52.395-06:00The passage of time shows in that Esther's ban...The passage of time shows in that Esther's banquets happen in the month of Nisan (the month when Passover happens) and then the decree written by Esther and Mordecai "at once the royal secretaries were summoned--on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan" (Esther 8:9a). It was mentioned in Donald Curtis' sermon and I then looked into the Jewish calendar for myself. Interesting.<br /><br />I don't deny, either, that the edict of Esther and Mordecai was one of self defence nor do I deny the fact that we really don't know where their hearts were in relationship to God. All we know is that the author was silent on the issue...and it bugged me, maybe just a little too much, that Esther used the words "me" and "I" so often in her pleadings with Xerxes. I just couldn't help thinking of other Bible characters, Moses, Joseph and Daniel, standing before pagan kings (Exodus 5; Daniel 2:27-30; Genesis 41:16ff), answering with the Name of God on their lips, humble and aware of God's control of or power in the situation. I didn't sense that here...it left me wanting more. For the first time since falling in love with the Bible's own "fairy tale", it left me wondering; wanting to know more about what God was thinking when He inspired this story, both the first time and when it was written. Not a bad thing, wanting to understand God better!Roxiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04864863440772580148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-14504127249702015162013-01-11T15:38:15.339-06:002013-01-11T15:38:15.339-06:00Thanks Roxie!!
How do we know there was 3 months ...Thanks Roxie!!<br /><br />How do we know there was 3 months in between v2 and 3? I think I missed something. <br /><br />I'm not entirely sure if Esther's asking the King for help is showing a lack of trust in God, or rather God using her high position to rescue the people. <br /><br />I am definitely guilty of looking at biblical characters as "good guys" and "bad guys", but I think Mordecai and Esther were both ineffective believers (or even unbelievers) who gradually changed. I think Esther finally shows courage here. I also think she shows that she is concerned, not just for herself and her cousin, but for her people. <br /><br />I find it so encouraging that God can use us, no matter where we are or how we got there, even if what got us there was wrong. He can use us in spite of our bad choices. <br /><br />Mordecai was not able to affect change when he held a low position. But Esther and Mordecai together were able to affect change when they moved into prominent positions. I think Driscoll's point that believers should strive to be in situations that make us influential for the cause of Christ is a good one. <br /><br />I, too, think that the edict was one of self-defence as if was written almost word for word the same as Haman's original edict. Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12045517118866436340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-22984061722308476822013-01-11T12:51:36.281-06:002013-01-11T12:51:36.281-06:00I'm not sure I agree that the new decree was o...I'm not sure I agree that the new decree was offensive in the same way Haman's was. I believe the Jews were given the right to defend themselves and their property; the right to respond in kind to what was coming their way. It seems like they specifically did NOT have that right up until then. They were not given authority to actively "seek and destroy" their enemies but to defend against their attack. In my mind, anyway, that's a pretty huge distinction.<br /><br />And I think it changes then, how we read that the Jews were "feared" after that day. That same word is the same word that's used throughout the Bible to talk about reverence for God's holiness. I think people the world over in that day suddenly gained a respect and reverence for the God of the Jews, a God who could deliver His people when all hope seemed lost.tammihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03803890115567631062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-29434976703548108072013-01-11T07:36:16.387-06:002013-01-11T07:36:16.387-06:00It worked ~ good job!! ;) (and WHEN you come out ...It worked ~ good job!! ;) <i>(and <b>WHEN</b> you come out for that weekend "in the New Year" like your husband promised, I can show you a few more tekkie blogger tips!! ;)</i><br /><br />I have to admit, I find myself not respecting Esther and Mordecai quite so much after this more indepth study. But, like has been so often pointed out, thank goodness God doesn't just want perfect people to accomplish His work!!!!tammihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03803890115567631062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-40580235625216855752013-01-11T07:34:26.917-06:002013-01-11T07:34:26.917-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.tammihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03803890115567631062noreply@blogger.com