Sunday, September 24, 2006

Attention! I've moved to Wordpress...

Hey all:
I'm trying out another blog service called Wordpress. Please go there for my ongoing Bible reading blog. I may be back, but I thought I'd give Wordpress a try.

In the meantime, please visit: http://gracewalk.wordpress.com

Let me know what you think, post a comment.

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 12:09 AM | | Comments

Friday, September 22, 2006

Life After Esther - What's Next?

Today finishes up our reading of the book of Esther. Tomorrow, let's jump back into the book of Psalms where we left off before. We'll continue in Psalms until the end of the month.

Let's start tomorrow, Saturday, in Psalms 24.

I'm still praying for confirmation, but I have an idea where we'll start on October 1. It should be very interesting. So, stay tuned...

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 2:18 PM | | Comments

The Tribute - Esther 10

Mordy was at the right place at the right time. He overheard a plot to assasinate King Xerxes. He could have kept it to himself, but he had connections with Queen Esther, so he told her about it. She told the king and, as a result, Mordy was rewarded. An otherwise unremarkable man, Mordy was rewarded for taking action on what he heard. He was highly rewarded - to the point of second most powerful man in the region as we read in today's short chapter.
3 Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he worked for the good of his people and was a friend at the royal court for all of them.
There are many other examples of rewards in the Bible, too. If you sit and think for a moment, I'm sure you can easily think of several. Abraham was rewarded for his faith in God. Ruth showed her faithfulness to Naomi and was rewarded with a new family. The faithful servants were rewarded when they invested wisely their talents.

Then, there's the whole discussion of rewards in heaven. There are many promises in the Bible about crowns and prominence based on our works while in our "earth suits."

I bring all this up because I have struggled with this for some time. I believe God is trying to break through to me on this topic. I've fought any thought of rewards in ministry since I surrendered to Him back in 1975. It is important to emphasize here that our motivation for good works should never be the rewards. But that does not change the reality of rewards.

My performance-orientation has caused many struggles in this area since I was a young Christian teen-ager. And, to be honest, I'm still not exactly sure exactly what God is trying to teach me. But, today as I meditated on Mordy and the whole story of Queen Esther, I realize there is something more to this reward issue.

If you have any thoughts, please comment.

I hope you've all enjoyed Esther's story as much as me. I'll be posting separately to announce the next readings, so stay tuned...

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 8:48 AM | | Comments

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Justice - Esther 9

As you recall, both decrees were in place and the big day finally arrived:
1 So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to destroy them, but quite the opposite happened. 2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king's provinces to defend themselves against anyone who might try to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them.
Because of Queen Esther, enemys of the Jewish nation were afraid for their lives. Initially, this was to be the day that everyone in all the provinces of King Xerxes had permission to slaughter all Jews and take all the plunder for themselves. Can you imagine? Sounds much like another time period in the not so distant past, doesn't it? But, instead of the Jewish people being obliterated, the Jews rose up and began killing their enemies.

Please keep in mind: I'm no Bible scholar. I'm just a regular guy reading through the Bible. So when I read the next part of the chapter, I started thinking of questions. I began to wonder why, after they had been rescued from certain death, it was necessary for the Jews to turn the tables and slaughter hundreds of people in Susa alone - no telling how many in the total kingdom.

I don't pretend to be an expert on the history of the Jewish nation, nor am I an expert in the art of war. But I do know that this story is presented in the Bible for us to learn from. I have to believe that every word in the Bible is ordained by God and there's something to be learned here.

I have to be honest. In light of the way I have been raised, and the things I have been taught thus far, my inclination would have been for the Jewish people to celebrate the victory when the day came and their enemies did nothing for fear of the Jews. That's it! You won! Why the needless loss of life? Doesn't this put you down on your enemy's level? Haven't you become them now?

But, I have much to learn about justice. Especially lately, I've had the message of grace thrown at me at every turn - and I think I needed that. But, there is also the just side of God.

Taking this story to a whole different level of importance in my life is the writings of my very good friend, Roy, at the "Hook'd on Grace" blog (see http://hookiv.blogspot.com) . There's a lot there, but if you can read his 8-part series on "Hell's Best Kept Secret" you might start to see what I'm saying. I don't want to steal Roy's idea, but you have to read his post for September 12th.

I think we (as a church) may be guilty of relying so heavily on God's grace that we think we can forget about his justice! As Roy points out so well, God has become something that makes our journey better; a benefit we're somehow entitled to. But if we really understood that we needed God to avoid eternal damnation, would we live differently?

For me right now, it means the following:
  1. Yes, God loves us and is very loving and forgiving
  2. But, God is also just and cannot tollerate disobedience
  3. So, if we think we can just keep on living like we're living in disobedience and then just conveniently ask forgiveness every week, and expect to see the kingdom of Heaven - we may be in for a very big surprise
  4. Because our disobedience has consequences
How did I take that leap, you ask? Well, the enemies of the Jews were very much looking forward to March 7th because then they could kill every Jew they saw, take their property, and nothing would happen to them. Well, as "legal" as it was, it was against the law of God. In this case, the king's laws went directly against God's. And, don't forget, God calls the Jewish people His chosen people (which is a whole other theological discussion).

As a result, when the day finally arrived, the enemies were afraid of the Jewish people - and for good reason. Many lost their lives.

Okay - I hope this is making some kind of sense. I don't want to get too long with all this. The point I'm trying to make is that God is love and grace. But He is also holy and just. I know people who have taken the "grace" side of God way out of balance. Don't get me wrong - we need God's grace. But that can't be an excuse to go on sinning (see Romans 6:15).

Bottom line: Where are you with God? Are you still in bondage to some sin? If so, get help. Pray that God will send you a brother to confess to, and be accountable to. Tell your pastor. Don't keep saying, "I can handle this." I know some who've said it one too many times - where are they now? It's so important.

peace,
e




Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 10:25 AM | | Comments

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

The Right Place / The Right Purpose - Esther 8

This chapter is all about how Esther & Mordy received blessing. Not only was the evil Haman hanged on the very gallows he ordered built for Mordy, but Mordy was given authority of all of Haman's estate. Remember, Haman was PM - second most powerful man in the kingdom.

Furthermore, the king must have really trusted these two because when Queen Esther asked for Haman's law (allowing the extermination of all Jews on a particular day) to be reversed, the king simply said to go ahead and write your own law and, here - take my signet ring and seal it - that way it can never be reversed.

Imagine that freedom. Mordy and the Queen can write their own law!

There is justice. Not only did Mordy get rewarded as a result of Ester being in the right place for the right purpose, but now the Jewish nation is legally able to defend themselves throughout all the land if they're ever attacked - having much more long-term effects than just reversing Haman's evil plan.

So where does God have you right now? Are you in "such a place as this" for a special purpose? Esther just thought she was beautiful and that's how she ended up as the Queen. But, as we see now, there was much more to it.

Do you hate your job but can't seem to get out?
Do you want to move from your current neighborhood but can't seem to arrange it?

Perhaps God has you where you are "for such a time as this."

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 7:52 AM | | Comments

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Day of Reckoning - Esther 7

Well, it was time for Haman to go to the banquet with the king and the queen. He had no idea what was about to happen.

Finally, the king asks his queen what her request is. And then it happens. Queen Esther reveals her request, that her people would be spared from the man who hatched the plan to slaughter them. The king asked who would do such a thing:
6 Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman." Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Can you imagine what must have been going through Haman's mind? His whole life was unraveling before him. His evil had caught up with him.

Well, the king is infuriated and storms out of the room. Haman falls on Queen Esther as she lay on the couch. He pleads for her to spare him. The king returns and sees Haman all over his Queen and that does it.

It seems that Mordy was not the only one who couldn't stand Haman because one of the king's attendants shouts out to the king:
9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, "Hang him on it!"
So, what Haman had intended for evil for Mordy and all his Jewish nation, Queen Esther had turned around for good. Sounds like another scripture, doesn't it?
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
What a reassuring thought.

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 12:17 AM | | Comments

Monday, September 18, 2006

Poetic Justice - Esther 6

Well, things are shaping up in our little tale of Jewish pride and prejudice. The gallows are ready to hang Mordy. The Queen's trap is set and ready. The only person who doesn't have a clue what's going on for either side is the king himself. All he knows is there's going to be another banquet with his favorite Queen and "trusted" prime minister. And we know from previous chapters he's a real party animal.

Unbeknownst to Haman, that night the king can't sleep, so he sends for his official diary, which his official scribes were keeping up. He reads about our hero, Mordy, who tells the king about an assasination plot. The king asks if Mordy had ever been rewarded, and his officials tell him that he had not.

The king asks his PM to come and give him advice on what should be done to honor such a hero.
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!'"
How poetic that all he was describing was going to be lavished upon his one irritation, Mordy himself. Well Haman was totally humiliated and ran home with his tail between his legs. Only to be wisked off by the kings servants to the next surprise - the banquet the Queen had prepared. Haman was in no mood to party, but he had no choice.

How do we apply this to our lives today? Well, "pride comes before the fall" comes to mind. Haman's self-serving pride had really set him up. Now, he was in trouble.

Keep reading...it just keeps getting better.

peace,
e


Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 11:54 PM | | Comments

Tha Plan in Motion - Esther 5

You can't help but be impressed with Esther's cunning. She put everything at risk. She could have been sentenced to death just by being in the king's court without being invited. But, she took the risk - and it paid off.

The king invited her in and, moreover, promised her anything she desired, up to half the kingdom. Was he taken with her or what?

Her only request? That he and Haman come to a banquet she has prepared. They came and the king asked her what her request was. She asked them to a similar banquet tomorrow. We know what her motives were, but how clever was her method.

Meanwhile, Haman goes home bragging about his wealth and fame. He boasted to his wife about how Queen Esther invited him to a banquet with her and the king - and again to another banquet tomorrow. The only thing that bothered him was that Mordy wouldn't bow down to him. Haman's wife, Zeresh, suggested they build a gallows for Haman that stood 75 feet high! This delighted Haman, so he had them build it right away.

This chapter is the setup for tomorrow's chapter. Wait til you hear what happens...

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 11:35 PM | | Comments

For Such A Time As This - Esther 4

It was done. Mordy made no bones about it - he wasn't about to bow to the prime minister, Haman. As a result, an evil plan was put in place to kill not just Mordy, but every Jew around. Sure, Mordy was upset. He tore his clothes and went into mourning.

Only Esther could do anything now. She was favored by the king as his Queen. But, approaching the king uninvited could mean death. Mordy sent her the following message:
13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
"And who knows..." Ever had that feeling? We know the outcome of this story. We've all heard it. But try to put yourself in Mordy & Esther's place. They really didn't know. They only knew that if Esther didn't try, then God could still rescue the Jews, but certainly many would perish.

Who knows? What is the Lord asking you to do? Is there someone you need to share the gospel with in your family? Is there some ministry opportunity or job you are fearful to step out onto in faith? Do we limit God by holding back because of our fears of the unknown?

How would you have responded if you were in Esther's place? Who's your king Xerxes? Who's company have you been placed in "for such a time as this?" What task is it that God might have you in place to carry out, that no other has the opportunity to do?

Stay tuned for a very exciting turn of events in tomorrow's chapter...

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 11:07 PM | | Comments

Friday, September 15, 2006

Good Is Good - Esther 3

Okay, gang. Another post with more questions than answers.

Today, we read in chapter 3 how Mordeci refuses to bow down to Haman, who was recently promoted to prime minister, the second highest office. Day after day Mordy refuses to bow and show him respect.

The question I have is why did Mordy refuse to bow down? Is this not what the king had commanded? Did Mordy refuse to bow to the king as well? Now, it's easy to see that Haman is a self-serving, evil man. Just to know he wanted to exact his revenge on Mordy by slaughtering every Jew, not just Mordy show the real character of Haman. So, it's easy for me to believe that Mordy refused to bow to Haman because he didn't respect him.

In trying to apply this to my life today, are we to honor our laws except towards those we don't particularly like? No, I don't think so. If Mordy had gone ahead and bowed down to Haman as the king requested, the entire book of Esther would be very uneventful and very short. We probably would not be reading it today because it wouldn't even be a book.

So, can we all agree that in spite of how Mordy disobeyed, which nearly caused the entire nation of Jewish people to be slaughtered, God stepped in and saved the day through a daring act from Queen Esther?

Can we safely agree that no matter how we may have screwed up in the past, God can step in with an unlikely surprise and rescue us? Yes!

God is good.

peace,
e

Posted by Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy) at 2:04 PM | | Comments

About me

  • I'm Jaqua (Jāy 'Quāy)
  • From Tampa, Florida, United States
My profile

Reading Schedule

9/22/2006 - Esther 10
9/23/2006 - Psalms 24
9/24/2006 - Psalms 25
.
.
9/30/2006 - Psalms 31
10/1/2006 - COMING SOON!
Search the Bible:


  HELP

Search


Last posts

Archives

Links

Subscribe to this blog's feed
[What is this?]
Powered by Blogger
& Blogger Templates