pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: decree


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The Royal Family

Readings: Esther 1,  Esther 2, Esther 3, Esther 4

Esther 4:14: “Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.”

Today we begin the book of Esther. It is set in the city of Susa – the city where Nehemiah served King Artaxerxes. Esther’s story unfolds under the next king, Ahasuerus (or Xerxes I.) He was the 4th king that reigned in Persia during the 120 years that it took to rebuild the temple and the wall around Jerusalem. Almost all of the Israelites sent into exile are still living in the provinces of Persia.

Right away we learn that Ahasuerus likes to show off his wealth and power. After a seven day party he wants to show off his beautiful queen. Vashti refuses to be paraded around. This opens the door for a new queen. Esther is one of hundreds yet is chosen as the next queen. Throughout the story, Esther finds favor with others. Mordecai, a Jew who works at the King’s Gate, was like a father to Esther. About that time, he overhears a plot to kill the king. He reports it through Esther and the event is noted in the royal record.

Meanwhile, back in the palace, Haman is made the #1 official, the king’s right hand man. All people are supposed to bow down to Haman. Mordecai, a devout Jew, will only bow down to God. A very angry Haman gets the king to write a decree calling for all Jews to be killed on the 13th day of the 12th month. This date was chosen by casting dice (or purim) and it falls the day before the Jews would celebrate the Passover, their greatest day of deliverance.

Mordecai hears of the decree and he fasts and mourns. Esther hears of this and, through a back and forth through Hathach, she finds the courage to go to the king on behalf of her people. She finds courage in these words from Mordecai: “Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.” We too are a part of a royal family – God’s. When might we be called upon to risk for our faith? And in that moment of truth and testing, how will we respond?

Prayer: Lord God, your hand is ever guiding and leading. Most of our days are routine. But sometimes we come to where Esther is: a single moment when we are put to the test. We must decide: do we trust you? Lord, in these moments, speak into our hearts, reminding us of your sure presence and of our assured place in your family. Amen.


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Rebuilding

Readings: Ezra 4, Ezra 5, Ezra 6

Ezra 6:16 – “Then the Israelites, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles joyfully celebrated the dedication of this house of God.”

The rebuilding of the temple is not universally viewed as a joyous and good event. The local people do not like seeing the Israelites reestablishing themselves. The “enemies of Judah and Benjamin” come and offer to “help” with the rebuilding of the temple. These are likely the people who were relocated to the Promised Land by Assyria. They were taught to worship the “local god” (2nd Kings 17.) Their help is flatly refused. So they begin to cause trouble, trying to frustrate the building. A letter is sent to King Artaxerxes, pointing out the danger of rebuilding this “rebellious and wicked city.” The king stops the rebuilding of the temple.

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage those in Judah with a word from God and the rebuilding resumes. Tattenai, the local governor, questions this and sends a letter to King Darius. Unauthorized building could be treasonous. Darius searches the archives and finds Cyrus’ decree. Darius tells Tattenai to allow the temple to be rebuilt and he tells him to pay for anything the Jews need. A harsh punishment for any who disobey the directions is also included. Rebuilding resumes.

In the sixth year of Darius’ reign the temple is completed. It took just over 40 years to rebuild. A joyful celebration follows – with lots of entirely burned offerings and 12 purification offerings. The priests and Levites are assigned to their duties in the temple. The people then celebrate the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The Israelites are joyful because the Lord changed the attitude of the king. They recognize that God is in control. All Israel celebrated this blessing.

Prayer: Lord God, in the times when you are clearly present, it is easy to be joyful and to walk faithfully with you. But in times of trial or suffering, in moments when we face opposition, it isn’t always easy to cling to you. We want to do something. We want to take action. In these moments, Lord, remind us of your steadfast love and of your complete power and authority. Draw us into who and what you are so that our walk remains steadfast and true. Amen.


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Blessed Are…

Reading: Psalm 119:1-8

Verse 2: “Blessed are those who keep God’s statutes and seek God with all their heart.”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

Turning to the Psalms today we are connected to yesterday’s reading from Deuteronomy 30. In the opening stanza of the longest Psalm the writer focuses in on the blessing side of obeying God’s laws and of striving to live God’s way. There is a joy that can be felt as the psalmist considers living a life of faith.

In verses 2 we read, “Blessed are those who keep God’s statutes and seek God with all their heart.” There is a sense of security when we live within the parameters laid out by our good and holy and just God. Our pursuit of God, our seeking to know, understand, and live out all of God’s laws brings us to a place of praise. There is joy and peace and contentment when we are walking steadfastly with God.

The honesty of the Psalm is so refreshing. In verses 5 we read, “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees.” I read these words with an emphasis on the “Oh” part. In these words we can feel a longing to always be faithful balanced against the reality that we are human and are therefore imperfect. There is value in looking within and realizing that we’ve fallen short. In recognizing that we fall short regularly we see our need to grow in our faith. And we often experience God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

The closing verses today is such an honest admission. It is part pledge and part humble request: “I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” I’m going to really try. Please don’t give up on me. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, yes, I want to be faithful and true to you all the time! But I do fail, again and again. Encourage my resolve. Convict and redeem me quickly and often. Help me each day to walk as a child of the light. Amen.


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Oh Nineveh

Reading: Jonah 3: 5-10

Verse 8: “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence”.

Jonah has made his proclamation known. For three days he walked around Nineveh proclaiming the coming destruction. The words of his warning – or the power of God behind them – hit home, leading the people to repentance. “From the greatest to the least” they fasted and put on sack cloth, both signs of repentance. When word got to the king he too was moved to action. The king issued a decree. In addition to calling for these sign of repentance, he also declared, “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence”. He hoped that if they changed their evil ways, that maybe in his compassion God might relent. God did have compassion. God did not destroy the great city of Nineveh.

As we consider the application of this passage today, how often are we Nineveh? How many times have we had to repent of our evil ways and our violence? As I consider these questions, I realize that sin is a constant battle in my life. Like the prophet Jonah, the Holy Spirit is ever on duty, proclaiming the coming destruction, calling me away from my sin and into faithful prayer and holy living. The same mercy and grace and love that brings renewal and forgiveness to my life are the ones all people can experience when they “fast” from their sins and “put on sack cloth” as a sign of their humility. This mercy, grace, love, renewal, and forgiveness is something God offers to all people.

Taking another angle, who is your Nineveh? Who is that person or group that most needs God’s transforming power to be at work in their lives? You see, at times we are to be like Jonah too, going to “that” person or to “those” people. We are to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all people, sometimes even with words. We are to bear God’s transforming power into all the world, even to our Ninevehs.

By the power and grace of God, may we be aware both of the times when we need to repent and to turn from our evil ways AND of the times when we are called to proclaim that to those who are walking without the God of mercy and grace. May we each faithfully live out both sides of God’s love.

Prayer: God of grace, humble me and convict me when I am living in sin. Walk me to your throne and lead me to kneel there, in that place of love. Use me today to help others to know that place of love so that they too can know your healing and renewing power. Amen.


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What Love

Reading: Psalm 148: 1-6

Verse 5: “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created”.

The opening stanza of Psalm 148 is where we begin today. It speaks of the heavens’ call to praise God the creator. The angels, sun, moon, stars, and sky are called to praise God because “he commanded and they were created”. The word was spoken, the decree given, and they all came into being. As we read of angels or look up into the starry sky, they indeed reveal God’s glory and power and might and draw out praise.

These verses remind me once again of the immense power of God. With a word, billions upon billions of stars were created. Not only that, God knows each by name (Psalm 147:4). This stirs up two thoughts in me. The first is my smallness. When I think of the stars and all else that God created, it is awesome. In comparison to that, I am small. And yet God formed me in the womb, knit me together with his own hands (Psalm 139:13). Even though I am small in the grand scope of creation, I am special to God. That is pretty amazing. And the same is all true for you.

The second thought it draws me to, especially at this time of year, is the thought that God – the creator of more than we can even begin to wrap our minds around – chose to take on flesh and walk among us. God incarnate did not hold onto his divinity but instead emptied himself, becoming like us so that through Jesus Christ we can find life abundant and life eternal. What love God has for you and me. What love. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are higher than the heavens, deeper than the sea, and you are the creator of all things. And you dwell in my heart. Wow. Thank you, God. Amen.