Esther - the first week.

There’s just so much I wish to share about our trip – but I realize what I said would be such personal observations that few would be interested in sharing. So I’ll probably insert things along the way, but continue with the original blog premise – our Bible. For the next couple of weeks, we’re interested in Esther.

A group from our church is leaving this morning for a Boys Home in Mexico. This is a mission our church has supported for many years, and there’s an opportunity for this group to be of assistance with some building and witnessing. We remain in prayer for their safe travel and for their witness of God’s love.

While they are gone, I get the combined Jr & Sr High Girls Sunday School classes, along with the young ladies who will be promoting into the Jr High class in August. We are between subjects, too, having finished a study of the book of Romans.

What better book for young ladies than the romantic story of Esther? The book has already been made into movies -- “One Night with the King” (2006), “Esther and the King” (1960) -- plays and novels.

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) (Esther 1:1 KJV)

From India to Ethiopia – such was the kingdom Ahasuerus (perhaps better known as one of the Xerxes) ruled from Shushan (or Susa – one of the oldest known settlements – possibly founded 4200 years before Christ. What happened in his house had an impact across his kingdom, and a publicly rebellious queen had to be punished.

And that’s only in the first chapter! My own favorite verse (long-time readers will recognize it) is:

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 KJV)

If we neglect to do God’s will, He will provide what is needed to accomplish His purpose. At what cost to us? Can we know what is “such a time?”

How brave she had to be with the weight of her entire people weighing on her decision. What fear had to be overcome to walk across the throne room, knowing that the simple lack of movement on his part would mean her death.

I do intend to include a trick assignment. The girls who read this will be a bit ahead of the game, for I shall tell them Sunday that there will be extra credit for the ones who find and memorize the verse that includes God’s name. Go ahead – check it out.