GOD’S PLAN
Today’s Reading: Esther 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Herodium is next door to Bethlehem, and is just south of Jerusalem. Its summit is 2,460 feet above sea level. Herod built or re-built eleven fortresses. This one he constructed on the location of his victory over Antigonus in 40 BC. Constructed over a pre-existing hill, the Herodium was a fortress to which Herod could quickly flee from Jerusalem. He chose to be buried here and the mountain is in the shape of a tumulus (a burial mound). Herod’s tomb was discovered by archaeologist Ehud Netzer in 2007. This illustrates the immense ego of the ancient monarchs such as Ahasuerus of Persia featured in today’s reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Esther 3:2b
But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.
Mordecai, a Jew who did not return with Ezra to Jerusalem, was a man with steel down his backbone. He would not bow or pay homage to the second in command of the Persian Empire, Haman. Homage is a form of worship, and to give this to anyone other than God would have been a form of idolatry. Because of this one man, Mordecai, and one woman, Esther, one of the greatest turn-arounds in Israel’s history took place.
We are not suggesting that every act of civil disobedience is blessed of God, nor are we suggesting that we should make a great show of our dedication to the will and purposes of God, but we do suggest that everyone of us should learn to personally relate to God in such obedience and dedication that we care little about the consequences which may follow. The often-quoted words of Mordecai to Esther, “Who knows but that you were brought to the kingdom for such a time as this,” could apply to each one of us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I bow before You! I pay homage to You! You alone are worthy of my worship! I pray that I will find and fulfill Your purpose for me, the very reason that I was born and placed in Your Kingdom at this particular time. I ask this in the Name of the One Whom You sent to this earth and Who fulfilled His purpose, bringing salvation, not just to His own people, the Jews, but also to the whole world, Jesus, the Messiah. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In the mid 1950’s I had the privilege to teach in an Ontario public school. One Jewish girl in my class was named Sandra Levine. I’ve often wondered where she is today and what has become of her. Sandra was a beautiful child of about eleven years old. Her Dad and Mom owned and operated a local grocery store. I spent hours with her father playing chess and often talking about the Scriptures. The reason I’m telling this story is because in those days public school teachers were required by the Provincial Department of Education to teach a weekly Bible lesson. On one occasion I dramatized the story of Esther and featured Sandra as the Jewish Queen of Persia. I think she felt honoured by my efforts. I loved telling Bible stories and still do, as is shown in this daily blog.
May I ask a favour of every reader? Please send my blog on to someone else and ask that we all work together to build the readership to greater numbers. I was told the other day that over 5,000 people have signed up for daily e-mails, besides those who simply go into the 100words.ca website. Let’s go for 50,000 signed up for the daily e-mails. Let’s see… that would mean that each reader would try to find 10 new readers. The reason I ask this is not because of me, but because of the benefits, now and throughout eternity, that will accrue to every faithful reader of God’s Word.
Yours for recognizing that we are here “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14b),
David
P.S. I know I’m terribly biased, but I think Norma-Jean is beautiful like Queen Esther. A few years ago we were leading a tour group on a Nile River cruise, and one evening Norma-Jean dressed up in an Egyptian outfit. In my eyes, Cleopatra could not have been more beautiful (see photo below). In the city of Sudbury, in northern Ontario, some people in our congregation called Norma-Jean, the Queen of the Parsonage!
Such a meaningful prayer and beautiful picture of Norma-Jean! I will certainly share, as I have previously done on Facebook. Blessings to all!
Amen.
Amen
Praise the Lord for Esther and Mordecai. How blessed are we to not live in an age such as they.
Norma-Jean looks very beautiful indeed.
We finally got some rain last night but sorry to hear Calgary got hail with theirs.
Blessings.
Amen to your prayer, and photos, David. Norma-Jean looks smashing in her Egyptian outfit!!!
I was curious about the word, Esther and looked it up in Wikipedia, which says: The Targum[12] connects the name with the Persian word for “star”, ستاره setareh, explaining that Esther was so named for being as beautiful as the Morning Star. In the Talmud (Tractate Yoma 29a), Esther is compared to the “morning star”, and is considered the subject of Psalm 22, because its introduction is a “song for the morning star”. Given the great historical link between Persian and Jewish history, modern day Persian Jews are called “Esther’s Children”. (Esther, Wikipedia)
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
Wishing all saints a blessed day!
26 Old Timeless Gospel Hymns Classics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGj39oddhNE
Amen and Norma Jean is beautiful
Yes David you should brag about your wife. And you look pretty handsome yourself. God bless you for continuing your ministry on line. I read you every day i can. Its not only interesting but very powerful. I know a little bit about your past (i am the same age as you) so it’s fun to go down memory lane. You have impacted Canada in many ways. You have truly bless me over the years so i bless you and continue to pray for you and your wife. I went to Israel in 2000 with your ministry.. I pray God continues to give you good health and use you on this earth. I love you guys.
Yes, I agree with you David; David is beautiful inside and out. God bless you both. I will try my best at sharing.
Also please pray I get to teach Adult Sunday School(which is now non-existent) in our church as we are down to bare bones in attendance and we need the Word just as in the early church. Billy is probably just finishing his heart surgery right now. Please keep him in prayer as this is a crucial time. Thanks. God is working in that family as his son just said that they were all praying. Praise God!
Wonderful reading today and prayer. Both you and Norma Jean look amazing.
Ger I pray Billy will rest in The Lord while he heals and great news that the family was praying.
Also pray that God will make a way for you to teach adult Sunday school. Blessings this day to all.
Yes, Ger, in agreement with Catherine, for Billy, coming through the heart surgery and healing well, under God’s protection and loving care. And praying for your church to grow, and the opportunity for you to teach bible class Sunday evenings. Praying for all churches that are feeling hit. Please, God, wrap your loving arms around Ger, and make her a vehicle of your love and voice for your witness. In Jesus’ name, amen, amen, and amen.
Lord God the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sancifies us in the One True God, Holy Spirit thank you for those in Billy’s family coming to You in Prayer for healing for Billy;
Holy Spirit call, gather and enlighten people to Your teachings in the church that Ger attends. May the Holy Spirit call people from all over to attend and hear the Gospel, the GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION, amen and thank you Lord,
Oh, I just noticed a typing error. I meant to say Norma Jean is beautiful inside and out but that goes for the both of you. Love you both. Blessings!
Amen!
Amen Beverlee!
David, your blogs are wonderful!
NormaJean does look good in her outfits., too.I know this may seem like a criticism but please don’t take it that way. Instead, please take it as a way to improve oneself, as I have taken it.
Man looks on the external appearance buy God looks on the heart!!
I think about those who may not be pretty or average looking but may be what we would call “ugly” on the outside but are beautiful on the inside, which is the essential thing!!!
Thank you for everything David,
Blessings,
Margaret
I’ve noticed people placing their comment inside someone else’s comment box. How do you do this? Also trying to sign up for e mail. Went back to “about 100 words” and clicked on e mail link but it says web page not available. Help!
Hi Kathie. Just hit “Reply” in anyone’s comment box at the bottom and away u go.
Sometimes my computer tells me strange things too so I check for a virus. I use CCleaner and Malware Bytes to clean my computer. Both can be downloaded for free. Hope this helps.
Thank you Lynda. Have a joyful day!
The subscription bar doesn’t show up on my phone but it did on the laptop so thanks again Lynda!
Amen David! Let us each joy in our own paticular c
Oops! Let us each joy in our own particular circumstance when and where God has placed us!
Norma-Jean rhymes with Queen. God Bless you and your Queen!
Great pictures of you and your family lately. You both look so good. My neighbour named her daughter Esther 54 years ago. She knew it meant, “Star” (and she is beautiful inside and out).