Great Lessons From the Book of Esther (2)
Last week saw the beginning of a short series of articles on practical lessons from the Old Testament book of Esther-a book that tells the intriguing story of a Jewish woman who became queen of the Persian Empire, then saved the Jewish people from the wicked plot of an evil man. Continuing our look at practical lessons, we learn the following:
DO GOOD UNTO ALL MEN
One of the heroes in the book of Esther is Mordecai, Queen Esther's cousin, who had raised her from a very young
age (2:7). Even after Esther became queen, Mordecai kept up with her life. He spent many days outside the gate of
the palace and communicated with this one who was like a daughter to him. One day Mordecai was outside the palace
gate and overheard two men plotting to kill the king (2:21). Immediately he sent a warning to Esther, who then warned
the king. The two plotters were captured and killed. (2:22-23).
What strikes me about this incident (which is a major part of the story, see chapter 6) is that Mordecai did a noble deed for a king to whom some might argue he owed absolutely nothing. Think for a moment-Xerxes was obviously an immoral man (remember the drunken party he hosted in chapter one?); he removed his queen from her throne in disgrace simply because she refused to parade herself before his drunken friends that they might ogle and lust after her; obviously, he was not one who feared God or cared much for God's will.
Upon hearing such a plot for his life we might be tempted to say, "Whatever he gets he deserves." But Mordecai saw beyond that. He had grasped the principle that Jesus would later enunciate so clearly, "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you..." (Matt. 5:44). Paul would later write, "Repay no one evil for evil...Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:17, 20-21). When we are faced with circumstances that involve those that we consider our enemies, let us learn from Mordecai's example. "as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men..." (Gal. 6:10).
Faith in the Promises of God
Because of Mordecai's faithfulness to God, he consistently refused to bow in homage to wicked Haman (3:1-6). Haman's
anger multiplied so much that he convinced the king to decree that Mordecai and all his people (the Jews) were to be killed
eleven months from the decree date. Upon hearing the decree, Mordecai pleaded with Esther to do something about it. He
wanted her to go before the king and plead for the lives of her people (4:8ff). Within one of his impassioned pleas is this
jewel, "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place,
but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as
this?" (4:14).
Did you notice Mordecai's statement of faith? He contented that even if Esther did nothing for her people, "deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place." God's promise to Abraham that the Savior of the world would come through his line of descendants had yet to be fulfilled (Gen. 12:1-3, 22:18; Gal. 3:16). It was imperative that the Jews remain in the world in order for God to fulfill his promise. Therefore, Mordecai knew that the Jews would be delivered one way or another. He entertained no doubts. He was merely offering to Esther the possibility that she the one through whom God wanted deliverance to come.
May we develop the same kind of faith in the promises of God that characterized the life of Mordecai.
Next week, more practical lessons.
-Eddie Parrish
Current Concerns
Bruce Cunningham had back surgery at Medical Center Hospital on Tuesday, April 10th. He is in Room 418.
Pete Munos, brother-in-law of Cecilia Bethune, is at Medical Center Hospital in room 953 with cancer.
Monte Gerig, husband of Betty Gerig, had tests this week.
Prayer List
Peggy Cade; Dana Erwin; Sharon Fisher; Burt Groves; Mildred Heslip; Marion Lee; Abram Martinez; Patsy Sanchez;
Nina Sledge; June Turnbow; Clay Wilkerson; Nell O' Beth Willoughby; Delora Wood; John M. Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Virgie Price; Charles and Pearl Tucker
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. This week's
topic will be titled, "A-Cappella is the Music of the Church?."
The Cherokee Home for Children will be hosting their annual grocery drive on May 26th. They have requested the
following items: laundry stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, (no aerosol cans).
Ladies' Night will be on Thursday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m. Bring games and finger foods! Bring pantry items.
FYI
The "crib shower" for Christopher Allen Arbuckle, infant son of Michael and Jennifer Arbuckle will continue until
further notice. A crib has been placed in the foyer. They are in need of diapers and preemie and larger sizes of clothing.
Attention all graduates: Please return your information sheets and also any pictures that you would like for us to use as
soon as possible!!
Youth
There will be a junior high devotional on Sunday, April 15th, in the annex immediately following the evening services.
Boys bring drinks and girls bring desserts.
Thank You
Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers. Please continue praying for my recovery. My surgery has been scheduled
for April 20th, at Alliance Hospital.
In Christian Love, June Turnbow
To my dear Christian family:
Words fail me when I try to thank each and everyone of you for all the blessings you have given me over the past several
months as I recover from two surgeries. Especially the prayers and also the phone calls, visits and cards. Each act of
kindness you have given me was a blessing and a joy to my heart. It was so good to be able to worship with you last
Sunday- I know I was at home again.
I love you all, Bessie Peevy
To Our Eisenhower Family:
Thank you so much for the cards and kind acts of sympathy shown to me and my family during the loss of my
family during the loss of my step-father. Thank you most of all for the prayers that helped us all through the hard parts.
In Christian love, Ronnie Lane and Family
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of April are Devida Montgomery 272-3679 and Glenda Hillis 413-2658
Note: We have not received all of the "Male Information Sheets" as to date. If you have not turned yours in, please do
so as soon as possible.
| April 15, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Song Leader | Steve Horton | Cameron May |
| Sermon | Steve Horton | Steve Horton |
| Opening Prayer | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Scripture | Larry May | Jack Wright |
| Second Prayer | DJ Ray | Bill Tolbert |
| Closing Prayer | Elder McCarty | Mike Smith |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Victor Martinez Bill Bayless Harmon Rex Steve Horton |
Trini Wood Jeff Wood |
| East | Bill Brown Juan Morolez Alex Martinez Roelf Ruffner |
Ezekiel Martinez |
Other Responsibilities:Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Jeff Wesson --
Pulpit: Scot Straw ~ Table: Richard Siler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"Building a Strong Congregation" (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
Sunday PM
"As Bond Servants of Christ"(Ephesians 6:5-6)
Our Records
Bible Class...92
Morning Worship...155
Evening Worship...108
Wednesday...105
Contribution... $4,361.43