Great Lessons From the Book of Esther (3)
This treatise marks the end 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. Concluding our look at practical lessons, we learn the following:
The Providence of God
The key principle that pervades the story of Esther is God's providential care for his people. When the plot of wicked
Haman had been made, a very serious question had to be answered: Who was immutable? Persian law or Almighty God?
Centuries before the events in Esther took place God made a promise to Abraham that he would bless all the nations of the world through a special descendant (Gen. 22:18.) That special one would be Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16.) Obviously, in order
to keep that promise God would have to preserve the seedline of Abraham until the coming of Christ.
But through the evil deed of Haman, the seed of Abraham was doomed to die. Persian law stated that once a law had been
sealed with the king's signet ring, it could not be revoked, even by the king himself. So something was going to have to give-either "immutable" Persian law or the nature of God. Through the providential activity of God, he showed himself
to be immutable and saved his people from annihilation.
There is a passage that clues the reader in to this point. Esther 4:14 quotes Mordecai as saying, "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?" As Mordecai tried to persuade Esther to plead for the lives of her people before the king, he left open the possibility that God could have raised her up to be queen at that time in history just so she would be in a position to save her people. Truer words could not have been spoken. Another interesting point regarding the providence of God in the book of Esther is that even though God is active throughout the entire book, the name "God" is never used in the text. Such gives us further insight into the nature of God's providential activity. It is undetectable to us. From the human vantage point, it would seem that God is not active at all-we don't see him, hear him or feel him with our physical senses. But he is always there working all things out for the good of his faithful children (Rom. 8:28.)
It Takes Courage to Do Right
When Mordecai made his appeal to Esther to go before the king and plead for her people, she was reluctant. Persian law
stated that if anyone went into the king's throne room uninvited, he or she could be slain on the spot. It depended on the king's temperament that day. But in order to save her people, Esther was willing to put her life on the line. She said to Mordecai in 4:16, "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three
days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"
What great courage and boldness she possessed! Even in the face of her own death, she was determined to do the right thing. How many times have we been faced with far less inconvenience, but chose to compromise Biblical principles instead. What a shame. May God grant us more people in the world with Esther's courage.
After studying the book of Esther, it becomes all the more apparent why Paul spoke of the practicality of the Old Testament (Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:1:11). An old story? Yes. But still demanding of our careful attention.
-Eddie Parrish
Current Concerns
Fran Arbuckle is scheduled to have cataract surgery on her left eye on Tuesday, May 1st. Then two weeks later she will
have the other eye operated on.
Nell O' Beth Willoughby was admitted to Medical Center Hospital in room 839. She has a kidney infection and a high fever.
She also had an MRI done on her gallbladder and the doctors have decided that she will have to have surgery.
A specialist has been called in to discuss procedures due to the different medical problems she is dealing with.
Crystal Vargas had an MRI done and a spot was found behind her ear. They are not sure what it is so she had
another MRI and is now awaiting results to find out what the spot might be.
Nina Sledge is still in room 304 at Alliance Hospital. She is having breathing problems.
Aricema Galindo, sister of Mario Ramirez, has been diagnosed with hypochromie microcytic anemia. She will be
having tests to determine her blood type in order to get a blood transfusion. She will also be going through
chemotherapy.
JoAnna Minter, Charles Wood's sister will be going through several weeks of chemotherapy to try to get rid of her tumor.
William Allen Weaver was born April 10th. He weighed 6 lbs 3oz and is 19 inches long. Tests are being done
to decide if baby Bill has Downs Syndrome. His heart and kidneys are okay so a blood test will determine the outcome.
Prayer List
Christopher Arbuckle; Bruce Cunningham; Peggy Cade; Dana Erwin; Sharon Fisher; Monte Gerig; Burt Groves;
Marion Lee; Abram Martinez; Pete Munos; Patsy Sanchez; Nina Sledge; June Turnbow; Clay Wilkerson; Delora 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, "God is Love."
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).
FYI
Michael and Jennifer Arbuckle have taken Christopher home and he is doing well. They are no longer in need of
clothing at this time for Christopher, but have expressed a need for more preemie diapers. We will be leaving
the crib out for a while longer for those who might be able to help with this need. They have expressed their deepest gratitude.
Attention all graduates: We need your information and pictures by Sunday, April 22nd. If we do not have them by
then we will not be able to have your information in the bulletin. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Congratulations
Branyon and Alana May are the proud parents of a sweet baby girl, Brana Rose, born Thursday, April 12th. Proud
grandparents are Larry and Janis May.
Thank You
Thank you so very much for the get well card from the church and for all the prayers. I am doing good. I only had
to take one shot. The Dr. thought I might have to have three. --- Marion Lee
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of April are Devida Montgomery and Glenda Hillis
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 22, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Song Leader | Ronnie Lane | Rudy Ochoa |
| Sermon | Burt Groves | Burt Groves |
| Opening Prayer | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Scripture | Alex Martinez | Jack Wright |
| Second Prayer | Mike Smith | Jimmy Nunley |
| Closing Prayer | John Bethune | Tom Sorenson |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Johnny Warren C.M. Riggs Larry May George Warren | Bradley Martell Cameron May |
| East | Frank Vargas Bill Ryan Mark Ingram Burt Groves |
Jimmy Nunley |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood - Deacon: Jeff Wesson--Pulpit: Scot Straw - Table: Richard Siler - Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM "Living By Faith" (Hebrews 10:38-39)
Sunday PM "As Bond Servants of Christ" (Hebrews 11:24-27)
Our Records
Bible Class...104
Morning Worship...170
Evening Worship...108
Wednesday...107
Contribution...$ 5981.58