FTO... aka ...For the ONE!
Esther, a young Jewish woman lost both of her parents and her cousin, Mordecai raised her. She was no ordinary looking girl, "the young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at." (Esther 2:7 ESV) Her beauty turned out to be really important because the king of her country had a huge conflict with his Queen, Vashti, and opted to replace her. He sent out scouts to round up all the beautiful virgins and Esther was included and quickly won the favor of Hegai, the guy in charge of the women. They were sent to the ultimate spa with two six month periods of beauty treatments and a good diet.
During this time Esther had taken her cousin's advice and kept secret that she was a Jew. When her turn came to be displayed before the king, she did not ask for anything special to take with her, she did only what Hegai advised. (Esther 2:7) When the king saw Esther, he "loved Esther more than all the other women ...and he put a crown upon her head." (Esther 2:17)
From orphan to Queen, Esther had made her way to the top for a woman of her time. She had it all. Interestingly enough, she did not write off her devoted cousin Mordecai, because the Scripture says "Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him." (Esther 2:7)
Esther's humble attitude eventually saved her life. You see, a wicked man in the kingdom named Haman had been promoted to second in command. He was full of himself! He wanted people to bow down to him and make a big deal when he showed up. Mordecai must have thought "you've got to be kidding" because he totally skipped the bowing routine. Haman was furious. To get back at Mordecai, Haman used his power to trick the king into writing a royal decree to set a date to get rid of all the Jews..."take that Mordecai!" OK so Mordecai sees clearly that the Jewish nation is in danger and Esther is a Jew. He tells her she has to step up and protect her people and says this might be the real reason she is queen at this moment. Insert crisis here! Esther knows that approaching the king without being invited to ask for anything was punishable by death. She moves through the crisis and resolves to do it. She is willing to deal with the consequences saying "if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16)
During this time Esther had taken her cousin's advice and kept secret that she was a Jew. When her turn came to be displayed before the king, she did not ask for anything special to take with her, she did only what Hegai advised. (Esther 2:7) When the king saw Esther, he "loved Esther more than all the other women ...and he put a crown upon her head." (Esther 2:17)
From orphan to Queen, Esther had made her way to the top for a woman of her time. She had it all. Interestingly enough, she did not write off her devoted cousin Mordecai, because the Scripture says "Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him." (Esther 2:7)
Esther's humble attitude eventually saved her life. You see, a wicked man in the kingdom named Haman had been promoted to second in command. He was full of himself! He wanted people to bow down to him and make a big deal when he showed up. Mordecai must have thought "you've got to be kidding" because he totally skipped the bowing routine. Haman was furious. To get back at Mordecai, Haman used his power to trick the king into writing a royal decree to set a date to get rid of all the Jews..."take that Mordecai!" OK so Mordecai sees clearly that the Jewish nation is in danger and Esther is a Jew. He tells her she has to step up and protect her people and says this might be the real reason she is queen at this moment. Insert crisis here! Esther knows that approaching the king without being invited to ask for anything was punishable by death. She moves through the crisis and resolves to do it. She is willing to deal with the consequences saying "if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16)
The Fast and the Feasts
Mordecai prays and fasts before the Lord. Esther asks that the Jewish people pray and fast as she and her maidens do. They determine to seek the Lord and eat or drink nothing for three days and then she plans humbly approach the king and ask him and Haman to a feast if he allows her to speak. This is exactly what happens and then she invites him to a second feast.
Meanwhile, the rage is cranking up between Haman and Mordecai. Haman is bragging about how much honor and attention he is getting with big King A and Queen Esther, but it is not enough to overcome his hate for Mordecai, so his wife suggests he build a huge gallows for a hanging. Haman loves the plan.
That night the king could not sleep and had some records read to him which happen to highlight a heroic moment when Mordecai and Esther saved the king from two angry guys who wanted to lay hands on him. King Ahasuerus realized he never honored Mordecai for this kindness and asks Haman what should be done for a man who has honored the king so much.
Haman's overinflated ego gets him; he thinks the king is talking about him and gives a long list of amazing honors only to find his enemy Mordecai is the honoree. Ouch! Then Haman gets to carry out the honors for Mordecai. Double Ouch!!
The second night of the feast Esther uncovers the horror of the edict that will kill her people. The king asks who has done such a thing and Haman is framed. In moments, Haman is on his way to his own gallows, the ones he built to execute his hate for Mordecai. See (Psalm 9:16) Read the whole story in the book of Esther in the Old Testament.
Mordecai prays and fasts before the Lord. Esther asks that the Jewish people pray and fast as she and her maidens do. They determine to seek the Lord and eat or drink nothing for three days and then she plans humbly approach the king and ask him and Haman to a feast if he allows her to speak. This is exactly what happens and then she invites him to a second feast.
Meanwhile, the rage is cranking up between Haman and Mordecai. Haman is bragging about how much honor and attention he is getting with big King A and Queen Esther, but it is not enough to overcome his hate for Mordecai, so his wife suggests he build a huge gallows for a hanging. Haman loves the plan.
That night the king could not sleep and had some records read to him which happen to highlight a heroic moment when Mordecai and Esther saved the king from two angry guys who wanted to lay hands on him. King Ahasuerus realized he never honored Mordecai for this kindness and asks Haman what should be done for a man who has honored the king so much.
Haman's overinflated ego gets him; he thinks the king is talking about him and gives a long list of amazing honors only to find his enemy Mordecai is the honoree. Ouch! Then Haman gets to carry out the honors for Mordecai. Double Ouch!!
The second night of the feast Esther uncovers the horror of the edict that will kill her people. The king asks who has done such a thing and Haman is framed. In moments, Haman is on his way to his own gallows, the ones he built to execute his hate for Mordecai. See (Psalm 9:16) Read the whole story in the book of Esther in the Old Testament.
Young Women on the Edge
Esther recognized her position and that her life belonged to God. In the crisis moment, she was not so caught up in her beauty and her status that she missed her purpose. In a world of status updates and tweets, it is too easy to be consumed with our own egos, putting ourselves on display and getting what we want. Our constant concentration on our selves is dangerous and empty. In this chapter in GGW, Mary talks about the girl who is waiting to pounce on her prey to get what she wants. It is most often a relationship with a guy. The big picture is all about GREED here. EMPTY hearts are desperately hungry and they look for a guys, clothes, excitement, grades even Christian activities to be fill them. There is a big contrast between Haman and Esther in the story, Esther surrenders her life to God and the purpose He has for her. Haman keeps trying to fill his need for fame and admiration with more stuff. It happens to us all; feeding the black hole of self, just makes a larger black hole. Our hearts can not find rest until we find Jesus. May He open your eyes to see that right now.
Designer Insights
Read John 6:35 What does Jesus say about the hunger and thirst in our lives?
Read John 6:37 If you bring all the pieces of your life under one Master, Jesus, what kind of welcome will you receive?
Read John 6:38 Now as followers of a glorious Master, we must follow His example; how did Jesus live?
This is active, daily fellowship and joy and the presence of Jesus and then setting out to do what He asks you to do. Crisis moments come, but He never leaves you! (Matthew 28:20)
Read John 6:37 If you bring all the pieces of your life under one Master, Jesus, what kind of welcome will you receive?
Read John 6:38 Now as followers of a glorious Master, we must follow His example; how did Jesus live?
This is active, daily fellowship and joy and the presence of Jesus and then setting out to do what He asks you to do. Crisis moments come, but He never leaves you! (Matthew 28:20)
Living only FTO...For the ONE...JESUS
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