Continuing my reading on godly women. These are my "accountability notes". I'm finishing Esther. These are chapters 7-10.
Esther 7
Xerxes and Haman are dining at Esther’s second banquet. The king asks a third time what is it she wants…”up to half the kingdom and it will be granted.” She asks for her life and the lives of her people.
She asks kindly, with grace, with bravery, with sincerity, humbly, in honor and deference of Xerxes’ power but also with the favor of God.
“If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet.” Wow!
The king demands to know who is responsible and Esther names Haman (charge 1). In a twist of events, the king leaves in a rage. As Haman falls at Esther’s feet to beg for his life (he‘s at the feet of a Jew when he couldn’t get a Jew [Mordecai] to bow to him), he falls on her couch where she was reclining, the king re-enters as it appears Haman is assaulting Esther (charge 2). Then, a eunuch then speaks up and says that there are gallows that Haman constructed for Mordecai (charge 3 – attempt to kill the king’s benefactor).
Haman is hung on those gallows.
Esther 8
The same day, Xerxes gave Esther Haman’s estate. Mordacai is reinstated and appointed in charge of that estate. They are restored but the royal edict calling for the killing of all Jews is irrevocable. She pleads, she weeps. “If it pleases the king.” “If he regards me with favor.” “If he thinks it is the right thing to do.” “If he is pleased with me.” So, in response to her pleading, Xerxes commands another edict be sent out that in effect counters the original – the only way to stop Haman’s original plan. This decrees marks the first Purim.
Again, she is kind, polite, obedient, deferent yet brave.
Esther 9
When faced with conflicting edicts, everyone goes by what came most recently. The Jews rise up all over Xerxes kingdom and battle their enemies fearlessly…and win. Despite being given permission to do so, the Jews take no plunder…as that’s how Saul lost his kingship. When the king reports to Esther what the Jews have done, he asks if there is anything else. She asks that Haman’s sons, who were killed in the battle, be hung up as an example. Not sure what godly woman characteristic THAT would be! LOL
First Purim celebrated at Mordecai’s and Esther’s instruction.
Esther 10
These closing three verses describe the heights of power Mordecai reached. I suppose it could be construed that the success and honor is partially attributed to the actions of Esther. It is because of her that Mordecai is promoted up. But, it is also partially because of Mordecai that Esther is where she is. Hmmm…
Showing posts with label WOG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WOG. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Godly Woman 101: Days 8 - 10
Continuing my reading on godly women. These are my "accountability notes". I'm in Esther. This is chapters 4 -6.
Esther 4
Lots of fasting going on! LOL Nice comparison to all the feasting the king and those close to him are doing.
This chapter explains Mordecai's reaction to the king's edict to destroy all the Jews, how Esther finds out about it (via Mordecai as opposed to the king himself), and Esther's plan.
Mordecai instructs Esther to go to the king but to go unrequested means she'll be put to death unless immediately pardoned by the king. They begin a fast and, at the end of it, she'll go to the king even if it means her death.
Again, she is obedient. And, she is faithful in that she prays and fasts prior to acting out Mordecai's plan.
Esther 5
Esther is seen waiting to speak with the king and he asks her in. When he asks what she wants, she delays and asks him and Haman to come eat a banquet she prepared. My notes say one could only speculate as to why she does this. She makes the king ask three times what she wants...Hmmmm, what godly woman attribute is displayed her? Waiting on God's timing?
This chapter also contains another example of Haman's behaviour. He passes Mordecai at the Kings' Gate and when Mordecai doesn't rise up as he passed, Haman is enraged. Then, Haman's wife and family tell him to build gallows and request Mordecai be hung in the morning.
Esther 6
This chapter is the literary center of the book. And, my notes point out that just when things don't seem to be able to get worse, several seemingly trivial things coincide to bring God's providence to pass...the king can't sleep, he asks to read the chronicles of history, he reads of Mordecai's uncovering of an assassination plot, wants to reward him, Haman just happens to be making a ton of noise building the gallows, so the king asks him to go honor Mordecai in the way Haman thought the king should honor him instead! Mordecai goes home in grief, is telling his family all that had transpired, and the king's men come to get him to take him to Esther's second banquet.
Esther 4
Lots of fasting going on! LOL Nice comparison to all the feasting the king and those close to him are doing.
This chapter explains Mordecai's reaction to the king's edict to destroy all the Jews, how Esther finds out about it (via Mordecai as opposed to the king himself), and Esther's plan.
Mordecai instructs Esther to go to the king but to go unrequested means she'll be put to death unless immediately pardoned by the king. They begin a fast and, at the end of it, she'll go to the king even if it means her death.
Again, she is obedient. And, she is faithful in that she prays and fasts prior to acting out Mordecai's plan.
Esther 5
Esther is seen waiting to speak with the king and he asks her in. When he asks what she wants, she delays and asks him and Haman to come eat a banquet she prepared. My notes say one could only speculate as to why she does this. She makes the king ask three times what she wants...Hmmmm, what godly woman attribute is displayed her? Waiting on God's timing?
This chapter also contains another example of Haman's behaviour. He passes Mordecai at the Kings' Gate and when Mordecai doesn't rise up as he passed, Haman is enraged. Then, Haman's wife and family tell him to build gallows and request Mordecai be hung in the morning.
Esther 6
This chapter is the literary center of the book. And, my notes point out that just when things don't seem to be able to get worse, several seemingly trivial things coincide to bring God's providence to pass...the king can't sleep, he asks to read the chronicles of history, he reads of Mordecai's uncovering of an assassination plot, wants to reward him, Haman just happens to be making a ton of noise building the gallows, so the king asks him to go honor Mordecai in the way Haman thought the king should honor him instead! Mordecai goes home in grief, is telling his family all that had transpired, and the king's men come to get him to take him to Esther's second banquet.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Godly Woman: Days 3 - 7
OK, I got a little behind blogging about this...LOL. I'll blame it on Easter preparations! *wink* So let's see...
Day Three: Ruth 3
Was a little lost about the whole "spread the corner of your garment over me..."
And, I was a little clueless about the whole history of marrying again within the same family if something should happen to your spouse but I think I grasped that Boaz would try to find her someone to marry and, if he can't, he'll marry her. He's trying to keep Naomi's land within the family.
I liked the empty-to-full metaphor thing going on. Naomi was utterly empty and is slowing being restored.
Day Four: Ruth 4
Little mention of Ruth other than her being taken as a bride to Boaz. Mostly the legal stuff of hashing out their kinsman-redeemer roles. The fact that the first kinsman-redeemer declined the offer of Naomi's land via Ruth and that Boaz stepped up makes me think that the Scripture is reinforcing how Ruth's and Boaz's selfless act are being rewarded. And, finally, Naomi's re-filling was complete.
Day Five: Esther 1
I've been told Esther can be seen a Christ-like figure in terms of being willing to die for her people and is an advocate on their behalf. So, how appropriate that the book of Esther records the annual festival of Purim, the yearly reminder of God's faithfulness to His people!
This first chapter set the scene, described the characters and explains how a queen is NOT to act in the form of Vashti. Xerxes, with Vashti's deposal, also confirms the Biblical principle that "every man should be ruler over his own household" (v22) while I'm not sure if throwing out the queen, soliciting all over the kingdom for virgins, and picking a new queen would be the way *I* would advocate dealing with it! LOL
Day Six: Esther 2
Esther is introduced. According to v15, Esther is Mordecai's great-niece. She had no parents (no explanation I could find) but apparently was an obedient young woman since it mentioned more than once how she obeyed Mordecai by not revealing her ancestry.
I'm not sure that being made queen immediately meant she was made a wife and lost her virginity. Not sure which, if any, of Esther's virtues are being exemplified through her preparation and eventual selection by Zerxes.
But, her virtue of loyalty seems to Xerxes as the assassination plot is revealed by Mordecai and reported to the king. Esther gave Mordecai credit. No self-seeking, self-aggrandizing behavior there.
Day Seven: Esther 3
Four years pass. Haman introduced. He is immediately a foil character to Mordecai. Mordecai uncovered a plot and goes unrewarded but Haman appears to be promoted without reason.
I found it interesting that my notes state that it wasn't because of the second commandment that Mordecai refused to bow to Haman (that's what I originally thought) but simply because of the outstanding and long-running problems between the Jews and the Amalekites. But, Mordecai's refusal started the wheels turning on Haman's plan to have all the Jews killed.
Esther's attributes not mentioned here yet. This is the setting up of the narrative of events that will lead to her eventual intervention.
Day Three: Ruth 3
Was a little lost about the whole "spread the corner of your garment over me..."
And, I was a little clueless about the whole history of marrying again within the same family if something should happen to your spouse but I think I grasped that Boaz would try to find her someone to marry and, if he can't, he'll marry her. He's trying to keep Naomi's land within the family.
I liked the empty-to-full metaphor thing going on. Naomi was utterly empty and is slowing being restored.
Day Four: Ruth 4
Little mention of Ruth other than her being taken as a bride to Boaz. Mostly the legal stuff of hashing out their kinsman-redeemer roles. The fact that the first kinsman-redeemer declined the offer of Naomi's land via Ruth and that Boaz stepped up makes me think that the Scripture is reinforcing how Ruth's and Boaz's selfless act are being rewarded. And, finally, Naomi's re-filling was complete.
Day Five: Esther 1
I've been told Esther can be seen a Christ-like figure in terms of being willing to die for her people and is an advocate on their behalf. So, how appropriate that the book of Esther records the annual festival of Purim, the yearly reminder of God's faithfulness to His people!
This first chapter set the scene, described the characters and explains how a queen is NOT to act in the form of Vashti. Xerxes, with Vashti's deposal, also confirms the Biblical principle that "every man should be ruler over his own household" (v22) while I'm not sure if throwing out the queen, soliciting all over the kingdom for virgins, and picking a new queen would be the way *I* would advocate dealing with it! LOL
Day Six: Esther 2
Esther is introduced. According to v15, Esther is Mordecai's great-niece. She had no parents (no explanation I could find) but apparently was an obedient young woman since it mentioned more than once how she obeyed Mordecai by not revealing her ancestry.
I'm not sure that being made queen immediately meant she was made a wife and lost her virginity. Not sure which, if any, of Esther's virtues are being exemplified through her preparation and eventual selection by Zerxes.
But, her virtue of loyalty seems to Xerxes as the assassination plot is revealed by Mordecai and reported to the king. Esther gave Mordecai credit. No self-seeking, self-aggrandizing behavior there.
Day Seven: Esther 3
Four years pass. Haman introduced. He is immediately a foil character to Mordecai. Mordecai uncovered a plot and goes unrewarded but Haman appears to be promoted without reason.
I found it interesting that my notes state that it wasn't because of the second commandment that Mordecai refused to bow to Haman (that's what I originally thought) but simply because of the outstanding and long-running problems between the Jews and the Amalekites. But, Mordecai's refusal started the wheels turning on Haman's plan to have all the Jews killed.
Esther's attributes not mentioned here yet. This is the setting up of the narrative of events that will lead to her eventual intervention.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Godly Woman 101: Day 2
For an explanation, see here.
Ruth 2
Boaz - probably means "in him is strength." He was designated the "kinsman-redeemer" for his family. That meant that he was responsible for protecting the interests of needy members of the extended family. The Lord led Ruth to him as she tried to support herself and Naomi.
Boaz has heard of Ruth's commitment to care for her "emptied" mother-in-law. Boaz acknowledges his commitment in her while sharing that same commitment toward his family.
Boaz goes out of his way to make sure Ruth's labors in his fields were productive.
Beginning to see a parallel between what Boaz does to what Jesus will do...kinsman-redeemer, responsible for the needy, fulfils a commitment to them, makes sure one's work is productive...hmmm.
Ruth 2
Boaz - probably means "in him is strength." He was designated the "kinsman-redeemer" for his family. That meant that he was responsible for protecting the interests of needy members of the extended family. The Lord led Ruth to him as she tried to support herself and Naomi.
Boaz has heard of Ruth's commitment to care for her "emptied" mother-in-law. Boaz acknowledges his commitment in her while sharing that same commitment toward his family.
Boaz goes out of his way to make sure Ruth's labors in his fields were productive.
Beginning to see a parallel between what Boaz does to what Jesus will do...kinsman-redeemer, responsible for the needy, fulfils a commitment to them, makes sure one's work is productive...hmmm.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Godly Woman 101: Day 1
There have been several opportunities and "nudges" lately around me that keep referring to pressing in, diving and digging deeper, stepping up, and striping away spiritual junk. My "church grandma" (aka Sister P) who is a very strong woman of God and an absolutely Heaven-glorifying example of the gift of teaching spoke during our last-Wednesday-of-the month, women's meeting a week ago yesterday.
I won't go into all the details right now but I left that meeting determined to learn more about what exactly Scripture says about being a godly woman. So, I'm temporarily "suspending" my Bible-in-a-year schedule to focus on a month's worth of Scripture that Sister P suggested to me. Doing one chapter a day, this should last from today until April 30th.
So, to keep me accountable, I'm going to "document" my notes each day...
Today I read Ruth 1 and this is what I found out from notes, commentaries, and observations...
- Ruth is about grace by obedience that comes from faith (not by blood or birth). She was not a "native" Israelite but an adopted one. Yet, the Bible documents her as one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. The Book of Ruth is a testament of how all the tribes and nations can be saved by God.
- She was David's great-grandma!
- The words "redemption" and "kinsman-redeemer" are used repeatedly...again reinforcing God's grace.
- She was a remnant of true faith and piety in a time of religious and moral degeneracy.
- Naomi means "pleasant" - probably why she asks for her daughters-in-law to call her "Mara" once she had been "emptied" of everything - her husband, her sons, and no heirs.
- Ruth is similar to the Hebrew word for "friendship"- how appropriate!
- Ruth a a wonderful example of loyalty and love to Naomi, particularly since she had nothing to gain and what appeared to be a pretty bleak future as a Moabitess in the nation of Israel.
I won't go into all the details right now but I left that meeting determined to learn more about what exactly Scripture says about being a godly woman. So, I'm temporarily "suspending" my Bible-in-a-year schedule to focus on a month's worth of Scripture that Sister P suggested to me. Doing one chapter a day, this should last from today until April 30th.
So, to keep me accountable, I'm going to "document" my notes each day...
Today I read Ruth 1 and this is what I found out from notes, commentaries, and observations...
- Ruth is about grace by obedience that comes from faith (not by blood or birth). She was not a "native" Israelite but an adopted one. Yet, the Bible documents her as one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. The Book of Ruth is a testament of how all the tribes and nations can be saved by God.
- She was David's great-grandma!
- The words "redemption" and "kinsman-redeemer" are used repeatedly...again reinforcing God's grace.
- She was a remnant of true faith and piety in a time of religious and moral degeneracy.
- Naomi means "pleasant" - probably why she asks for her daughters-in-law to call her "Mara" once she had been "emptied" of everything - her husband, her sons, and no heirs.
- Ruth is similar to the Hebrew word for "friendship"- how appropriate!
- Ruth a a wonderful example of loyalty and love to Naomi, particularly since she had nothing to gain and what appeared to be a pretty bleak future as a Moabitess in the nation of Israel.
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