Esther truly functioned as an intercessor for her people, the Jews. God had providentially placed her to be queen of the Persian kingdom to stand in the gap when it was desperately needed.  He used her beauty and character to complete the task while directed by her uncle, Mordecai, as she approached King Xerxes to request the safety of her people.

God used ONE WOMAN to save a nation. That’s all God needs … one person.  If one person can intercede successfully for a nation, think of the influence each of us have in the lives of those we care about.

Live to intercede.

READ/HEAR: Esther 6-8

Haman, a wealthy supporter of Xerxes, King of Persia, hated the Jews primarily because Mordecai had surpassed him in popularity with the king. He connived to have the king issue an edict to massacre all Jews upon a certain date. He was surely inhumane.

We have and enemy … the devil … and he is always plotting to eliminate us. Esther called for fasting and prayer to overcome Haman’s ploy. We likewise turn to the Lord in humility to find relief from our enemy’s devices.

READ/HEAR: Esther 3-5

Esther was very easy to look at. God made her that way and used her beauty to bring deliverance to the Jews in the pagan kingdom. She was God’s tool and was created “For such a time as this.”

God doesn’t make mistakes. We are all created for a purpose, even when we think we don’t measure up. God can use our strengths, but prefers to use our weaknesses because they allow His adequacy to shine through.

(Christ) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Cor. 12:9

READ/HEAR:  Esther 1,2

Eliashib was the priest in charge of the temple storerooms. He was in cohorts with Tobiah, possibly a relative. Tobiah, who was clearly resistant to God’s true work in rebuilding and reinstituting authentic worship in Jerusalem, was underhandedly given a large room for personal use. These rooms were supposed to be for supplies and offerings strictly for the Levites. How did this happen???

Whenever personal gain is placed ahead of authentic Kingdom function, there is a level of corruption.

When Nehemiah heard what had happened, he quickly returned to Jerusalem, threw Tobiah out on his ear, and restored the intended system. Judgement begins IN GOD’S HOUSE.

READ/HEAR: Neh. 13

My music education had a choral emphasis. I have loved choral music and have directed many different choirs in my life’s journey. When scripture alludes to choral music, I take notice.

Ezra and the Levites organized a two-part choir at the dedication of the rebuilt wall around Jerusalem. Upon the wall, one choir went in one direction and the other likewise. They were singing to each other and the people were rejoicing. The sound could be heard far away. What a day of rejoicing!

The choirs were opposite each other, one singing to the other and back and forth in encouraging response. This is antiphonal singing, and was mandated by King David many years ago. We still use antiphonal choral singing today. Worship leaders would do well to implement this powerful form of responsive singing in contemporary worship services.

Paul says, “Speak … to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Eph. 5:19,20

The exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild committed themselves to be separate from the pagan cultures they came from. They knew firsthand the devastation caused by violating God’s commands and resisting His Kingdom culture. Possibly, their experience with contrasting lifestyles made it easier to make the wholehearted commitment to being separate from the ways of the world.

The challenge for Christian parents today is to maintain an authentic Christian lifestyle in the home so the children will follow their example without begrudging their separateness. Hypocritical legalism often causes children to spring into worldliness. Appropriate lifestyle choices and habits combined with an accurate and consistent application and understanding of scripture creates a home culture that has the best chance of maintaining a healthy separation from the world and its destruction.

READ/HEAR: Neh. 10, 12

The entire congregation of Israel was gathered in prayer and fasting before the Lord in Nehemiah 9. The priests and leaders STOOD upon the stairs of a platform erected for the occasion and lifted up a LOUD VOICE to the Lord. The entire chapter is essentially a prayer-proclamation.

I have shared before that for many years in Findlay, Ohio, while serving Hope Temple as a music minister, I would go to the church early (6 a.m.) and walk and pray and praise the Lord for at least an hour a day. I stood and walked because if I knelt and prayed, I would quickly fall asleep. I found this to be a very effective prayer posture and have relied upon it for my entire life.

I believe God values and responds to our intentional prayer. Try it. See what I mean.

READ/HEAR: Neh. 8,9

Nehemiah was without doubt a master administrator. His attention to detail and his ability to clarify tasks and accomplish them was exceptional. Whenever a Bible example of an administrator is needed, his name comes forward. He was gifted and equipped by God to do what he did. Obviously he had an ability to enlist capable persons necessary to complete the wall. He seemed to wisely cut up the overall task and subdivide it, delegating smaller portions to complete the big picture.

Some people just have this ability. I married one.

READ/HEAR: Nehemiah 6,7

When the exiles were working on rebuilding, many were violating God’s laws by indenturing their own people, profiting at their neighbors expense. Nehemiah challenged them to “avoid the reproach” that God would bring because they were exacting undue profits.

When we prioritize God’s ways and put others ahead of ourselves, we are qualifying ourselves for God’s blessings and His prosperity. It works.

READ/HEAR: Nehemiah 4,5

Jerusalem’s wall and gates had been damaged and portions torn down. It was vital to maintain protection for the city’s inhabitants. Nehemiah’s burden for its repair elevated him to oversee the process with the blessing and assistance of Artexerxes, king of Persia. Although great resistance was provided by Sanballot and Tobiah, the task was completed.

Why was there resistance to an obvious necessity for the well-being of the Jews? Those providing the resistance clearly did not have the welfare of the city at heart. God prevailed and the wall was completed.

READ/HEAR: Nehemiah 1-3