Esther - The Destiny of Women . . . . . . . Mobile Conference 2005

[Kat]

           
Mobile conference 2005
http://bible-truths.com/audio/M05 .mp3


                                                                  Esther - The Destiny of Women

There is a difference between men and women, most of you know what those differences are. There is broad categories and generalizations and there are truths to those generalizations. Men like to have their vanity stroked. They love praise and recognition. 

Women want power....did I lie? Somebody want to disagree with me? Well it does go both ways. But make no mistake about it, women want power. Of course they are pretty clever, they often times have the power, but they let their husbands think that he has the power. But they know when they actually possess it. It's like, 'go on your silly little way sweet heart, but I know who's in control.'

Men like to battle and be conquers. They enjoy watching war movies more than women. Woman enjoy watching soap operas more than men. Are these not generalizations? Yea, they're generalizations.

One teacher educator said, 'men give love to get sex, and women give sex to get love.' Does that ring true? I think so, these are truisms. People learn this at a young age, girls at about 12, 13 or 14, they realize that they have some power over boys. It doesn't take them long to figure out, what it's all about. 

Men think with their heads, women think with their hearts. Men take it for granted that they are far superior than women. Women hate men for taking it for granted, that they are far superior than women. I don't mean hate it, but you know they don't like that vanity in men, that they automatically assume, 'well I'm a man and I'm better than a woman. 

What is the balance? Jesus Christ is the balance. 

I got an email from a girl name Pat. She said, 'I submit personally that God is a woman hater and showed it from the beginning. The original sin was Adams's fault, that's how sin entered the world. But God already hating women, gave the woman the blame and the worse punishment and set her low. Yes this great experiment had failed, but God already proved Himself to be gender prejudice and yes knowing the beginning from the end, He set the woman up and let her take the fall. I hate God, I really do. I hate most Christians.'

I get interesting emails. This girl is bitter. Now, what about it though? Don't some of you women feel a little bit, that you have been a little lower than men, even from God's perspective? I mean when we read scriptures like this, and here we have these apparent contradictions, when we read scriptures like Acts 10.

Acts 10:34  And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Alright we'll accept that, the word of God says it, we should believe it. Notice this in Corinthians.

2Cor 6:18  And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to Me sons and DAUGHTERS, says the Lord Almighty.

Did He leave women out? No, "sons and daughters." Even though sons is used more often, daughters is in there, sons and daughters. God will be a Father to His sons and daughters. God is no respecter of persons. 

Gal 3:28  There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be NO MALE AND FEMALE; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

There is no male or female, you're all one, you're sons and daughters. God is no respecter of persons. 
But then on the other hand... did you know that there are over 1700 personal names in the Bible, names of people. It took me about 3 hours to learn this one statistic, so I hope you will appreciate what I'm going to tell you. Over 1700 personal names in the Bible, but there are only 104 that are women. Wow, you're out numbered 16 to 1, 1600 for the men, 104 for the women.

1Tim 2:11  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

Does that sting a little bit, women? 

1Tim 2:13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
v. 14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
v. 15  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1Cor 14:34  Let your women be silent in the churches;

Wow, does that sting a little bit women? I thought God was no respecter of persons. I thought there is no male and female. I thought we were sons and daughters in the kingdom of God. What is all this?

Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
v. 23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
v. 24  Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Does that sting a little bit ladies? Does that seem like a little bit of a put down? Do you see the same equality there with men? Here is another one.

Deu 24:1  When a man has taken a wife and married her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her, then let him write her a bill of divorce and put it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
v. 2  And when she has departed from his house, she goes and becomes another man's;
v. 3  and the latter husband hates her and writes her a bill of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband dies, he who took her to be his wife
v. 4  her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled.

The Pharisees came to Christ and said, "can a man put away his wife for every cause?" (Matt 19:3)

Well what is this? Does that sound a little chauvinistic to you women? A man could put away his wife for any reason that she displeased him. Do we have a commandment like that for the women, that she could away her husband for any reason, is there such a commandment? No. Does that sound a little chauvinistic from the scriptures to you? Does that sting a little bit when you read these things women and you say, 'I'd like to believe that God is no respecter of persons, but it sure seems like maybe He's a respecter of gender.'

He calls the woman the weaker vessel, that might be thought of as a put down a little bit... the weaker vessel. Well I guess they could just bite their tongue and live by it and say, 'I don't quite understand it, but it does seem like we have been put down.' 

The true of the matter is, that's not true. Now didn't you know that I was going to say something like that? You didn't think I was going to dig a hole that I couldn't get out of, did you? Let's go back to Ephesians so I can clear something up really fast here.

Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
v. 23  For the husband is the head of the wife....

How? To lord it over her, to be the boss, to crack the whip, to insult her, to have her walk 3 paces behind him, to cover her face with a veil in public, like the Muslims? Is that what it means?

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
v. 24  Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

This is not as bad as it sounds, it is not nearly as bad as it might sound to you women. You are subject to your husbands, in the same way that your husband and the church is subject to Jesus Christ. Now let's ask ourselves is that a bad thing? That the church should be subject to Jesus Christ, is that a bad thing? Well of course not.  First of all it puts Jesus Christ in the seat of responsibility, He has to love, provide and protect His church. Is that not comforting? 

What is the analogy of the husband to the wife then? The same thing. The husband is to love, provide and protect his wife. This is a beautiful thing! This is not chauvinistic and there are lessons to be learned for both.  Men should learn the finer traits of femininity. Women should learn the virtuous quality of masculinity. 

The perfect balance in all of this is Jesus Christ, who created them both. If Jesus Christ created man and woman, male and female, don't you think He drew upon something to come up with what they are? The creation came out of the mind of God. So there is no inequality there. They are both to learn. Just because the man is over the wife and the wife is subject to the husband, is not a degrading position anymore than the church being subject to Christ is a degrading position. It is a very honorable position. Can we not agree on that? 

But I know what some of you are thinking, 'but you don't know my husband, he ain't no Christ.' I do know that. But Christ will deal with your husband if he uses or abuses you or whatever. By the way, there is no law in the scripture that says a husband can use and abuse his wife and children and she has to put up with it. The husband is not the god over the woman and she has rights. 

You know it says, except for fornication, she be put away, you that commit adultery (Matt 5:32). So is that the only thing that can dissolve a marriage, adultery? Well actually it doesn't say adultery, it says fornication and if you're married, you can't commit fornication, I mean not technically. If you're married you can only, technically, commit adultery you see. 

But the word fornication comes from the Greek word 'porneia,' like  pornography - porneia, it can mean a whole host of sins - immorality. If a husband will not provide for his family, Paul said he's worse that an infidel. I mean he's worse than if he had no religion at all, worse. That's immorality, that grounds for leaving your husband.  If he abuses the children, that's porneia, that's grounds for leaving your husband. If he beats you, that's porneia, that's immorality, that grounds for leaving. 

Now don't try to stretch your mind as to how thin you can take that. Like, 'he said a cross word to me, I think Ray was saying that would probably be porneia.' No, I'm talking about real abuse. You don't need to stay in an abusive relationship, where you are beaten, where the children are abused, where your husband runs around like an ally cat, those all come under porneia - immorality. So God did not stick you in a situation that would be sheer hell and allowed no way to get out, He did not. 

This shouldn't be a problem to us, if we see that the proper relationship between the husband being over the wife, is the same as Christ being over the church. It shouldn't be a problem with us. This is a beautiful thing.  This is not chauvinism. 

Now we have a lot of examples of men in the Bible doing and accomplishing great things. We have examples of how these men are going to be rewarded and stuff. The 12 Apostles, they said, 'we've left our families and forsaken our livelihood to come out and what will we get out of it?' Christ said, you will sit on thrones and rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. Well what about the women? What about their wives? You know they are not even mentioned. So you read this stuff and you say, 'I don't know, it seems like it's a man's world,' even from God's perspective. So let's see.

Women did serve in the church. I don't have time to go through all of this, but Lydia provided a home for Paul (Acts 16). Phebe, it says she was a deaconess (Rom 16). How was Christ's ministry financed? It wasn't through tithes and offerings. 

Luke 8:1  And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve,
v. 2  and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
v. 3  and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others (women), who ministered unto them OF THEIR SUBSTANCE.

That means their possessions - their wealth - their money. How about that. Who financed the ministry of Jesus Christ and the 12 Apostles? Women, no men were mentioned, just some women, that's pretty neat. But what about the big jobs? Alright so they could finance the ministry and they could be deaconesses and stuff like that. But do we have examples of where God is going to set the women over the 12 tribes of Israel or something like that or is this all reserved for men?

We have an example of Joseph, who was a captive, slave in Egypt and God raised him all the way to the number 2 position, right under Pharaoh... and he was a slave! We have Daniel, he was a slave in Babylon, God raised him all the way up right under King Nebuchadnezzar, and the whole Babylonian empire. But what about women? Look what it says in I Corinthians.

1Cor 10:11  Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

That these types were written for our admonition... when we read Joseph was raised up from slavery, to the second place under Pharaoh, that's for our admonition. When we read about Daniel raising to the number 2 position in the Babylon empire, that's for our admonition.

But what admonition do we have for women, where is that type? You could look at Ruth. She did pretty well. Ruth the Moabite, she went with her mother-in-law, when their husbands died and she said, 'your God will be my God.' She forsook paganism, went into a far country, said your God will be my God, she adopted their customs. She was willing to humble herself and go out in the fields and labor, as a common laborer. Because she had a good heart and attitude, she was probably a looker too. Boaz, who owned all this property and was a leader, ended up marrying her. So she did good.  But is that as high as we go with women? If they are lucky and they play their cards right, they'll marry a rich man, they'll get a sugar daddy. Is that as far as these examples take us? 

What about the virtuous woman? Okay, what has God got in store for her? 

Pro 31:1  The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him.

It's interesting that it says, "his mother taught him."  this is not a man telling other men, here's what you look for in a good woman. Lempel's 'mother' said, here's what you look for in a good woman, a wife, you see. 

Pro 31:10  Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value is far above rubies.

Rubies are worth more than diamonds, you know.

Pro 31:11  The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no need of plunder.
v. 12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
v. 13  She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
v. 14  She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.

My wife will do that , she shops for the best food and prices. She is always doing that, she is willing to do the work, just to bring home the groceries.

Pro 31:15  She also rises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and a share to her young women.
v. 16  She considers a field, and buys it...

I mean this woman has some entrepreneurial abilities. She goes out and evaluates property and real-estate and makes a purchase. She plants a vineyard, with her own hands.

v. 16 ...with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
v. 17  She binds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong.
v. 18  She sees that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night.

And all of these are, of course parables. I could site every phrase in here and it's a parable.

Pro 31:19  She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
v. 20  She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

It's a wonderful thing to see this in a woman. She just does it, you know. My wife will do that. If someone has a need, she will just make herself available.

Pro 31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
v. 22  She makes herself coverings; her clothing is silk and purple.
v. 23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

Why is her husband known? Because of this wife. That's what it is saying.

[Kat]

Pro 31:24  She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers girdles to the merchants.
v. 25  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

That really is hard to understand there, "in time to come." I think what the Hebrew is saying, is she will rejoice in her old age. When she is old she will rejoice in how she handles herself and loved her family. So she will rejoice in her old age.

Pro 31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

I had a girlfriend, before a met Manuela. She was a real looker. She was smart and beautiful. I thought she was as pretty as any movie star. But this wife of mine here, "She opens her mouth with wisdom." That wasn't quite there with the girlfriend. She was smart, had a high IQ, but "she opens her mouth with wisdom"? No. That was a real negative too. Manuela, she has some wisdom.

Pro 31:27  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
v. 28  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
v. 29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.

I feel very lucky. My wife does all this. Seriously she does all this.

Pro 31:30  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
v. 31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

That is the virtuous woman. This is God speaking, through His word, "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Give her praise and honor for being such a good woman and doing these things. 

But again, who gets praise at the council meeting with the elders? The woman? No, the husband. So you could even look at the virtuous woman and for all her great qualities, well they would say, 'she did good, give her credit for a job well done.' 

But is this the same height that God sets the 12 Apostles over the 12 tribes of Israel? You got 12 men, 12 offices... no women. Has God shown us anywhere that He truly has it in His heart to raise women to the same level as men, in the kingdom of God? Well yes I think He has. My whole point here is to show that God shows us that 12 men are going to rule over 12 tribes. Well where are the 12 women?

Joseph, he rose from a slave to the second man under the greatest power in the world - Egypt, he was right under Pharaoh. A slave boy, Daniel, rose all the way to the number 2 man to the King Nebuchadnezzar. God lifted him up, He brought him and put him there, when he was a slave. 

These are for our admonition, right, upon who the ends of the ages have come. For our admonition. But do we have such an admonition concerning women being raised to the same loftiness? I don't mean where it's the church...the husband... the wife. I mean where the wife, the woman, the feminine is just as high, in a position of authority as any man in the Bible. Save our Savior Jesus Christ, of course. We will see it in Esther.

Esther 1:1  Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces),
v. 2  In those days, when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom in Shushan the palace,

Now they have found that palace. They know where that palace was located now. It was about half way between the top of the Persian Gulf (where all our troops and stuff generally land at Bagdad), I think it's about 150 miles south of Bagdad and 150 miles north of the Persian Gulf. This is where Shushan was and they have uncovered what they think was the foundation of the palace. It's 5 miles square. 5 miles, remember this was 127 provinces from India to Africa.

Esther 1:5  And when these days had expired, the king made a feast to all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both to great and small, for seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace.

There was drinking going on and partying.

Esther 1:9  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
v. 10  On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine....
v. 11  to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, in order to show the people and the princes her beauty, for she was beautiful to look on.

She was a looker and he had been drinking and wanted to show her off.

Esther 1:12  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth...
v. 15  What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus
v. 17  For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

His advisors got together and said;

Esther 1:19  ...that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
v. 20 ... (so that) all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.
v. 22  for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.

Esther 2:2  Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

So they sent out a letter requesting to round up all the beautiful young women, throughout the whole kingdom.  Then they brought them to the keeper of the women for their purification and all, before they would be actually presented to the king, to see what he thought of all these bathing beauties.

Esther 2:4  and let the maiden that pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
v. 5  There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
v. 6  who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
v. 7  And he brought up Hadassah (Esther's Hebrew name), that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.

So they recognized her beauty.

v. 8  ...Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
v. 9  And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification...

They went through this elaborate purification, I mean they went through a year of getting soft and just everything had to be perfect.

v. 10  Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred;

She was a Jewish lady and she was right there at Shushan with her uncle. But she never let it be known to the king or the Chamberlains, that she was a Jewish girl. They just thought she was a beautiful girl and they brought her to the king and so on.

Esther 2:11  And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
v. 12  Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women),
v. 13  then in this wise came the maiden unto the king: whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
v. 14  In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women...she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.

So this was a pretty risqué thing they did here.

Esther 2:16  So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal....
v. 17  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

So after trying out all these women and checking them out, having his little rendezvous, he said Esther is the one. He said she is the one that pleases me and I'm going to make Esther queen.

Esther 2:18  Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast;
v. 20  Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people...

This is an important verse. Not only did she not tell the king, that she was Jewish, but she didn't even tell her people once she was queen, 'hey, I'm one of you.' She didn't let anybody know, not even her people.

v. 20 ...as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Now you can just read over that and think, well okay. But wait a minute, this right here is a major scripture, almost of the whole book of Esther. If you are going to be lifted up, what must you do? Humble yourself. You don't go up, before you first go down. You have to humble yourself. 

James 4:10  Be humbled before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

There is one sin that is mentioned over several times, concerning who would or would not be in the kingdom.  The requirement was this... Jesus set a child on His knee;

Matt 18:3  and said, Verily I say unto you, Except you turn, and become as little children, you shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

He's not saying become immature, but like a child - humble - a humble spirit - totally unpretentious, a humble spirit like a little child. Unless you become like that as an adult, "you shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Daniel was humbled, before he ever came to power under King Nebuchadnezzar. He had been a prisoner, a captive, a slave. Joseph was sold down into Egypt as a slave. Then when Potiphar's wife put the make on him and he wouldn't succumb to her flashing eyes, they put him in jail. I mean he was brought pretty low, he was in prison, before he was raised up. 

Now notice this, it's a little out of order here, but we get it. We know that Hadassah, whose Persian name is Esther, was a slave in Shushan.  She was among the captives and she is elevated to queen. There is only one above her, just like with Daniel and just like with Joseph. She is queen. But notice this character trait of hers. Here she is Esther the queen, she didn't show herself to her people, why? Because her uncle told her not to. But she could have been like, 'excuse me, I have an uncle? Uncle who?' She was the queen, she didn't have to take orders from Mordecai. She was the queen.

Esther 2:20  Esther had not yet revealed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her. For Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as she did when she was brought up with him (as a child).

There it is... isn't that beautiful. She still had that same attitude of humility as she had as a child, when she was being reared by her uncle. She never lost it. Scripture does not contradict. When God says this has to be there... it's got to be there. It was there. You could just read over it, but you can see it now that I pointed it out. It's there she had the same humility she had when she was being reared as a little child and now she is the queen. But she still had that humility for her uncle Mordecai. Well this is just an interesting story.

Esther 2:21  In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, of those who kept the door, were angry and tried to lay a hand on King Ahasuerus.
v. 22  And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told Esther the queen. And Esther certified the king in Mordecai's name.
v. 23  And when the matter was searched into, it was found out, and the two of them were hanged on a tree.

Now this will come back into play a little later.

Esther 3:1  After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.
v. 2  And all the king's servants in the king's gate bowed and reverenced Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow nor reverenced.
v. 4  And it happened when they spoke daily to him, and when he did not listen to them, they told Haman, to see if Mordecai's matters would stand. For he had told them that he was a Jew.
v. 5  And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow nor reverenced him, then Haman was full of wrath.
v. 6  And he scorned to lay hands only on Mordecai, for they had revealed to him the people of Mordecai. And Haman sought to destroy all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus....
v. 8  And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people, in all the provinces of your kingdom. And their laws are different from all people, neither do they keep the king's laws. And it is not for the king's gain to allow them to live.
v. 9  If it pleases the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed.

Well it pleased the king. He was kind of jerky, it didn't take much to convince this king. He said, 'okay let's do it, let's kill them all.'

Esther 3: 9 ....let it be written that they may be destroyed.....
v. 10  And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
v. 11  And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as seems good to you.
v. 13  And the letters were sent by postal riders into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews...

Esther 4:1  And Mordecai understood all that was done, and Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes and went out into the middle of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry.
v. 3 ....there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping and wailing. And many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
v. 4  And Esther's servant women and her eunuchs came and told her. And the queen was exceedingly grieved,

So she sent somebody to check on Mordecai and they were communicating back and forth.  He was given a copy of the decree and so the queen learned about this slaughter of the Jews that was going to be done.

Esther 4:13  And Mordecai commanded them to answer Esther, Do not think within yourself that you shall escape in the king's house more than all the Jews.

He told her don't think you will escape this. When they find out you're a Jew, you will fall with the rest of them. This includes all Jews, and you're a Jew.

[Kat]

Esther 14 ...And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for a time like this?

I've said that God is not mentioned anywhere in these 10 chapters, not even alluded to. But you see His hand everywhere. His hand is in it and He brought this young girl there for a purpose.

Esther 4:15  And Esther said to return to Mordecai this answer,
v. 16  Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and do not eat nor drink three days, night or day. My maidservants and I will also fast in the same way. And so I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish.

Now what she meant by that was, not even the queen could go into the king just anytime that she wanted to. She could only go in when he called for her. I mean that's just the way it was. It was not like our households are today. She was going to go in, she wasn't going to wait to be called.

Esther 5:1  ...Esther put on royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king's house...
v. 2  And it happened when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she received favor in his sight. And the king held out to Esther the golden scepter in his hand. And Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter.
v. 3  And the king said to her, What do you desire, Queen Esther? And what is your wish? It shall be given to you even to half of the kingdom.
v. 4  And Esther answered, If it is good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet which I have prepared for him.
v. 5  And the king said, Cause Haman to hurry so that he may do as Esther has said. And the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.
v. 6  And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition that it shall be granted to you? And what is your request? It shall be performed even to half of the kingdom.
v. 9  And Haman went forth that day joyful and with a glad heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was full of fury against Mordecai.

But Haman was in such a jolly mood he let it pass. He wanted to give him the axe then, but he let it pass, because he was so happy.

Esther 5:11  And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his many sons, and all to which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

Boy he was feeling his cheerios, he was thinking, 'this king is looking upon me with favor and this is my day.' I tell you, boy I can identify with this verse. I'll tell you why. There's a scripture that says something like, a haughty look goes before a fall. When you think you've got the world by the tail, when you think you're really feeling your spiritual cheerios, when you think you've got it all together. I had such a thing like that in my life. I thought, how can one man be so lucky. How can so many things fall in place. I thought, it looks like all my lusts are going to come to fruition. Boy, you know people can only dream about having things fall in place like this.  Little did I know what God was doing behind the scenes. That was one of the biggest falls I ever took. You talk about a haughty look going before a fall. I'm telling you, I couldn't have dreamed how God would smash me for that. But when you think, I'm just something, I'm really looked up to, I'm really making headway here, I'm doing good and everybody thinks I'm so great. I guess the reason they think am great, is because I am so great. Boy watch out, you are headed for a fall.

Esther 5:12  Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow also am I invited by her together with the king.
v. 13  Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
v. 14  Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

You know Haman had said let's make a law to kill all the Jews. The king said, 'yeah, that's good, kill all the Jews.' So how much of a problem would it be just to kill one man. He thought if he said to the king, 'I'd like to kill this Mordecia,' he'd say, 'yeah go ahead kill him.'

Esther 6:1  On that night could not the king sleep (this was the night before the banquet); and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
v. 2  And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, of those that kept the door, who had sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
v. 3  And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been bestowed on Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
v. 4  And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
v. 5  And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
v. 6  So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?
v. 7  And Haman said unto the king, For the man whom the king delights to honor,
v. 8  let royal apparel be brought which the king uses to wear, and the horse that the king rides upon, and on the head of which a crown royal is set:

He didn't just want royal apparel, he said I want the king's apparel, because he thought the king was talking about him.

v. 9  and let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delights to honor, and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.

He was still talking in the third person, but he just knew it was him the king was talking about.

v. 10  Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sits at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
v. 11  Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor.
v. 12  And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
v. 13  And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shall not prevail against him, but shall surely fall before him.

So they said to him, you have set a decree to kill all the Jews and now the one that the king has elevated, is a Jew. So they said, you are in for a world of hurt, you are in big trouble, you're up to your neck.

Esther 6:14  While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Esther 7:1  So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
v. 2  And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
v. 3  Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
v. 4  for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish....
v. 5  Then spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
v. 6  And Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
v. 7  And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
v. 8  Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house?

Things were going from bad to worse here. In fear for his life he had fallen on Esther bed and the king returned and saw him and said, he was trying to get in his wife's bed in his own house... poor Haman.

Esther 7: 8 ....As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
v. 9  Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who spake good for the king, stands in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him thereon.
v. 10  So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.

Boy you could draw some spiritual analogies here. You could just go right through it and it's all parables. I mean hanged on his own gallows.

Esther 8:1  ....And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
v. 2  And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai.
v. 3 ....and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

So they wrote another letter and called it all off. In fact they told the Jews to spoil all those that were their overseers, to spoil them and kill them and get some retribution and so on.

Esther 8:13  The copy of the writing for a command to be given in every province was announced to all people, even that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
v. 15  And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple. And the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
v. 16  The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.
v. 17  And in every province, and in every city where the king's command and his order came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews fell on them.

They were in fear of the Jews, so they called themselves Jews. Because they feared them, they just took the name on for themselves.

Esther 9:3 ....the fear of Mordecai was fallen upon them.
v. 4  For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
v. 5  And the Jews smote all their enemies....

And how was this all done? Through this little Jewish girl, who was as humble even as the queen that she was, as a girl growing up. So she freed her people from certain death.

Esther 10:3  For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

So he was elevated with great honor and glory. But yet he was under Esther, the queen. So ladies you need to feel a little better about how God looks upon women. He has left us a perfect example, just like with Daniel and just like with Joseph.

That women will indeed be raised to the highest level there is under Jesus Christ. Now there are rewards, but there is really only one calling. You know you shall be rewarded according to your works, but there is only one calling and I want you to see that.

1 Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen generation (men and women), a royal priesthood (men and women), a holy nation (men and women), a peculiar people (men and women), that you (men and women)  should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

That's the calling, for men and women. It's only one calling, to be in this royal priesthood, this kingly priesthood, the special generation, this holy nation. To be judges and lords, saviors and kings, you see. That is the calling. 

There are no door keepers in the house of the Lord or the kingdom of the Lord. You know David said, I'd rather be a door keeper or whatever, but there are no door keepers. There is only this royal priesthood, this holy nation, these saviors and lords and kings and judges. 

There are degrees of rewards, but the calling is one. He returns with His Saints, not with His Saints and lower strata of servants. No, they are all Saints, they are all one army, they are one people, they are all saviors. It doesn't matter if you have a higher or lower reward in the kingdom, you're all saviors, all kings, all lords, all priests, all judges. There is no low calling. 

When He talks about Laodicea and He says, you are poor, miserable, wretched, blind, naked and all that, yet if they repent, not the least of which is to become like a little child - humble. What are you lifted up to? The throne of Jesus Christ. Everybody sits on His throne, there is no distinction.

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
v. 20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
v. 21  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.

Of course where it says him or man, it's talking about mankind. There is no such a thing as mankind and womankind. Womankind is included in mankind. We are hu-man, the man includes women. But notice it, "...To him (that person, male and female) who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne"! Show me anybody that makes it into the kingdom of God, that has a lesser position.

1Peter 3:4  but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
v. 5  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
v. 6  Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
v. 7  Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, as being HEIRS TOGETHER of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
v. 8  Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

So these isolated scriptures which talk about, the man is over the wife and let the woman keep silent in the church, there is a purpose for that in the flesh. It is not a permanent, eternal destiny, that women are always going to be subject. There is a reason why they are subject and it's a good reason and it's not anything demeaning. There is a reason the man is subject, there is a reason the church is subject and it's all good. If you see evil in that, then you've got a perverted spirit.That's all good, learn it and do it.

People sometimes try to second guess God. 'I don't believe if I follow God I'd be as happy, as when I sin.' Well have you tried it? I tried it and I've never been happier. 

I get emails that say, 'Boy you sound bitter,' I'm not bitter, and, 'You sound angry,' I'm not angry. I get angry at some evil things, you know, but I'm not angry, I don't go around angry as a person. Does anybody think I'm an angry, bitter, down in the mouth person? I hope not, because I'm not. I laugh a lot. I take life seriously, but I laugh a lot. God laughs, there are several places that the Bible that says, God laughs. So anyway...

I want you women to be encouraged. There is no such thing as a lower position, in the kingdom of God, than a man has. We are heirs together, so let yourselves be encouraged.

So as in closing, I want to wish you health, happiness and prosperity. Along with all the trials, misery and tribulation and everything else that comes your way. I mean you will partake of both. There are times of joy and times of sorrow, they are all just as needful. It's just very hard when you are not feeling good or looking good or seeing things very good or anticipating anything good, then it's hard to think this is good. But you got to look beyond, to the goal. All these things are necessary. 

James says rejoice in the fiery trials. Because this is good stuff, this is more than gold and silver. You say, 'I don't know, give me gold and silver.' But this is more valuable.

I'm at the place now where I would chuck all the gold and silver, for this (Bible), this is going to last. We are building something that is eternal and we are the first fruits. The first fruits are always the biggest, the plumpest and we are the first fruit. We are the first, no human being born of a human father has ever made it into the kingdom of God, not one. Jesus Christ born of His heavenly Father, but no human being has ever made it into the kingdom of God, yet. Some are qualified and are sleeping on it, but nobody has made it yet, not one person. We are going to be first.

[Kat]

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