Esther 1

It is a revelation of Him, and He has revealed to us the heart of the Father today.

September 14th, we're in the book of Esther.

chapters 1 through 4, and Ezra, chapters 4 through 6.

We're reading from the New Living Translation.

There was great joy throughout the land because the Lord had caused the king of Assyria to be favorable to them, so that he had helped them to rebuild the temple of God, the God of Israel.

Years later, when Xerxes began his reign, the enemies of Judah wrote a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

Esther chapter 1.

These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.

Good evening, everyone.

Our reading this evening is from Esther 1, which can be found on page 501 in the Red Church Bible.

This is what happened during the time of Xerxes.

The Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.

And when a law is made that is binding from the king, it cannot be changed, not even from the king himself.

And that is stated actually twice in, I believe, Esther 1 and Esther 2, that any decree that the king made, It was binding.

Even the king himself could not change that decree.

So if they find out that Esther is a Jewish woman at any point in time, she will die.

And when she refused to come, Memucan said that if the king does not deal with her, she'll become a threat to all the women.

Esther 1:16, "Memucan answered the king and his princes."

Uh-huh.

"Queen Vashti has wrong- not only the king-

And you see that here in Ezra.

Now, between Ezra 6 and 7, the book of Esther is in, and Esther 1 through 10 is about redemption unstopped.

Look, God says we're here and we're going to get here.

Now, it may look like this.

It could have been the 50th.

I think the Old Testament could have been shorter if people had obeyed, but they don't.

And Ezra 1 through 10 shows us that Esther can either be part of the solution or God will send someone else.

His purposes will be accomplished.