Womeninthechurch17

Women in the Bible

Lesson Seventeen: by turtle

I got to thinking this week about how hard it is for women in general to work and breath in still
much a man dominated world. Though women have made long strides in becoming equal in the
work force, there are still some areas in which women have not gain access into. Yet women
still strive to reach those goals. Women in leadership in the work force almost always has to
earn their dues much more so then men. And yet I think maybe earning that respect with hard
work is much more valuable then just be handed the golden ticket.

Esther earned and did not just receive her title of queen. She was a woman to be respected and
to be reckoned with. She gain her right to use authority not just as a wife but as queen. To have
that kind of respect by oneâ€™s mate and by others is worth fighting for. But one must realize
I do not think Esther stood up to the plate to be acknowledge, she step up to the plate because
she seen a need to and she was in position to. Deborah on the other hand had respect, how she
gained it, the Bible does not say. Let us continue looking at Esther life in chapter eight.

The mortal enemy was going to be defeated. See the king wanted to know all that happened and
all about Estherâ€˜s family. Mordecai himself was honor to be master of the home of Haman.
Can you imagine getting to lord over your enemies house. The king gave Mordecai his ring a
symbol to all that would question his authority. The king was upset by all that had taken place.
I do not doubt this. Who would not be upset especially if you knew they were kin.

Esther 8:1-3 KJV
(1) On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther
the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
(2) And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto
Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
(3) And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him
with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised
against the Jews.

.The king honorâ€™s Esther by holding out his scepter to her. She then makes a request of the
king and he grants Mordecai permission to undo all that had been done to his people. Whoever
said revenge will not come is wrong. For the fact is God was in control and he would justify all
that had been done to his people.

Esther 8:4-12 KJV
(4) Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before
the king,
(5) And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem
right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised
by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in
all the king's provinces:
(6) For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure
to see the destruction of my kindred?
(7) Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I
have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he
laid his hand upon the Jews.
(8) Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's
ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no
man reverse.
(9) Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan,
on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai
commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces
which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every
province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the
Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
(10) And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent
letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
(11) Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together,
and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people
and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them
for a prey,
(12) Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of
the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

After they had discussed what would happen they had to make it a law. And so it became a law
throughout the land. Not only a law to free the people but a law to rectify the injustice done to
Esther people.

Esther 8:13-17 KJV
(13) The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published
unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on
their enemies.
(14) So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by
the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
(15) And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel 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.
(16) The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
(17) And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his
decree 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 upon them.

That day many came to know God out of fear of being killed. Fear of being trampled on. Fear
of being slaughter. The fact is we should never fear our convictions if God is on our side.
Something that as always impressed me about religion in general a true believe will stand no
matter if persecution comes. Many of the land that worshipped idols, were willing to give up to
keep from having harm come to them. What does that say about their gods. Are you willing to
lay your life on the line for your faith. If so are you convinced without doubt what you believe
is true not just because you were taught to believe it.

Many wars have been fought in the name of God. Yet when it all boils down, was it because of
faith or for freedom. In the USA we fought for our freedom to believe and chose what we
believe. When America goes to war to help another country it better be to protect the rights of
others and not for wealth or gain. Those things might be part of a reason, just like the civil war
there were many reason there was a war. One must remember the most important reason to
fight is for liberty. Queen Esther wanted her people to have religious freedom not to bow to a
man. Haman. To not be persecuted for being a Jew. Just like religious groups fight for that
today as well. It is when someone becomes like Haman and wishes to control another human
belief or religious practice there is a problem. When one controls a person to cause persecution
of any kind it is a terrorist act against another human being.

God is a God of love. Jesus loved us. He desires us to love him and love others. Hate is not
love. Esther actions were one of revenge and not love. Yet as a ruler she had the choice to do
and so because basic freedoms had been taken. From a religious stand point we are to love our
enemies. If Esther had been a prophetess she could not of corrected the sin against the people,
she would of had to allow God to do it. That is why there is a separation of church and state.
We can not just always turn the other cheek.

1 John 2:8-11 KJV
(8) Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you:
because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
(9) He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
(10) He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in
him.
(11) But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not
whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

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