Week 1 DAY 1 and 2
Segment 3, Esther Chapters 5-7.
Today and Tomorrow
We will:
- LOOK at Esther 6:1-9.
- LEARN ‘how‘ to incorporate GODcha’s tools along the way.
- LISTEN to God speak to us as we focus on GODcha’s LEARN/LIVE question.
Open GODcha to the Book of Esther
You Can Open GODcha and GODchats together
NOTE:
If you don’t have GODcha Get It>
Or, use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this week’s posts and put in a notebook!
Consider the Overview
To Find the Purpose of Esther
Scan the Overview in GODcha to refresh your memory!
Why Was Esther Written?
Understand: Everything written in this book points back to the purpose.
The Purpose Was To:
Reveal how the Jews, living in exile throughout all the king’s provinces, were protected and delivered from annihilation by God’s divine power and control even though He is never mentioned in this book.
Let’s Begin With Prayer
And Continue With an Attitude of Prayer
Perhaps. . .
Oh Gracious, Almighty God, we come to You the One True God, the Sovereign God, asking You to unfold Your Word to us today as only You can do. We ask that You open Your Truth to us about You, and about ourselves. Give us understanding. May we live in the light of what You show us and teach us today. Thank you Lord, (Psalm 119:130).
If you get STUCK at any point in your discovery, stop, and pray!
GOD, your Creator, loves you and desires to reveal much to you.
Context
CONTEXT is the setting that Rules Interpretation.
God’s people have been in exile for 100 yrs. Now, some of the 3rd generation had separated from Babylon going back to Jerusalem while others remained in Babylon blending in.
Let’t Go Backward for a bit. . .
Esther Chapter 1
In the 3rd yr reign of King Ahauserus, Xerxes the Great, –
– A godless man that habitually parties and drinks, displayed his riches.
– Removed Queen Vashti as queen.
Esther Chapter 2
In the 7th yr. reign of King Ahauserus –
– A perverted man taking the virginity of 400 women, made Esther queen.
– Mordecai saved the king, and his name was written in the chronicles.
Esther Chapter 3
In the 12th yr. reign of King Ahauserus –
– The careless king delegated authority to Haman.
– Haman, also a godless man who is proud, power driven, and violent conspired to wipe out not only Mordecai, but all the Jews.
Esther Chapter 4
Mordecai and Esther who had been God’s disobedient children change.
– Mordecai, Esther’s adoptive father, who let Esther be taken and married to this horrible Gentile king, tells Esther to go to the king regarding Haman’s plot.
– Both fasted, with Esther being willing to die to save her people.
Esther Chapter 5.
We left off with Esther implementing her plan.
– She went to the king, and hosted 1 banquet for the king and Haman, with another one to take place the next day. And all seems good.
But Haman implemented his plan to have Mordecai, whom he couldn’t stand, hung on the gallows he was having made.
Now before we begin Chapter 6 that is so exciting and pivotal, I want to take our focus to God, the One True God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, who is King over all the earth.
Now even though God is never mentioned in this book, we can’t write Him out of this Script. And even if those around us want to write Him out of the Script, they can’t, because this is His story! This is why GODcha has directed us to constantly be on the lookout for God’s hidden hand working behind the scenes.
Well as we dig into Chapter 6 we are going to see our Almighty God intervening at every turn. So as we begin today’s discovery, I want to camp a minute on what scholars and apologists refer to as ‘God’s Providence’.
FYI:
The term “providence” derives from the Latin, providentia, signifying “foresight.” The word is used to denote the biblical idea of “the wisdom and power which God continually exercises in the preservation and government of the world, for the ends which he proposed to accomplish”, McClintock.
“Providence concerns God’s support, care and supervision of all creation, from the moment of the first creation to all the future into eternity”, Tenney.
“God’s providence is his almighty and ever present power, whereby, as with his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures, and so governs them that
leaf and blade,
rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years,
food and drink,
health and sickness,
riches and poverty,
indeed, all things,
come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand.”
Jer 23:23, 24; Act 17:24-28; Heb 1:3; Jer 5:24; Act 14:15-17; Joh 9:3; Pro 22:2; Pro 16:33; Mat 10:29. The Heidelberg Catechism
With that said, check out the Cross References above, and then those GODcha suggests, to see what God has to say about Himself as He teaches us about His providential hand.
Act 17:25
Eph 1:11
Col 1:17
Psa 103:19
Pro 16:9
LISTEN to the Spirit
How do these Truths about God:
- Change how I see God?
- Help me trust Him?
- Enable me to wait and be patient?
- Make me grateful in my circumstances?
Will I make a concentrated effort to get these Truths cemented down deep in my heart?
How has God providentially worked in my life?
Where I was born?
What family was I born into?
What friends and people surround me?
What were my school/ jobs?
What opportunities I have had/not had?
What are my trials, disappointments, and/or heartaches?
When and how did God grab me, and I meet Jesus?
Do I understand God is ruling history and my life according to His ancient promises and His kingdom purposes?
Talk To God!
Remember this is the most important part of our journey. It’s an open-ended conversation that continues throughout the day!
Be sure and add all you learn about God to your list that you began way back in the beginning.
Now Let’s Dig In.
Some Reminders and How To’s.
3 EASY Steps
To Put into Play
Just a quick reminder to help you walk through God’s Word implementing the LOOK, LEARN and LIVE Steps.
1. To LOOK:
a. Read a verse;
b. Consider what is Key to that verse; and
c. Investigate what is Key by checking:
– The Word Meanings; and
– Other Scripture References for better understanding.
d. Pay attention to: Timing, Contrasts, Comparisons, and Terms of Conclusions.
2. Bring everything you LEARNED together.
3. LISTEN to what God has said, CHAT with Him and Commit to LIVE Out what you learned.
Today: The King Honors Mordecai
Let’s LOOK 
Open GODcha’s LOOK Section
Always Begin LOOKING By READING
READ Taking Small Bites
This Narrows Your Focus
Focus on a Paragraph at a Time
Esther Chapter 6 is Broken Down Into Paragraphs
6:1-9;
6:10-14.
TIP: In your hardbound Bibles Paragraphs are designated by:
– an indentation;
– a paragraph symbol; and/or
– a boldface number.
READ With Purpose
As You READ, Ask Questions
Have you ever read something, and 5 minutes later you couldn’t remember what you read?
Learning to read with a purpose will change that!
We Always Want to Consider:
Who is speaking; and to whom?
What is happening?
Where is it happening?
When is it happening?
Why is it happening or, why did it happen?
How did it happen?
Questions
Help SLOW You Down
You will:
1. See the complete picture;
2. See how everything relates to one another; and
3. Remember what you read.
This is the most critical skill to learn in order to see God’s Word accurately!
Okay, Let’s Give It a Try!
READ the 1st paragraph, Esther 6:1-9.
As you read, ask the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.
This is a skill that just takes time and practice.
Remember to:
Reflect on the events that demonstrate God’s hidden hand.
Let’s Take Small Bites – Unpack Verses 1-3.
Do you see the 
Time Phrase?
What happens?
LOOK
For KEY Words
Because they ‘unlock’ the meaning to what God is saying.
In GODcha Scroll Down To:
Key Words
TIP: If you need help to see what is key, check out GODcha’s Key Words, and/or even the LEARN Questions to help you as they have been designed to reveal what is Key.
Today, let’s do just that.
Let’s Work Our Way Backwards.
Check Out the LEARN Questions
Scroll down to GODcha’s Deeper Discovery Section
Find the #9 LEARN Question(s).
Ch 6 #9. Which night is ‘that’ night? What happened? What are the chances the story of Mordecai would be read? Do you see God’s hand working? (v1-3)
Do You See What is Key?
Our focus will be on:
1. The Time Phrase ‘that night‘;
2. The king not being able to sleep;
3. The 
Term of Conclusion: so because the king could not sleep, he had the book of records, the chronicles, read to him;
4. What was discovered about Mordecai; and
5. The concern the king had to honor Mordecai.
LOOK
At Verse 1
READ the 1st paragraph, Esther 6:1.
What ‘night’ is this?
LOOK
At GODcha’s Dictionary
Word Meanings
When the king can’t sleep he asks for the book of records.
Tap on ‘sleep‘ and ‘records‘ in your Bible in GODcha.
Do you see the definition pop open?
SLEEP; šēnā’: A feminine noun, refers to a state of rest that occurs naturally and regularly during which there is little or no conscious thought. A person dreams intermittently. In the Old Testament, God often used the time of sleep as a time to display Himself and His will to His servants and people (Gen. 28:16; Judg. 16:14, 20). God spoke in dreams to pagans during their sleep (Dan. 2:1). The loss of sleep is serious and must be regained (Gen. 31:40). It is used as a euphemism for death (Job 14:12; Ps. 76:5[6]). Sleep can be put off for a time (Ps. 132:4). Excessive sleep leads to poverty (Prov. 20:13); but the sleep of a laboring worker is sweet (Eccl. 5:12[11]).
RECORDS; zikkārôn; a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing):—memorial, record. A masculine noun meaning memorial, remembrance, record, reminder. This word conveys the essential quality of remembering something in the past that has a particular significance.
LOOK
At GODcha’s Cross References (Aka CR)
About: Sleep and Chronicles
God’s Uses Truth to Explain Truth
In GODcha’s LOOK Section Scroll Down To:
Cross References (aka CR)
Tap on any Scripture Reference either in GODcha, and/or here in GODchats, and the verses will open up for you.
1. What do you discover about ‘sleep‘?
Psa 121:3-4
Psa 127:2
Gen 28:10-17
Dan 2:1; 6:18
Are you LISTENING?
When have I been restless and not able to sleep?
Have I considered God withholds my sleep for a reason?
What do I do when I can’t sleep?
Chat With God!
“Only a few minutes of sitting before God who speaks can transform a life, metamorphose a mind, and reset purpose and direction for eternity.” Charles Stanley
2. What do you learn about the book of records, chronicles?
Est 2:23
Ezr 4:15
Mal 3:16
Are you LISTENING?
Am I in God’s book of remembrance?
What proves I fear the LORD and esteem His name?
Yes, Talk To God!
Don’t you love hearing God speak to you from His Word? He has been longing to show us all these incredible Truths and have a conversation with you and me.
Maybe journal your conversations with God. You will be so glad you did.
LOOK
At Verses 2 and 3
READ the 1st paragraph, Esther 6:1.
What was found?
What was the king’s concern?
Now LOOK
At GODcha’s Cross References
About: Found What Mordecai Reported
What do you learn about God as you consider Mordecai’s honorable deed (saving the king) being buried away for 5 yrs.?
Heb 6:10
Psa 56:8
Psa 30:5
Psa 31:15
Jer 29:11; 32:17
Psa 37; Psa 37:5-7
LISTEN to the Spirit
How do these Truths encourage and comfort me?
Have a Heart to Heart With God!
Don’t skip this part. This is what takes us into a deeper relationship with our Creator!
What Did You LEARN
Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
During ‘that night‘ the king can’t sleep, v1.
We Discover:
‘That night‘ is the same night that Haman is having the gallows made, Est 5:14.
We Discover:
God never sleeps, (Psa 121:3-4).
Sleep is a gift from God, (Psa 127:2). So if He gives it, He withholds it.
God used time of sleep in the OT to display Himself and His will to His servants and people such as with Jacob, and also King Nebuchadnezzar, Gen 28:10-17; Dan 2:1.
King Darius couldn’t sleep because he was anxious about Daniel’s almost certain death in the lion’s den, Dan 6:18.
We LEARN:
So the king gave an order to bring the book of records (remembrance), the chronicles, and the record about Mordecai informing the king about the assassination plot was read to him, v1.
We Discover:
Mordecai had been overlooked for 5 yrs, Est 2:21-23.
The Jews who had gone to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple came up against their enemy, Rehum the commander, and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes against Jerusalem to search the records about the Jews who incited revolt in past days, Ezr 4:15.
God, The King, also has a book of remembrance of those who fear Him who is LORD and esteem His name, Mal 3:16.
We LEARN:
It was found written what Mordecai had reported about the assassination plot.
We Discover:
God did not forget Mordecai’s good deed. He does not forget our work and the love which we show toward His name, in serving and helping the saints, Heb 6:10.
God takes into account our wanderings and puts our tears in His bottle, recorded in His book, Psa 56:8.
God’s anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning, Psa 30:5.
God knew the plans He had for Mordecai. He knows the plans He has for us (His plan here was to send His people into captivity for their sin of idolatry) but even then, His plans are for welfare and not for calamity and for a future and a hope, Jer 29:11.
God is the LORD of all flesh, nothing is impossible with Him, Jer 32:27.
Understand as David: Our times are in God’s hand. If it is His will He will deliver us from our enemies and those who persecute us, Psa 31:15.
Psalm 37 is a wonderful Word for us. We are not to fret evildoers, the wicked, for in a little while they will be no more, they will perish. The LORD will sustain the righteous.
Our responsibility is to commit our way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth our righteousness as the light And our judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes, Psa 37:5-7.
We LEARN:
The king then is concerned, wanting to honor Mordecai.
THINK and REASON
This is so important you all. What are the chances?
– The king could have done anything,
remember he had a harem full of wives,
and probably even musicians.
– He could have read anything, any book,
but he chose this book,
that we might think to be boring, but it was actually a very interesting work written in poetry form.
As chronicles were composed among the Persians, a more instructive and interesting work could not be brought before the king; because they were all written in verse, and were generally the work of the most eminent poets of the empire. – The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
– And then of course the book could have been opened to any page,
but it is this specific page about Mordecai that the reader opens to.
Understand:
Was this a coincidence? Heavens no!
This is what a non-believer would say.
But believers say, ‘this is the Lord!’
There is no such thing as a coincidence in God’s economy. This is God’s Providence.
Understand:
We need never question that God is working, but rather always reason and understand that God is working, always, always, working behind the scenes!
Bring it Together:
God chose to withhold the king’s sleep.
God orchestrated a specific book of records to be read.
God had the reader turn to the precise page about Mordecai.
God delayed Mordecai’s recognition, which we will see will save his life.
Are you LISTENING?
What is God doing, orchestrating in my life?
What kind of delays have I experienced?
Can I see them now as God’s perfect timing for His perfect will?
Don’t Forget to Engage with God!
LISTEN to Him Speak
And LIVE it out!
If you need help
Check out GODcha’s #9 LIVE Question(s).
#9. When was the last night I couldn’t sleep? What did I do? What did the Lord speak and show me?
Remember:
Respond…Talk to God. . .
And Live It Out!
Hopefully, you came to God today with a heart of submission with an expectation of experiencing Him and His presence. And now what He has shared with you, it all comes to a head, and you chat with Him!
“Our initial connection with the Lord will turn into an open-ended conversation that continues throughout the day: In our thoughts and at times verbally, we share our hopes, struggles, and concerns with Him and listen for His input. When He nudges us in a certain direction, we obey. And at night, we remember and thank Him for His loving care and guidance.” Charles Stanley
GODcha Helps Us Think
We’ll look at the rest of this paragraph tomorrow, but for now, aren’t you amazed at what all you discovered as you LOOKED at just 3 verses?
As we LOOK at God’s Word and LEARN, do you see there is no guessing?
No ‘I think‘, or ‘I believe‘.
We answered the LEARN questions straight from the text.
Don’t you love it!
I sure do!
I want you to see there is no need for guessing!
God has spoken very clearly.
So we sheep can see His Word and come to understand it!
Oh, you all just Discovered Truth for Yourself!
I am so so excited!
That’s It For Today!
Soak in all God is saying and teaching you about Himself, His providence.
Ponder all He is showing about His delays not being denials.
Chat with God about it! Have that constant, conscience, communion with God all day today!
NOTE Your Discovery!
You’ll be glad you did!
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
Take the time to journal your discovery. And if you can, jot some notes in your hardbound Bibles. You will be so glad you did.
If you have any questions,
write them down,
God will answer them.
Also, enter the personal things God has touched you with.
Let’s Bow Before the Father
OH HEAVENLY FATHER, BLESSED LORD JESUS, and HOLY SPIRIT – GOD in three persons, we so praise You! Oh Lord GOD, Gracious, Almighty God as we come to understand more clearly Who You are, we thank you! May we marvel at these 3 verses as we see there is no such thing as a coincidence. Help us to recognize and understand Your Sovereign Rule over all our lives and circumstances. May understanding these incredible truths help us to trust You as never before, clinging to You as the waistband clings to a man. May we know that we know You desire our best, and You are working all things together for our good, even when none of it makes sense. Strengthen us as we live our lives following You. Help us to truly understand and not forget that You are there working behind the scenes, involved even in the smallest, minutest of details to accomplish Your purpose and plan for our lives. Oh Lord, we do so thank you, we praise You, we worship You, for You alone are worthy to receive glory and honor and power and praise. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen!
Awesome! Do you realize you are doing the one thing that is necessary, learning to sit at the feet of Jesus, letting Him explain Truth to you by the power of His Spirit?
Next: We’ll look at the next paragraph, Esther 6:4-9.
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