Week 1 DAY 2
Week 1 Esther
Today
We will:
- Begin to LOOK at Esther, Segment 1, Chapters 1 and 2.
- 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!
Let’s Begin With Prayer
And Continue With an Attitude of Prayer
Perhaps. . .
Oh Lord, we come perhaps with hurried hearts and minds. As we open up what is right at our fingertips, please wipe away distractions and ease concerns that might be choking out our love for You and Your Word. Please help us to see Your Truth. Make us understand the way of Your precepts, so we will meditate on You, Your Word, Your wonders and ways! Thank you!
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.
We Need To Consider CONTEXT
CONTEXT is the setting that Rules Interpretation.
GODcha’s Discovery begins by helping you understand the Context. Do you see the Context icon Re: Israel in Exile, with these Scripture References (2Ki 24:8-16); Dan 5; (2Ch 36:9-23); (Isa 44:25-45:7)?
Tap them open here and/or in GODcha and LOOK at the Setting.
So, Why Were The Jews In Exile?
We see from the Scripture References above:
WHAT happened?
- That Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took over Jerusalem, bringing thousands into exile to Babylon.
- Daniel tells us the Medes and Persians took over Babylon.
WHY this happened?
- Out of compassion, the LORD sent word to His people again and again by His messengers BUT they mocked the messengers, despising God’s Word, so God’s wrath rose, and He gave them into the hands of their enemies (Babylonians).
- God’s people were in captivity for 70 yrs, until the land enjoyed it’s sabbaths.
Then WHAT happened?
- Then the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia, (who had been prophesied in Isaiah, 175 yrs before he was born, to help Israel, God’s chosen one) to let God’s people return to Jerusalem.
Now, let’s connect the dots to understand The Setting.
What Did You LEARN
Now if you need help,
GODcha’s #1 LEARN Question(s) in the Deeper Discovery is there to assist.
1. Did you check out the background of this book? Why was Esther written?
a. Do you know why the Jews had been in exile in Babylon?
1Ch 9:1; 2Ch 36:20-21
b. Why do you suppose Mordecai and Esther stayed in Babylon instead of returning to Jerusalem with the Jews after the 70yr captivity in Babylon, (Ezr 2:1)?
Let’s Answer the Questions
Remember Yesterday?
We did check out the background and discovered Esther was written 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.
Now GODcha’s LEARN Question has us LOOK at:
1Ch 9:1
Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness.
- God said not to have any other gods, Exo 20:1-3.
- But they went and served other gods, Deut 29:26.
2Ch 36:20-21
Those who escaped the sword were carried away to Babylon until the rule of Persia; until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths; until the 70 yrs were complete.
- God had said they were to let the land rest every 7th yr., Lev 25:2-4.
- Telling them what would happen to them if they didn’t let the land rest, He would give the land rest while they were in their enemies’ land Lev 26:33-35.
So the 70 yrs of captivity was to rest the land for all the sabbath yrs that had been disobeyed. (Judah had failed to let the land rest every seventh year for 490 yrs. So if we divide 7 into 490 we get 70 yrs. This is how God determined the 70 yrs of captivity.)
But 2Ch 36:20-21 also indicates that Judah would be freed from Babylonian exile after the 70 yrs.
SUM It Up!
God’s people were in exile for 70 yrs. because they were unfaithful. They did not listen to God’s Word, His commands. They went after other gods, serving them, and did not give the land its sabbath rests.
Thus, Esther begins with God’s people having been in exile for 70 yrs, now perhaps 30 yrs later some of the 3rd generation had separated from Babylon going back to Jerusalem, while others, such as Mordecai and Esther, remained in Babylon, probably having become comfortable in Babylon.
Stop!
Learn to LISTEN to God Speak
And LIVE it out!
God Talks – We LISTEN!
We Talk – He LISTENS!
Oh, This is The Most Amazing Part of Your Journey!
Take what you have learned
And turn it into a personal question(s).
GODcha’s Live Questions have been designed to help you with this.
Let’s give it a try!
Our Focus Is On Those Who Have Been in Exile
What might God be saying, asking you personally?
Check out GODcha’s #1 LIVE Question(s) in the Deeper Discovery!
#1. When have I been disciplined by the Lord, (in exile so to speak), because I was unfaithful, refusing to listen to Him? Am I trusting Him to protect and deliver me thru the discipline?
Respond to Him. . . LIVE it out!
Now We Don’t Just LISTEN,
But, We Speak to God!
This is the Fellowship and Relationship the Lord Desires!
Now Understand – This is a Time To:
Be cleansed by the Word –
A time for confession and repentance;
Concentrate and understand;
Be encouraged;
Be comforted;
Praise and thank God.
And if you let what you hear, affect how you LIVE, you will be transformed!
Go Ahead, Let That Intimacy Begin
Talk with God:
the Father, who loves and cares for you, and
His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for you!
Chat with Him about these Truths!
Enjoy that constant, conscience, communion with God today.
Now
3 EASY Steps
To Put into Play
LEARN to LOOK 
GODcha has a LOOK Section with all kinds of tools for you to learn to use in order to accurately see what God says.
Let’s refocus by looking for Key words.
LOOK
At GODcha’s Key Words
Go to GODcha’s LOOK Section
Scroll Down To:
Key Words
Like a KEY – they ‘unlock’ the meaning to what God is saying.
Now we must understand ‘God’ is always key.
God the Father,
God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit.
The most important fact to understand is that even though God is never mentioned in this book, that doesn’t mean He is absent. GODcha wants us to LOOK at God.
TIP: If you need help, GODcha’s LEARN and LIVE Questions have been designed to help you see what is KEY and ask the 5W’s and H questions.
What Did You LEARN
Scroll down to GODcha’s Deeper Discovery Section and find the #2 LEARN Question(s).
Here it is for you.
#2. God is never mentioned in this book, but He is the main character. What do you learn about Him in the CR (Cross References)?
Let’s LOOK at other truths that we refer to as Cross References.
Cross References (aka CR)
In this situation, in GODcha, still in the opened Key Word for God, do you see a few Scripture References?
Just tap on any reference there in GODcha and/or here in GODchats, and voila they will open up for you.
Let’s see what we can learn about God and His faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham. Just ask the who, what, where, when, why and how questions.
1. In the beginning, what does God declare?
Gen 3:15
Who will He bless? Who will He curse?
Gen 12:3
2. What did God promise Abraham?
Gen 15:3-4
3. Who is the seed (descendants) that God promised Abraham?
Gal 3:16
4. When and how did God fulfill His promise?
Gal 4:4-5
5. What do you learn about God that shows you He rules and reigns over everything?
Dan 2:20-23; 4:24, 32, 34-35;
Isa 14:24 27; 45:5-7; 46:9-11; 59:1;
Deut 32:39; 1Sa 2:2, 6-10;
Rom 8:28.
Bring it Together
What Did You LEARN
THINK about what God just revealed to you about Himself!
And as you do, can I encourage you to begin making a list of all you learn about God!
Gen 3:15 is what scholars call the ‘first gospel‘ which is prophetic of the struggle between Satan and his seed (unbelievers who are called the devil’s children in Joh 8:44) and the woman and her seed (Christ, a descendant of Eve and those in Him).
God curses Satan first declaring there would be enmity (division, separation, conflict, hatred) between 2 lines in human history. We are born into this battle between Satan and his angels (demons), along with people who are unbelievers, evil doers, and God (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and His angels, along with believers who love God.
Understand Satan is at work to entice people to participate in sin and rebellion against God and God is seeking to save people from sin and death which brings us into the family of God.
And there is hope – God tells us there will be a male son, ‘He‘, who will bruise Satan’s head, and Satan will bruise the woman’s seed, the Son’s heel. (This is the 1st mention of the crucifixion.)
Gen 12:1-3 we looked at yesterday, God told Abraham that He would make him a great nation and bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.
In Gen 15:3-6 God continues and makes a covenant with Abraham promising him descendants (‘seed’ in the KJ).
Gal 3:16; 4:4-5 tells us this ‘seed’ is the Lord Jesus Christ who will come and Satan will bruise His heel, but Christ will bruise Satan’s head!
Try to Remember the following Truths About God as we dig into Esther.
Wisdom and power belong to God.
He changes the times and the epochs.
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding.
He reveals the profound and hidden things.
He knows what is in the darkness.
Light dwells with Him.
He is the Most High, the ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows rulership on whomever He wishes.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
He does according to His will in the host of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand, or say to Him, ‘What have You done’.
As He intends so it will happen, and just as He has planned so it will stand.
He is the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Him there is no God.
There is no one besides Him for He is the LORD, and there is no other.
He forms light and creates darkness, causes well-being and creates calamity; He is the LORD who does all these.
He is God, there is no other; there is no one like Him.
He declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done.
His purpose will be established, and He will accomplish all His good pleasure.
What He plans He will bring it to pass, surely He will do it.
The LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.
Awesome!
Are you amazed at what ALL God showed you?
Doesn’t God’s Word come alive and take on a whole new meaning?
Again, LISTEN to God Speak
And LIVE it out!
God Talks – We LISTEN!
We Talk – He LISTENS!
Take what you learn. . .
And turn it into a personal question(s).
Our Focus Is on God
What might God be saying, asking you personally?
GODcha’s #2 LIVE Question(s) in the Deeper Discovery Might Help!
#2. Who do I think is ordering my life?
Do I know that just because I can’t see God, doesn’t mean He isn’t right there working everything in my life, to the minutest detail, for His divine purpose?
Respond to Him. . . LIVE it out!
Now We Don’t Just LISTEN,
But, We Speak to God!
Oh, do you see how you can HEAR the Lord speak to you, causing you to ponder and reflect even more?
As you slow down and prayerfully focus on what God says and means,
You will begin to be sensitive to His Spirit,
Hearing Him speak to you, and
The questions will come.
There is no one size fits all.
We all are at different places with the Lord,
And our responses will be different,
But we can be sure He will meet us right where we are at!
You did great!
Let’s Call It A Day!
THINK about all God has revealed to you today.
Continue listening and chatting with the Lord the rest of the day!
NOTE Your Discovery!
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
I would encourage you to record your:
- List on God, and
- Conversations with the Lord in your
Notes.
It allows you to go back and rehearse these special encounters.
It also gives you an opportunity to hold yourself accountable to the commitments you make to Him.
I would also encourage you to mark the Scripture References about God’s Sovereign Rule in your hardbound Bibles.
Example:
Because I can’t remember all the Scripture References I have marked to the side of Dan 2:20-23 ‘Sovereignty’ then an arrow to Dan 4:24. Then to the side of Dan 4:24 I do the same with an arrow to Dan 4:32, 34-35, and so on.
You will be so glad you did.
Let’s Bow Before the Father
FATHER GOD, I praise You for Your Holy Word to us. I thank you that You speak. That You speak to us because You care about us. That You are a personal God, revealing Yourself to us. I just wonder how many times, how often, we all have ignored Your voice to us? Oh Father, I am sure for the most part it is out of ignorance, not knowing or understanding how to hear Your voice. Forgive us Lord! You have told us that You are speaking to us these last days through Your Son, and not to refuse Him (Heb 1:1-2; 12:25). Lord you have warned us of a day that is coming when there will be a famine of hearing Your Word, (Amos 8:11). Oh Father, I ask, no I beg You Father God, to help us. I ask that You give all of us eyes that see and ears that hear. Help each one of us to prayerfully concentrate on what You say to us in Your Word. Please Holy Spirit, help us to hear the Lord’s voice, and not refuse Him when He speaks.
We offer praise to You for Your Word, that revealed much to us today about Your Sovereign rule, who You are and what You do. Thank you so much for Your faithfulness. Thank you that You are faithful, even when we are not. Don’t let us miss a thing, Father as You lead us and guide us into all Truth! We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Next: We’ll look at Esther Chapter 1:1-9.
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