Month: December 2023

²⁰ Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, ²¹ that they should celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar ²² as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month WHEN THEIR SORROW WAS TURNED INTO JOY AND THEIR MOURNING INTO CELEBRATION. He wrote to them to observe the days as AS DAYS OF FEASTING AND JOY AND GIVING PRESENTS OF FOOD TO ONE ANOTHER AND GIFTS TO THE POOR. Esther 9

The Jews keep Purim to this day (Evening of Sat, 23 Mar 2024 – Sun, 24 Mar 2024) and they celebrate their deliverance from their enemies, in much the same way as we celebrate the coming of Messiah at Christmas. Christ brought an even greater deliverance for all people everywhere, so we have much for which to give thanks to the Lord.

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: YOU WILL FIND A BABE WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHS, LYING IN A MANGER.”

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Divine Connections and Kingdom Relationships, now is the time to begin to build for the future.

I believe that God has significant relationships that He wants to establish in His Body for the year ahead. Esther became Queen in place of Vashti and gained access to the King of the Babylonian empire. That relationship was crucial for all that lay ahead for herself and her people. God used her position to rescue the Jews but also to greatly bless them.

¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, (Faith Speaks) but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your ROYAL POSITION FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?’ Esther 4

Esther in turn opened the door for Mordecai to also enter the King’s presence and become the ruler of the Babylonian empire.

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai CAME INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE KING, FOR ESTHER TOLD HOW HE WAS RELATED TO HER. ² The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. Esther 8

I was listening to a talk by Derek Prince recently, entitled, ‘The path to leading is serving’. A younger man had come to him and asked to be allowed to serve him, which he initially felt to decline. However God spoke to him and said something like, ‘If you refuse to allow him to serve, you’ll block his path to promotion, for the only way to lead is to serve’!  He gave two Scriptural examples, Joshua served Moses before he became leader of Israel and led them into Canaan. Elisha ‘poured water’ on the hands of Elijah before he in turn became Israel’s prophet. Derek Prince said that we should value highly anyone whom God has given to be a mentor to us. The Celtic Christians in Ireland had a lovely expression, Anam Cara, which means Soul Friend.

I believe people often have more to give than we realise, Life Experience and also walking for some time with the Lord has deposited a wealth of spiritual wisdom and maturity in many. We may have learned something in a way that is exactly what someone else needs, we’re all uniquely taught by the Spirit. We must be willing to share our lives with those people God brings alongside us. Neither Esther nor Mordecai knew how important the relationship God had set in place was to be, nor do we.

May God bring the people into our lives whom He would have us to walk with in the year ahead and may the relationships bear much fruit that will last.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹⁵ When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was WEARING ROYAL GARMENTS of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen.  ¹⁶ For the Jews it was A TIME OF HAPPINESS AND JOY, GLADNESS AND HONOUR. (God will do this again for His people) Esther 8

We said yesterday that Mordecai came out from the King’s presence dressed as a different man, wearing the robes of a nobleman and a large golden crown. When God’s people gain access to His Presence things will change like never before. The Jews rejoiced at their change of fortune, now they were the ones to take revenge on their enemies.

⁵ The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. ⁶ In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. ⁷ They also killed  … ¹⁰ the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder. Esther 9

The city of Susa, centre of Government for the Babylonian empire and the place where the plot was hatched to destroy the people of God took longer to clear out the enemy.

¹² The king said to Queen Esther, ‘The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.’

¹³ ‘If it pleases the king,’ Esther answered, ‘give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, … Esther 9

Strongholds of Control established during many years of enemy rule may also require longer to clear in these days. The King decreed on behalf of the Queen and her wishes were carried out.

The Jews took revenge on their enemies and then feasted and rejoiced in their deliverance. They moved from fasting and mourning to feasting and rejoicing, true climate change.

THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE EMPIRE CHANGED FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. GREAT CHANGE IS COMING ONCE AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. HALLELUJAH

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹⁵ When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was WEARING ROYAL GARMENTS of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. (Haman had Susa Bewildered, Esther 3:15) ¹⁶ For the Jews it was A TIME OF HAPPINESS AND JOY, GLADNESS AND HONOUR. (God will do this again for His people) Esther 8

LORD, GIVE US NEW CLOTHES FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR!

The servants of a ruler have something in their dress and demeanour (the way they Carry Themselves) which speaks of their identity. Very few wear the ‘crown of gold’ in our walk here but someday we will wear a crown because He has ordained it.

⁴¹ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ ⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in ROBES OF FINE LINEN AND PUT A GOLD CHAIN ROUND HIS NECK. ⁴³ He made him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, Genesis 41

Joseph, was sold into slavery and help in an Egyptian prison until the age of thirty. Then he stood before Pharaoh and stepped into an entirely new identity. God needs His Children to step into our true identity here, to rule and reign for Him. Don’t think it’s too late, His timing is perfect for us.

The year of the Lord’s favour

WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE GREAT KING, MAY WE UPGRADE AND STEP INTO OUR TRUE CALLING MORE AND MORE IN THE COMING YEAR.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, (WEALTH TRANSFER!) the enemy of the Jews. And MORDECAI CAME INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE KING, for Esther had told how he was related to her. Esther 8

Haman the man who had plotted to destroy Mordecai and the whole Jewish people had been executed, but there was more to come. The king ordered the transfer of his entire estate to his bride that very same day. The word of an earthly king brought about immediate change in a moment of time, how much more the King of Kings. Mordecai, who had never been allowed to come before King Xerxes was now welcomed into his court, with powerful results for the people of God.

⁵ ‘If it pleases the king,’ she said, ‘and if he regards me with favour and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. ⁶ For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?’ Esther 8

Esther, the Queen, had Favour with the King and her plea on behalf of her people was about to change their whole situation. The cries of God’s people on earth today will not go unanswered, major change is coming and once it begins it will happen very quickly.

⁷ King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, ‘Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. ⁸ Now write another decree in the king’s name on behalf of the Jews AS SEEMS BEST TO YOU, and seal it with the king’s signet ring – for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.’

The King gave permission, but it was actually God’s people who wrote the decree that sealed the fate of their enemies. The authority of the King confirmed the wishes of his people towards their enemies. God’s people today will execute judgement on the enemy. The Church and Israel have a common destiny, to destroy the works of the devil and enforce the rule of God’s Kingdom in every part of His Creation. The devil stole it and God wants it returned.

¹³ A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

¹⁴ The couriers, RIDING ROYAL HORSES, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.

THERE WAS A TIME LAG between the King’s decree being issued and the people scattered throughout the empire receiving the message of their deliverance. They would have feared the worst until the King’s edict arrived, granting them protection from their enemies. I know of at least two prophets who have declared that the gavel has already fallen in the Court of Heaven. The Court has ruled on behalf of God’s people and the King’s ruling will certainly be proclaimed for His children.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹¹ ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!’ Esther 6

Haman led Mordecai on a royal horse through the streets proclaiming his honouring by the king. The Bible speaks in various places of people being caught in their words, God actually uses their own mouths to judge them. Mordecai had humbled himself publicly before God and others and now he was lifted up. Haman on the other hand sought occult guidance, drank on the  success of his plot and boasted to family and friends.

As I said yesterday, the prayer and fasting of Mordecai and all the Jewish people moved their predicament onto a higher spiritual plane. GOD SAW AND INTERVENED ON BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE. (Haman sought occult guidance and the Jews sought Yahweh, Father God. NO CONTEST!)

Haman realised the tide had turned and his own inner circle confirmed his downfall was at hand.

¹³ and (Haman) told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisors and his wife Zeresh said to him, ‘Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him – you will surely come to ruin!’ Esther 6

His complete ruination was to follow swiftly when he was led by the King’s eunuchs to the second feast with Esther and King Xerxes. The king again pressed Queen Esther for her request and was astonished and outraged when she asked for her life and the life of her people, the Jews. Haman, unknown to him, had plotted to kill the wife of the king. In many places today the devil is deceiving people into attacking God’s Children and sooner or later, like Haman, they will realise their folly.

King Xerxes came back from the garden to find Haman kneeling beside Queen Esther on her couch and immediately had him taken out to be executed. Once again he was ‘hoisted by his own petard’, hung on his own gallows. God’s Justice is often so precise and so exact, so we in turn must be careful what we say about servants of the Lord. David, though he was called to be king, refused twice to touch Saul because he was the Lord’s anointed. David recognised that something of God, something sacred, still rested upon his life. May God give us wisdom to leave the judgement of others, especially our own brethren to Him.

²⁷ ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁸ If the king regards me with favour and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfil my request, let the king and Haman COME TOMORROW to the banquet I will prepare for them. THEN I will answer the king’s question.’ Esther 5

We said yesterday that there is tremendous power released when a mass prayer movement petitions the throne of God for help. I also said that I believe God is raising up an army of prayer (and praise) warriors at this time, perhaps the greatest ever mobilisation of His people on this earth.

The Jews in Babylon were living in a Day when their future existence was under great threat, but that Day was about to change. The God of Heaven, who is never mentioned by Name in the Book of Esther, was about to intervene. Just as Haman had cast lots, the Pur, to seek the best time to annihilate the Jews, so Israel’s prayer and fasting now raised the battle to a higher realm of the Spirit.

There was a Day (a Time) when the enemy’s occultIc plans would be overturned and His people would emerge triumphant.

6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. ² It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. Esther 6

The King asked what honour Mordecai had received for this and his attendants told him none. Haman had just entered the court and the king asked how someone should be honoured without revealing it was Mordecai. Haman was sure the king was going to honour him, so he suggested MAXIMUM PUBLIC ACCLAIM. This now resulted in his greatest humiliation, having to lead his sworn enemy through the streets on a royal horse proclaiming his praise.

We are living in a Day when Public Shame and Humiliation will be the fate of many enemies of God’s people. God is able to rescue those who are faithful to Him and at the same time hold up to disgrace those who have lifted their hands against Him.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹⁵ The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered. Esther 3

The king and Haman sat down to drink; Haman’s (the devil’s) plan to annihilate Mordecai and the entire Jewish people was agreed and royal edict issued.

4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. …  ³ In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

God’s people, on the other hand, were in great distress, humbling themselves publicly and crying out to the Lord for help.

Queen Esther identified with her people in their humiliation before God. In a national crisis, no one is exempt and Esther was the key person in the rescue of God’s people.

¹⁵ Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ¹⁶ ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’

¹⁷ So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. Esther 4

There’s a huge impact whenever God’s people fast and pray in unity and events were set to change for their Favour and Deliverance. GOD IS RAISING UP A VAST ARMY OF PRAYER WARRIORS TODAY AND GOD ALWAYS HAS THE LAST WORD!

5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. ² When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the sceptre. Esther 5

Esther went immediately from her fast into the presence of the King and she was received. She had prepared in private and many in Susa stood with her for that crucial moment. Once again she found Favour in the sight of an earthly ruler after bowing before Israel’s true King.

^31-32 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them,³³ and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

³⁴ “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time. Matthew 6, The Living Bible 

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

²² But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. ²³ And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. ALL THIS WAS RECORDED IN THE BOOK of the annals in the presence of the king. Esther 2

At the Proper Time, the WRITING SPEAKS, Good or Bad!

Mordecai, by God’s Grace, uncovered a plot to murder King Xerxes and reported it to Esther, thus saving the King’s life. However, he received no thanks or recognition for this, but it had been recorded in the Written Records of the King. (Kat Kerr says that the Father in Heaven keeps His own Writings of events.)

3 After these events, King Xerxes honoured Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honour higher than that of all the other nobles. ² All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honour to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. BUT MORDECAI WOULD NOT KNEEL DOWN OR PAY HIM HONOUR. (Christians should be most careful to whom we kneel) Esther 3

Haman was highly honoured, second only to the King himself, but his promotion was the forerunner to a greater fall!

²¹ The purity of silver and gold is tested
    by putting them in the fire;
THE PURITY OF HUMAN HEARTS IS TESTED
    BY GIVING THEM A LITTLE FAME. Proverbs 27, The Message 

Haman wasn’t satisfied with punishing Mordecai alone, the devil enticed him to destroy the entire people of God, within the Babylonian Kingdom of that day. So the scene was set for the might of Babylon to be used to destroy God’s people and His purposes for humankind. They even brought the occult into their scheme to determine the best day to slaughter the Jews. When the trap had been set and the edict to murder all the Jews dispatched, Haman and the King drank to it’s success.

¹⁵ The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, BUT THE CITY OF SUSA WAS BEWILDERED. Esther 3

There was no apparent reason why a whole people should be annihilated, the devil’s scheme had been hidden. The root meaning of the word ‘occult’ is secret, hidden from the public view. Haman the devil’s agent still had one part of his trap to set to put an end to Mordecai. But the Writing would soon speak for God’s man and His people.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁹ She pleased him and won his Favour. (Also means Kindness or Loving Kindness) Esther 2

¹⁵ When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the Favour of everyone who saw her. Esther 2

¹⁷ Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his FAVOUR AND APPROVAL MORE THAN ANY OF THE OTHER VIRGINS. SO HE SET A ROYAL CROWN ON HER HEAD AND MADE HER QUEEN INSTEAD OF VASHTI. Esther 2

The King’s Favourite, that’s you and I! He loves us deeply and wants to share His Kingdom with us. Amen

Hadassah, Esther’s Hebrew Name, is linked with the myrtle tree which infers peace, love and prosperity. It’s Hebrew root also suggests Righteousness.

The earlier Queen, Vashti, was also very beautiful to look at, Esther 1:11, but she rebelled at the King’s command and was banished. God had prepared Esther as Vashti’s successor, two queens but with very different destinies.

The Bible teaches that at the end of this Age there will be two Churches, one will be a harlot (False Church with a Religious Appearance) and the other will be the bride of the King, King Jesus. We celebrate the coming to earth of the Christ child during the Christmas season, but that’s not the end. The Marriage of the Lamb and The True Bride is still to come forth.

Queen Esther, had to risk her life for the sake of God’s people in exile. We the Church are in exile on this earth today and subjected to many trials and pressures, but as we remain true to the Lord, we will see a mighty deliverance and a blessed future. That’s the destiny OF ALL WHO LOVE THE LORD AND OBEY HIM.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.