Two year Bible reading program.

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 30:15-16 Understanding to grow in And so the “tables were turned” on the enemies of the Jews. It seems some still sought to attack them on the designated day, but “none could stand against them” because people wouldn’t help them for fear of the Jews, and the rulers assisted the Jews out of fear of Mordecai (9v2-3), who became increasingly powerful. So the Jews struck down their enemies, as they had when a kingdom in their land. It is repeatedly stressed that plunder wasn’t taken despite this being permitted. This may have been to emulate Abraham (Gen 14v23) showing utter trust in God and purity of motive. And just as God promised Abraham that those who cursed him would be cursed (Gen 12v3), so it ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 30:11-14 Understanding to grow in We don't need God to be named to see him at work here. Just when Haman is boasting, the king finds out how Mordecai served him. Just as the king returns from the garden, Haman seems to be molesting Esther. And just when Haman has built a gallows, the king needs one to execute him! So it is, that by his providential governing of all things, God passes authority to Mordecai to for the salvation of his people. It's quite a story, and should encourage us that no matter how dire our situation may feel as believers in this world, God is able to rectify it. Think on how he blinded and converted Saul, or used an angel to break Peter from prison. But there is a pat...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 30:10 Understanding to grow in The threat of holocaust did not begin with Hitler. Here, we see how godly living can so easily provoke persecution. Mordecai is presented as an example who is not against authority, as he foils the plot of those seeking to assassinate the king. So his refusal to bow to Haman was probably a reflection of his desire to honour God alone. Whatever the case, Haman is a wicked Satan-like individual who persuades the morally complacent king to let him command the extermination of the Jews throughout Persia. The day was decided by casting the "pur" (lot), which is why Jews remember these events at the feast of purim. Something of Haman's irrational hatred is st...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 30:7-9 Understanding to grow in Esther was queen in around 480BC. The book was written some time later to record God's protection of the Jews exiled within the Persian Empire, that defeated and then superceded Babylon (2v5-7). The greatness of the empire and it's king fills chapter 1, highlighting the daunting nature of Esther being chosen to be queen. A number of things are immediately seen. First, being one of God's people doesn't mean we don't suffer hardship. Her experience shouldn't be read as romantic. It must have been terrifying. Second, surviving amongst those who aren't God's people needs wisdom. She takes constant advice from her cousin Mordecai and from ...