Esther saved the Jewish people from the Persian government
Esther was a Jewish woman who became the Queen of Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus. Esther was an orphaned Jewish girl who was raised by her first cousin named Mordechai. She is recognized by the Jewish people as a prophet and a heroine because she saved the Jewish people from destruction by influencing the King to stop an anti-Semitic decree made by a court official named Haman.
Queen of Persia
In the third year of his reign, after killing his disobedient queen Vashti, King Ahasuerus conducted a massive beauty contest in search of a new queen. She was reluctant to join the beauty contest but had no choice in the matter. King Ahasuerus ultimately chose Esther to be the new queen, although she kept her Jewish heritage a secret from him because he openly despised the Jews. Even though she hid her religious identity from the King, she still maintained Jewish practices as queen, such as keeping kosher and worshiping the Jewish God.
Saving the Jewish People
A court official named Haman met with King Ahasuerus to warn him about a possible uprising stemming from disloyalty by the Jewish people. With permission from the King, Haman issued a decree that every Jew was to be put to death on the 13th day of the 12th month of the year. But Esther went before the King and convinced him to stop Haman's plan to kill the Jews. The king instead ordered for Haman to be hanged.
Date: ~ 478 BC
Reading | Ezra - Temple dedication and built according to the command of God; celebrated with joy; Passover; Esther - Xerxes party - queen deposed; search for new queen; Haman plot against the Jews; Esther will sacrifice herself for the people if need be. Source | Tyndale | The One Year Chronological Bible NIV | ISBN 978-1-4143-5993-9 | kindle edition Next | Day 258 | Tuesday | September 15 Esther 5: 1-8, 9-14 Esther 6: 1-14 Esther 7: 1-10 Esther 8: 1-17 Esther 9: 1-19, 20-32 Esther 10: 1-3 +++
For All Sorts and Conditions
O God, the creator and preserver of all, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of people; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
For the Poor and Neglected
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those Who Live Alone
Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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2024 Read the Bible in a Year April 2, 2024 Tuesday of Easter Week Readings for Today: Day 91 - 1 Chronicles 1:1 - 9:44 See the animated overview of the Chronicles above. Prayer: Loving God, dissolve the barriers of suspicion that divide us from one another. Fill us with your love that casts out fear. Clothe us in your light and grace, that we may be agents of hope and encouragement for those who despair and have lost their way. Help us each find our particular way to proclaim the good news of your saving love in our daily lives and work. We pray that our government and leaders at every level of authority may be strengthened to heal the structures that bruise your people. God, hear our prayers. Amen (All Saints Episcopal Church - Pasadena prayers - 27 Oct 2019 worship) Reflection: Today’s reading is everything you wanted to know about the genealogy from Adam to the return of leaders from the Exile. It is interesting reading that we can directly follow God's work via each pe...
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