Esther 1:1-8
Relax, Read and Reflect
Prayer- Lord, open our hearts and open our minds a help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
Xerxes was king of Persia, and had conquered Babylon, (remember the handwriting on the wall?) as well as other nations. In fact, his kingdom went from Africa, around modern Ethiopia, all the way to India. To celebrate these victories he had a parade, and it lasted 180 days. ( Can you imagine having to clean up after the horses on that parade?)
After the parade, he threw a party, and it lasted seven days. It had an open buffet and open bar. I have to admit- that's a major player party.
Why is this important? Xerxes was powerful, he was rich, and he wanted the world the understand that. With all he controlled, he still was small before the eyes of God. Can you imagine the party God could throw?
Here is the good news- he does. The party God throws is eternal life. Not 180 day parade or 7 day ball- eternity!
Prayer- Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to party with you forever. Give us the strength to aim for that prize and to share this with EVERYBODY!
Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Prayer- Lord, open our hearts and open our minds a help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Esther 1
Queen Vashti Deposed
1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,[a] the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush[b]: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
Xerxes was king of Persia, and had conquered Babylon, (remember the handwriting on the wall?) as well as other nations. In fact, his kingdom went from Africa, around modern Ethiopia, all the way to India. To celebrate these victories he had a parade, and it lasted 180 days. ( Can you imagine having to clean up after the horses on that parade?)
After the parade, he threw a party, and it lasted seven days. It had an open buffet and open bar. I have to admit- that's a major player party.
Why is this important? Xerxes was powerful, he was rich, and he wanted the world the understand that. With all he controlled, he still was small before the eyes of God. Can you imagine the party God could throw?
Here is the good news- he does. The party God throws is eternal life. Not 180 day parade or 7 day ball- eternity!
Prayer- Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to party with you forever. Give us the strength to aim for that prize and to share this with EVERYBODY!
Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
posted by Steve Killam TMTL | 8:32 AM
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