經文: | 晨-以斯帖記3章 晚-以斯帖記4章 |
中心思想: | 以斯帖記3:1-6;4:13-17 |
提要
以斯帖冊立為后時並未公開她的國籍,但現在有一個新的危機從哈曼身上開始擴展,哈曼是國王的寵臣,而末底改,這位對國王的忠誠已經有事實證明的大臣,拒絕國王要大家向哈曼「敬拜」的命令,哈曼得知立時勃然大怒,決定要置末底改及其同胞於死地,於是捐了一大筆賄賂以遂其所願:要求國王清算猶太人。如今王后以斯帖面臨生死存亡的關頭,是應該冒公開國籍的危險去勸阻國王呢?還是保全自己的生命,卻眼睜睜看著同胞死於非命? |
第3章
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第4章
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1哈曼高升5
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6哈曼的陰謀15
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1末底改禁食12
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13以斯帖的忠心17
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死亡計劃
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決定冒死
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每日與主同行
「死就死吧!」
這是一個王后置生死於度外的哭喊,還是一位服事上帝的女子忠誠的決心?
不要忽略了這段經文:末底改警告以斯帖,不要以為自己貴為一國之后就能躲過這一劫,他激勵她說:「焉知你得了王后的位分,不是為現今的機會麼?」換句話說,他是這樣說的:「以斯帖,在這樣的緊要關頭,上帝把你放在這重要的地位上,是要你成為解救祂百姓的器皿,你在宮中的地位絕非偶然,而是負有神聖的使命。」
你是否發現自己也有類似以斯帖的情形,也想「躲入宮中」苟安一陣子?那麼準備吧!上帝把你放在現今的位置上都有祂的目的,在危難中祂可曾放棄你? |
默想
沒有出現上帝名字的一卷書?
以斯帖記是聖經中唯一沒有出現上帝名字的書,但通篇可見上帝的手在保佑祂的子民。事實上,作者在避免提到神的名字同時,也不提波斯的神。 |
金言
只有把自己放在上帝手中,才能榮耀祂,也才能使自己成長。 |
English |
5/13/2009 Haman's Cunning Plot |
Scriptures: | Esther 3-4 |
Heart of the Passage: | Esther 3:1-6; 4:13-17 |
Overview
Esther has been made queen without her nationality being known. But now a new danger arises in the person of Haman, another recipient of a kingly promotion. Mordecai, who has already proven his loyalty to the king, refuses to worship Haman as the king has decreed, prompting Haman to respond with insane anger. Both Mordecai and his countrymen must die. False charges and a sizable bribe secure what Haman desires: the king's permission to liquidate the Jewish population. Now Queen Esther is faced with a life-and-death decision. Should she risk revealing her nationality in order to dissuade the king? Or should she protect her life and watch her countrymen be exterminated? |
Chapter 3
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Chapter 4
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Haman's 1 Promotion 5
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Haman's 6 Plot 15
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Mordecai's 1 Fast 12
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Esther's 13 Faith 17
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A Deadly Plan
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A Desperate Decision
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Your Daily Walk
"If I perish, 1 perish."
Is this the fatalistic cry of a queen resigned to her death, or the faith-inspired statement of a woman who serves a sovereign God?
Don't miss the context: Mordecai has warned Esther that she will not escape Haman's plot just because she is the queen. And he challenges her with this thought: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (4:14). Paraphrased, he was saying: "Esther, God has placed you in a strategic place at a critical moment to be the instrument of deliverance for His people. Your presence in the palace is not by accident, but by divine appointment."
Do you find yourself in a situation similar to Esther's where you wish you could "hide in the palace" today? Then get ready! God has put you where you are for a purpose. |
Insight
A Godless Book?
Esther is the only book in the Bible that never mentions God. Nevertheless, God's hand of providence is more than evident throughout the story. In fact, the author may have been merely trying to avoid antagonizing the Persians by mentioning a god other than their own—Ahura Mazda. |
Adage
Only when we place ourselves in God’s hands can we bring glory to Him and growth to ourselves. |
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