Podcasts about Mordecai

Big Idea: Your biggest tool is simple, steady faithfulness in God's hands.Esther 2:19-23I. Esther is faithful to her promise. Esther 2:19-20When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate. Esther still did not reveal her family background or her ethnicity, as Mordecai had directed. She obeyed Mordecai's orders, as she always had while he raised her.II. Mordecai is faithful to his king.      Esther 2:21-23During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, became infuriated and planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai's behalf. When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows. This event was recorded in the Historical Record in the king's presence.Next Steps:Believe: Today, I turn over the little and big stuff of my life to King Jesus.Become: I will make a big deal of the small things this week.Be Sent: I will ask God to show me who to invite this Easter.Discussion Questions:How have you experienced unseen acts of God's faithfulness in your life?Do you wrestle with small issues of faithfulness in a big way?  If so, explain.What is one small act of faithfulness you can commit to this week that could contribute to God's overarching plan?How can we support one another in remaining vigilant and purposeful in our roles and responsibilities?How can you live vigilantly like Mordecai today?What are some ways we can act with integrity in everyday situations, knowing God is watching?Pray for God to use our simple faithfulness to touch someone far from Jesus this week.

Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 17 and the Book of Esther For BibleInTen.com – By DH – 14th March 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten. Today we come to Matthew 17, and in this series that leads us naturally to Book 17 of the Old Testament: Esther. And with an explanation of the overall pictorial contents of Matthew 17 provided in the previous episode, Matthew chapter 17 becomes much clearer and in this supplementary episode, we will see how Esther strengthens it as a supporting witness. Esther is not just a story about Jewish survival in Persia.  Esther is a book about the Lord hidden from open view, but still directing all things toward redemption. The book exists not mainly to magnify the Jews, but to show the unseen faithfulness of God in preserving them for the sake of His promises and ultimately for the sake of the Redeemer, the true subject of Scripture. The Esther Bible Study available on the Superior Word develops the following pictures: Ahasuerus pictures God, the ruler over the world. Vashti pictures disobedience and loss of access to the throne. Esther pictures the Gospel, especially in her mediating role before the king. Haman pictures Law, even law bringing wrath and death. Mordecai pictures Christ: hidden at first, then honored, then exalted, then clothed with authority, then writing with full power, then sending letters of peace and truth, and finally having his greatness recorded through all the realm. That makes Esther a strong support for what Matthew 17 is picturing. 1) “After six days” — the approach to kingdom rest Matthew 17 begins, “after six days.”  As was said this points toward the six-thousand-year course of man's time before the seventh-day rest, the millennial kingdom. Esther supports this by opening in a royal setting already marked by splendor, order, and throne-rule. Shushan is treated almost like a paradise-throne setting, and Ahasuerus is taken as picturing the divine throne-rule itself. So both chapters begin not with chaos, but with the king and the court already in view. 2) Christ revealed in glory before a select company On the mountain, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. That is the hidden unveiling of the King before His glory is openly seen by all. Esther supports this pattern through hiddenness before manifestation. The whole book works by concealed identity, concealed movements, and God working in the background long before the reversal appears.  The Lord is not named openly in Esther, yet He is there, hidden, moving everything toward the appointed outcome. So Matthew 17's select-company glory scene sits very comfortably beside Esther's hidden-providence structure. 3) Moses and Elijah testify that all prior revelation converges on Christ Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, but not as equals. They are witnesses. That fits Esther's Christ structure too. The whole book drives toward one central exalted figure: not Vashti, not Haman, not even Esther by herself, but finally Mordecai in exaltation. And Mordecai is clearly picturing Christ Jesus, the one advanced to authority by the king. So just as Matthew 17 narrows the law and prophets toward Christ, Esther narrows all of its movements toward the greatness of Mordecai, a picture of the greatness of Christ. 4) “Hear Him” and “Jesus only” This is the heart of Matthew 17. The Father says, “Hear Him,” and the disciples then see “Jesus only.” That fits Esther, because Esther repeatedly moves the reader away from outward structures and toward the one through whom life and deliverance actually come. Esther is a picture of the beautiful Gospel message, but Mordecai is the Christ figure who ends up invested with the king's authority and acting with the signet.  The signet granted to Mordecai pictures the authority of Christ. So if Matthew 17 says, in effect, “Hear Him”, Esther says in its own symbolic way: the decisive authority now rests with the Christ-figure who bears the king's signet. 5) Hidden glory must wait for resurrection-grounded disclosure Jesus tells them not to publicise the vision until after resurrection. Again, Esther supports this because Esther is a book of timed disclosure. Esther conceals her identity, Mordecai watches from outside, and the hidden plan only comes into the open at the appointed hour. The Lord is working behind the scenes and the book's whole structure depends on that hiddenness. So Matthew 17 and Esther both teach: that public revelation comes only when the right moment arrives. 6) Elijah / restoration and Israel's future turning Matthew 17 speaks of Elijah in two ways at once: John the Baptist has already fulfilled an Elijah-like role, but Jesus' wording also leaves a still-future restoration role in view. Esther also supports a future restoration by showing that the covenant people are threatened but not discarded. Esther is treated as a book of redemptive history in which the Jews are preserved because God's promises to them stand, and because the Messiah must come and return in connection with them. Esther strengthens the Matthew 17 reading that Israel is not finally cast off. God is not finished with Israel chiefly through Jesus' future-tense words about Elijah restoring all things, and then reinforced through the picture of Israel's healing and restored sonship later in the chapter.” Though threatened and with God's face hidden from open view, they are brought through to preservation, mourning, reversal, and future blessing 7) The afflicted boy and Israel's incurable condition The Matthew 17 explanation treats the afflicted boy as picturing Israel in its historical condition: wounded, unstable, and untreatable by human means. Esther strongly confirms that pattern. The Jews stand under a decree of destruction that has to be properly and purposefully dealt with. Haman, picturing Law, has issued a death-word, and the people are trapped unless royal intervention occurs. In Matthew 17 the boy is incurable by the disciples. IN Esther the Jews are doomed under an irreversible decree. In both: the people cannot heal or save themselves. 8) Christ alone intervenes to heal and deliver In Matthew 17, Jesus heals what the disciples could not. In Esther, the same pattern appears through the Mordecai-Christ picture and the Esther-Gospel mediation. Matthew 17 pictures Israel's future restoration, healing, and restored sonship through Christ. The book of Esther supports that pattern by showing that although the first decree of death cannot be revoked, a new decree can be issued through Mordecai's royal authority that brings life to the threatened people. The old word of death cannot simply be revoked, but another word can be issued which grants life. That second word comes through Esther and Mordecai, and the edict issued by Mordecai is explicitly treated as a picture of the New Covenant. Mordecai, picturing Christ, receives the signet, acts with royal authority, and sends out the saving word. Thus Esther is supportive of Matthew 17's portrayal of Messiah Himself being the one who intervenes. 9) The cross remains central IN Matthew 17 Jesus speaks of betrayal, death, and resurrection. A portion of the notes by CG on this from Esther chapter 10 bear repeating:   Haman pictures Law, but Christ actually died. It was Christ who was nailed to the cross, and so in type and picture, Christ became our Haman, our Man under Law, if you will. It is no different at all than Christ equating Himself with the serpent on the pole in John 3:14, or Paul saying that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.    In the death of His body, the law died with Him for all who believe. For all who don't, Law, and thus the enmity, remains. This is where the marvelous symbolism of a very misunderstood passage in the book of John is explained. It says in John 20, “Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” Many fanciful explanations have been made up about this, but the truth is revealed in what happened to Haman, when he was taken to be executed... they covered his face. The Law was to die. Christ died in fulfillment of the law. When He arose, the face covering was removed, and carefully folded. It was an intentional act of the Lord showing that the shame of death through Law had been removed for those who trust in Him. The people of Israel, the Jews, even to this day, celebrate Purim, and yet they are celebrating the exact opposite of what they think they are celebrating. They curse Haman, stamp their feet, and howl wildly as his name is read, and yet, he simply pictures Law that they are still under. Until they come to Christ, Haman will continue to come after them to destroy, to be killed, and to be annihilated because of the ministry of death, meaning Law (2 Corinthians 3:7). Why do the Jews celebrate Purim? It is because of what pur signifies. It is a lot, a broken piece, and thus Purim, the plural of pur, signifies broken pieces. Pur means “to break,” “frustrate,” “make ineffectual,” “annul,” “bring to naught.” This is what Christ has done concerning our covenant with death according to Paul – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.   19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 The Jews cling to the law, but it is Christ who has defeated that enemy. The law is annulled in Christ. This is the message of Purim.   Life Application  There is also a striking present-day echo. In 2026, Purim began on the evening of March 2nd just 2 days after Israel was again in direct conflict with Iran. Just as Haman was also not himself Persian (he was Amalekite who gained influence at the heart of the palace and used imperial power against God's people).  In a similar way,  The Islamic Republic of Iran's rulers are militant usurpers who seized control of the land of Persia in 1979 and have held the nation in bondage ever since. Even the recent reports and speculation about Israeli intelligence using covert medical cover—dentists, hidden tracking, to coordinate a sudden destruction on the Supreme Leader —carry an Esther-like atmosphere.    Just for fun check out the link to a stop motion lego video about this by “Stop Motion Sam”! The deeper parallel is the same: the enemy appears secure, the plot seems advanced, yet unseen movements are already in motion, and when the appointed moment comes, the reversal is sudden.

The lament of Mordecai teaches a number of things, here are three imporant lessons.Make good friends.Lament can produce maturity.Lament can motivate.Preacher: Evan Westburg FIND US ONLINE

“Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: ‘Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT) The book of Esther contains a wonderfully dramatic story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia after essentially winning a beauty contest. She was taken into the palace of the king, where she enjoyed the finest food, wore the most beautiful clothing, and was given numerous servants to do her bidding. She lived in the lap of luxury. Hers might have been the ultimate feel-good, rags-to-riches story, but for one significant detail. There was a wicked man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman hated the Jewish people. (He didn’t know about Queen Esther’s background.) He hated them so much, in fact, that he devised a plan to exterminate all Jews living in the kingdom. Esther had an uncle named Mordecai, who became aware of Haman’s genocidal plan. Mordecai turned to the only person he knew who was in a position to counter Haman’s influence with the king: his niece, Esther. At first, Esther was understandably afraid to intervene. She had no idea how much clout she actually had. If she miscalculated, she would be putting her own life at risk. So, Mordecai sent this message to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT). His words moved Esther, who intervened with the king and foiled Haman’s plot. The courageous young woman saved her people because she recognized that God had put her in a specific place for a specific reason. Her story serves as an inspiration to all believers. It’s unlikely that any of us will be called by the Lord to avert genocide. But that doesn’t change the fact that we all play key roles in God’s plan—even if we may not fully understand what those roles are. Who’s to say God hasn’t put you where you are right now for such a time as this? In whatever situation you find yourself, seize the moment. Do what you can. That’s what Esther boldly did. God says in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NLT). If you are fearlessly faithful to God in the circumstances you find yourself in, He will accomplish amazing things in and through you. Reflection question: Why might God have placed you in your present circumstances? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Torah portion is Ki Tissa, which covers Exodus 30:11–34:35. It is also the week Jews in Israel and abroad celebrate Purim. Purim is the joyous Jewish holiday that marks the survival of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire after a plot to annihilate them was thwarted by the bravery of Esther and the steadfastness of Mordecai.This week's Torah portion presents a narrative pendulum that swings from Israel's highest high—the giving of the ten commandments—to her lowest low—the casting of the golden calf.Support the show

Don't Bow to the Beast (1) (audio) David Eells 3/4/26  I want to talk to you about refusing to bow to the Beast, but we will first go over a little background.  Many Christians are deceived about the Bride and the leadership of the church. We know God is raising up a new leadership, a Man-child ministry in these days that's going to be the first fruits of those to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 16 that He was going to come again as a baby, a Man-child, born to a woman. We read in Revelation 12 that the Man-child is born at the beginning of the Tribulation Period and that the Man-child leads the woman through the wilderness. In studying the Book of Esther, we've learned that “Mordecai” in Hebrew means “little man” and in Persian means “little boy.” Persia was the Beast kingdom that he was under at the time. Both of those mean “Manchild.” In Esther 2:5, it says that Mordecai was in Shushan, the palace. He wasn't just a commoner; he was a ruler, somebody under the king who probably had to do with ruling over God's people. In Esther 2:19-20, it says that he also sat in the “king's gate,” which was the place of government, where the rulers of the conquered nations gathered before the king. Mordecai raised up Esther as the Bride and he “nourished her,” the original word says. He prepared her for this time and he continued to guide her steps all the way through the Book of Esther, all the way through their tribulation. Also, Hegai, the king's chamberlain, was very pleased with Esther, and she required nothing but what Hegai provided. And we need nothing but what the Holy Spirit provides us with. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. This Bride and Man-child are the “sons of God” for whom the creation has been awaiting, the fullness of the sonship of Jesus Christ manifested in His people. In fact, the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon, the Bride who was chosen from among all the fair virgins of the kingdom, was called his “perfect one” (Song of Solomon 5:2). God is going to perfect, to mature His people. Esther was chosen out of all the fair virgins of the kingdom “because the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her Queen” (Est.2:17). But even then she was under the guidance of Mordecai and in verse (20) … Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. So we see that the job of the Man-child is to raise up the Bride and guide her. The Man-child is the head of the Bride, much like the False Prophet is the head of the Harlot. There is a corporate body of apostate people, called the Harlot, and the head of that body is its so-called Christian leadership, which is leading it astray. The Bride is Jerusalem and David was the head of Jerusalem. When Jesus came, He sat upon the throne of David and He was the head of the Bride. John the Baptist said, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom (Joh.3:29), as he saw Jesus leading the disciples. That's a short background, somewhat, and there's much more to the Book of Esther. (Est.3:1) After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. These princes were the people who ruled over the kingdoms over which Ahasuerus ruled, and among those princes was Mordecai, who was over the people of God. Now we see that Mordecai and Esther are two entities whom God uses to save the rest of the people of God from destruction by the Beast. The Beast that was to destroy them is represented here by Haman, who is a corporate body, just as Mordecai represents a corporate body of people. Why would God advance Haman above the other princes? Because throughout history, God has raised up a Beast kingdom over His people in times when His people were in apostasy. Why is God calling His people out of the Harlot? (Rev.18:4) … Come forth, my people, out of her…. It's because there is such an apostasy in the Church, and they've turned away from the Word; they've gone after religions. They are in apostasy and God is calling His people out of that.  This is what the Tribulation is for. Every time God's people have become a harlot, He raised up a Beast to come against them: from Egypt, to Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and now the end-time Rome. We're seeing a worldwide revived Roman Empire being raised up again for the purpose of sanctifying His people and bringing them to repentance. The raising up of Haman, with his authority to destroy the people of God, is what brings God's people to repentance. (Est.3:2) And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate (That's the place where government was, where all the representatives of the nations saw the face of the King.), bowed down, and did reverence to Haman (the Beast); for the king had so commanded concerning him. In Rom 13 we are told to submit to the powers that be. He had given Haman authority over God's people. People don't think that the Lord gives authority to evil in the earth, but He does, and it's for the purpose of bringing repentance. (Job2:10) … What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil… God does bring evil against His people as a chastening and a method to bring them to repentance.  So all the King's servants who were in the King's gate bowed down to the Beast, But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence (Est.3:2). I would say bowing down with reverence should be given nly to God. However, submitting to man's kingdoms is necessary to obey the Lord.  This is something we find all through the Scriptures. Mordecai, as a type of the man-child, refused to bow down to the Beast. We see the example of Joseph, who was sold into bondage by the Harlot, Potiphar's wife, and came to the position of authority like Mordecai. We see the example of Jesus, who didn't bow down to the Beast; and Moses, who didn't bow down; and Daniel – all these are types of the Man-child, who refused to bow down to the Beast.  (3) Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? (4) Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. Who is this accusing Mordecai to the Beast? You remember throughout history how the apostate brethren of Joseph persecuted and came against him and sold him into the hand of the Beast; and the apostate brethren of Jesus, the leadership of apostate Israel, accused Him to the Beast. We're seeing the same thing here; history keeps on repeating. We're not talking about rebellion against Constitutional, political authority here. We're talking about rebellion in terms of not bowing down religiously, of not worshipping the Beast as God. Today, there is a spirit of worship of the Beast by Christians, and there has been for many centuries. Patriotism, pledging allegiance, all these things that saints in past days would never have thought of doing, God's people today think nothing of. They don't understand that there's only one Kingdom – the Kingdom of God – which we should be representing. (5) And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (6) But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Notice that the head over all God's true people is represented here by Mordecai.  In the rest of the story, Mordecai and Esther save all of these Jews from the Beast. Does that mean that all of what we loosely call Christians are going to be saved from the Beast? No, but the true Jews, those who are circumcised in heart, not in flesh, are all going to be saved. All Israel (Romans 11:26) is going to be saved – everybody who is grafted into the olive tree called “all Israel.” They'll be saved from the Beast in one form or another. We see here that Mordecai is one of the princes who sat in the king's gate to represent his people. He was among the other princes who were accusing him. In Ezekiel 17, I've shared a revelation the Lord gave me concerning the Beast of D.S. Babylon, who has brought God's people into bondage. We know that when Babylon conquered the nations, it not only brought apostate Israel into bondage, but they brought people like Daniel and the Hebrews, who were appointed people of God in their time, under the thumb of the Beast kingdom. When we talk about Mordecai, we're talking about the good leadership, but what about the bad leadership that accused him? (Eze.17:2) Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; (3) and say, Thus saith the Lord God: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar: (4) he cropped off the topmost of the young twigs thereof, and carried it unto a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants. This represents the Great Eagle of America which is the head of D.S. Babylon, bringing the leadership of God's people into bondage. In the natural, it's happening; natural Israel is more and more under Kazarian D.S. dominion. Something else is also happening, and that is, that spiritual new testament Israel said to be circumcised in heart is being brought more and more under the dominion of the latest Beast government. Media-Persia of Cyrus/Trump is conquering Babylon, thank God. In fact, as we keep reading, it says (11) Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, (12) Say now to the rebellious house…. Why is it that God is permitting  Beast governments to bring under their authority the spiritual people of God and the “letter” people of God, the natural Jews? It is because they are rebellious houses. The letter Israel is a type and shadow for spiritual Israel. They've rebelled against the covenant that God has given. (12) Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and brought them to him to Babylon. So the king and the princes of both spiritual and natural Israel have been under the dominion of Babylon. What makes a beast a beast? The flesh is in control over the spiritual. The Alliance of nations under Cyrus/Trump is about to be a GESARA covenant. Although we will benefit from this covenant to rebuild the Kingdom of God, it will not last. The next seven verses go on to talk about a covenant that was broken in the middle, exactly as we would expect if it were Daniel's 70th-week covenant of the end-time broken in the middle. God also rebukes them for breaking His covenant and then He talks about another leadership that He's raising up. We just saw the apostate leadership, the king and the princes, brought under the dominion of Babylon, but He talks about a new leadership here. (22) Thus saith the Lord God: I will also take of the l7ofty top of the cedar (An evergreen type of eternal life), and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain. That's referring to the mountain representing the Kingdom of God, spiritual Mount Zion. This was the same description (cropping off the topmost twigs) that God gave in verse four here, referring to the apostate leadership of Israel/Church, but now the Lord speaks of a type of the Israel/Church's new leadership. So, once again, He is talking about a new leadership, “the topmost twig.” (23) In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all birds of every wing; in the shade of the branches thereof shall they dwell. (24) And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it. God is bringing down a false leadership over the true people of God, and He's raising up a new leadership. This is just as it was in the days of Jesus and Moses, when the apostate leadership persecuted the Man-child Jesus and then His disciples. In the same way, in the end-time, God is going to bring down the high and the lofty and raise up the lowly to take that position who will walk in the steps of the Lord Jesus, the Man-child of Revelation 12. He came as a Lamb but now as a Lion. We just had a prophecy of the coming Lion, who come manifested in His Man-child body.  So we see here two groups in captivity. In the time of Esther, there were two groups in captivity, and the one persecuted the other, just as the False Prophet in Israel, the Sanhedrin, persecuted the Man-child ministry of Jesus. We see the same thing with Mordecai and these servants of the king who accused him to the Beast. Jesus was accused to the Beast by the corporate False Prophet of Israel. Also, we can go to Daniel and see that when Babylon took God's people into captivity, there was the good thrown in with the bad. (Dan.1:1) In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (the “Great Eagle” in Eze 17.) unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. (2) And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god. (3) And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in [certain] of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles; (4) youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace…. There it is! These are people whom God is raising up who are spotless and blemishless, and they're not equated with the Jewish king and his princes, who were also taken captive. That's the way it was with Daniel. (6) Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (7) And the prince of the eunuchs gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave [the name of] Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, [of] Shadrach; and to Mishael, [of] Meshach; and to Azariah, [of] Abednego. Next, these four had to be proven because they wouldn't be defiled by eating the king's food. They wouldn't partake of the Babylonish king's dainties and, since they wouldn't be defiled, they also didn't bow down to the image of the Beast. It's important to know that what we eat is what we are, and if we partake of a beastly doctrine that enables our flesh to rule, we will become a member of the Beast. Our flesh is a member of the Beast kingdom – it is an enemy of God; it's at enmity with your spirit. Partaking of fleshly doctrines is partaking of the Beast's dainties. Anyway, there was nothing but good said about these four Hebrews. (17) Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. … (20) And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm. (21) And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. What we see in the Book of Daniel – twice, in chapters 3 and 6 – is exactly what we see concerning the accusations against Mordecai, the Man-child, by the other leaders. What happened in Jesus' day, when He was accused by the other rabbis, the apostates (and accused to the Roman Beast, too, by the way), we see also in Daniel. The three Hebrews represented the people who would not bow down. Daniel was obviously in leadership, but the three Hebrews refused to bow down to the image of the Beast in Daniel chapter three. It was the image of the Beast because it had the number of the Beast. (Dan.3:1) Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore (60 - there's “6”) cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits (there's “6-6”): he set it up in the plain of Dura…. “Dura” means “a circle,” which reminds us of the earth, and the Gematria for “the earth” or “the world” is 600. So there you have a representation of the world adding up to 666. We're talking about the image of the Beast, and it's made up of, if we look carefully in chapter two, all the peoples and all the kingdoms, one right after another.  Now notice who was commanding the people to bow down to this image: (4) Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages…. The word “herald” is the only Greek word in this text, and it's the New Testament word for “preacher.” So we have apostate preachers over the people of God, commanding them to bow down to the image of the Beast. This is like pledging allegiance. Not everybody bowed down, just as we saw with Mordecai. The other servants of the king who stood in the king's gate bowed down. This was the leadership of the apostate people of God, or the False Prophet. They bowed down to Haman, but Mordecai, the Man-child, refused. We see that they commanded them to bow down, and the people all bowed down, except for the three Hebrews. (8) Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews. They were accused because they refused to bow down to the image of the Beast. Now, God saved them and brought a witness through them of His power to save, even in the fiery furnace that was heated seven times hotter, as in the seven years of the Tribulation Period. “Times” is used in Revelation 12:14, for instance, as in “a time, times, and half a time,” speaking of years. So “seven times” in this text speaks of the Tribulation Period. The three Hebrews refused to bow down. They served the king, obeyed and submitted to the government of the king, but when it came to bowing down, they refused. The world is going to demand this; they're going to make their generic god, and everyone is going to have to serve it and be at peace with others and not witness to others and so on. We have another witness of Daniel himself, who was a type of the Man-child. Daniel refused to bow down, and the same situation happened. There were others with him, who were leaders, who accused him before the Beast: (Dan.6:1) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; (2) and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one (“Throughout the whole kingdom” could be an application of what we loosely call “the Kingdom of God.”); that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage. (3) Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (4) Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Praise God! Those were the false prophets who corresponded to the false prophets in Jesus' day, who sought occasion for false witness against Jesus, and since He had committed no sin, they had to falsely accuse Him. It was the same with Daniel here. The head of the Harlot was the false prophets and false leaders who were accusing Jesus, How is the faithful city become a harlot! … (Isa.1:21). God's people had become a harlot because they had apostatized and were committing fornication with the world. They were receiving the seed of the world, the seed of the Beast kingdom. (Dan.6:5) Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (6) Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. (7) All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Daniel only bowed down to his God; he only asked of his God; he wasn't going to treat the king or the Beast as a god. (8) Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. (9) Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict. (10) And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem;) and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. So he only knelt down to the God of Israel. He refused to bow down to the image of the Beast.  (11) Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. (12) Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. (13) Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. (14) Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him. Notice that it wasn't the Beast that wanted to destroy the Man-child; it was his own brothers. Joseph's brothers were the ones who sold him into bondage to the Gentiles. And, accordingly, Pilate wanted nothing to do with crucifying what he called Jesus, this righteous man (Mat.27:24).  The apostates twisted his arm, exactly as they are doing here. We are headed to the exact same time, when the false leadership over God's people is going to be used to persecute the true leadership. Although all of them are going to be under the same Beast government rule, the leadership of the apostate people of God, just as we saw with Mordecai, is going to bow down to the Beast. Amazingly, people whom you and I have called Christians and thought were Christians will be part of a great falling away. The 10 northern tribes worshipped the image of the beast and were part of a great falling away. They bowed down to the golden calf, or the image of a beast. Now the same thing is happening to what we loosely call Christianity; they have built and bowed down to their golden calf. It's a work of man's hands. It has nothing to do with God or His Word that He created in the very beginning, as far as Christianity is concerned. It's something that they have made themselves, and because it's their own, they're going to want to protect it and defend it and their livelihood along with it. The Man-child ministry is going to be a threat to that because of the truths that will come forth, just as they came out of Jesus. The Bible spoke about Jesus, how He opened His mouth, and things that were hidden from the foundation of the world were revealed. Things that have been hidden are going to be revealed, but also, things that have been hidden in God's people are going to be revealed by this great falling away and by the apostates' siding with the Beast against their brethren. They are Judases, sons of perdition, false prophets. The point here in Daniel is that he still refused to do anything but bow down only to the real, true God, not to just any ruler or generic god, not even to any god that they might call “Jesus.” Many religious images of Jesus are not Him at all. When we read the Bible, we see the true Jesus and His crucified life. That contrasts with what we see now in Christianity. Will the current leadership continue to bring a reproach on Christianity by living so lavishly and fleecing so many people? That's not walking in the steps of Jesus; that's not the crucified life. These people defend that lifestyle as spiritual, and it's a shame. How many airplanes can a person use? God is sending the Beast not only because of the leadership, but also because of the people who don't understand that they should not support people who do such things. The crucified life that Jesus and His disciples walked was a simple life without all the accoutrements of Babylon. They didn't have the fancy temple and the big synagogues, but they had the truth. That was part of the trial. There is a great apostasy, a rebellion, in the church. They're in love with the world, and the things of the world, and the Bible says, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1Jn.2:15). God is proving just who it is who loves Him. The Bride, in the Song of Solomon, ran fanatically after the Bridegroom, so much so that she surprised the other queens, virgins, and concubines. They thought that one Jesus was just as good as another. But the other Jesus' are made by man. They give Jesus a character that's contrary to Scripture, a contrary doctrine, and so on.  Well, Daniel wouldn't bow down, so he had to be thrown into the lion's den and, as you know, God preserved him. God sent His angel. (Dan.6:18) Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him. (19) Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. (20) And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? (21) Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. (22) My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (23) Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God. (24) And the king commanded, and they brought those men that had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den. That's very similar to Revelation 17:16, where the Beast devours the Harlot.  The apostate leaders who accused Jesus were then destroyed, and as we know, there's a great and terrible Day of the Lord coming, when that's exactly what's going to happen. The Beast is going to devour and destroy the Harlot and burn her flesh with fire. So the Beast was basically made a believer in the God of Daniel, just as in the time of Nebuchadnezzar; and, by the way, Daniel chapter seven speaks of the end-time. We know the timing of Daniel's Tribulation because he gets a revelation of the four Beasts, and from his time, which was the time of Babylon onward, is when his revelation started. His vision didn't start with the Egyptian and Assyrian Beasts, which were two that came before Babylon. The Beasts of Revelation, however, start with those two that came before Babylon. Daniel mentions the four Beasts that lead up to the end-time Beast. There was the lion with eagle's wings (Babylon) that was conquered by the Media-Persian bear, then by Greece, then Rome. He was prophesying again of the image of the Beast.  In today's end-times, these entities are still with us. The Lion with Eagle's wings is the British Empire, and the Eagle's wings are the present head of the British Empire and America. This is the Great Eagle, which was then and will be today conquered by the Medo-Persian Bear. So not only were these historic, from Daniel's day on, but they're also an end-time revelation of what's going to happen. We find that this last Beast that he talks about, which was Rome, devours the whole earth. The last Beast, he tells us, was headed up by 10 horns, exactly like Revelation 17. The 10 horns are the ten kings that rule over the Beast kingdom. Among those 10 horns comes up a little horn (Daniel 7:8) that's different, it says, from the rest of the horns. That little horn is a ruler among rulers that will be diverse from all of the 10, and it is the corporate False Prophet. (Dan.7:21) … The same horn made war with the saints…. There it is again! They'll make war on the Man-child and the saints, which is exactly what we see in the rest of the Book of Esther. (Dan.7:23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth…. We have had the United Nations, whose place is being taken by the Alliance of nations. The whole earth is inside the body of the last Beast. GESARA Law was signed unanimously by all 209 countries in 2015. Remember that in Daniel's vision of the legs of the image of the beast, Rome lasted from the thighs all the way down to the toes – the iron that was mixed with the clay. It is different in these days because now it has covered; it has devoured, the whole earth. And among those 10 kings is the little horn that comes up to make war on the saints. (Dan.7:20) ... Before which three fell, even that [horn] that had eyes, and a mouth that spake great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows. (21) I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (22) until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.  So we see the Beast has been given authority to crucify Christ once more. It says that he “prevailed against them.” This False Prophet and the Harlot beneath the False Prophet have been given authority to crucify the flesh of the saints. It doesn't necessarily mean that all will die; that's not the point here. The point is the crucifixion of the flesh of the saints. The Church is in rebellion because the flesh rules. The Beast, in a spiritual way, is ruling over them already because their flesh rules over them already. There has to be a crucifixion for us to bear fruit and come into the Kingdom; therefore, God is raising up this whole worldwide kingdom to come against His people. The little horn represents a religious entity because it's different from the other horns. They are corporate bodies of secular rulers, but the little horn is a corporate body of religious rulers who will bring God's people to their cross, much like they did to Jesus in His day. This is the seed of that same Sanhedrin that's being raised up in our day, no different from the earlier one. The Sanhedrin in natural Israel has been raised up again, and the Sanhedrin in spiritual Israel has been raised up again, too, to crucify the body of Christ again. God just repeats history in larger and larger ways. The spiritual man is not going to be conquered, and the quicker we learn to submit, the more we will be like Daniel, in that the lions' mouths will be closed. The Beast will not be able to devour Daniel. The fire of the fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter, will not be able to devour the three Hebrews because they have refused to eat the king's dainties and they refused to bow down to the image of the Beast, just like Daniel. What we see in Esther is clearly a prophecy of the end-time. The persecution that was raised up against Mordecai, who was over all God's people of the kingdom, will be repeated in our day. Remember, the Beast decided to kill the people of Mordecai. The people of Mordecai, of whom we are speaking, include the Bride, but just as Jerusalem is only part of the Kingdom, the Bride is only part of the people of Mordecai. Not everybody in the Church is going to follow the Man-child. All the righteous Jews in the rest of the kingdom will be delivered from the Beast through the righteous leadership of Mordecai, the Man-child, and Esther, the Bride – a leadership that refused to bow down and a people that refused to bow down, respectively. The true people of God will not bow down. The rest will worship the image of the Beast; they will bow down. God is sending a separation in the form of this image of the Beast. The people who have no faith in their God, no commitment to their God, will find it easier to justify themselves and bow down to the image of the Beast, even change their doctrines, if necessary, and submit to the Beast kingdom. The true people of God are represented by the people of Mordecai, who discover that this leadership is truly the right leadership, like the people who followed Jesus in His day. This represented a people from among natural Israel who were a first fruits to follow Jesus diligently, just as it will be in our day. (Joh.3:29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom…. Even if a person didn't come up to the standard of the Bride which Jesus raised up, He sent them forth unto every place He was about to go to fulfill the Great Commission. The apostles raised up the five-fold ministry as the leadership for the rest of spiritual Israel, just as the latter-day apostles will for the Church. We have some great days coming, some wondrous days. In Esther 3:7-8, it is also revealed that God's people had been rebellious, and that's the reason this is coming today. The best thing we can do is learn to serve the true and living God. Don't bow down to the Beast.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #291 Title: Preparation for Purim   Web Description: As Christians we need to see the significance of Purim for us. Satan is working as much or more today to thwart God's plan as he did when Esther and Mordecai faced the annihilation of their people. The purification and preparation they went through, which reversed the edict of destruction and made them the ones who brought victory, are exactly what we require.   Show Notes: Why should Christians celebrate Purim? What does it have to do with us? It has everything to do with us. If Haman's plot to kill all Jews in the Persian Empire had happened, the line of Christ would have been destroyed. Yeshua (Jesus) would not have been born in Judea; there would be no Christianity and no return of Christ to reign as King in the earth. So Purim is very relevant to us, as are its lessons for us today.   Before becoming queen, Esther had to undergo twelve months of purification. And there needs to be a cleansing and a purity on us that enables us to come boldly before the throne of grace and stand in the presence of God. As queen, Esther knew she could die if she came into the king's presence without his invitation. And if we want God to move today, then we must humble ourselves, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways as we read in 2 Chronicles 7.   At this time of Purim, we see satan working to annihilate the Jews and Israel just as he did in Esther's day. What is happening in the Middle East right now absolutely impacts the plan of God, the Kingdom of God, and all that we stand for as believers. Purim celebrates the fact that Mordecai and Esther had the king's signet ring and carried out his decree. And if we are to carry out the will of God in the earth, then we must be the purified vessels who can wield His signet ring in righteousness, justice, and honor. Let us prepare our hearts to come before the King today.   Key Verses:   •       Esther 3:8–11. "If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed." •       2 Chronicles 7:12–16. "[If] My people … turn from their wicked ways, then I will … forgive their sin." •       Acts 1:9–12. "Jesus … will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." •       Esther 2:12. "Twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed." •       Esther 4:11. "I have not been summoned to come to the king." •       Hebrews 4:16. "Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace." •       Esther 5:2–3. "The king said to her, 'What is troubling you, Queen Esther?'" •       Esther 7:10. "They hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai." •       Esther 8:8–11. "The king granted the Jews … the right to assemble and to defend their lives."   Quotes:   •       "The ultimate victory that came was not because of what the king did. It's because of what Mordecai and Esther and the people did in rising up to save their own lives." •       "If we're going to celebrate Purim, one of the things we must have is this purification drive and preparation drive in our hearts because it's about us." •       "What He's looking for is that His anointing would rest upon the Body of Christ to move in the earth today, to see the kingdom come and be established, and the things that need to be dealt with, dealt with in all righteousness and justice."   Takeaways:   1.    Purim shows us satan's persistent attempts to destroy the Jewish people both to prevent the birth of the Messiah in the past and to hinder His Kingdom today. 2.    Purim shows us our need for purification and preparation to come into the presence of God. 3.    Purim shows us our need for humility and repentance to be God's prepared instruments that will execute His will with righteousness and justice.  

In this session, we conclude the story of Esther and explore the hidden workings of God in her story. As the Jews face annihilation due to a Persian edict, Queen Esther courageously risks her life to protect her people. The narrative takes a dramatic turn, featuring a reversal of fortunes for the Jews and their enemy, Haman. Despite God's apparent hiddenness, we see His fingerprints in every event – from Esther's rise to power, Mordecai's honor, to the ultimate salvation of the Jews. We learn that even in God's hiddenness, He is always at work.Bible ReadingsEsther 6:1-14Esther 7:1-10Esther 9:18-28Acts 1:26Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

Pastor Scott gives a powerful word on how the story of Esther foreshadows end time events! 2026 is an unusual Purim for Israel. The streets are not filled with kids in costumes and parties everywhere, rather, they are huddled in bomb shelters. But the God of Israel is defeating Persia (Iran) and Haman (Khamenei) has been killed. During this time there is a blood moon, the planets aligned the other day, as God is doing what he said he would do…signs are taking place in the heaven’s connected to end time events unfolding. Pray for Israel as we remember God is the God of the impossible, like the days of Esther, can turn things around in favor of his people. When we see all these things, look up, for your redemption draws near. Esther 9:20 “Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 in order to institute for them the celebration for the fourteenth day and the fifteenth day of the month of Adar, each and every year, 22 like the days when the Jews had rest from their enemies, and like the month when things turned around for them—changing from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a favorable day—so that they could celebrate a season of feasting and rejoicing and sending food portions to one another and gifts to the poor.” Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.” Acts 2:20 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Pastor Scott gives a powerful word on how the story of Esther foreshadows end time events! 2026 is an unusual Purim for Israel. The streets are not filled with kids in costumes and parties everywhere, rather, they are huddled in bomb shelters. But the God of Israel is defeating Persia (Iran) and Haman (Khamenei) has been killed. During this time there is a blood moon, the planets aligned the other day, as God is doing what he said he would do…signs are taking place in the heaven’s connected to end time events unfolding. Pray for Israel as we remember God is the God of the impossible, like the days of Esther, can turn things around in favor of his people. When we see all these things, look up, for your redemption draws near. Esther 9:20 “Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 in order to institute for them the celebration for the fourteenth day and the fifteenth day of the month of Adar, each and every year, 22 like the days when the Jews had rest from their enemies, and like the month when things turned around for them—changing from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a favorable day—so that they could celebrate a season of feasting and rejoicing and sending food portions to one another and gifts to the poor.” Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.” Acts 2:20 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

IntroductionThe moment has finally arrived. After weeks of tension, Esther and Mordecai find themselves trapped in a kingdom where royal decrees cannot be overturned. A decree looms over their heads: the jews are to be annihilated. The clock is ticking, and the 11-month timeframe continues to get closer. Esther is dragging her feet by engaging in two banquets. Is this another Marie Antoinette who has an attitude, let them eat cake? What is more, when she lists her requests, she speaks first of her inconvenience. What about the horror of ethnic cleansing? What about the horror of people trying to destroy God's plan by slaughtering his promised people? Esther's AnswerEsther has not been characterized as very wise. In fact, she has just been led around and told what to do. She does not seem self-willed or competent. We learn that Esther is very savvy. Rather than making her request at the first banquet, she waits, which tests the king's sincerity. When the moment comes, she begins with a personal appeal: let my life be spared, and the life of my people. We might think that she is selfish. Rather, she is starting with one that the king loves. Then, with one bold declaration, she identifies herself publicly as a Jew, aligning herself with God's covenant people at great personal risk. Her restraint, her timing, and her courage together expose Haman for exactly what he is: the enemy of God's people. She is the queen of her people. Haman's FallFrom the moment the king leaves the room in anger, Haman's fate is sealed. The man who boldly celebrated the annihilation of an entire people is now on his knees, begging for his life from a woman. The irony runs deep. This is a kingdom that ruled that no woman would have authority over a man. Now determines what happens to Haman's fate. Saul caved, and Samuel finished the job. This man repeats the story only to find that history repeats itself. Haman does not cry out, but only begs for mercy. He wants to live again to tyrannize some more. He is not asking God for mercy, but begging the queen to extend his selfishly ambitious life. It is in his personal ambition he loses his life. The king walks in and sees him on the couch with Esther. His persistent clinging and begging for his life is what brings him down. The king is furious, and Haman leaves the scene. The king will not tolerate anyone attempting to assault the queen. Esther remains silent, allowing the king to make his hasty judgment. Tragically, the words ring true. You will fall (certainly fall in English), and he had fallen before Esther. Haman ExaltedIn a final twist of dark irony, Haman is "exalted.” He wanted to be exalted, and he got his wish. He is impaled on the pole that he built for Mordecai. Satan tried to triumph over God in Eden, but his fate was, is, and will be publicly declared. Haman is the reminder: God's purpose stands. The towering structure, visible across the entire city of Susa, was meant to display Mordecai's shame. Instead, it displays Haman's. The deeper meaning is that anyone who is hung on a tree is a covenant breaker. (Dt. 21:21, Gaol 3:13). The Lord's decree that Amalek would not stand is fulfilled, and the king's wrath is appeased the moment it is done. Haman, who schemed to destroy God's gospel community, ends on a tree he never intended for himself. And in that picture, we see the shadow of Christ. One is hung on a tree, and the king's wrath subsides. Christ did this not as a sinner, but as our Redeemer-Lord. Haman symbolizes the other side of this. The serpent seed will not rise and be victorious. ConclusionThe book of Esther is a story about the "B team,” which is flawed, unlikely, and outmatched by smarter, more powerful people. However, God's humor shines through in his sovereign purpose for his people. God does not take the easy way out, but God preserves his people so that they have life in the Lord. Esther could have stayed silent and saved herself. Mordecai could have bowed. Instead, God worked through their faithfulness to protect his people and establish his purpose. We must not grow too self-righteous. In fact, this story reminds us that Haman deserved what he received. We must remember that all of us are hamans. We all deserve to be hung upon a tree. The mercy of the gospel is that Christ went to that tree in our place, so that we don't have to. If God could protect his people through the B team in Persia, how much more can he do so in Christ? That is our hope, our confidence, and our motivation as we press forward in this age. Let us cling to our redeemer. Let us live for him. Let us live in him.

In our program today, we'll continue the story of Queen Esther of Persia, whose uncle Mordecai became the focus of irrational hatred by evil Haman, who plotted to wipe out entirely, every Jew living in the kingdom of Persia. Your support sends the gospel to every corner of Australia through broadcast, online and print media: https://www.vision.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this session, we explore the dramatic story of Esther, a secret Jewess who becomes Queen of Persia. Amidst an existential crisis threatening genocide of the Jews, Esther must risk her life to save her people. We delve into the character of Mordecai, Esther's cousin, who uncovers a plot to assassinate the king, and Haman, the villain who holds an ancient grudge against the Jews.Bible ReadingsEsther 2:5-23Esther 3:1-15Esther 4:10-17Jeremiah 29:4-7Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

We read Esther 5–10 with Kelsey voicing Esther and trace how courage, timing, and policy reverse a death sentence into a lasting celebration. Purim arrives the same day this releases, and we reflect on God's unseen work that still moves history.• Esther's strategic invitations and timing• Haman's pride, plot, and rapid collapse• The king's insomnia and Mordecai's honor• The reveal at the banquet and justice served• A new edict empowering Jewish self-defense• Victory marked by restraint, not plunder• Purim established as joy, gifts, and care for the poor• Providence at work when God feels silentGo download the Esther ECHO 7-Day Discipleship Guide from the website, outloudbible.com At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Big Idea: Even with shaking knees, step boldly into your destiny.Esther 2:15-18I. Chosen by character Esther 2:15Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai who had adopted her as his own daughter. When her turn came to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch, keeper of the women, suggested. Esther gained favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her.II. Crowned by God      Esther 2:16-17She was taken to King Ahasuerus in the palace in the tenth month, the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She won more favor and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.III. Celebrated by all   Esther 2:18The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff. It was Esther's banquet. He freed his provinces from tax payments and gave gifts worthy of the king's bounty.Next Steps:Believe: I believe God has chosen me for salvation today.Become: I will work on my character this week.Be Sent: I will pass on God's blessing to someone in need this week.Discussion Questions:How can you distinguish between circumstances and the hand of God in your life?What area of your character is most like Christ?What area still needs some work?When did God last do something great in your life that might look like a coincidence?  Explain.How can you embrace your God-given destiny this week?Name someone who needs to hear about Jesus this Easter.Pray for God to use you to serve someone in need this week.

The Feast of Purim, found in the book of Esther, is a celebration of the overturning of a decree of death to the Jews in the ancient Persian Empire. It's amazing to see the correlation between the plot by Hamen and the current regime in Iran which is intent to annhililate Israel and America. There are not the usual public celebrations of the feast going on in Israel today, due to the current situation with missile attacks coming in from Iran, but there is expectation that God will preserve His people, as He did in the days of Esther, Mordecai, and Hamen.

How long has antisemitism been a problem? Listen to this message to learn about a historic event in the Old Testament Book of Esther that happened over 2500 years ago. Find out it involves a beautiful young Jewish queen and her older cousin Mordecai, her husband, King Ahasuerus, and an evil antisemite named Haman. Hear how Haman plotted to kill all the Jews in the land of Iran and how God intervened when Queen Esther risked her life for the deliverance of her people. See how the King rewarded Mordecai and turned the tables on evil Haman who was hanged on the gallows. Remember that God always keeps His promises and protects His people.

Let's take a deep and thoughtful look at one of the Jewish calendar's most joyful holidays and ask some surprisingly serious questions: Why do we celebrate Jewish holidays at all? What is Purim actually trying to teach us — and how is its lesson unlike any other in the Torah?We explore the unique place Megillat Esther holds in Jewish literature, and what it means that God's name never appears in it — not once. Unlike the five books of Moses, the Purim story doesn't announce the divine. It hides it. And maybe that's exactly the point.We also sit with a harder truth: that today, many of us are holding onto a rope of faith — but that rope is shaking, and shaking violently. In a world where belief feels uncertain, are there ways beyond crisis and foxholes to find our way back to meaning? And what can the story of Esther, Mordecai, and a near-annihilation of the Jewish people teach us about that search?

In Exodus, Israel is told to crush olives to make oil for the light. In life adversity, being crushed, is never to be desired even though it happens to everyone in varying degrees. When the heroes of the Bible, Job, Daniel, Esther, Mordecai, Y'shua, Paul are crushed, they respond by bringing light into the world. The question they ask when faced with adversity is not, "Why me?" Rather it is "What do I do now?"

Mordecai's favor with King Xerxes? Come Bible Study WITH ME through Esther 6 and ask all the questions! Get your copy of MORE THAN GIVING SOMETHING UP: A 21-Day Guide to Biblical Fasting and Walking With God

We read Esther 1–4 and trace a path from a royal refusal to a national threat, and from hidden identity to public courage. We reflect on providence working without being named, and why “for such a time as this” still calls us today.• the fall of Vashti and a search for a queen• Esther's rise through favor and restraint• Mordecai's vigilance and the uncovered plot• Haman's promotion, pride, and genocidal decree• public mourning, fasting, and Esther's dilemma• “for such a time as this” as a call to risk• courage and providence when God feels silentIf you've got 37 seconds to spare, would you mind giving a review on your podcast app for this podcast? At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Step into your royal identity. Join us for Purim: https://curtlandry.com/register Learn more about overcoming the spirit of Haman: https://curtlandry.com/reversal Watch the prayer meeting for Ambassador Mike Huckabee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkl2NYlpouY&t=204s In this episode of the Curt Landry Podcast, Rabbi Curt is joined by Megann Marcellino to discuss Purim's significance for Believers today and how to battle the spirit of Haman (Amalekite spirit), which manifests through violence and deceptive voices. Purim is not simply an ancient story; it's a spiritual strategy for us in this hour. As we look at Haman's attempt to annihilate the Jewish people through violence and deception, Mordecai's wisdom and integrity, and Esther's courageous obedience to answer her divine call, current events come into clarity. The same spirit at work in ancient Persia is raging now, and the same victory and divine reversal is in store as we choose to arise like Esther, trusting the Holy Spirit within us is greater than he who is in the world.Join Rabbi and Megann as they share symptoms and manifestations of the Amalekite spirit today, a strategy for spiritual warfare, and how to be positioned for divine favor as you speak, decree, and stand for such a time as this.

Joy and pain. Clarity and confusion. Each year--but especially now--the holiday of Purim inspires a wide array of emotions. In this special crossover episode of Wondering Jews and Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Mijal reflects on what Purim teaches us about the fight against anti-semitism. How can we interpret the actions of legendary figures like Mordecai and Esther, and what inspiration do they have to offer us in today's uncertain world? This episode was produced in collaboration with the Jewish Broadcasting Service. To learn more about JBS and Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, visit https://jbstv.org/archives/category/jewish-insights-with-justin-pines Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Book of Esther is a living blueprint: the Purim story—unfolding over 13 years—reveals patterns that mirror today's geopolitics and upheavals, showing how Hashem's hidden hand directs history. Using parallels between Ahashverosh and modern leaders, and the choices of Mordecai and Esther, the episode emphasizes teshuva, faith, and how apparent threats can become redemptive when people repent and trust God. The lesson also reviews Purim customs (fasting, reading the Megillah, feasting, gifts and charity) and the holiday's core message that no decree is irreversible and divine providence remains constant.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #290 Title: Purim—Anticipating Instant Change   Web Description: We can look at what is happening in the world today and feel like darkness is taking over; everything is getting worse and nothing is going to change. But the Scriptures give us a different picture. The Scriptures show us that things can change in an instant, and the story of Esther is a prime example of that. As we celebrate the Feast of Purim this year, let us anticipate that when we come before the King in our intercession, He will reverse the plot of destruction against God's people and turn our mourning into rejoicing.   Show Notes: The book of Esther records that the Jews established the Feast of Purim "for themselves and for their descendants and for all those who allied themselves with them." It was established so that all generations will remember how the annihilation that was determined and already set in motion was suddenly reversed. In an instant their mourning, sorrow, and fear of destruction were changed into a celebration of gladness and a holiday of feasting and rejoicing.   The Feast of Purim therefore is a celebration of instant change. When we celebrate it, we remember that no matter how bleak things are, everything can change in a moment. What could be bleaker than the plot for complete annihilation of the Jews in the time of Esther? Yet the reversal of that plot has been passed down to us as a remembrance that if we enter the presence of the King and bring our need to His attention, He will command the change and by His Word the destruction that is set to transpire will not happen.   As we see today with Hamas and Israel, satan is still set to destroy Israel and the Jewish people. And as we approach the time of the end, we are seeing satan's plot against the whole earth expand from the Jewish people into all humanity in his determination to destroy all flesh. But we also know by Purim and by the examples of the Scriptures that the plan of destruction can be completely reversed in a moment. So we do not let our hope be tainted by the negativity that surrounds us. We celebrate Purim this year with our hope renewed; and that hope is for instant change.   Key Verses:   •       Isaiah 60:1–3. "Darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you." •       Esther 9:20–22. "It was … turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday." •       Mark 13:19–20. "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved." •       Esther 9:23–25. "When it came to the king's attention, he commanded." •       Esther 9:26–28. "The Jews … made a custom for themselves and for their descendants and for all those who allied themselves with them." •       Isaiah 29:5–7. "It will happen instantly, suddenly." •       Isaiah 17:12–14. "At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more."   Quotes:   •       "You can look and say, 'How can this ever change? How can things ever really be restored to the Kingdom of God from the direction that they're going? How could good come out of such evil?' But we must know and understand that it can, and it will." •       "We celebrate before we see. We have a time of celebration as an expression not only of our faith, but our knowing that God can bring about deliverance and change and bring about another purpose and will." •       "This feast was consecrated by Mordecai for us as those who are allies with the Jewish people and with Israel. And so I proudly celebrate Purim, and I am thankful for my inclusion in its celebration."   Takeaways:   1.    Purim is an example of deliverance, repeated many times in the Scriptures, that things can change 180 degrees in just one moment. 2.    We as believers must live in the knowledge and faith that at any second God can move and everything can change. We cannot be tainted by the oppression of this age. 3.    We must never lose the reality in God that in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, everything can be different.   Scriptural Examples of Instant Change:   Purim. Read the book of Esther. Passover. Read Exodus 12 The Famine in Samaria. Read 2 Kings 7 The Resurrection. Read John 19:30—John 20:29   Resources:   Help Israel Now | Interviews From Israel

TEMPO DE REFLETIR 01686 – 25 de fevereiro de 2026 Ester 4:16 – Irei ter com o rei, ainda que é contra a lei; se perecer, pereci. Você já se lamentou pelas suas origens? Você já desejou que sua infância tivesse sido diferente? Já se sentiu em desvantagem? Certamente, Ester podia sentir tudo isso. Ela ficou órfã ainda pequena, tendo sido criada pelo seu primo, Mordecai. Ester nunca conheceu seus pais. Ela era uma judia em uma terra estranha, criada em um ambiente hostil como parte de uma minoria desprezada. Quando Vasti, a esposa do rei persa, Assuero, o deixou envergonhado, Ester foi uma das muitas moças trazidas ao harém e colocadas sob a custódia do eunuco do rei. O estilo de vida palaciano corrompido dos tempos antigos dificilmente seria vantajoso para a fé de Ester. Mordecai a vigiava, até mesmo no palácio do rei. Ele a incentivava a manter oculta sua etnia. Por um ano, Ester foi treinada na vida do harém. Quando, finalmente, ela apareceu diante do rei, ele “amou a Ester mais do que a todas as mulheres, e ela alcançou perante ele favor e benevolência mais do que todas as virgens” (Et 2:17). Enamorado por sua beleza, equilíbrio e caráter, Assuero a escolheu como rainha. Em tudo isso, qual era a estratégia de Deus? Por que Ester foi elevada a esta posição tão crucial? Hamã, um dos príncipes do rei, elaborou um plano para destruir Mordecai e os judeus. Todos os judeus deviam ser mortos. Mordecai ouviu falar sobre a conspiração e apelou para que Ester se manifestasse sobre isso, dizendo: “Quem sabe se para conjuntura como esta é que foste elevada a rainha?” (Et 4:14). Ela enfrentou o desafio, e Deus respondeu. Graças a sua atitude corajosa, o povo de Deus foi poupado. No divino drama do destino, Deus colocou você no mundo para um momento como este. Não escolhemos viver no começo do século 21. Isto é obra de Deus. Como Ester, fomos chamados para o reino para uma conjuntura como esta. Deus nos convida a sermos fiéis. Não importa nossas origens, Ele quer que sejamos leais a Ele. Ester fez uma poderosa diferença no seu mundo. Nós também podemos fazer diferença. Enfrente este dia com coragem. Você é um homem de Deus, uma mulher de Deus, destinado(a) a viver neste tempo, neste dia, para fazer diferença por Ele. Vamos orar? Pai, ajuda-nos em nossa caminha cristã. Que sejamos leais e comprometidos com a missão que recebemos de Ti. Ajuda-nos a fazermos a diferença positiva em toda e qualquer situação. Em nome de Jesus, amém! Saiba como receber as mensagens diárias do Tempo de Refletir: -> No celular, instale o aplicativo MANAH. -> Para ver/ouvir no YouTube, inscreva-se neste Canal: youtube.com/AmiltonMenezes7 -> Tenha os nossos aplicativos em seu celular: https://www.wgospel.com/aplicativos -> Para receber pelo WhatsApp, adicione 41 99893-2056 e mande um recadinho pedindo os áudios. -> Participe do nosso canal no TELEGRAM: TELEGRAM AMILTON MENEZES . -> Participe do nosso canal no WhatsApp: WHATSAPP CHANNEL Amilton Menezes . -> Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiltonmenezes7/ -> Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amiltonmenezes7 -> X (Antigo Twitter): https://x.com/AmiltonMenezes -> Facebook: facebook.com/AmiltonMenezes

Prophetic Insights into the Spirit of Haman | KIB 519 Kingdom Intelligence Briefing Description In this week's Kingdom Intelligence Briefing (Episode 519), Dr. Michael and Mary Lou Lake turn toward the biblical season of Purim and the prophetic lessons embedded in the book of Esther. As hidden things continue to be revealed in our day, Purim reminds us that God is not absent—He is orchestrating reversals, positioning His people, and bringing justice in His timing. Dr. Lake explores a powerful character study of Esther's three central figures—Esther, Mordecai, and Haman—and shows how Haman's identity as "the Agagite" connects the narrative to the ancient war with Amalek. You'll see how Saul's incomplete obedience created consequences that surfaced generations later—and how God raised up Mordecai and Esther to finish what Saul failed to do. This episode also examines the psychological and spiritual profile of Haman: pride, entitlement, obsession with honor, rage at dissent, manipulation of law and finances, and genocidal hatred. The discussion highlights how these traits mirror the "Amalekite/Haman spirit" at work through systems, propaganda, and bureaucratic power—then and now. Finally, we look at the hope of Purim: divine reversal—the trap of the wicked becoming their own downfall—and the call for the remnant to cultivate spiritual "mnemonic triggers" that keep us anchored in covenant faithfulness, humility, and the Word of God. Key themes: Purim, Esther, Mordecai, Haman, Amalek, covenant warfare, generational consequences, divine reversal, remnant preparation, end-times spiritual conflict.

IntroductionThe book of Esther presents a seemingly impossible situation: God's people face annihilation, Persian decrees cannot be overturned, and God appears to be completely silent. We might expect a burning bush, ten plagues, or some dramatic miraculous intervention. We would expect that God is going to act in a dramatic and certain way. Instead, the Lord works through something far more ordinary. He works through the boredom of insomnia. His solution to cure the insomnia is to have Persia's decrees read to him. This arbitrary moment changes the course of history and shows that Persia's decrees will not stand. The Providential Problem Esther is caught between two unmovable Persian decrees. There is one forbidding wives from disrespecting their husbands. This was sent out to all the provinces. There is another decree that calls for the annihilation, full extermination of the Jewish people in eleven months. This goes all the way back to Amalek trying to conquer Israel. The messianic line itself is on the verge of being wiped out. Yet God's answer to this crisis is not a miracle, but insomnia. This seems absurd. The Lord parted the sea for Israel. He sent the 10 plagues. He made a donkey talk. Now, the Lord is working through a sleepless night? Well, the king is reminded that Mordecai saved his life. He also knows that Mordecai has not been rewarded for his deed. The sleepless night is interrupted by the morning and a man with an urgent request. The King's Query As the king searches for a way to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives at the palace. Haman has a spring in his step. He is going to overturn history and make things right. He is going to kill Saul's descendant. His wife and friends came up with the plan. He just needs to manipulate the king a little bit. The king notices that someone is outside and wants to know who it is. He learns that it is Haman. He invites Haman into the room, and before Haman can speak, the king asks him a question: what should be done for the man the king desires to honor? Haman, blinded by his own pride, assumes the king must mean him. He wants it to be public that he is significant in this kingdom. The best thing would be to have Mordecai sing Haman's praises before Mordecai is exalted on the pole. So Haman gives his answer. He wants to be paraded around the city. He wants the royal robes on him. He wants to be on a royal horse. The trap is sprung by Haman's own mouth. The king tells him to do exactly that, but for Mordecai the Jew. The man who wrote the decree to exterminate the Jewish people is now forced to parade his nemesis through the streets while shouting out Mordecai's honor for all of Susa to hear. God is not sending a prophet. He is using Haman's own arrogance to proclaim the triumph of the messianic line. God's decree will stand. His passive power is greater than the serpent's scheming. Haman's HorrorHaman rushes home in shame, and the advisors who once fueled his confidence now deliver a devastating verdict: Haman will not trample the serpent seed. The Lord does not need to use plagues to protect his people and undo Persia's decree. He simply needs to inflict a restless night. Haman must come to grips with the fact that his wife cannot advise him out of this predicament. Before Haman can even process this prophetic warning, the king's servants arrive to escort him to Esther's banquet. The narrative leaves us on a chilling cliffhanger, but the message is already clear. Unlike the unstable Persian king who regretted sending away Vashti, God does not reverse his decrees. The seed of the serpent will not stand. The messianic line will not be exterminated. And Haman, like Amalek before him, is running out of time. God's promise is real. God is not manipulated by his advisers. ConclusionThe book of Esther is a book criticized because God is silent. However, God is not passive. God is active in his silence. A night that seems arbitrary is all God needs to save his people. He is working through the most mundane details of human life to ensure that his promises cannot fail. The decrees of Persia, for all their pomp, and certain decrees do not veto God's will. The Lord promised to conquer death, and so he did in Christ, as Christ has been raised triumphantly from the grave.

When Haman fell from power, did Mordecai gain possession of Haman's "Jeffery Epstein Files"?

What happens when God transforms a death sentence into a joyous celebration?In these last two chapters of Esther, we witness the final unfolding of "The Great Reversal" as the Jewish people move from fasting in terror to feasting in victory.  Esther 9-10 reveals how God's divine providence arranged one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the Old Testament. Episode highlights:Historic Rematch: How Mordecai and Esther (descendants of the House of Kish) finished the mission that King Saul failed centuries earlier.A Bold Request: Why Queen Esther asked for one more day of fighting in the citadel of Susa and the impaling of Haman's ten sons.Origins of the Feast of Purim: Why the holiday is named after the "Pur" (the lot) and how it is celebrated today with gifts, food, and the reading of the Megillah.Mordecai's Legacy: How Mordecai's mourning turned into a day of celebration as he rose to become second-in-command to King Xerxes of the Persian Empire and worked for the good of his people.Lessons for our lives today: The Book of Esther concludes with powerful truths about God's faithfulness and our calling:God Specializes in Reversals: What "impossible" situation in your life might God be transforming from mourning into joy?The Power of Divine Providence: Even when God's name isn't mentioned, His hand is never hidden. He orchestrates your story through what may seem like coincidences.Faithfulness Positions You for Purpose: Like Mordecai, your commitment to the welfare of others opens doors for God to work in unexpected ways.Join the Bible Book Club as we wrap up the story of Esther and prepare for our next season in the Book of Job!We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Contact Bible Book ClubDONATE Buy merch Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Big Idea: God is even working in the small stuff!Esther 2:1-14I. Better to choose wisely than regret badly. Esther 2:1-4Some time later, when King Ahasuerus's rage had cooled down, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what was decided against her. The king's personal attendants suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom, so that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem at the fortress of Susa. Put them under the supervision of Hegai, the king's eunuch, keeper of the women, and give them the required beauty treatments. Then the young woman who pleases the king will become queen instead of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he did accordingly.II. God can construct an epic story from your worst moments. Esther 2:5-7In the fortress of Susa, there was a Jewish man named Mordecai son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite. Kish had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the other captives when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took King Jeconiah of Judah into exile. Mordecai was the legal guardian of his cousin Hadassah (that is, Esther), because she had no father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was extremely good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.III. Find God's favor in any circumstance.  Esther 2:8-9When the king's command and edict became public knowledge and when many young women were gathered at the fortress of Susa under Hegai's supervision, Esther was taken to the palace, into the supervision of Hegai, keeper of the women. The young woman pleased him and gained his favor so that he accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand-picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem's best quarters.IV. Borrow wisdom carefully, and share it generously.   Esther 2:10-14Esther did not reveal her ethnicity or her family background, because Mordecai had ordered her not to make them known. Every day Mordecai took a walk in front of the harem's courtyard to learn how Esther was doing and to see what was happening to her. During the year before each young woman's turn to go to King Ahasuerus, the harem regulation required her to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months. When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the palace. She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of the king's eunuch Shaashgaz, keeper of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.Next Steps: Believe: I, Jesus, to do his biggest miracle in my soul today.Become: I will trust God with the small stuff this week. Be Sent: I will minister to someone far from Jesus this week.Growth Group Questions: What was the last bad decision you made? What were the consequences?What role did prayer play in your schedule last week?What are some practical examples of God's favor in your past?  Did you notice them at the time?How do you decide to follow someone's advice?How quickly do you notice God at work in your worst moments? How easy is it to see God at work in the ordinary moments of your life?Pray for someone by name who is far from Jesus right now.

Do you know how many yellow cars there are on the road? It's not what jumps out as a popular car color, but there are more of them than you might think. The key is that you have to be on the lookout for them. Likewise, God is guiding and directing our path and shows up in big and small ways in our lives. Again, we need to be on the lookout for it. Today as we go to Esther Chapter 6, we are going to see this in a number of examples. Although God is not specifically mentioned at all in the Book of Esther, it's obvious that He is there. Also, we are going to see that we need to be people who look out of the window and not gaze in the mirror; our lives are made whole when we put the needs of others above our own. The contrast in how Mordecai and Haman live clearly illustrates this.

We often read the story of Esther as a beautiful tale of courage, but this week we discovered something deeper and more challenging. Esther's story begins in a dark place—with compromise, fear, and a world that looks eerily similar to our own.Mordecai and Esther were living in a culture hostile to their faith. They faced a choice we all face today: assimilate and blend in, retreat and hide, or stand tall for Christ no matter the cost. Compromise over-promises and under-delivers. It whispers that we can have all the glory without the suffering, but Jesus showed us a different way.The truth is, following Christ is getting harder. But just as God wasn't finished with Esther at the beginning of her story, He's not finished with us either. He uses imperfect people for His perfect plans. The question is: will we trust Him enough not to compromise when the world pushes back? Sermon Notes Here

Both leaders wanted the Jews-by-birth to accept the Torah, and discerned they would be impressed by sight of the non-Jews who now embraced Judaism

IntroductionThe book of Esther is a story of wonderful storytelling. It has drama and characters that operate in the grey. The assurance is that even when God sends his B team, his promises do not fall flat. As we enter chapter 5, we meet Esther in a position of desperate urgency: the Jewish people face annihilation, and the queen herself has called a three-day fast on her behalf. We were left hanging with a question. Was Esther seeking to save her own life, or was she genuinely turning to God for wisdom and divine direction? Esther has been rather passive. She has been instructed and silent. When she speaks, she seems conflicted. How is the Lord going to win his cosmic battle against the serpent with these people? We need the precision of the Navy Seals at this point, and not indifferent people who have compromised their moral integrity. Esther's Banquet: A Plan Put Into Motion (vv. 1–2)Notice how deliberately the narrative slows as Esther prepares to act. The text does not simply say, "On the third day, Esther went to the king." Instead, every detail is described with weight and intention: Esther puts on her royal garments, walks to the inner court, and positions herself where the king can see her. This pacing is intentional. The intention is to slow down the action. It makes the reader feel the weight of the moment. It also builds suspense. Will the king let her speak, or will she be the first to be executed? Her dawning the royal garb pays off. The king has not called for her in 30 days, but the king still cares for her. He does not simply ask what she wants, but he asks, “What seems to be troubling you?” There is compassion and concern for Esther's well-being. This is only after the king invites her into his presence and extends the scepter to grant her audience. She is addressed as Queen Esther. Now she has the chance to act as queen. Esther's Request: The Banquet and the Strategy (vv. 3–8)When the king offers Esther up to half his kingdom, her request is surprisingly modest. In fact, it is dangerous. She does not ask for the Jews to be saved, nor seek a place of refuge for the Jewish people. Instead, she invites the king to a banquet with Haman. This seems like a missed opportunity to the pragmatic observer. Why not act now, while the iron is hot? But this is precisely where Esther's wisdom shines. She is not rushing. She is calculating. The invitation demonstrates that Esther is moving the king where she wants him. She is also able to size up Haman. Esther might perceive something in Haman that we did not perceive. Most likely, Esther is using this occasion to study him. She needs to see him face-to-face. When the king again offers her up to half his kingdom at the banquet, and she asks for a second banquet, she is not stalling out of fear. She is pumping up Haman's ego. She also knows that in this kingdom, the king is easily manipulated by his advisers. Persia prides itself on the fact that its decrees are never overturned. Esther is thinking on a deeper level. She is an instrument God is using, and we need to see the wisdom God has brought to her attention after three days of fasting. Esther's Challenge: Haman's Pride and the Cosmic BattleThe scene shifts to Haman, who leaves the first banquet elated. He has everything: wealth, sons, prestige, the king's signet ring. He is on top of the world because not only did he have an exclusive banquet today, but another one tomorrow. This man has it all. It is rather funny that he is threatened by a man who cannot meet with the king and has to send secret messages to his cousin, who is currently the queen. Haman cannot deal with Mordaci showing him such disrespect. He calls his advisors together and his wife. His wife hatches a plan in the midst of his advisors. Her plan for Haman is to build a pole 50 cubits high (roughly 70 feet, an exaggerated height) and impale Mordecai on it before the next banquet. The exaggeration in the text is not careless hyperbole. We need to clearly see that this is a literary device that communicates the depth of Haman's hatred and the grotesque extremity of his anger. Clearly, this is not a personal grudge, but a cosmic battle that is taking shape. We might be overwhelmed. However, the dark humor of the narrative is impossible to miss. A kingdom that issued a decree declaring that no woman would dominate its men is now being led around by a queen who is dictating two banquets. Haman, the second most powerful man in the empire, receives his orders from his wife. The decrees of Persia, written in stone, are not being followed. Remember how this decree went out to every man in their own language? Well, the seed of the serpent might declare it victory, but clearly the Lord is subtly communicating that the serpent seed might say check, but it cannot say checkmate. The Lord's decrees stand. Where are Persia's decrees today? ConclusionThe deeper question driving the Book of Esther is not merely whether the Jewish people will survive. It is whether the Lord will triumph over the seed of the serpent. It is not enough that God's people simply live, but they need to triumph. If Esther had acted purely out of pragmatism at the first banquet, the people might have been preserved, but the Lord would have lost the cosmic war. The story, at this stage, is assuring us: God is still at work. He is silent, but his decree will stand. How clearly we see this as Christ has been raised from the dead. Let us proceed with confidence that our Lord is a shield and defender. He will finish what he started because His decrees stand. Let that be our confidence as we walk in Christ.

What do you do when the villain is gone, but his evil plan is still in motion?In Esther chapter 8 Haman is dead, but his genocidal edict is sealed by Persian law and cannot be changed. Esther, Mordecai, and every Jew across 127 provinces are marked for death.In this episode, we uncover the "great reversal" as Mordecai moves from sackcloth to the King's signet ring. Then Esther, the master of diplomacy, approaches King Xerxes a second time to plead for the lives of her people. Through divine providence, a new decree transforms the Jews' death sentence into a declaration of defense.Episode Highlights:From condemned to crowned: How Mordecai received Haman's estate, authority, and the King's signet ring.The legal loophole: Why the King couldn't "cancel" the law and how Mordecai's counter-decree legalized a war for survival.A pattern of intercession emerges: Moses, David, and Esther each risked their lives pleading for God's people, pointing us toward Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection offer eternal intercession for each of us todayApplicable themes:This episode reveals powerful truths about God's power and our response to His calling. Consider how these themes apply to your life today.Positioned for purpose: Like Esther, you may be placed 'for such a time as this" in circumstances that seem impossible but serve God's greater purposes.We're called to intercede: Where might God be calling you to stand in the gap and intercede for others as Esther did, even when the outcome is uncertain?Trusting God's reversals: God specializes in reversals. What impossible situation in your life might God be preparing to reverse?We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Contact Bible Book ClubDONATE Buy merch Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Experiencing Purim  Part 1:  For Such A Time As This  -  English And Spanish.  Mordecai challenged Esther and asked her if she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this. How does challenge apply to us?  Recorded February 14, 2026.

Starting our new series in the book of Esther! This isn't a fairytale. It's gritty, real, and deeply relevant to our lives today. We often think we'd be bold like Daniel, but honestly? We're more like Esther and Mordecai—hiding our faith, influenced by culture, seeking comfort over Christ-likeness. The book of Esther shows us God's hidden hand working through ordinary, compromised people in a culture that looks a lot like ours: proud, consumeristic, and living as if there's no God.God is working all things together for good, often through the still small voice of daily faithfulness. Join us as we discover how to live faithfully in a faithless generation. Sermon Notes Here

Why fight battles God never intended you to fight? Rev. Obeng contrasts Queen Vashti's arrogance with Esther's humility, revealing that your attitude is often your biggest enemy. Discover how constructing the "New Man" through God's Word can save your marriage, career, and destiny. Stop the blame game; true victory begins with submission and a changed heart.This message was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

Satan targets your joy and family, but his plot is not the final chapter. Rev. Obeng reveals that while today looks bleak, God is scripting a turnaround through the power of fasting. Learn why you must stand and fight to see your victory. Your story is far from over.This message was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

Crisis demands a choice: will you bow to compromise or stand for God? Rev. Obeng uses the pivotal moment in Esther chapter 4 to illustrate the power of humility and bold faith. Learn why attitude, not just circumstance, determines your destiny. Discover how discernment, prayer, and decisive action can overturn the enemy's decree against your life.This message was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

Why face a crisis alone when God has already positioned strategic partners in your life? Rev. Obeng uses Mordecai's bold response to Haman's decree to reveal the power of community and divine insight. Discover how to build relationships before the storm hits, and why checking in on others can save a life. Learn that while vulnerability brings pain, it is the only path to true kingdom impact.This message was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

What if the turning point in your story came through one sleepless night? In this episode, we dive deep into Esther chapters 6–7 and watch God orchestrate a dramatic reversal. The truth is revealed, Mordecai is honored, and Haman is humiliated. Miraculously, God does this all through ordinary, unseen details—a restless night, forgotten records, and perfectly timed conversations. Inside this episode of our Esther Bible Study, we explore:How King Xerxes' insomnia triggers the collapse of Haman's evil plan (Esther 6).The ultimate example of pride going before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).Esther's courageous appeal and God's perfect timing in exposing evil (Esther 7).Esther's story isn't just ancient history. It's a living reminder that God is still active in the ordinary moments of our lives today. Between waiting and fulfillment, between fear and faith, and even through restless nights, God is working.Key themes from Esther 6–7 that apply to our lives today:God's plan doesn't rest on our shoulders. The reversal in Esther's story began while she slept. Like her, all we need to do is be faithful, trust God, and let Him work out the details. Pride blinds us, but humility positions us for God's favor. Haman's rise and fall reveal how pride clouds judgment and accelerates destruction. Scripture is clear, when self-exaltation replaces humility, a downfall is already in motion.God's timing is always precise. According to worldly standards, Mordecai was honored five years late, but in God's plan it was perfect timing. What feels delayed or forgotten to us may be intentionally aligned for redemption.This episode invites us to look at our own “in-between” moments and ask: where might God be working behind the scenes with His perfect timing in my life right now?We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Contact Bible Book ClubDONATE Buy merch Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Affliction doesn't get to forecast your future. In this message, Alan unpacks the words of Nahum 1:9: "Affliction shall not rise a second time." He explores the difference between affliction that is permitted for preparation and affliction that seeks to oppress and dominate—and what changes when God speaks not just a promise, but a judicial decree that settles a matter. Drawing from the lives of Joseph, Mordecai, the Exodus story, and the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment, this teaching addresses recurring cycles—old pain resurfacing, fear of regression, emotional bracing, and the sense that past struggles might return. Instead, it points to a shift into established favor, where affliction loses jurisdiction, joy is restored, and the future is no longer shaped by what once ruled. Affliction ends. Favor remains. And God establishes His people for what comes next.

Welcome back Kiddos! In this chapter of the story, trouble is spreading fast across the Persian Empire. Mordecai hears shocking news that makes his heart sink, and he knows there's only one person who might be able to help. But reaching her won't be easy… or safe.Queen Esther is faced with a choice that could change everything. To speak up might mean risking her life

Today's sermon is Mordecai: The Speech that Saved A Nation by Skip Keitzig Find more teaching from Pastor Skip at www.calvarynm.church

On this episode we discuss the Fall / Winter 2026 season with the journalist Philippe Pourhashemi. We talk about nice clothes versus fashion, the trio of shows at Pitti Uomo, the increasing irrelevance of Milan, about auteurs like Rick Owens and Rei Kawakubo, who all delivered strong collections, why Sacai keeps going from strength to strength, why Dior and Louis Vuitton continue to disappoint, and much more. Eugene and Philippe offer contrasting opinions on Prada Saint Laurent, and Dries Van Noten, and also discuss the continuing appeal of smaller brands they saw at the showrooms in Paris; Mordecai being the standout for both.Support the show

There are moments when God calls us forward—and we hesitate. Not because we didn't hear Him, but because obedience feels uncomfortable. We choose what's familiar over what's faithful. We protect our image instead of executing the instruction.Esther faced that tension when Mordecai reminded her that silence would not save her. She could remain comfortable in the palace, or she could step into the risk of her calling. Her position wasn't accidental—it was an assignment.That same choice confronts us in our lives, our brands, and our work. Too often, ego masks itself as wisdom. Optics masquerade as discernment. We delay, overthink, and negotiate with God instead of moving when He speaks.As we step into 2026, this is a call to let that go. To choose alignment over approval. Obedience over comfort. Execution over ego.Because moments like these don't come twice.And calling doesn't wait for perfect conditions.The question is simple: when God positions you, will you move?Reference Scriptures:Esther 4:13-14 Support the show

Many a transformative event can be traced to the influence of one person. Mordecai was one such person in the lives of the Jews living in Persia. By inspiring Queen Esther, Mordecai turned a blasting into a blessing; he changed a national catastrophe into national continuity for the Jews.I. A National Tragedy (3:13-15)II. An Expected Anxiety (4:1-3)III. A Strategic Opportunity (4:10-14)IV. An Inspired Bravery (4:15-16)Talk with God: Reflect on God's work in your life (recently or across several years) and thank Him for His providence in guiding your steps (see Proverbs 16:9).Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer or your Connect Group by reminding them the Lord has a plan in every difficult situation they face this week.Talk with kids: What was special about the temple?