July 17th, 2022 - Continue Celebrating
Slide 2
Recap:
Esther replaced Vashti
Mordecai takes the place of Haman
Today:
God's feast replaces Xerxes'
Slide 3
The Reversal Wrapped Up
King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.
Slide 4
Merciful Justice
8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
Slide 5
This seems fair
11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves;
Slide 6
This seems excessive
to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
Slide 7
Anticipatory Celebration
And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating.
Slide 8
God quietly at work
No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them.
Slide 9
By the book
and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.”
Slide 10
Instructions on Celebration
22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
Slide 11
A lasting ordinance
28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
Slide 12
Like Joseph in Egypt
3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews,
Slide 13
Thrones are important
Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”