Joy in Esther (Esther)

Joy Everlasting

The story of Esther describes how God delivers his people and their joy that follows. The setting for Esther is the mid-fifth century B.C. in the kingdom of Persia (modern Iran). God operates behind the scenes to save His people from an evil plot against them. Although the Book of Esther never specifically mentions God, the reader can plainly see Him at work through what appear to be coincidences and chance events.

·         Read Esther 3:1-6. Why does Haman hate Mordecai and the Jewish people so much?

·         What point does Mordecai make in 4:12-14 as he appeals to Esther for help?

·         What turning point occurs in the middle of the book (6:1-3)?

·         Why did the Jewish people celebrate Purim? How did they celebrate (8:15-17; 9:20-22)?

·         Would the Persian Jews have celebrated so joyfully if they had not learned about the earlier edict against them?

The Joy of Rescue (Psalm 21)

Joy Everlasting

According to the writers of the Old Testament, happiness may come and go but joy, anchored in God’s love for us, endures forever.  David writes about God’s unfailing love as the basis for his joy in Psalm 21. As in other psalms, David places the key thought in the very center of the psalm (21:7) and echoes this theme in the first and last verses (21:1, 13). (He uses the same structure in Psalm 23.)

·         Read Psalm 21. What quality of God appears in both the first and the last verses as a reason for rejoicing?

 

 

·         What keynote does David sound in this psalm (v.7)?

LOVE

Love for God

(lesson 3 of 3 week 2)

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4).  “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

Because we are His people, we are also His friends, as were Moses  and Abraham; “friend” translated as “my loved one”.

Here are some distinctive elements of love for God from :

·         Genesis 3:1-7

·         Deuteronomy 6:1-3

·         Jeremiah 2:2

·         Genesis 22:1-12

It is, to put it bluntly, impossible to live up to this standard of love. We cannot do it. Human love looks and behaves mush more like the dysfunctional family of Isaac than the ideal love God demands in the Law.

·         In Galatians 5:22, Paul put love first in his listing of “the fruit of the Spirit.” What might we conclude from its place in the list?  Read Galatians 5:6b, 14.

·         Read Deuteronomy 7:7-9. This abiding, redeeming love of God for Israel pointed forward to the new covenant that He would provide through the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

·         How have the examples and teachings of Scripture helped you grow in your understanding of love?

Friendship LOVE

(lesson 2 of 3 week 2)

In family love, the bond of blood or commitment unites people in a lasting relationship. With erotic love, passion unites with commitment to form a bond that God designed to last a lifetime. Friendship, on the other hand, can be more difficult to nail down. For example, we might form a close bond of friendship while we are away at school or in military service. Perhaps we think that we will always stay in touch with others when our education or military obligation ends. Most often we do not stay in touch. Years pass without anything more than a Christmas card (if that). Yet if we come together again those years melt away and it is as if we were transported back to the days when the friendship was a vital and living part of our daily lives.

 

·         In the Old Testament, one friendship stands above all the others---the friendship of David and Jonathan. Most people know who David was, but who was Jonathan? Read 1 Samuel 13:2,16

·         Since Saul was Jonathan’s father, David and Jonathan should have been bitter enemies. But they formed a deep and abiding friendship. David, not Jonathan, would sit on Saul’s throne after the king died. Read 1 Samuel 18-20, 1 Sam. 18:3-4, 20:12-17 to find out what covenant Jonathan established with David.

·         Read 1 Samuel 18:28-29 and 20:30-31. Are there times when a loving friendship is more important than a family relationship?

·         How do you handle a situation where two loves, such as family love and friendship, conflict with each other?

Erotic LOVE

(lesson 1 of 3 week 2)

Sexuality is a very important part of God’s design for us. It is the means to “be fruitful and increase in number (multiply)” (Genesis 1:28). It is the “one flesh” union mentioned in Genesis 2:24.

Between husband and wife, especially over a period of time, all varieties of love appear: sexual attraction, family bonding, deep friendship, and sacrificial self-giving.

The relationship between husband and wife is rich, complex, challenging, and fruitful—not to mention confusing, humorous, and (at times) painful. We see this in Song of Solomon, a biblical poem that celebrates love, as bride and bridegroom rejoice in their new relationship, bonded by love in all its rich complexity. You can read Song of Solomon if you’d like to.

Read Isaiah 54:4-8 and consider the passions the Lord describes. List the kind words the “husband” speaks to His wife.  How does this passage help you understand the depth of God’s love for you in Christ?

FAMILY LOVE (recap)

Here is a recap on 'family love' and what we have (or should have) read this past week.

There are many wonderful examples of family love in the Scriptures that we can learn from. This past week we were encouraged to not only read but experience what 'family love' can look like through the lives of Isaac and Rebekah and Naomi along with Ruth and Boaz. Ok, let me back up and state the obvious; If God had nothing to do with either of these families' I would have nothing to gain from their way of 'family love'. Wouldn't you agree that you would want to learn how to love your family from a well mannered, 'God fearing' family? Me too!

I once refereed to the people in the Bible as characters. Not realizing that I was placing them as fictional people acting out the story of God's message. My husband lovingly corrected me on how these people are not character's in the Bible but rather the people God has chosen to carry out His message. He has given us His message through these real life people so that we might learn of His Love and how He shinned His light through His people so we might hear His message. After all, Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

If you haven't already read the real life events of Rebekah and Naomi please do so. I would like to encourage you to walk along side these women as you read or reread their story. You are also invited to comment on the post's as you will see I shared some of my thought's.

FAMILY LOVE!?

What is it to me?

Please leave your thoughts below and remember that God is still at work in us and we are all in different walks of life then the next lady. So please share openly knowing that God has placed you in the position you are in for His glory. And if it is His glory, we to will shine for Him. (Matthew 5:16)

Family LOVE

Boaz and Ruth

(lesson 2 of 2 week 1)

read the Book of Ruth

The Book of Ruth contains another “case study” of family love. In contrast to the dysfunctional family dynamics of Isaac and Rebekah, Naomi’s relationship with her daughter-in-law Ruth reveals a depth of affection and degree of sacrifice seldom seen between blood relatives, much less between  in-laws.

To what blessings did Boaz and Ruth love lead? How has this affected you and your family? (read Ruth 4:17-22 and Matthew 1:5)

 

 

This week we are focusing on family love. Next week we will study more about the way of love; erotic love, friendship love and love for God.