Esther-Hamon's Diabolical Decree From the Grave

By Mary Vee
Esther 8

From Esther's Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am Esther, queen of Babylon, servant of King Xerxes, niece of Mordecai.

The horror of the banquet was over.

The king believed what I said after Haman attacked me. He hung Haman on his gallows then looked at me with the most apologetic eyes.

He took my hands and thanked me. He gave me Haman's estate. I reminded him of all that Mordecai had done then told him the rest of the truth. Mordecai and I were Jews.

The king summoned Mordecai and honored him again. He gave my uncle the king's signet ring. That means Mordecai had the same power that Haman once had. 

I turned to Mordecai after the king finished speaking. "Uncle, the king has given me Haman's estate. I appoint you over all his property and dwellings."

Mordecai lowered his eyes and smiled. "Thank you, my queen." 

I hugged him, and as I did, he whispered in my ear. "Remember you may have been put here for such a time as this--to save our people."

He was right. This was the best time to speak with the king about Haman's decree to kill all the Jews in the twelfth month. I was overwhelmed with sorrow thinking about all the men, women, and children who would die.

I fell to my knees at the king's feet and wept. "Please, your majesty, put an end to Haman's evil decree to kill the Jews."

He had to follow the rules. Even as queen, and even though he had spoken with me at the banquet, he still had to choose whether to extend his scepter to me or not. If he didn't, I would be taken away and killed.

The king held out his gold scepter to me.

I arose and stood before him then continued. "If it pleases the king and if he thinks of me with favor and thinks what I am about to say is the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the decrees that Haman wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. I cannot bear to see disaster fall on my people. I cannot bear to see my family suffer destruction."

I looked up just a little and saw his eyes. Worry was there.

Oh dear. He may say no. I closed my eyes again.


 
The story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. What gift did the king give to the queen that she in turn gave to Mordecai?
2. What did Mordecai ask Esther to do?
3. Did Esther wait to obey him?
4. When she spoke, what did the king have to do?
5. Was Esther able to finish saying her request?
6. What did Esther want the king to do?
7. What do you think he will say?

Jonathan Goforth-Reading and Riding

By Mary Vee
Year: February 1864

Jonathan Goforth

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Jonathan Goforth. God called me to be a missionary to China, and I went. But before I went...

My parents moved from Yorkshire, England to Ontario, Canada. The pioneer life really suited them. Farms. Small communities. Huge family. Yep. That was us.

I was the seventh child born of the eleven children in our family. I'm kinda surprised they didn't go for an even dozen.

My dad worked two large farms. He was up before the sunrise and home by dark. I knew he worked hard. I just wish he had more time for us.

Mom took care of the house, meals, laundry. All of those details. She also made sure we kids read from the Good Book. I mostly listen as a young child and hadn't realized all I had learned from my older brothers. Before I started school I read a Psalm to the family. This didn't make me smart. Just kid number seven.

I loved to hang out with my uncle Tom. As a five-year-old, I fit in tiny places. One day, Uncle Tom invited me to go with him to Market. The wagon was loaded down with grain and ready to go. He squeezed me between two bags of grain, pointed his finger at me and said, "Stay there."

So I did.

Sitting on top of the grain sacks gave me a good view of the countryside. The five mile trip with a heavy wagon took the horses a long time to travel. I waved at a few people I knew then grabbed on to a sack of grain, as best as I could with small hands, to keep from tumbling over.

Several hard rains had chiseled deep ruts in the dirt roads. I must admit, the rocky ride was great fun. We bobbled right and left, up and down. I waved my hat in the air and laughed. 

That is, until a huge hole sucked the wagon wheel and wouldn't let go. The wagon jolted like a horse in a rodeo. Even though I held on with all my strength, I flew from my safe place right out of the cart and between the front and back wheels.

The horses neighed and yanked the cart free, bringing the back wheel straight for me. Uncle Tom leaned over with his large hands and grabbed a hold of my shirt. The wheel slammed against my hip as he pulled then lost leverage. He pulled again, yanking me free from that wheel. 

In another instant, my hip would have been powder. Uncle Tom let go of me and tugged on the reins. "Hold up. Hold up there I say." The horses had been spooked pretty bad and needed a little time to calm down.

Now that I look back on that day, I see God took care of me. The job He had in mind for me needed someone who could walk. So even though I was thrown from the cart, God kept me safe and helped Uncle Tom to rescue me.

I have many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

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Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Esther- The Not Yet Happily Ever After Ending

By Mary Vee
Esther 8

From King Xerxe's Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am Xerxes, king of the Babylonian empire.

I felt miserable after the whole event. You remember? The banquet? Haman?

Yes, my anger at Haman had been soothed by hanging the miserable traitor. I still can't believe he attacked my queen in front of my very eyes.

I had to give Queen Esther something. She deserved it after being frightened. It seemed only logical that Haman's estate should be given to her. I laughed out loud. What a fitting response. The land belonging to the man who wanted to destroy my queen's people should be given to the queen. Ha hah. I'm feeling better already. 

I held her hands. "My queen. Beautiful Queen Esther who has served me so faithfully, you are hereby given the property that once belonged to Haman and his descendants."

She bowed before me. So humble. So suited to her role.

"Your majesty?"

"Yes." At this point she could ask anything and I would do or grant it.

"My uncle, Mordecai, is the man who had reported the men who planned to kill you."

"Yes, I remember. I honored him in front of the entire kingdom. And, he has also raised you, am I right?"

"Yes, he did. He--and I--are Jews."

Such details wouldn't bother me. Her service has been all that I expect an more. "Mordecai is a fine man. One to be respected. Such a man should be honored in my kingdom." She smiled.

I looked at my guards. "Bring Mordecai to me."

"Yes, your majesty. Right away." The guards left, but weren't gone long. Apparently Mordecai kept his post in the king's gate where he could help Esther as needed. I wasn't surprised. This is a dedicated person. One who would not leave his duty.

"Mordecai, your majesty."

I held out my scepter. "Come forward, Mordecai." 

He bowed and remained silent.

"Mordecai, I am pleased with your service to your king, my queen and this empire." I pulled my signet ring off my finger. This was the same ring I took back from that conniving Haman. I held it out to Mordecai. "Take this ring and use it in service to this empire."


This sounds like a happily ever after story, right? Not yet. 
The story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. What gift did the king give to the queen?
2. Who did he take the gift away from?
3. What did the king learn about Mordecai?
4. Who told him?
5. What gift did the king give to Mordecai?
6. Who did he take the gift away from?
6. What did this honor mean?

Esther-The Wrath of the King

By Mary Vee
Esther 7

From King Xerxe's Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am Xerxes, king of the Babylonian empire.

This was suppose to be a special night, and so it started out that way. But, oh, it did not finish special.

I asked my queen, the lovely Esther, what she would like in return for the wonderful banquet she gave me. She told me then that Haman, my second in command had threatened her life and the lives of her people.

At first I didn't know what she was talking about. My lovely queen on one side, and the man I had come to trust with everything on the other.  And now I hear he has threatened my queen?

I needed to get away from them both. Think through what had just been said. I couldn't make any decision with all this turmoil.

I walked in the gardens where the sweet scents of the flowers helped to calm me down. After pacing a bit, I returned to the banquet hall. And what did I see as I opened the door? Haman falling on my queen. He'd pressed his hand over her mouth to quiet her screams for help.

I couldn't believe my eyes. What a fool I was for promoting this evil man. Queen Esther was right. I yelled, "Will this man Haman now hurt my  queen while she is with me in the house?"

My anger burned into a rage. 

THEN

One of my guard came to me and said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, the one who saved the king from the assassins."

I turned to Haman, and would have put him to death right then for these actions. Instead a better idea came to me. "Take Haman, bind him, and hang him on his gallows."

When I received word that Haman had been hung on the very gallows he'd planned to kill Mordecai the Jew, the man who saved my life, my anger left me. 


The story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. Where did the king go to have time to think alone?
2. Why was the king so upset?
3. What did the king see when he returned?
4. What did the guard tell the king?
5. What punishment did the king give Haman?
6. What news finally made the king feel better?




As a reminder, Haman dislikes Mordecai because Mordecai the Jew feels he should only bow down to the living God. Haman wants Mordecai to bow down to him.

Jonathan Goforth- Bullied, Brave, and in the end, Blind

By Mary Vee
Year: February 1859 - October 1936

Jonathan Goforth

Walk with me
Jonathan Goforth's Exciting Journey to China

Photo Courtesy

Starting next week we will join Jonathan Goforth on his journey to China. Don't you think his last name is amazing? He really did go forth as God commanded.

He was born in Canada as the seventh child of eleven.

John, his father, depended on all his children to help with the farm. As a result Jonathan couldn't go to school in the early falls or late springs. Crops had to be planted and harvested.

Bullied at school then later on the mission field, Jonathan developed an inner strength that helped him with every task God gave him, He even preached and went about telling people about the God who loved them after he went blind!

Jonathan Goforth has an exciting story. Tune in every Monday to read the next story. If you happen to miss one, simply type in Jonathan Goforth in the search box. It's about half way down in the right column.

Come back next Monday to read the first story.

Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

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Let Jonathan hear from you!

Esther-Terrified

By Mary Vee
Esther 7

From Haman's Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am Haman, appointed second highest in all of the Babylonian empire.

I have had the most disastrous, horrible, rotten day of my life.

At the rate everything continues to go wrong for me, this may just be the last day of my life.

I blame Mordecai the Jew. If he had bowed down to me like all the other people none of this would have happened. 

He made me mad. No I won't take the responsibility for my decision to go before the king and ask that all the Jews be killed. It was all his fault. Such a meager excuse he had. Claiming to only bow down to his One God. Who worships one god? 

My position gave me the right to expect Mordecai's praise and worship. The king agreed with me. He is the one who let me go through with this. The king is just as much at fault as Mordecai. Of course I would never tell the king that.

When the queen invited me to the banquet last night, I assumed I was being honored. The queen should have to honor the man in second rank in the empire. I am more important than her.

At this second banquet, I saw I was wrong. In front of the king she said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman."

I was shocked she said that. Me? Before I could utter a word in my defense the king got up from the table and went out the door to the gardens. Anger reddened his face. His hands balled into fists. He paced in the garden, clearly confused what to do. I could offer advice, turn this whole mess into something good. I know I could persuade him if only he'd let me speak with him.

I looked at the queen and felt terrified. My blood pulsed in my ears. My hands shook. This could end in my death. I had to fix it. Beg for her mercy, or show her how powerful I am? 

She reclined on a couch, watching the king in the garden. I got up from the table and walked toward her. I intended to kneel before her and beg for my life. Seemed she had more influence over the king than I did. "My queen," I said as I kept walking toward her, "I never intended to harm your people. I didn't know you were a Jew."

I pressed my hands together, pleading and as I stepped closer to her, I tripped, falling onto the couch where Esther sat.

She screamed. Oh the noise. The terrible sound. I knew what it meant. Please, don't let the king hear her. "Please don't scream." I pressed my hand over her mouth.

The garden door flung opened. 


The story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. Why did Haman feel Mordecai caused all his problems?
2. Why did Mordecai do that?
3. What did Queen Esther tell the king?
4. Who was Haman afraid?
5. Where did the king go and why?
6. What did Haman do to fix the problem?
7. What happened when he did?



As a reminder, Haman dislikes Mordecai because Mordecai the Jew feels he should only bow down to the living God. Haman wants Mordecai to bow down to him.

Esther- Xerxes Jewel, His Queen Threatened?

By Mary Vee
Esther 7

From Xerxes Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am Xerxes, king of all the Babylonian empire. 

Esther, my queen, whom I chose from all the young women in the land, invited me to this banquet in my honor.  It was the second day in a row that she has done this. In truth, she pleased me greatly. 

All that she did honored me as king.

She even invited the man I placed second in rank in the empire. 

When we finished our meal I asked her what she wanted, offering her anything up to half the kingdom. It took a few moments for her to finally answer me. She is a humble woman.

Finally, she took a breath and said, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life--this is my petition."

What? Grant her life? How could she possibly think her life had been threatened? She looked so afraid to say more. I waited for her to compose herself and finish her message, giving her my full attention.

She said, "And spare my people--this is my request."

Her people? I'm confused. Who are her people?  

She continued, "For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king."

This is news to me. Why didn't I know someone threatened my queen? She looked down at the table, afraid to keep eye contact with me. My jewel. My queen. I had to know who caused her this sorrow.

I asked, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?"

She pressed her shoulders back and raised her chin ready to give me the answer in all truth. She said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman."

What? I couldn't believe my ears. Haman? Anger raged inside of me. Haman had threatened my queen? I got up, leaving my wine on the table and went into the palace garden. I had to be alone to think this through. My queen. My precious jewel threatened by the man who had pleased me enough to be made second in all my kingdom?

How could this happen? Was this truth? I had to get away and walk by myself to think this through. This was supposed to be a great evening, and now it is all ruined.


The story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. Why did Xerxes offer Esther in return for the wonderful meal?
2. What did Esther ask the king to grant her?
3. What else did she ask for?
4. Who caused the problem?
5. Why was the king confused?



As a reminder, Haman dislikes Mordecai because Mordecai the Jew feels he should only bow down to the living God. Haman wants Mordecai to bow down to him.

Amy Carmichael-Until We Meet Again

By Mary Vee

Amy Carmichael, A Life Lived For Christ

Photo Courtesy

Amy Carmichael lived her life as a missionary. She originally thought God wanted her to work in Japan, but due to health issues, she ended up in India. 

She closed her eyes to go to sleep January 18, 1951 and never opened them again here on earth. She was eighty-three years old when she was take to be with Jesus.



If you want to read from any of the books I used for research in this series they are listed here: 

1.  Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
2.  Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
3.  Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
4.  Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
5.  Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

I must admit, I wished I had know that Frank Houghton, from the China Inland Mission, the same mission Hudson Taylor started in China, had spent time with Amy Carmichael and wrote her biography. I read this in one of the last chapters. I'm not sure what additional stories can be found there:

Please note-these were the prices listed for 4/11/16.





I hope you have been inspired by her life. If you've missed any of the stories or would like to go back and read any, write "Amy Carmichael" in the search section off the right about half way down: 

Some of the books Amy wrote are:

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

NEXT WEEK WE WILL BEGIN A NEW ADVENTURE. 

WE ARE HEADING BACK TO CHINA 

IN THE YEAR 1859

STOP BY TO MEET OUR NEW MISSIONARY

(MISSIONARY STORIES EVERY MONDAY)

Esther-Three Clashing Cymbals

By Mary Vee
Esther 7

From Esther's, Xerxes, and Haman's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Esther. I guess I'll start today's story. I invited the king, who is my husband, to a banquet. He is a smart man. At yesterday's banquet he could tell I wanted to tell him something. He asked me what I wanted, but I couldn't. Not yet. I felt so nervous.

My uncle and guardian, Mordecai asked me to speak with the king about Haman's plan to kill all the Jews in the twelfth month. No one could simply ask the king anything. Special permission was required. 

I thought the comfortable setting of a banquet in his honor would help ease my nervousness. It has, at least a little. Today's banquet is on a grander scale than yesterday's. Today is the day I'll tell the king of Haman's evil plan. 

Oh, here they come. I bowed. "Your highness."

********************
My name is Xerxes, king of the Babylonian empire. I am so happy. My queen, Esther, has invited me to a fine banquet held in my honor. She also invited the man I appointed as second highest in the kingdom, Haman. What an amazing woman. She has performed more as a queen than I expected, fulfilling her roll more than Vashti, the last queen, ever did.

The guards have returned with Haman. Just in time, too. "Haman. Come. We will walk to the banquet together."

This is going to be a wonderful evening. I can tell.

********************
My name is Haman, second in authority in all of Babylon. The queen invited me to a second banquet as the king and I finished our meal yesterday. At the time, elation best described my feelings. Wouldn't you be excited to be invited to a banquet with the king and queen for the second day in a row? Since then everything that could go wrong...has. 

I ordered gallows built for Mordecai, they still aren't finished. I visited the king to ask permission to hang Mordecai and ended up having to honor Mordecai throughout the city streets. Mordecai is a Jew, an honored man, and I had a decree to kill all the Jews published. When the king figures it out...I'm a dead man.

Maybe this banquet is the best thing that could have happened to me. I'll have a friendly conversation, say nice things to the king and the queen then hope beyond all hope that I please him. At least enough to save my life.

Before I had a chance to plan what to do with my wife and advisors, the king's guards came to my home and escorted me to the palace. I'm so nervous. I hope I make a good impression on them both.

**************************
My name is Xerxes. My stomach is full. The foods Esther chose for this banquet couldn't have been any better prepared. I patted my stomach and pushed back from the table. Esther ordered my glass to be filled with wine. She ordered the same for Haman.

I looked at her. Dressed in a beautiful gown, a warm smile, and so gracious. How did I become such a fortunate one? I need to give her something in return. "Esther, my queen, what can I give you. Whatever you want you may have. Please. Tell me. What would you like. Even up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted."

I waited for her answer.


Unfortunately the story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. Why did Esther give this banquet?
2. Why was Xerxes so happy?
3. What was Haman so nervous about?
4. What pleased the king?
5. What did the king ask Esther?



As a reminder, Haman dislikes Mordecai because Mordecai the Jew feels he should only bow down to the living God. Haman wants Mordecai to bow down to him.