Malachi-Levi Showed Us What To Do

By Mary Vee
Malachi 2

From Malachi's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Malachi. I am a prophet sent to be God's messenger.

The leaders of the people, especially the priests have been teaching the people they did not have to obey God's law exactly as God has said.

In God's message, directed to anyone who leads from the oldest person to the youngest baby, God said he would send a punishment to anyone who does not honor His name. The punishment is that they will be humiliated and sent away.

God had made a covenant with Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and the leader of his tribe. His children and children's children would be the priestly leaders for the people. Keep in mind you who are reading this story today, that these truths spoken by God are for anyone who leads the oldest person to the youngest infant in Spiritual truths.

The covenant God made with Levi was a covenant of life and peace. God gave these to Levi. God expected reverence and Levi revered God and stood in awe of God's name. True instruction was in Levi's mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. Levi walked with God in peace and uprightness. He turned many people away from sin by his example and words.

This is what God wanted from the priests and leaders of the Jews living in Jerusalem and those still living in Babylon. The lips of the priest were to teach only the words God said. Not to change them so that the priest could profit or so the people could give less than what God expected.

The priests have turned the people away from God's truth, and have caused them to stumble. The priests have committed a crime against God by teaching words that are not His truth.

God told me to say to the priests, "Because you have not followed God's ways, but have shown the people they can do less than what I have said, they have seen your lies and have despised you so you are humiliated before all the people."

God loves men, women, boys and girls. He wants them to have good, truthful instruction.

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

1. Who did God send this message?
2. Who was the messenger?
3. What did the priests and leaders do wrong?
4. Who was their good example?
5. What was the punishment for the priests?
6. Why did this bother God so much?

Malachi-Second hand Gifts

By Mary Vee
Malachi 1

From Malachi's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Malachi.

I haven't bothered to leave any information about myself in the Bible book that records what God has asked me to do. I didn't leave clues about the job I had before this time or after, my family, or where I lived because none of that had anything to do with the job God gave me.

Even the name I am called has a purpose. Malachi means messenger.

God sent me to deliver a message to the Jews. About twenty years have gone by since the time of Esther. The Jews had a time of peace.

During this time we all should have joyfully spent time praising the God who spared our lives and led a large group of Jews back to our homeland.

Sadly, this was not done. 

Those living in Babylon went about their lives, making bread, growing crops, getting married and having children for a new generation. Those who moved back to Jerusalem first focused on rebuilding their homes. After they had their basic needs met, did they rebuild the temple or the walls of the city? No. They only cared about themselves and stopped worshipping the God who'd given them so much.

The first words of this message from God to His people were: "I have loved you."

We the people have said by our actions, "How have you loved us, Lord?" How could the Jewish people have forgotten so quickly? This is sad. We should not treat the God of the Universe this way.

Our Creator God answered, "I have loved you, my chosen nation and have turned the mountains of those who do not believe in Me into wasteland where the desert animals have come to live.

"Israel's enemies, those who have not worshiped me, have boldly said they would rebuild their flattened cities. And they may try. But I will destroy their new cities. They will be a people always under my anger. You will see this, people of Israel. Even beyond the borders of your land.

And even with all that the Almighty God has done for us, we have not given Him the respect and honor due to our Heavenly Father. God said, "A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?"

While we all needed to hear these next words, God said to the temple leaders and priests, "It is you, O priests, who shown complete disrespect for my name. You ask in your minds, how have you done this. By offering to me the very worst. By accepting and teaching my people that they may bring the least of what they own as a way to worship me.

"Let me ask you," God said, "Would you or any of my people offer these same gifts to your governor? Would he be pleased with you or your gift? Would he accept you?

"And you expect me to be pleased with you because of the second hand gifts you and my people bring to me?" Why not just shut the temple door? Why pretend to give me worship and thanks? I am not pleased with you. I will not accept any offering from your hands.

"Know this, temple leaders and priests, My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every nation, pure offerings will be brought to my name because my name will be great in each place."


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

1. This was a time of __________
2. What were the people who returned to Jerusalem and those still living in Babylon doing?
3  Who did God send to bring this message?
4. What were God's first words of this message?
5. Did the people seem to care?
6. What did the priests teach the people they could do? 
7. Why was this wrong?

Jonathan Goforth - The Day the Barn Roof Fell

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1879

Jonathan Goforth-fifteen years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Jonathan Goforth. I will be a missionary to China some day. I feel it deep inside.

Until then, I am going to do whatever work I'm suppose to do each day. At this moment I live on a farm.

During the summer, farmers came together to help each other. Sometimes the help was for building a barn. Yeah. I loved it. So much fun. Good work. Lots of laughing.

The whole community met at the farmer's house who needed the new barn. The men brought any tools they had that would help with the project. The women brought some prepared food and ingredients to cook other food.

One farmer took charge. It wasn't always the one who needed the barn built. The man with the greatest experience and knowledge ran the show.

We'd done the work so many times, we really didn't need instructions. Each man did the same job as he had for the last barn. 

Any way. By mid afternoon, the sides of the barn were in place. Next we'd grab ropes and lift heavy timbers to lay across the outside walls for the roof. One by one the timbers rose high above our heads. I took my position inside the barn to help haul the next beam. I was dead center and had the rope wrapped securely around my arm. 

At the signal, I pulled on my rope.

One of the women suddenly yelled, "Run! The roof beams are moving. They're going to fall!"

I looked up and saw the worse sight ever. The support beams above me shifted toward each other and work themselves free. I didn't have time to move into a clear area. I had to do something, but what? If one of the beams fell on me, it would kill me.

I had learned many concepts in science. Using that information, I figured out the safest place for me, in this situation, was dead center. The beans shouldn't fall straight down, instead they would roll and fall away from the center. 

I didn't just stand still! I still had to keep an eye on each beam as if fell, shifting to the right or left to miss being hit. 

When the last beam fell--I must admit, I blew out a huge puff of air. 

Was I shaking? Yes, indeed!

Did I send up a prayer asking God for help.  Yes, Indeed.

I have had two near-death moments. One when I fell off my uncle's wagon as a little kid and just missed being crushed by the wheel and this time when the roof beams nearly crushed me. 

The days afterwards, I did some heavy thinking. Thinking of what I should do with a life that seemed good enough to save two times.

You may be thinking I chose to be a missionary. Nope. Not yet. I decided to be a politician and asked my dad if I could take classes. I thought he might say no. He really needed my help on the farm. But, Dad said I could take the course.

Little did I know, this was first step needed for me to understand what God really wanted me to be.

Jonathan has 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.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Esther- Mordecai Remembered Because He Worked For the Good of the People

By Mary Vee
Esther 9,10

From Esther's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Esther. I am a Jew and the queen of Babylon.

My story comes to an end today. 

My cousin, Mordecai, who was given the position of second to the king, wrote a letter to all 127 provinces of Babylon.

Now that Haman and his patriots had their plan to kill the Jews foiled and are dead, Mordecai has declared two days of celebration.A celebration to remember how God saved us.

Haman had used a system called casting lots to decide what day would be used to kill the Jews. Another word for casting lots is, pur. To remember the reason why we were celebrating for generations to come, a time when God stopped the Jew's enemies, the feast was named Purim.

During the two days of Purim the Jews and anyone else who chose to join them held a day of feasting, celebration, and praise to the Almighty for His protection. Mordecai's letter said the two days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. These days of Purim should never stop being celebrated by the Jews, neither should the memory of what happened among their descendants.

Mordecai's letter showed the people his goodwill and assurance of their safety.

There is more information about what happened this year, and it was a wild year, in the book of the annals of the kings of Medes and Persia.

My cousin, Mordecai was held in high esteem by the Jews because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. 

As so we worship God in peace. We follow the laws given by the Almighty. We eat and live each day.

**Note from Mary Vee- Purim is usually celebrated in March, but like Easter, doesn't fall on the same day every year. Google "When is Purim" to find out the date each year. *********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. How many provinces were in Babylon?
2. What rank did Mordecai have?
3  What rank did Esther have?
4. Why was the new feast day called Purim?
5. Why did the Jews celebrate Purm?
6. Why did the people how Mordecai in high esteem?

Esther: At Last, We Can Bake Bread and Raise Our Families

By Mary Vee
Esther 9

From Esther's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Esther. I am a Jew.

I have been Queen of all Babylon. A job I would have never imagined having. The only way I was given this position was because God worked out the details. 

The twelfth month came. The thirteenth day arrived and Haman's terrible decree happened. Soldiers and citizens who hated Jews raised their weapons and attacked with the full blessing of Haman's decree.

This was also the day Mordecai's decree took effect. Mordecai, the Jew and my cousin, pleased the king. He then asked permission to write a decree allowing the Jews to protect themselves. The king said yes because of the terrible crimes Haman committed.

The battle began rather early this morning. Many Babylonian citizens and officials fought with the Jews. 

Reports came in to the king throughout the day telling of the Jews success. 

Supper time ended and the last report came to the king. He turned to me and said, "Esther, my queen, the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men here in Susa. What is your request? That, too, will be granted because of Haman's terrible deeds."

This time I didn't need Mordecai to give me advice. I knew exactly what needed to be done. There were other men in Babylon who hated the Jews and wanted to kill all of us. I said, "If it pleases the king, give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day's edict tomorrow also, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows." I wanted to make sure none of his sons ever tried what their father did.

"Very well," he said. "It shall be done."

Haman's ten sons hung on the gallows and 300 men who hated the Jew's were put to the sword. The Jews didn't touch any of the 300 men's possessions, even though they were given permission to take what they wanted.

In the rest of the providence, seventy-five thousand enemies of the Jews fell to the sword. None of their possessions were touched. On the fourteenth day in the rest of Babylon, the Jews and those who fought with them rested, making it a day of feasting and joy.

The Jews in Susa rested on the fifteenth day.

There is a calm in Babylon. The fighting and threats done by the Jewish haters has stopped. At last, the Jews can bake their bread and raise their families without great fear. All thanks to the Almighty. 



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

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

1. What was the date?
2. What two decrees took effect on this date?
3  What did the king ask Esther at the end of the day?
4. What did she answer?
5. Esther asked for only a certain city, which one?
6. What did the Jews and those who helped the Jews do the next day?

Jonathan Goforth-One Wild Field

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1879

Jonathan Goforth-fifteen years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Jonathan Goforth. I will be a missionary in China some day.

God never gives us a job without first preparing us. Looking back to my childhood, He prepared me much more than I had realized.

During the months of November through planting season, my brothers and I went to school. I felt like I could never learn enough. Questions popped in my mind that needed answering. I couldn't settle for the "I'm not sure" and the "I don't know" answers. I spent time researching until that question found an answer. Hah. Once I had the answer another popped in my head.

I'm not completely sure if my Pa agreed with my findings, but he seemed mighty intrigued with my work on our family farm. By the time I reached fifteen he put me in charge of the second farm he bought to expand our business. I used the methods he taught me to set up each field. I plowed the fields turning the weeds to expose their roots to the sun. That of course killed them. 

As I worked, I wondered about the seed we used. Sure seemed like if we bought this other seed for sale in town that the plants would produce a better crop. I also tried new ideas with caring for the animals and saw the reward when my butter brought a better price than other farmer's. 

Pa came to the farm to see my work and nodded. Didn't really say much until we came to one field that had never been farmed. Not sure why the previous owner didn't use it. Maybe he couldn't keep up with the extra work.

Pa looked at the field and pointed. "I want you to get this field ready for planting. I'll be back to inspect your work."

This was the first time I took a field of weeds and prepared it for farming. I use all the same ideas that worked for the other fields, plowing to expose the weed roots, buying the best seed, planting them in a way that scientifically seemed logical. I put the time and care into the field that it needed. Like a little child, it needed extra care.

The wheat grew tall and healthy. Pa stopped by the farm. "I want to see that new field, son." So I took him out to the field. On the inside I felt a bit nervous. I had tried my best. Used all the skills I had learned. The field seemed good, but would Pa think so?

We stood at the field's edge for a long time. Him just standing and looking. Me, anxious to hear what he thought. He walked to another edge and looked for a long time, then another. He walked through some of the rows, bent down and checked for weeds. He didn't find any. At last he stood, looked at me and smiled.

Translation: "You did a mighty fine job, son."

On the inside I was leaping up and down. On the outside, I nodded back to Pa.

This is what God wants us to do with all the jobs He gives us. Ask questions. Study. Prepare. Do. Check. Recheck. 

To me, there is nothing better than to hear from my Father, "Well done." 



Jonathan has 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.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Esther-The Thirteenth Day

By Mary Vee
Esther 9

From A Nobles' Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am a noble. A man of wealth and name living in Babylon. A month ago, I chose to join with the Jews knowing this day was coming.

This is the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. 

The day Haman's decree gave permission to the army to attack and kill all the Jews.

You may wonder, why did I join with the Jews then? Did I want to be killed?

No way.

Haman was found guilty of several crimes against the king and was hung. The king promoted Mordecai, a Jew to take his place. In the last several months Mordecai has proven himself to be an honorable and wise man. The king gave him permission to write a new decree. One that gave the Jews permission to defend themselves.

The Jews, on their own, may not have had the power to fight off the army. BUT, Mordecai had grown in favor with the king. Other nobles, administrators, and leaders feared him, as did I. Not because he was cruel--he wasn't. It was because the king favored him, and the king had the power to punish anyone he pleased with death.

Most of the leaders and nobles chose to side with the Jews on this day. Only the fools did not. This morning, I ate breakfast then went out to the city square with my sword and stood with the Jews, ready to fight their enemy with them.

Just as I suspected, the fools who let their hate for the Jews consume them attacked. 

The Jews and those of us who supported them raised our weapons. The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them. Five hundred foolish men lay dead in the citadel of Susa alone. 

More were killed in cities across the Babylonian empire. 

The decree gave the Jews permission to go to the houses of their enemies and take whatever they wanted. I was surprised to see that they didn't. They had no interest in taking those things. I must admit, their actions gave me great respect for them.

Clearly this battle belonged to the Jews and their God.



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

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

1. What was the date?
2. What two decrees took effect on this date?
3  What did many nobles and administrators do on this date?
4. Why did the nobles and administrators choose to side with the Jews?
5. Who won the battle?

Esther-The Nobleman Who Lived to Tell the Story

By Mary Vee
Esther 8

From A Nobles' Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am a noble. A man of wealth and name living in Babylon. Those of us who have had family living here for years have had to deal with a lot lately.

Earlier this year, Haman, the man King Xerxes appointed to be in second position in the kingdom issued a decree in the king's name saying that all the Jews were to be killed in the twelfth month.

Haman was later found guilty of serious crimes. King Xerxes had Haman hung and gave the position to Mordecai, a Jew. Sounds odd, right? It turns out, Mordecai saved the king's life. 

Mordecai, with permission of the king, then wrote a new decree giving the Jews power to defend themselves and kill any enemy on the day Haman's decree took place. I and the other men of power watched the Jews prepare the last six months for the day. I must admit, we've been frightened. 

Mordecai is a fair man, he has served the king well, but he is also a man to be feared. He has such power. So much so that I and several of my friends have become Jews to insure the safety of our lives. Many men and their families from all nationalities have joined satraps, governors, and kings administrators to help the Jews.

There are the fools who have let their anger grow against the Jews. They will not be able to stand against the Jews tomorrow, the appointed day. What fools.

Already the Jews have gathered in the cities in all the provinces to attack those who want to kill them and their families. 

I went to bed that night, hoping my family would remain safe. In truth, I didn't see any problems with the Jews. They had their own celebrations and foods, but what does that matter? It's not worth eliminating them. No. I will stand on the side of the Jews. 

The next morning the enemies of the Jews started the battle. The Jews struck down all their enemies, as the king has given them permission to do. Throughout all of Babylon, the enemies of the Jews were killed. Even though they had permission from the king to take all the possessions of their enemies, the Jews didn't touch any of it. 

Maybe they are better than I thought. I wonder about this God of theirs. Maybe I will ask.



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

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

1. Why was this noble concerned?
2. What did the noble choose to do?
3  Why did he think about the Jews?
4. What didn't the Jews do, even though they had permission from the king?
5. Was the nobleman spared?

Jonathan Goforth-Not Afraid

By Mary Vee
Year: February 1874

Jonathan Goforth-ten years old

Dr. Andrew Vining's Journal

Photo Courtesy- 1864 map

My name is Dr. Andrew Vining. I'm going to interrupt Jonathan to tell you a story about him.

Long ago, when we were just young fellas we went to school together.

Jonathan was one of eleven kids. That was a big family. Big families have a lot of advantages, plenty of playmates right in your house, lots of laughter, probably yelling too, I imagine. 

One disadvantage is a kid in a big family has to work to get noticed. It strengthens his spirit or squashes it. For Jonathan, his   big family strengthened him. He wasn't afraid to stand up and defend what he though was right. No sir.

One day at the schoolhouse, it was one of those one-room buildings with an outhouse, a few of the older kids started picking on me. I was shorter and younger than Jonathan and a lot smaller than the kids making my life unhappy.

Jonathan Goforth was in the schoolhouse looking at a map of the world. He studied that thing nearly everyday at recess. I had no idea that God was working in him way back then. Anyway, I was outside the window, pinned up against the building. The teacher was talking to a few other kids on the other side of the playground and didn't see these bullies picking on me.

Jonathan walked to the window and told the older kids to leave me alone. Right. That didn't work. He was inside the building and they were outside. They didn't listen to a word he said and kept picking on me.

He wasn't that old himself, but I heard him stomp across the inside floorboards toward the door. He bust out of there with his face red and his fists raised. He walked over to those bullies. "Leave him alone. He's just a kid."

I suppose that kind of talk came from his folks who found a way to keep a peaceful house with eleven kids. No one should be picked on, no matter their size.

The bullies didn't stop. Big mistake. Hah. I tell you it was worth getting shoved around to see what happened next. 

My defender, protector, Jonathan Goforth challenged and trounced that bully. Message communicated. The bully and his friends never picked on me again.

What did I learn that day? Jonathan Goforth was a man with convictions and willing to defend those convictions. Now can you imagine a man like that on the mission field? Yeah. This was a man God will use to fearlessly go to places others are afraid to go and tell the people living there about the God who loves them.

Amazing, right? I thought so, too. That's why I took over his story to tell you.



Jonathan has 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.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Esther- Surprise Party in Babylonia

By Mary Vee
Esther 8

From A Young Mother's Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am a young mother. My name is not important because my story is the same as all the Jewish mothers living in Babylonia.

Not long ago, a man rode through each town. He stood in the town square and called for all the people to gather around.

He read a decree stating all the Jewish people would be killed in the twelfth month. All men, women, and children. Not one would be spared.

We had been lamenting since we heard the news giving us only ten months to live. So many people, and why? What had we done to upset the king? None of us knew.

We'd worked hard to prepare our families.

I cried every morning then washed my face before my children saw my tears. They needed to enjoy what life they had left.

After the evening meal I cleaned the cooking area. My friends, Martha and Sarah, ran to my house. "Hurry, there is a man at the city square. He has a message for us."

"Should I bring the children? Maybe you should go and listen for me. Bring me a report back."

"I can't explain why," said Sarah. "But I have this feeling that the news will be good. Bring the children."

So I called little Aaron then Matthew my second oldest, and Jonathan my oldest. If only my husband, Simon were still alive, he'd know how to comfort me.

The four of us walked through the streets to the city square and stood at the back of the crowd. At least little Aaron could play that way.

The man unrolled a scroll and read:

By order of King Xerxes, king of Babylon, these words are hereby decreed as his order to all people. 

This edict grants the Jews in every city the right 
1. To gather together and protect themselves. 
2. To destroy and kill any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them, their women, or children. 
3. To plunder the property of their enemies. 

The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all provinces of King Xerxes is the thirteen day of the twelfth month,

The man rolled the scroll and left.

Just like that. 

The silence showed no one believed the words to be true. But they had to be. The decree came from the king. 

We shouted Hallelujah, for the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. I picked up little Aaron and squeezed him then hugged Matthew and Jonathan. The crowds cheered, sang, and hugged.

"What is making you so happy, Mother," said Jonathan.

"The Jewish people are allowed to defend ourselves against any person or soldier from the Babylonian empire who tries to harm us. God has saved us, Jonathan! God has saved us! 


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

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

1. Why was this mother sad?
2. What did her friends want her to do?
3  What news did the soldier bring?
4. What did the people do?
5. Why?