Ezra-For the Sake of Our Children

By Mary Vee
Ezra 8

From Ezra's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Ezra. I have spent many years studying the Law of Moses while a slave in Babylon.

The king of Babylon has asked me to lead a group of Jews back to our homeland. He has given me the task to teach the Law of Moses to those living in Jerusalem.  

Apparently King Artaxerxes has decided that making Israel a good place for the Jews to live and worship our God is a good way to protect his kingdom from any surprise Egyptian attacks. He may think that is the reason, but I am convinced and praise God for His putting these thoughts into the heart of the king.

I must admit, the job seemed huge to me. I prayed and set my mind on doing the work. Although the king's invitation brought many Jews living in Babylon and willing to move back to our homeland, I didn't see any Levites, the chosen ones to work in the temple. 

I put out a notice for anyone interested in returning home to meet at the canal that flows toward Ahava. This was a river in Babylon near the Euphrates. Once everyone arrived, we camped for three days, hoping, and waiting... and still no one from the tribe of Levi showed. I sent messages to certain Levites who were good men of God and knowledgeable in the Law of Moses. I told them what to say to their brother Levites, hoping they could at least encourage some to go with us. It worked. They persuaded more than 250 Levite brothers to take the journey back to our homeland. 

I stood before all the men and women gathered at the river considering the instructions I would share. This would be a difficult journey. Most of us were born in this land of Persia as slaves. We had not seen the Promised Land given to our fathers by God. None of us really knew what to expect. Neither did we know if the journey would have hardships. We were leaving everything we knew behind. Everything. To go back to the land of our fathers and to build new lives in Jerusalem.

There, by the water's edge, I said, "Let us fast and humble ourselves before our God. Let's ask him for a safe journey for us and our children and all our possessions. I must tell you I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road because we had told the king 'The hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his anger is against all who turn away from him.' I am confident in our God that He will protect us."

Yes. God could protect us.

We continued to camp by the Ahaha canal to fast and ask our God about the journey. And He answered our prayer.  We should go. All of us.

That settled it. 

We were going home. To Jerusalem.


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sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. What task did the king give to Ezra?
2. Who were called to meet at the Ahava Canal?
3. What did Ezra ask the people to do while there?
4. What answer did God give the people?
5. Where were they going?

Jonathan Goforth-No One Would Go? Really?

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1881

Jonathan Goforth-seventeen 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.

I'd turned seventeen years old and finished my political course. Every time I thought back to the day my teacher and classmates asked Jesus to be their savior I was convinced I should be a pastor. 

The next step was to study Latin and Greek at Knox College. I'd become quite excited about being a pastor, especially as I watched Mr. Cameron preach in his church. It was because of his teachings that I realized my need to ask Jesus into my heart.

I couldn't wait to get started. I ordered hundreds of tracts to share with everyone I knew and met. I taught a Sunday School class. These experiences helped me learn a lot about sharing God's love with others. 

One day a friend invited me to hear a guest speaker at the Knox church. The speaker was a missionary to Taiwan. How intriguing! I went with my friend to hear Dr. Mackay speak. He was an older man and his words captured my attention.

Dr. Mackay told us many ways God had provided for him in Taiwan, about the many people there who didn't know the Gospel, how there was a great need for more missionaries to go and help with the work. He said he had traveled all over Canada searching for one man to go back with him. To learn the ministry and to take over before Dr. Mackay died. It seemed there wasn't anyone.

I felt horrible. Not sick. Just incredibly sad inside. No one would go? His work would simply end? How would the people learn about the God who loved them?

And then I questioned my thinking of the past month. Why did I want to be a minister? There is a great need in the world. Who am I to stay home when I could be in some other place telling people who had never heard about Jesus and that there really was a God who loved them.

I sat in the pew and lowered my head. That's when a Bible verse came to mind, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?"

That was the answer. Clear as the sky above me. I needed to finish my training at Knox then prepare to go to a mission field. I didn't know for sure if God needed me in Taiwan, but I did know God wanted me to help somewhere in a foreign land.

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.

Ezra-The King Wanted To Help Us--Can You Believe It?

By Mary Vee
Ezra 7

From Ezra's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Ezra. I have spent many years studying the Law of Moses. 

I have been a captive in the land of Babylon along with many other Jews. Our land had been conquered almost seventy years ago and we were brought here to serve the Babylonian people.

But there is a new king on the throne. And time has passed. Artaxerxes was the king of this land now called Persia. I had many opportunities to speak with him.

What I found especially exciting was seeing God work in the king's heart. A king who did not believe in God. 

Artaxerxes wanted people to occupy Israel. He wanted them to grow their crops, rebuild cities. Live. Worship a God he didn't know. 

As long as the Israelites remained strong, their cities would be like a wall between Egypt and him. This way, if Egypt decided to start a war against Babylon, they would first have to conquer Israel.

So, the king gave me everything I asked. God blessed us by causing Artaxerxes to want to help. In fact, King Artaxerxes gave me a letter to carry with me on my journey. This is what he wrote in the letter:

I decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who wish to go to Jerusalem with you, may go. I am sending you and my seven advisers to teach the people the Law of your God, which is in your hand. Take with you the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely given to the God of Israel the silver and gold from those remaining in Babylon. Use these as an offering to your God for the temple of your God in Jerusalem. 

Use what ever money is left over in anyway your God says. Be sure to deliver all the articles given to you for the temple worship. And if you need any more money for the temple, you may have what you need from my royal treasurer.

I am ordering all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates to give whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of God of heaven, asks. Whatever the God of heaven has ordered, let it be done for His temple. You may not impose any taxes on any priest or worker of the house of God.

And you, Ezra are to appoint leaders and judges using the wisdom God has given you. You are to teach any who do not know the laws of your God. Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must be punished by death, banishment, lose their property, or put in prison.

This is what I, Artaxerxes decree.

And this is where the king's letter ended. Amazing, right?  I am so very happy.

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

1. Why did King Artaxerxes want to help Israel?
2. What did he give them?
3. What was his gift to be used for?
4. What could Ezra do if they needed more money?
5. Who did the king say the people had to obey?

Malachi-Guaranteed Way To Be Blessed

By Mary Vee
Malachi 3

From Malachi's Journal

Photo Courtesy

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

The problem He wished to talk about was their stealing.

God said His people stole from Him.

When I told the people this, they asked, "How are we stealing?"

God said, "You steal from me when you do not bring the tithes and offerings as instructed in the law."

We do have a very loving God. One who is patient and forgiving if we listen and obey His laws. Even when we do wrong, He will forgive us if we confess and turn from our bad ways.

God said "If the people bring the whole tithe, not just a part, but the whole required offering to the storehouse and fill the chambers with food for my house then they will receive great blessings.

"Want me to prove My word?" God asked.

"Try obeying my law. Bring the full offerings to my house. When you do I will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour blessings beyond belief. Blessing you will not have room enough to store. 

"I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vine weeds in your fields will not grow up and strangle your plants. 

"Then all the nations around you will call you blessed. Your land will be a delightful land.

"For you who honor God's name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like a young calf released from the stall. 

And so I reminded God's people. This is something everyone man, woman, and child who loves God needs to remember. God said, "Remember the law of my servant ones, the decrees and laws I gave him at Mount Horeb for my people, Israel.

"I will send you the prophet Elijah before the day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. 

"But if they won't turn their hearts, a curse will fall on the land."


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

1. What did God want the people to do?
2. What blessing would the people receive if they obeyed?
3. What will the people from other nations say?
4. What reminder did God have for the people?
5. Who will God send?
6. What will this person help the people do?
7. What will happen if they don't listen?

Jonathan Goforth Refuses to Let The Mean Words Stop Him

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1880

Jonathan Goforth-sixteen 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. I've been in charge of one of my father's farms here in Canada. In truth, I knew this wasn't going to be my lifelong work. I was a bit afraid to tell my dad, though. Wow. He surprised  me. 

I told Dad I wanted to become a politician. One of my older brother's lived near a school that offered a course on politics. Dad made the arrangements and I started school that fall.

Remember, I lived in the late 1800's. We didn't have a lot of things you do. Our schools were small and we had teachers who taught special classes visit the school. One taught Bible classes, his name was Rev. Cameron. He was very interesting and kind to all the students. I was intrigued with what he taught and wanted to learn more. 

Out of respect for all the time he'd given to us students, I thought I should visit his church and listen to him preach. The church wasn't close to my brother's house, but I could walk the distance. Rev. Cameron's sermons were very interesting and the people in his church were kind, like he was. 

I went back to the church several times. And on the third visit, I asked Jesus to be my Savior. The feeling inside surprised me. I wanted to read Bible more than the political books. I wanted to study it. Share what I'd learned with others. In fact, when my parents came for a one month visit to my brother's house, I took a chance and suggested we have a family time with God. I'd chosen some Bible verses and planned everything, all I had to do was ask. My nerves trembled. I didn't know what Dad would say or if the family would listen. But to my big surprise they did!!

Since this went well, I decided to tell my classmates about Christ. That was an epic fail. 

Around the same time, our teacher taught about Thomas Paine's ideas in our political classes. Thomas Paine criticized those who believed in Jesus. He said Christian thinking was outdated and no longer important to people who lived today. My classmates listened to the teacher and agreed with the teachings. When I raised my hand and said I believed in Jesus...well...let's just say the students AND the teacher made fun of me. They were really mean about it.

On and on the joking went. When I didn't get mad enough, they bullied me--just because I believed in Jesus. Unbelievable. My biggest problem was I didn't know very much about the Bible. I didn't know how to defend my belief in Jesus against their questions and bullying. I must admit, I felt discouraged and hurt. BUT I didn't let their cruel words stop me.

For each mean question they threw at me, I spent hours studying the Bible until I had a good answer to show my classmates in the Bible. 

And, this is almost funny. Really. By the end of the school year, those questions helped me learn a lot about the Bible and my faith in Jesus. I used the answers I'd found and the techniques my political teachers taught me to present Bible facts to my classmates and my teacher. Are you ready for this? They all believed and accepted Christ as their Savior. I know. Isn't that exciting?

Talk about a great feeling.

I can't wait to see what God has next for me.

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.

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.

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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?