Quiet Time

Day 4 Mordecai Appeals to Esther                                                                           Esther 4:1-17 ,  Isaiah 15:1-3 ,  Romans 5:6-11 The law has been set forth to eliminate all the Jews. As a Jew, Mordecai pleads Esther to talk to the King and defend her people. At first, Esther declines, saying that she's not in the position to defy the King's law, but after Mordecai talks some sense to her. She decides to defend her people and says: "After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law.  If I perish, I perish."  Esther is so brave to go against the King's orders because there's a chance she won't make it out alive. Although this may be terrifying, God put Esther in the palace at that time to defend and save her people. I liked the co...

Day 3 Haman Plans to Kill the Jews: Ester 3: 1-15 Haman was honored by the king and was given too much power to take action with evil in his heart. He plans to kill all of the Jews throughout the king's provinces because they are different. But how can you hate someone without knowing them first? How can you kill a person, let alone a whole ethnic group without any remorse? It just blows my mind that such extreme discrimination and prejudice is occuring. Now I understand why Mordecai told Esther to keep her ethnicity a secret. I am afraid for Mordecai because Haman knows that he is a Jew and will probably take action against him. This passage reminds me of the Black Lives Matter movement that is going on right now. In America, there is systemic racism and there are so many innocent black lives that are murdered. Racial profiling and discrimination still occurs in America today. The KKK still exists today. But I have to ask again: how can you judge someone without meeting them ...

Day 2 The King Searches for a Queen: Esther 2  The King Xerxes finds a new queen to replace Vashti. He gathers all the virgins into his palace and chooses Esther. Esher is now queen. Mordecai (uncle of Esther) tells Esther that 2 men are plotting to kill the king and Esther reports this to the King. The 2 men are hanged. Commentary: I find it very misogynistic of King Xerxes to gather all the girls and pick which one he wants to his choosing. It shows the extreme male privilege during this time and it shows that they care more about outer appearances more than your personality and worth. I did like how Esther had trust is Mordecai and told the king about the treason, allowing her to gain trust with King Xerxes.

Day 1 Vashti angers the King: Esther 1:1-22 In this passage, Vashti refuses the order of the King when he commands her to show her beauty among the people. By refusing, Vashti angers the King and is considered defiant against the king and the land. The King makes a law that all men should rule their own house and the women will honor them. Commentary: I think that Vashti is being brave. I do wonder, why she defied the king. Was it out of good reason? How will her impact effect the world now? In She Reads Truth, they reference to Psalm 32:7 which says "You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance". I think this stanza is vital in both Vashti's life and my own life. Vashti is in quite a predicament right now and she will need the presence of God to keep her mental and physical being at peace and protect. In a time where this will become very difficult for her, she will need the strength to persevere. This ...