Monday: Esther 7, 8, 9. 10Why do you think this book is traditionally such a favorite with the Jewish people?
Why would it not be? It's the story of a victory! A tremendous, albeit a most bloody one, victory over their enemies. In what starts as a simple story of adoption by an uncle for his neice, turns into a success story of that uncle becoming the second most powerful man in an empire that ranged in territory over a significant area. This uncle and his neice, who became the queen to this king, saved the lives of Jews "everywhere." In what becomes the celebration of the holiday "Purim", the Jews rememembered how their lives were spared by the intervention of the queen. You have to read today's reading which follows (or if you're reading this on one of the blogs, go to an online Bible, such as http://www.bible.com/ and do a search for Esther 7-10 or http://www.bible.crosswalk.com/.
Again, interestinly enough, the name of God does not appear, but clearly God's hand was upon those who cared for others and for saving lives from the hand of evil men. The title in the subject line comes from the reading in The Message version where after their victory over all their enemies, the Bible says, "it was all sunshine and laughter for the Jews."
Is it all "sunshine and laughter" in your life? It can be, if you do what God would have you do and you seek to please God!
PRAYER: Lord, if it appears that today is shaping up to be a day of gloom and weeping, help turn it to a day of sunshine and laughter. Let my actions reflect that in the lives of others, especially those who need it the most. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
Why would it not be? It's the story of a victory! A tremendous, albeit a most bloody one, victory over their enemies. In what starts as a simple story of adoption by an uncle for his neice, turns into a success story of that uncle becoming the second most powerful man in an empire that ranged in territory over a significant area. This uncle and his neice, who became the queen to this king, saved the lives of Jews "everywhere." In what becomes the celebration of the holiday "Purim", the Jews rememembered how their lives were spared by the intervention of the queen. You have to read today's reading which follows (or if you're reading this on one of the blogs, go to an online Bible, such as http://www.bible.com/ and do a search for Esther 7-10 or http://www.bible.crosswalk.com/.
Again, interestinly enough, the name of God does not appear, but clearly God's hand was upon those who cared for others and for saving lives from the hand of evil men. The title in the subject line comes from the reading in The Message version where after their victory over all their enemies, the Bible says, "it was all sunshine and laughter for the Jews."
Is it all "sunshine and laughter" in your life? It can be, if you do what God would have you do and you seek to please God!
PRAYER: Lord, if it appears that today is shaping up to be a day of gloom and weeping, help turn it to a day of sunshine and laughter. Let my actions reflect that in the lives of others, especially those who need it the most. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
