Tag: faith

Woman looking up at the Milky Way in a desert at night
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 4, Uncategorized

Sarah

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from the study She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, volume 4/pp63-64

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 17, Genesis 18:11-12, and Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by the great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

This is our third day’s journey with Sarah, or Sarai, as she has been known until now, when God gives her a new identity. It wasn’t a drastic change, simply one letter, but when God changed someone’s name, there was always a reason. According to gotquestions.org, “it was usually to establish a new identity. In this case, Sarai, meaning ‘my princess‘, became ‘Sarah’, meaning ‘mother of nations‘ (Genesis 17:15).”

It has been said before, but the ‘elephant’ (as they say) is still in the room: Whether she is called Sarai or Sarah she is still not pregnant and there is literally no human hope or physical possibilities of her being able to conceive. So, why would God grace her with this new identity? “Mother of nations? Seriously? She wasn’t even the mother of one. She had been barren for decades and well beyond childbearing age. This was more than Sarah’s opinion it was physical reality for we read in Genesis 18:11-12 that Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” It would take a miracle for Sarah to give Abraham a son now ~ and that’s exactly what happened. As just “one year later, God’s supernatural restoration of Sarah’s womb and Abraham’s vitality resulted in the promised son, Isaac.  Abraham and Sarah’s moment of too much inward focus and not enough focus on God’s ability to do the impossible was a brief interlude to an otherwise trusting and believing relationship, as the author of Hebrews attests.1“

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

(Hebrews 11:11–12)

Sarah is an example that nothing is too hard for the Lord our God.

Friends, let’s remember ~ if God can provide the impossible for Sarah, He is also able to so for us💜

Reflection and Application

How have you doubted God before? Is there something you are doubting Him about now?

The More We Know

What’s in a Name?

God changed Abram’s name, meaning “high father,” to “Abraham,” meaning “father of a multitude” (Genesis 17:5). At the same time, God changed Abraham’s wife’s name from “Sarai,” meaning “my princess,” to “Sarah,” meaning “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15). This name change took place when God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. God also reaffirmed His promise to give Abraham a son, specifically through Sarah, and told him to name his son Isaac, meaning “laughter.” Abraham had another son, Ishmael, through Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar. But God’s promise to bless the nations through Abraham was to be fulfilled through Isaac’s line, from whom Jesus descended (Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38). Isaac was the father of Jacob, who became “Israel.” His twelve sons formed the twelve tribes of Israel—the Jews. The physical descendants of Abraham and Sarah formed many nations. In a spiritual sense, their descendants are even more numerous. Galatians 3:29 says that all who belong to Jesus Christ—Jew, Gentile, male, or female—are “Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

  1. Answer in Genesis ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, prayer, Quiet Time, She, Volume 4

Sarah~ [Sarai], part 2… and Hagar

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from the study She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, volume 4/pp63-64

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 16 and Isaiah 55:8-9

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar.

Genesis 16:1

In our last encounter with Sarah, we learned that she was married to Abraham, and she left her family and a life she had known for more than 50 years to follow Abraham to a land God said He would show them. She has heard God’s promise to Abraham of many descendants that would make up a great nation. Yet, four chapters later, Scripture still reports that she has no children.

Sarah was considered barren, Yet she knew what God had promised.

She, Delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, Volume 4, p65

The journal for this study poses the question, “Why had she not gotten pregnant yet?” This made me think of others we’ve met on our journeys, like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5) and Rachel (Genesis 30:22), both of whom are reminders of the fact that it is God who opens the womb and/or keeps it closed. The journal also reminds us that “she was getting up in years, and it seemed as if time was short.” This truth is made evident in today’s journey through Genesis 16, where we find that Sarah decides not to wait any longer; she devises a plan and takes the necessary steps to carry it out. The plan involved her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, and the very desperate act of having her sleep with Abraham. (Yes, this was a cultural norm at the time, but I can only imagine how desperate you must be for a child to consider, let alone actually, employing it.) I would like to say that I have never been one to manipulate situations for a certain outcome, but sadly, I played those games for years when I was younger, and I learned, just like Sarah, that manipulation comes with regret and consequences that are often more difficult and disappointing than waiting for God and His timing.

Friends, we must never forget that patience is a highly esteemed virtue in the Bible, often described as “long-suffering” or “endurance”. It is not passive waiting, but an active, steadfast trust in God’s timing and loving treatment of others. Patience is not only a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), but according to James, it is also a key ingredient in developing spiritual maturity (James 1:3-4).

We would be wise to remember that our God, the same God of Abraham and Sarah, is a sovereign God, a keeper of promises, and His timing is always perfect. Apparently, though, the years of waiting have made her question, if not flat-out disbelieve, that she would ever get pregnant. Unlike God, she had a plan B and set it in motion through a conversation with Abraham, explaining her plan. She then takes Hagar and gives her to Abram as a ‘surrogate’ wife. Can you even imagine what a desperate desire Sarah had for a child, to the point that this became her solution?

A Plan Gone Wrong

2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) 4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.

Genesis 16:2-4

The plan accomplishes Sarah’s desire for a child, but it backfires in every other way. Her husband was now the husband of Hagar, her handmaid, who was now pregnant with his child. On top of that, Hagar now despises Sarah and treats her with contempt, and in turn, Scripture says that Sarah treated Hagar harshly, and Hagar fled from Sarah’s presence.” (Genesis 16:6, CSB)

Sarah is an example of how impatience, not being willing to wait on God’s will, can lead to trouble and heartache ~ having a negative impact on our lives as well as others. I also believe Hagar serves as an example of how jealousy can lead to broken relationships. ~ May God guard us from jealousy and impatience. In His worthy and powerful name I pray – AMEN!

The More We Know

I hope you will take time to learn more about Hagar from this commentary, borrowed from Gotquestions.org.

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, She, Volume 4

Sarah~[Sarai], part 1

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from the study She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, volume 4/pp63-64

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 11:27-32, Genesis 12, and Genesis 18:14

This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. 28 But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living. 29 Meanwhile, Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. (Milcah and her sister Iscah were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.) 30 But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children.

31 One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran.

Genesis 11:27-32 (NLT)

God was repositioning Abraham and Sarah according to His perfect plan and they followed where He led.

Me~ from the InsideOut🦋

When we first read of Abraham and Sarah, they are living with Abraham’s family in Ur of the Chaldeans, but they moved away from there, intending to move to the land of Canaan. However, Terah, Abraham’s father, settled the family in Haran. Abraham and Sarah stayed with his family until God spoke to Abraham, telling him to move out of the country, away from his father’s family. While this move requried blind faith (for God simply said, move to a land that I will show you), it came with an amazing promise of blessing, which included him being made into a great nation, fame, God’s protection, and becoming a blessing to others. God was repositioning Abraham and Sarah according to His perfect plan and they followed where He led. Keep in mind that Abraham was at 75 years old when God called him out of Haran. Yet, Scripture doesn’t tell us that Abraham struggled with this call on his life. He and Sarah had made a home in Haran for at least 50 years. It was where their family was, but we read of no debate or conversation between Abraham and Sarah about whether to go or stay – only that Abraham (still called Abram at the time) departed as the Lord had instructed.

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. (Gen 12:4-6)

It was in Shechem, where the Lord appeared again to Abraham, saying:

“I will give this land to your descendants.[a]” After which, “Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. 9 Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev. (Gen 12:7-9)

If you’re reading this account of Abraham and Sarah for the first time, or if you’ve read it more than a dozen times yet find yourself amazed yet again at God’s timing in the things He discloses before they even happen, you may be wondering how the promise of making Abraham into a great nation and giving land to his “descendants” could ever happen, especially since Sarah was barren, (Genesis 11:30) … but rest assured friends, it happens just as God said it would. Join me tomorrow and in the week ahead as we explore Sarah’s story, which includes her handmaid named Hagar, Sarah’s plan to have a baby despite being barren. and God asking Abraham the questions: “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’ I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Genesis 18:14a

A Prayer of Response

O Sovereign Lord, may we never doubt what You have said, but instead always stand amazed at the reality we see time and time again in Your Word, that nothing is too difficult for You.You gave sight to the blind, You made the lame walk, and You raised Your only begotten Son from the grave that we might have everlasting life! Absolutely nothing is too difficult for You. 💜

Reflection and Application:

  1. What is God positioning you for? Are you ready to follow where He leads/calls you to go?
  2. Is there something that seems impossible to you right now?
    • Health situations?
    • Finances?
    • An unsaved loved one?
    • The return of a prodigal child?

~ Ask the Lord to help you have faith in Him today, remind yourself often throughout the day(s) ahead that “NOTHING, absolutely nothing is too difficult for our God.”

The More We Know

Sarai began her life in the pagan world of Ur, in the land of the Chaldees, which was located in the area now known as Iraq. She was the half-sister, as well as the wife, of Abram, who would be called Abraham. Sarai and Abram had the same father but different mothers, according to Genesis 20:12. In those days, genetics were purer than they are today, and intermarriage was not detrimental to the offspring of unions between relatives. Also, since people tended to spend their lives clustered together in family units, it was the natural course to choose mates from within their own tribes and families.

When Abram encountered the living God for the first time, he believed Him (Genesis 12:1–4; 15:6) and followed after Him, obeying His command to leave his home to go to a place he had never heard about, much less seen. Sarai went with him.

Their journey brought them to the area called Harran (Genesis 11:31). Abram’s father, Terah, passed away in this city, and Abram, Sarai, and their nephew Lot and their retinue continued their journey, allowing God to lead and guide them. With no housing and no modern conveniences, the journey must have been very difficult for all, especially for the women. During their journey, there was a famine in the land, prompting Abram and Sarai to go to Egypt (Genesis 12:10). When they did, Abram feared that the Egyptians would kill him because Sarai was beautiful and they would want her as a wife. So he asked Sarai to tell everyone that she was Abram’s sister—which was technically true but also meant to deceive. Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s house, and Abram was treated well because of her. But God afflicted Pharaoh’s house, and the couple’s lie was revealed. Pharaoh returned Sarai to Abram and sent them on their way (Genesis 12). Sarai and Abram came back to the land now known as Israel. They had acquired many possessions and a great deal of wealth in their travels, so Lot and Abram agreed to split up in order that the massive herds of cattle would have adequate ground for grazing (Genesis 13:9).

Gotquestions.org

Persian palace with blue domes and illuminated arches at sunset
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 4

Esther, Part 2

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from She, volume 4 of Delighting in the examples of the Women of the Bible/pp19-20

Today’s Scripture: Esther 1-2 and Psalm 75:6-7

6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. Psalm 75:6-7

Esther also serves as an example that we are able to obtain grace and favor in the sight of our King. 1

The Road to Queenship

So many thoughts go through my mind when I read this portion of the story. Did the women have a choice? Is it something they would have wanted? As young Persian girls had they dreamed about becoming the queen? Surely, as a Jew, Esther would have never entertained the thought – yet here she was on the threshold of that possibility. I can’t help but wonder how she felt. After all, it seems to be the beauty pageant of all beauty pageants (of which I have never been a fan). Secondly, as was the custom of the day/culture, the women were being groomed, trained/coached, and then examined not just for their beauty but also for their appeal to the king and their suitability or likability as the queen. Keep in mind, this wasn’t just a long-weekend spa treatment; it was a yearlong regimen.2 It is also helpful, if not important, to understand, as gotquestions.org explains, “the queen of Persia was not simply the wife of the king. The queenship was an honorary/political position. The king was a polygamist with many wives and concubines in his harem, but the queen was a special wife occupying a favored position. … Each of the women would spend a night with the king. After their night together, each woman would be moved to the “other side” of the harem and would never see the king again, unless he called for her.“3 Actually, it is said by one commentator that “when the king found the ‘right one,’ He would name her queen, although she would not be his exclusive wife or sexual partner. A woman whom Xerxes never called again would live her life in the harem as a pampered prisoner with no possibility for a real marriage or family of her own. ~ Perhaps it is just because we live in a completely different culture, but I cannot imagine any woman choosing or wanting this life.


15When the turn came for Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now, Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, 17the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 

Esther 2:15-17

Friends, I am confident of this: nothing in Esther’s life was a mistake or a coincidence. From the timing of the exile … to the death of her parents … to Mordecai raising her as his own daughter … to the fact that she was still in Judah, having not returned with Ezra at the end of the exile … to her finding favor in the eyes of Hegai, the King’s keeper of women … to her heeding Mordecai’s wisdom/advice to not reveal that she was a Jew … to the grace and favor she found in the king’s sight … and ultimately the crown that was placed upon her head … and everything we will witness in the next chapters of our journey … all of it is more evidence of God ordering the steps of Esther and protecting the plight of His people.

The Wisdom of a Secret Kept

In regard to Esther’s obedience and respect to Mordecai’s request that she not reveal that she was a Jew, consider this commentary by David Guzik:

Now, Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her: Some have thought that the book of Esther carries this idea of concealment too far. This book has been criticized because it does not mention the name of God (as neither does the Song of Solomon).

i. Some say that the name of God was left out of the book of Esther because of its use in the festivities surrounding Purim, where people commonly became drunk. One rabbi taught: “A man is obligated to drink on Purim until he is unable to distinguish between ‘Blessed be Mordecai’ and ‘Cursed be Haman.’” Some have wondered if, in that atmosphere, it would be too easy to profane the name of God if it were to be read at such a festival.

ii. Others see the name YHWH hidden in acrostics, based on the initial and final letters of successive words in Esther 1:20, 5:4, 5:13, and 7:7. In some manuscripts, the letters in these words are written a bit larger to give them prominence.

iii. Perhaps also the book of Esther does not contain the name of God because it was written under Persian rule, and for distribution in the Persian Empire.

iv. Most likely, the book of Esther doesn’t have the name of God because it shows how God works behind the scenes; God is always active in Esther, even though it is behind the scenes.

The More We Know

In Esther 2, Xerxes begins to regret his decision to oust the queen, and he decides to find a new queen. The queen of Persia was not simply the wife of the king. The queenship was an honorary/political position. The king was a polygamist with many wives and concubines in his harem, but the queen was a special wife occupying a favored position. A call is sent out throughout the kingdom for all beautiful virgins to be gathered into the harem so that the king could choose a new queen from among them. As a member of the harem, a woman would technically be the property of the king—either a wife or a concubine. Each of the women would spend a night with the king. After their night together, each woman would be moved to the “other side” of the harem and would never see the king again, unless he called for her. When he found the “right one,” Xerxes would name her queen, although she would not be his exclusive wife or sexual partner. A woman whom Xerxes never called again would live her life in the harem as a pampered prisoner with no possibility for a real marriage or family of her own.4

  1. She, Volume 4, Delighting in the Examples of the Women of the Bible ↩︎
  2. 3. (Esther 2:12-14) The method of preparing and presenting the women before the king is established.
    Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.
    a. After she had completed twelve months’ preparation: Persia was one of many countries famous for its aromatic perfumes and ancient customs for the preparations of brides, including ritualistic baths, plucking of the eyebrows, the painting of hands and feet with henna, facial make-up, and applications of a beautifying paste all over the body, meant to lighten the color of the skin and to remove spots and blemishes.
    i. One reason for the lengthy time of preparation was to tell if the women had been pregnant upon coming into the harem, so that the king would not be charged with fathering a child that was not his.
    ii. Matthew Poole says that the oils and perfumes were necessary because “The bodies of men and women in those hot countries did of themselves yield very ill scents, if not corrected and qualified by art.”
    b. Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king: It sounds wonderful – a year of constant spa treatments. Yet the destiny of these women should also be considered: one evening with the king. If he chose them from the 400 others to be his queen, then she would be his companion (until she displeased him). As for the 399 who lost, they were banished to the harem where they stayed the wife or the concubine of the king, but rarely if ever saw him afterwards. And they were never free to marry another man, essentially living as a perpetual widow.
    ↩︎
  3. Gotquestions.org ↩︎
  4. The method of preparing and and presenting the women to the king ↩︎
Posted in Uncategorized

Esther, Part 1

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from She, volume 4 of Delighting in the examples of the Women of the Bible/pp17-18

Today’s Scripture: Esther 1-2 and Psalm 37:23

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23

Friends, can you remember a time in your life when it was clear to you that the Lord ordered your steps? For me, it was the timing of my children. Actually, when I look at the broader picture, it was the timing of my grandfather’s death (April 19, 1987). At the time, I thought the only thing special about the timing was that my mom and dad made it home from vacation shortly before Papa took his last breath. I had been sitting there by his bedside with my grandmother throughout the day; he had had little to no moments of ‘alertness’, that is, until my dad returned home and walked into the room and stood by his bed. As memory recalls, he reached down, touched his hand, and simply spoke the word “dad”-and in that moment, Papa’s eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, a smile tinged his lips, and within the hour, he was in the presence of his God.

I remember being amazed at God’s timing. I remember thinking how sweet it was that God had loved and cared enough about my dad to give him that last hour with his dad, instead of coming home to find him dead. I remember the comfort that it brought my grandmother. I also remember meeting Don Post (my mom and dad’s pastor) and other members of their church that night, and in the coming days surrounding the service and celebration of his life. Little did I know those days were the beginning of not only beautifully timed friendships but the awakening of a faith suppressed by sin and a spirit of pretense. – Ouch, that truth hits hard and is honestly difficult to share, but it is perhaps the truest beauty of God ordering my steps in those days, though I couldn’t see it at the time.

God had a purpose

You see, I had been married nearly seven years by then. I had longed for children through all of those years. My relationship with God (and my husband) had ebbed and flowed accordingly, but I became very good at the ‘cover-up’ (you know, church stuff on Sunday and Wednesday and special event days and living as I pleased the rest of the time). Over the next two years, I became pregnant, my husband changed jobs, we decided to build a house, and we moved in with my parents while we were building. All the while, I was oblivious to the true beauty of God’s timing. Beauty that included being under my parents’ roof, where Christianity wasn’t just a religion but a relationship with God. Conversations about Scripture (God’s sovereignty, grace, redemption, and love…) were not uncommon; friends from their church frequently popped by, and while I don’t know that I realized it at the time, all of it was like fresh water on the dry roots of my faith. Bible reading and prayer began to become a daily part of my life again – not just part of a checklist but a desire of my heart. So many good changes and blessings – yet with my growing faith came the realization that not all of my relationships were healthy ones, including the one with my husband, who wasn’t thrilled by my rekindled faith. The very thing that he once said he loved about me had now become a point of contention and regret, and finally fueled an argument that forced me to choose between standing firm in my faith and appeasing him. God gave me the courage to stand firm, and He honored the choice for many years to come. As for the other unhealthy relationships, God either weeded them out or transformed them, all the while cultivating new relationships that strengthened my faith and prepared me for things only God could have known were coming.

Almost two years from the date of my grandfather’s death (April 19, 1897), Annie, my first daughter, was born (April 17, 1989). Almost two years after meeting the people from my parents’ church, and the friendships that ensued, they were in the hospital when she was delivered. They welcomed us home, and they became an integral part of our lives. Why? Because God ordered my steps – and led me to the place and the people He knew I (and my family) needed. I had been in church all of my life, Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, and any special events. I was saved at the age of five or six, and grew up to teach and serve in the church of my childhood. I didn’t understand when my parents chose to leave the church for another church just a few short years before my grandfather’s death, but God did. He understood it all, saw it all, and was ordering their path too, and purposefully used it to rescue me from the wilderness I was in, lead me to a new body of believers, where I would learn about the depth of God’s mercy and grace in a way I had never understood. In doing so, He prepared a better path for my children than what they would have known if the path had not been changed. Oh, how I love and praise Him for being a God who orders the steps of His people according to His perfect will.

Friends, God ordered Esther’s footsteps as well. He placed her exactly where she was for a specific reason, exactly when she needed to be there. We will explore this further in the days to come, but for now, please do not miss the seemingly small things we see in Esther chapters 1 and 2, particularly verse 9 or chapter 2.


5 Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is, Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 8 So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. 9 And Esther pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.

Reflection and Application

List out the ways you see God ordering the steps of Esther in 2:9?

Write down a time you remember when God clearly ordered your steps.

The More We Know

10Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. 11And every day, Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Woman running on dirt path with stone arch and sunset in background
Posted in 100 Meditations on The Names Of Jesus, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Author and Finisher of Our Faith

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from 100 Meditations on the Names of Jesus, p18


1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (NLT)

I love the variety of synonyms concerning this particular name of Jesus. While they all mean the same thing, I am particularly fond of “the pioneer and perfecter of faith… as I picture a pioneer forging the way through … setting a path for others to follow … with the goal of leading them to a better place. ~ Which one is your favorite and why?

… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

… Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set NKJV/KJV

… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ESV

…. keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, HCSB

… looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, NASB

“Jesus is not only the originator of our faith, but He is the one who perfects it.”1

As always we must be careful to understand the context of the passages that we read as we journey through God’s Word. Specifically, in this passage, we cannot truly understand it if we do not know that chapter 11 was filled with the imagery of the faithful saints who have gone before us. The writer shares a considerable amount of examples to show “how God honors and works through true, godly faith—which is a trust sufficient to produce obedience, despite our doubts and fears (Hebrews 11:1–3). The writer also mentioned how these faithful ones endured hardships during their earthly lives, and even now are waiting to see God completely fulfill His promises (Hebrews 11:35–39.” Having these examples before us we should be inspired to run our own race of faith (“a trust sufficient to produce obedience, despite our doubts and fears”).Yet, the ultimate example, as the writer goes on to conclude here in Hebrews 12:2 is Jesus Himself, the beginning and the end, or as it is here written, in one fashion or another: The founder (pioneer, author, source, origiantor) and perfecter of our faith.

I believe it is worth it, if not necessary, to share this commentary from bibleref.com, explaining how Jesus is not only the ultimate example of godly faith but also as one who “suffered hardship and persecution (Philippians 2:8-11), as well as temptation (Hebrews 4:15), but never wavered in His resolve to do the will of God the Father (Hebrews 5:8). Christ’s entire ministry and the superiority of the new covenant (Hebrews 10:12–14) are grounded in His example, which we should strive to follow (Hebrews 2:10–11). His willingness to endure those trials came from an understanding that God could, and would, “work together for good” all of those things (Romans 8:28). The end goal of Jesus’ obedience was to establish the purpose we should be striving for: the “city with foundations” (Hebrews 11:10), our ultimate victory and reward in God (Hebrews 11:13–16; Revelation 21:1–14).”

The old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” just flooded my mind. So let me end with that encouragement for us all; a wonderful call to worship and way to live … Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” As we know from the Scriptures, Jesus suffered much on our behalf – but we know that He never stopped doing the will of His Father, striving to please Him in all that He did. May this be our resolve as well my friends.

Reflection and Application

  • What do you think it means that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith”?
  • Does your life relfect this truth?

  1. 100 Meditations on the Names of Jesus, p18 ↩︎
Posted in 100 Meditations on The Names Of Jesus, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, prayer, Quiet Time

Apostle of Our Confession

Posted on by MaryEllen

Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus. But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. Hebrews 3:1-2

According to the commentary by Bibleref.com, “for the Jewish people, there was no greater example than Moses, but according to this section of Hebrews, Jesus is far greater. These verses make a connection between Jesus’ role as our ultimate example—the “founder of our salvation”—and His superiority to even Moses.” The author clearly wanted the people of God to know and understand that Jesus is the One they are to follow.

Some may see the term “apostle” here as confusing. This is a title often given to the men who preached the gospel immediately after the ascension of Jesus. The term itself literally means, “one who is sent.” In the context of this passage, that is a perfect description of Jesus. He is One sent from God to bring us good news. He is meant to be our example, and we are meant to do as He did (John 13:13–15; 20:21).1

“In the next verses, the author will point out that Moses was faithful, but was also a created servant of God. Jesus, on the other hand, is the Creator and the Son of God. What Moses predicted, Christ fulfilled.” In doing so, He made a way to the Father where there was no way. So that all who come to Him by faith “are met with the power of His grace and love. There is forgiveness of sins, yes! There is also a call to a higher way of living.”2

In Luke chapter 2, Jesus turned to the crowd and told all who were listening that anyone who wanted to follow Him would have to turn from their selfish/wicked ways and take up their cross daily in order to follow Him. In other words, He was telling them they would have to be faithful to Him above everything else. In Mark chapter 12, He explained that this faithfulness required loving God and others above self, and in John chapter 3, He made sure that they understood what that love was to look like, namely, it was to be a mirror of His love- loving God and others, just as He has loved us. Thankfully, we who believe have been given His Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live and love like He did.

“There is no shortcut or bypassing the mandate to love God and to love others. Love encompasses the whole of the Law (Galatians 5:14). Anything else falls short of our heavenly calling.3“

Friends, may this prayer, borrowed from 100 Meditations of the Names of Jesus, be our prayer – on repeat …

Apostle of our Confession, You showed me how to walk in the ways and the power of God. May I be wise and discerning, choosing Your love above fear and pressures to conform. ~ Amen

Reflection and Application

“Beware of those who claim to know what it is to walk in the name of Jesus and do not live out the ways of Jesus.”4

  1. 100 Meditations on the Names of Jesus p14 ↩︎

Posted in 100 Meditations on The Names Of Jesus, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

Alpha and Omega

Posted on by MaryEllen

Scripture for the Journey: Revelation 1:8; 21:6; and 22:13.; John 1:1-5, 14; 2 Peter 3:10; Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, and 48:12

He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Revelation 13:8

Christ, as the Alpha and Omega, is the first and last in so many ways.1

  1. He is the “Author and Finisher” of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), signifying that He begins it and carries it through to completion.
  2. He is the totality, the sum and substance of the Scriptures, both of the Law and of the Gospel (John 1:1, 14)
  3. He is the fulfilling end of the Law (Matthew 5:17)
  4. He is the beginning subject matter of the gospel of grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
  5. He is found in the first verse of Genesis and in the last verse of Revelation
  6. He is the first and last, the all in all of salvation, from the justification before God to the final sanctification of His people.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5

I do not remember how old I was (most likely, somewhere between 13 and 16), but I do remember where I was when I first read John 1. I was sitting on my bedroom floor and checking out my new Bible (The Way Edition). While I didn’t completely understand them at the time, they definitely caught my attention and sent me on what I now realize was my first solo “journey through God’s Word”. I sat there on my bedroom floor trying to wrap my head around the fact that Jesus, the baby who was born in Bethlehem, could have possibly been with God in the beginning. Honestly, friends, while I believed the words I read were true then in my teens, it would be more than ten years before God helped me fully understand and appreciate the marvelous truth they conveyed. Truths like those listed above, namely, that He is the totality of the Scriptures, found in the first verse of Genesis and in the last verse of Revelation – literally the beginning and the end. The Alpha and Omega. The First and the Last.

Jesus as the beginning and end of all things is a reference to no one but the true God. This statement of eternality could apply only to God. It is seen especially in Revelation 22:13, where Jesus proclaims that He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Gotquestions.org

Jesus in All of Scripture

“A second meaning of Jesus as the “Alpha and Omega” is that the phrase identifies Him as the God of the Old Testament. Isaiah ascribes this aspect of Jesus’ nature as part of the triune God in several places. “I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last I am He” (41:4). “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). “I am he; I am the first, I also am the last” (Isaiah 48:12). These are clear indications of the eternal nature of the Godhead.”2

Reflection and Application

I was reminded recently in a study of Ruth that I’m doing with some ladies at my church that “God wants us to stay in His fields. We have no need to go wandering off into other fields, seeking fulfillment elsewhere. The world will dangle other fields in front of us, such as success, pleasure, or money. But these fields are dangerous. God has provided protection and everything we need with Him. Do not wander off.”3 A similar lesson appeared in this particular meditation on Jesus as the Alpha and Omega. ~ I pray it is an encouragement to every reader. “Everything we know in this world, from the earth to the skies above, falls within the confines of creation. No one person is greater than the Creator. Let’s be sure we don’t worship those we admire, putting them on pedestals they were never meant to occupy. Jesus is far better than the rulers of this world, far better, even, than the best of men. Let’s worship Him and follow in His ways, for He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. No one can compare with Him.”4

  1. Gotquestions.org ↩︎
  2. Gotquestions.org ↩︎
  3. Ruth, God’s Amazing Love for you, p56, Courtney Joseph with Beverly Wise ↩︎
  4. 100 Meditations on the names of Jesus, p10 ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Love, Quiet Time, She, Volume 3, The Gospel

The Woman Caught In Adultery

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from the She Study, delighting in the examples of the Women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 87-88

Today’s Scripture: John 8:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 5:17; Roman 8:1

Have you ever been ‘caught’ in a sin? You’ve said something you shouldn’t have, and others heard it…you’ve lost your temper, and others saw your outburst of anger…you’ve lied and been caught in its web…you’ve treated someone unkindly, and others saw it…? I would dare say that everyone reading this has at one time or another spoken words you shouldn’t have … reacted in anger … lied … and/or been unkind … for the Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” However, we are not always ‘caught in the sin’. While we may breathe a sigh of relief to have escaped ‘being caught’ by others, it is crucial to remember that nothing escapes the eyes or ears of our Heavenly Father. Forgetting this truth can lead to danger as the theory that “no one knows or cares” makes it far easier to continue in the sin and find ourselves held captive by it.

God is considered omniscient, meaning He knows absolutely everything—past, present, future, and all possibilities. This includes knowing every thought, action, and secret of every person ~

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association1

As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

John 8:3-5

It should be noted here that while this woman was at some point “caught in the act of adultery,” it is believed by some commentators that she had not just “been caught” and brought immediately before Jesus, but had, at some point been caught, and was known to be an adulterer.2 Here, she was being used as a pawn by the Pharisees, who were attempting to prove that Jesus was not following God’s law. The Pharisees make many mistakes in their failed attempt to discredit Jesus, which bibleref.com verse-by-verse commentary points out in more detail.3 However, we would be wise to pay attention to how Jesus uses their trap not only to silence his accusers but to set this woman free from the condemnation of sin and death that her sin required.

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.
~

John 8:7-94

Jesus appears to ignore them at first (v6), and “when they continue asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her'” (v7-8). Verse nine of John chapter eight, says that “When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.” Which, by the way – it is worth noting that the woman cound have fled with her accusers but instead, she remained in the presence of Jesus.

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’
~
‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more5.’

Friends, while the words Jesus spoke to the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee…” offer her mercy and pardon for her sin, they granted her freedom from the condemnation of the sin and death required by the law. They also offered hope of freedom from the sin itself, as He told her: “Go and sin no more.” Sweet friends, hear me when I say – that as one who has been held captive by sin before, I can tell you that there are few other hopes as meaningful and freeing as this one. Even as I write this my heart fills with the words from an old hymn that is my life’s story: ….“Mercy there was great, and grace was free; pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.”

Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman influences our understanding of judgment, mercy, and God’s perspective on sin. At no point does Jesus shrink from the fact of her sin. She was caught “in the act” (John 8:4) so there is no doubt about her moral guilt. Old Testament law called for the death penalty for adulterers (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22) so there is no doubt about her legal guilt. As the only perfectly sinless man (Hebrews 4:15), there is no doubt about Jesus’ moral authority to deliver harsh justice to this sinner. ~ Instead, Jesus demonstrates that simply because we can do something does not make it the best option. Christ’s question here sets up His response in the next verse. This is an instance of forgiveness, not ignorance. Jesus is not going to claim that the woman is innocent or that her sin is trivial. His deflection of the Pharisees was based on procedure: they followed the law incorrectly. Jesus will explicitly refer to her behavior as sinful even as He demonstrates that mercy is meant to take precedence over retribution, even under the Old Testament law (Proverbs 21:10; Zechariah 7:8–9; Matthew 23:23). Bibleref.com

Reflection and Application

  • How do we become “a new creation”?
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17

The More We Know

While we don’t know what Jesus wrote, we do see how He turns the hypocrisy of these Pharisees against them. They were not wrong to seek justice under the Law. However, they are clearly not following it fully; they have only brought half of the guilty ones. Also, God’s law prioritized mercy over blind punishment (Proverbs 21:10; Zechariah 7:8–9; Matthew 23:23).

  1. https://billygraham.org/answers/does-god-know-everything-i-think-and-do ↩︎
  2. If the woman was caught “in the act,” then so was the man she was with—so where is the guilty man? This entire episode is an attempt by Pharisees to show that they follow the Law and Jesus does not. But even their trap fails that test: they’ve only brought half of the guilty parties (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22).
    The act of “placing her in the midst” is part of the Pharisees’ intended drama. This is meant to be as public as possible. That means Jesus’ response can be given as much publicity as possible. Of course, that strategy assumes Jesus is about to make a serious public-relations error. This assumption is once again false. ↩︎
  3. bibleref.com ↩︎
  4. ~ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.‘ ↩︎
  5. Go and sin no more: Jesus sent her away with a call to stop her sin, and to continue stopped in regard to that sin. He sent her away without ever approving of or accepting her sin.
    i. “The form of the command implies a ceasing to commit an action already started: ‘Stop your sinful habit’. And the ‘no more’ points to the thought of no return.” (Morris)
    ii. Jesus did several things with these powerful words.
    · He recognized that what the woman had done was sin, because He told her to stop sinning.
    · He told her to repent, and to not continue her sin.
    · He gave her hope that her life could go on in freedom from sexual sin.
    · He gave her a word of hope to speak against the shame that would later likely threaten to overwhelm her life.
    iii. The woman needed hope because the consequences of her sin would be severe enough. After this she would likely be shunned by her community, and rejected by her husband, perhaps even divorced (assuming she was married or betrothed). ↩︎
Know These Truths
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 3

Mary, Mother of Jesus, Part 5

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from the She Study, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, Volume 3/pp 37-38

Today’s Scripture: Luke 2:7-20; John 1:14; and 1 Samuel 12:24

Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.

1 Samuel 12:24

 “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

Friends, I hope you have found as much joy as I have in walking through Mary’s story. From the angel’s announcement that she had been chosen to carry and bear the Son of God into the world, we have seen her tender, receptive heart not only to the unexpected (and humanly impossible) announcement, but also to a possible threat to her engagement and relationship with Joseph, not to mention what the changes might do to her (and her familiy’s) reputation in the community. We have heard her willingness to accept and believe the message and surrender to the will of God, and we have watched as God not only kept Joseph from walking away but also gave her a much-needed embrace and words of encouragement from her cousin, Elizabeth.

“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And in time, everything the angel had told her came to pass. She gave birth to the only begotten Son of God, and He was named Jesus (Matthew 1:25). Jesus, God with us, as John 1:14 emphasizes, and as Isaiah had prophesied (Isaiah 7:14), A virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. People will call him “Immanuel,” which means “God with Us.” ~”Viewed in this light,” as gotquestions.org explains, “Isaiah’s prophecy is clear that Jesus is God, sent to earth to be with us, and to save mankind from our sins.” A savior born, the begotten Son of God, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes,1 and laid in a manger; a perfect reminder that, as today’s study journal points out, “Regardless of whether or not there is room made for Him, the Lord will carry out His purpose.”

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

After Mary had given birth, swaddled her newborn son, and laid Him in the manger, she was visited by shepherds, who had been visited by an angel in the fields. The angel told them about the Savior, Christ the Lord, who had been born in Bethlehem, the city of David. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  …When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:10-12, 15-19)

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, ALSO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH US IF WE WILL SIMPLY YIELD OURSELVES TO THE LORD.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

  • Why would Mary ponder these things?
  • Take time today to ponder what He has done for you.

The More We Know

  1. There are some interesting theories about Luke’s detail of Jesus’ swaddling clothes. Some have postulated that the swaddling clothes were a foreshadowing—a prophetic reference—of Jesus’ burial cloths. The Greek word sparganoo is the root word used in the phrase “swaddling clothes,” and it means “to clothe in strips of cloth.” But this word sparganoo is never used in the New Testament to refer to burial cloth. In the descriptions in the Gospels of Jesus’ burial, we see variations on the phrase “wrapped in linen cloth,” and different Greek words are used for the binding. The swaddling clothes could prefigure Jesus’ burial (the Magis’ gift of myrrh in Matthew 2:11 is a clearer bit of foreshadowing), but the link can’t be proved linguistically. Gotquestions.org ↩︎