Knowing the king was prideful, he manipulated him into signing a decree that would kill all the Jews throughout the land and at this point, he is riding high on his evil plot. His plan would be implemented 11 months from the time these letters were dispersed throughout the land. This week we will see Mordecai’s reaction to this announcement and his and Esther’s response to it.

We will continue our study in Pauls letter and into chapter 13, Paul lets them know that he is planning on coming to visit and he will address those trouble makers who deny his apostleship and keep the church divided. We will also look at self-examination regarding our faith. Are you in Christ or not? This is not looking at our works to confirm our salvation, but rather examining ourselves to see if we are walking in submission and obedience to Him.

In our last study we looked closely at reconciling the promises of God’s blessing and protection over us with the undeniable truth that as Christians we will go through suffering and persecution. As in many cases, on the surface there seems to be discrepancies, but when studying the full counsel of God’s word, we find clarity. Sometimes there are times when we come to the conclusion that it will remain a mystery until we see Jesus face to face. I guess this presents another question. “Do we trust Jesus enough to wait, or does our need to have an absolute answer keep us from the peace and joy that a faith walk is supposed to have?” Job had a lot of questions. He and his so-called friends went round and round regarding why he found himself in this place of losing everything except his life. His friends are a good example of trying to have all the answers to his situation only to find themselves rebuked by God Himself.

Job 42:7 "And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."

Also note that God never told Job why he allowed this to happen to him. Instead of answering Job’s questions, God had a few of his own for Job. Starting in chapters 38-41 God poses questions that Job cannot answer, but instead of becoming demanding and insisting for answers or trying to come up with a finite answer to an infinite God’s questions, Job humbled himself. Right in the middle of God’s cross examination of Job, Job responds this way:

Job 40:3-5

"3 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 4 “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You?

I lay my hand over my mouth. 5 Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Then in Job 42:1-6 "1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

This an important point for the church today, do we approach the Lord and others with arrogance and pride on what we think we know or think we need to know, or do we humbly come before Him asking for our daily bread which includes our physical and spiritual needs for that day.

We will see in this study of 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We left off with Paul boasting in his infirmities instead of his knowledge or position as an apostle. This week Paul shows that he can continue to boast but it is not profitable for him or the church to do so. So he talks about spiritual visions and revelations, but as we will see as he talks about this experience, he takes their eyes off of him and talks about this experience in 3rd person instead of first person.

Doesn’t Luke 10:17-20 give us authority over our enemy in all things?

Paul in a light whimsical way shows them if you are going to boast, then have something to boast about. He does this to show how foolish it is for the church to be looking at and listening to those who only bring attention to themselves.

Where Is Your Faith part 2

We left off at the end of chapter 2 when Mordecai learned of the plot against the king by the two Eunuchs who were door keepers. Mordecai informed Esther who told the king and these men were hanged on a gallows. What we will see is that the king forgets about Malachi for a time, which again is no coincidence. It will come up again when the king cannot sleep and the chronicles are read bringing Mordecai to the king’s attention. No doubt in my mind, God caused the kings insomnia just at the right time.

Paul continues his defense of his ministry, and urges us to remain grounded in the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shows us that a holy God, desires a holy church.

15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-17

We will also see how self-boasting is designed to disguise who false prophets and teachers really are.