SOAP 02/12/2016; Esther 8:17

Today's reading: Leviticus 18, 19; Psalm 13; Acts 19*

S) "¹⁷ In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and
his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them."

Esther 8:17 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Esther 8

O) The king's decree to attack the Jews could not be revoked, since it had been sealed with his signet ring (which was a matter of security and authority). So, to protect the Jews, Mordecai issued a new decree, announcing that the Jews would be allowed to assemble, and arm themselves, and defend their people and property. They had plenty of time to prepare, which secured their lives. There are some more details about that part of the story in ch.9, but what also caught my eye in this chapter, was the closing line. Many among the peoples of the land became Jews. God has always been inclusive, but it has always been qualified. It was not restricted by race, but by willingness to live under His laws, according to His ways. In this case, the people around the Jews saw that their God was real, and that fear humbled them.

A) In my own life, this was akin to realizing that I could not succeed in my own plans, my own way. When I realized that my plans, my ways, were in direct opposition to God's ways, I had a conflict that required immediate resolution. I could either fight God, struggling against truth I knew was bigger than me, or I could submit to Him. Realizing I couldn't beat Him, I joined Him (to put it mildly). That process of evaluation and submission is not a one time event. I must remember to do this everyday. If I am not correctly viewing my life choices, big and small, then they will lead to irrevocable damages.

P) Father, thank You for the grace You showed, when You opened my eyes to see the truth of my situation. There were no dramatic cataclysms in my way, but You showed me how bad my future could be. Not only that, You made me understand the inevitability of that ending. I don't want to take anything for granted, though. Please continue to lead me by the Holy Spirit. Warn me of the dangers ahead, and how my current choices and allegiances are affecting that. Show me where I have stopped being fully submitted to You. Humble me, that I would realize everyday, that I would know everyday, that being with You, being one of Your people, is the only place I ever want to be. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/11/2016; Esther 7:10

Today's reading: Leviticus 15, 16, 17; Acts 18*

S) "¹⁰ So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided."

Esther 7:10 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Esther 7

O) It seems that Haman's life is an expression of at least half a dozen Proverbs (13:20, 14:35, 16:18, 17:11; 25:6, 26:27), not the least of which is the last one. Haman's pride in himself and his own status, led to his anger when Mordecai wouldn't bow down to him. Then, when he brought it up with his wife and friends, they justified his anger and corroborated his plan to eradicate the Jews. In the last, his plan to hang Mordecai himself, backfired directly, resulting in his own hanging on the very same gallows.

A) Certainly, Haman's life serves as a cautionary tale, very much reminding me that the proverbs have historical examples to accompany them. However, if I put myself into the shoes of Esther or the Jews (which may be the more applicable exercise), then it's also noteworthy that the king's anger subsided after this, because the threat to the Jews did not subside after this (i.e., did not subside when/because Haman was hanged). While the nemesis of the Jews was removed, and the king wasn't mad anymore, there was still a real threat which needed to be neutralized (because of the king's edict that had circulated the kingdom). This is a reminder that sometimes, a person who will help me in a very real way (as the king did, with Haman himself), may not still be seeing things from my perspective. I cannot assume that a person will ever be the solution to my problem, even if God will use a person to solve my problem. As much as Haman's life reminds me that those proverbs above are true, what happened after Haman's life reminds me that Proverbs 21:1 and 29:26 are also true.

P) Father, thank You for Your kingdom. Thank You for bringing me under the kingship of Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit to be my Counselor in all things. n every way, in everything, let me turn to You for my help and hope. In You alone, do I find everything I need, even if You still use others to fulfill Your purposes. Let Your will be done, in my life, in Your kingdom, and on earth. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/10/2016; Esther 6:6

Today's reading: Leviticus 13, 14; Acts 17*

S) "⁶ So Haman came in and the king said to him, 'What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?' And Haman said to himself, 'Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?'"

Esther 6:6 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Esther 6

O) Haman made several mistakes, all of which contributed to his eventual death. At the core of all of it, though, was his arrogant pride. His response to the king's inquiry speaks volumes about his personality. He believed he was second to the king. Perhaps more damaging, he apparently thought there was no one in third place, or in any place that the king might honor another. What's more, he thought the king believed it, too! It's one thing to think highly of yourself, but it's another to assume everyone else feels the same way about you, as you do! In this case, however, the king wished to honor Mordecai, for his loyalty in preventing regicide (ch.2), and none other than Haman did the honoring. It's also worth noting, that Haman's rise to honor and power happened after Mordecai's heroics to the crown. There could still be plenty of other reasons why Haman would have assumed he was the one to be honored, but it's also possible he didn't even know of Mordecai's heroics, which would be an indictment of his education or political awareness.

A) Picking up from that last point, it is important for me to be aware of national and local politics, even if I never become involved in them. Who knows where I may find myself, when it would endanger me to be so unaware. Thankfully, I rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me, even to the point of giving me words to speak. But, much more usefully, Haman also gives me a warning to be more self-aware, and to be more humble. It is good for me to have a clear understanding of what others think about me. It is even more important, that I approach all relationships as humbly as I can, seeking to raise others up, above myself. There are practical benefits to both, but that's not even getting to the heart of both issues. Because I belong to Christ, His glory is at stake in everything I do. As His bondslave, it should be my joy to raise others up, because that honors Jesus Christ. It is my duty to be aware of how others see me, because my hope is that they see Jesus through me. Avoiding deadly feuds is just a fringe benefit.

P) Father, I want all praise and honor to go to You. Help me to stay humble, but to remember that it's not only for humility's sake. I want to be low, so Jesus can be raised high. Like John said, less of me, more of Him. Help me to exalt the name of Christ in every relationship I have. Help me to love others by building them up in the most holy faith. Open the eyes of unbelievers around me, and in Your grace, let them see Your love for them through me. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/09/2016; Esther 2:22

Today's reading: Leviticus 10, 11, 12; Acts 16*

S) "²² But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name."

Esther 2:22 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Esther 2

O) Mordecai is one of my favorite men in the Bible. His behind-the-scenes faithfulness, loyalty, and wisdom are to be admired. Starting with that fact that he took Esther into his home, adopting his cousin as his own daughter, then through his wisdom and guidance while Esther was taken into the kings harem, to see if she would be the next queen, and now (in the verse above) into the first of Mordecai's heroic interventions. He heard conspirators who were planning to assault the king, but he passed word along to the king. In this, he proved his loyalty to Ahasuerus, gaining credibility and favor, which proved vital later.

A) While the book of Esther never actually names the LORD, or makes any direct reference to God (which is a point of some controversy), there can be no doubt about the wisdom and truth that this book speaks. Of course, it is always edifying to have a little more history concerning God's people. But, more than that, Mordecai's example of obedience is undeniably good. In adopting his cousin, he loved another as himself (indeed, he loved her as Christ loves us, in that we are adopted because of Christ... but he probably didn't know that). In his loyalty to the king of exile, he remained obedient to the word of the LORD, spoken in Jeremiah 29:4-7. The elementary principles are the same, that I should love others as myself, that I should be obedient to the word of God, and that I should be submitted to the authority that God places over me (short of disobeying God).

P) Father, I don't know if I will ever have a role as grandiose as Mordecai's was. You know the plans You have for me. What I do know, is that those plans (no matter how great or small they might be measured) are still important. I want to honor Your name, God. I want my life to be an example of sacrificial love, obedience, and loyalty. Not for my sake, but I desire to make Your name great! Jesus Christ, You have bought me with a heavy price, and I am committed to being Your servant. Lead me by the Holy Spirit, and let my life of love, obedience, and loyalty glorify Your grace and mercy. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/08/2016; Ezra 10:9

Today's reading: Leviticus 7, 8, 9; Acts 15*

S) "⁹ So all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month on the twentieth of the month, and all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and the heavy rain."

Ezra 10:_ (NASB)
 *because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezra 10

O) There are two things that came to mind when I read this. First, were the plethora of miraculous encounters that people have had, which are then minimized by critics who point out other natural coincidences. In the verse above, these people were trembling. That is not a subtle descriptor. However, this was not only because of the rain, but because of their shame. It was not only because of their shame, but also because of the heavy rain. One does not cancel the other, in either way. They simply happened together. The rain certainly did not make the assembly come and weep with Ezra, but when they came, the rain was also out there with them. The rain did, however, have another role, which is the second thing that came to mind. A little later, the assembly uses the rain as an excuse to, perhaps, delay the process of their practical repentance (see v.13). Together, these two mentions of the rain teach a single, important lesson. Whether they want to downplay the miraculous interventions of God, or they want to hide from their own guilt and shame: People are prone to shift the blame, even if it is to blame the weather itself.

A) Blame-shifting drives me nuts when my kids do it. It also drives me nuts when unbelievers do it to try and profane the miraculous. Even still, when I don't want to do something hard... when I am ashamed by my own guilt in sin... there is still a temptation to shift the blame. I cannot do that, though. I must bear the responsibility of what God is asking me to do. The beauty is, though, that I don't bear that burden alone. First, Jesus Christ Himself bears my burdens. The Holy Spirit within me strengthens me to do things that are plainly impossible. But, just as beautifully, God brings other believers alongside me, I have experienced it, to bear my burdens with me. Whether it is in the hard work ahead, or in the confession and repentance after stumbling, I have been humbled and encouraged by the love of Christ I have received from Him directly, and from godly men who have loved me like Christ does. This is also my goal, as I seek to love others as Christ loves me, proving myself to be His disciple.

P) Father, thank You for making me tremble. Thank You for letting me feel the guilt I have in my sins. Thank You for the conviction of the Holy Spirit within me. Don't ever let me ignore Your convictions, Lord. Thank You also, that You are the first to take up my burdens. Thank You for surrounding me, at times in my life, with men who will bear burdens with me. Let me honor You, and honor them in You, by doing the same for others. Open my eyes to see and ears to hear, to take every opportunity to love my brothers and sisters, just as You love me. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/07/2016; Ezra 6:21

Today's reading: Leviticus 4, 5, 6; Acts 14*

 

S) "²¹ The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the Lord God of Israel, ate the Passover."

Ezra 6:21 (NASB)
 *because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezra 6

 

O) In the midst of great celebration when the exiles returned to Jerusalem, and they had such miraculous support and protection, and the temple was rebuilt, there is a subtle hint in this verse that it was not all positive. The sons of Israel who returned... those who had separated themselves from... the nations... those phrases tell us two things. It shows us what happened for the people described. It also shows us there were people who did not fit these categories. There were sons of Israel who never returned, who never separated themselves from the impurity of the nations. In this particular instance, we don't know the details of their fates. We know that, throughout the Old Testament, various lamentations are recorded for those who would not repent, would not return to the LORD. I am sure there were great occasions for weeping, when families and friends started to take not of who was absent from that Passover.

A) There are a great many loved ones in my life who are still fully engrossed in the impurity of the nation where they dwell. I have family and friends who have never truly known Jesus Christ, and I have family and friends who have known Him, but are estranged from Him. Like the exiles of this time, whether they know what they are missing or not, the result is the same. Outside of a present and real relationship with Jesus Christ, they are lost. I rejoice every time someone comes to Christ. All the more, I rejoice when it is someone I know, who finally submits to the lordship of Christ. And, I certainly should celebrate. But, these are also solemn reminders of what is at stake. Passover is not what it once was, but in light of the gospel, it is so much more. There are many holidays, many meals, that I miss sharing with loved ones. But, there is no feast more important to share, than that of the bridegroom of heaven, when His church is fully united with Him in the end. With that in mind, I pray.

P) Father, it is such a joy to be in Your presence. Even as "filtered" as it is here, in this corrupted world. Perhaps because of that, I can imagine how amazing heaven will be. I can imagine how amazing You will be, when I am rid of this broken flesh, and I am with You in incorruptible perfection, unified with You in a way I could never comprehend. That prospect is such a pure joy to me. This is what I really want for my loved ones. This is what I really want for my brothers and sisters who are entrenched in the mire of the world. Only You can rescue them, God. Only You are strong enough, wise enough. Only You can pay for their sins. Only You can redeem them, heal them, and restore them. Every unsaved soul, every person I love who doesn't love You, God I plead with You that they would return to You. Whatever the cost, rescue them. Let Your will be done in their lives. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/06/2016; Malachi 2:16

Today's reading: Leviticus 1, 2, 3; Acts 13*

S) "¹⁶ 'For I hate divorce,' says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'and him who covers his garment with wrong,' says the Lord of hosts. 'So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.'"

Malachi 2:16 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Malachi 2

O) Judgment had begun in the house of God, with Malachi's prophecies coming directly against the priesthood. While some passages from this book are specific to the Old Covenant, regarding priestly duties and the like, we know that this verse transcends it, giving us a glimpse of God's character. We are certain of this, because Jesus repeatedly spoke against divorce. The LORD is faithful to His promises, even when we are unfaithful. Jesus is the perfect bridegroom to His imperfect bride, the church. Marriage is supposed to be a reflection of the covenant we have with God. It is supposed to be emblematic. It should be an obvious sign of holiness among God's people. God hates divorce because it dishonors Him, maligns the gospel itself, and because it hurts His children.

A) The finer points of the psychological impact of divorce are not exactly fleshed out in the Bible. Unfortunately, I am familiar with them firsthand. My own parents divorced, initially splitting up when I was ten. Because I'm in a big family, that also meant I saw firsthand how it impacted a fifteen year old boy, a twelve year old boy, an eight year old boy, etc. Obviously, it's anecdotal, but divorce in my country is prevalent enough, and there is enough well-documented data, to show how divorce is fundamentally painful. My first point of application must be my own marriage. I cannot take any part of my relationship to Kristin for granted. So far, my marriage has felt blessedly easy, but I know that circumstances can rock any relationship, and I must do all I can to ensure my marriage is as strong as I can make it. Primarily, that must be done through my faith in Jesus Christ, and my submission to Him first. Only then, can I truly love my wife as Christ loved the church. Second, I have a duty (and a blessed privilege) to be involved in the lives of other marriages. In that, I must make every effort to love and support other husbands in their own marriages. I must have the same attitude that God has, that I would hate the notion of divorce. I need to do everything I can to encourage reconciliation, sacrifice, mercy, grace, and love. It starts with being an example, and then to doing all I can to love and support others in their marriages. The third aspect, is the unfortunate reality that many of the people I know are already divorced. While their initial divorce may not have been justified (because of adultery, that is), it is usually the case that their divorce has become validated (if I can call it that) by new relationships. In those cases, I must do all I can to love and support newness, healing, and growth. Divorce sucks, and I want to do everything I can to prevent it. When it's already done, I want to do everything I can to bring healing and life, loving as Jesus loves.

P) Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for the example You set, about commitment to promises. Help me to be Your hands and feet, loving others who are struggling in their marriages. Let me share Your wisdom, Your love, Your healing, Your reconciliation. Be glorified in my own marriage. Help me to protect it. However I can, let me honor You with my marriage. However I can, let me honor You with how I support other men in their marriages. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.