The Bondage of Israel

The Bondage of Israel

Did the Israelites live under the bondage of the Egyptians for 430 years? This question arises due to the alleged contradiction between Exodus 12:40; Genesis 15:13-14; Acts 7:6-7; and Galatians 3:17. The two general views that are held are that 1) the Israelites were in bondage 430 years, and 2) the Israelites were in bondage 215 years. If we can prove that the Israelites were not in bondage 430 years, then we may reasonably conclude they were in bondage for 215 years.

How long was Israel in Bondage?

How long was Israel in Bondage?

It is the contention of this writer that the Israelites were not in bondage for 430 years. In this paper, evidence will be presented that the physical relationship of Moses to Levi prevents this from being the case. That Moses is the grandson (i.e. second generation from) of Levi may be established by the following scriptures: Exodus 2:1; Exodus 6:16-20; and Numbers 26:59. These scriptures say that Jochebed was the daughter (i.e. direct descendent) of Levi. Jochebed was also the mother of Moses. The combined ages of Levi and Moses while the Israelites were in Egypt are shown to be irreconcilable with the Israelites’ being in Egypt for 430 years.

Levi was the third born of Jacob (Genesis 29:34). Given that he was born as close as possible to the first child, Reuben, he would have been born in the second year, third month, after Jacob was married to Leah. Now Jacob served Laban for twenty years (Genesis 31:41); so, at the most, Joseph would have been born within the twentieth year, because he was born while Jacob served Laban. This puts Joseph and Levi about eleven years apart, a reasonable number between the second born child and next to last born child.

In Genesis 41:46, the Bible says that Joseph was thirty years old when he came before Pharaoh. So, Levi was about 41 years old at the time of Joseph’s ascent. After this came the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine (14 years). The Bible says that the sons of Israel went down into Egypt in the second year of famine (Genesis 45:5). This would put Levi’s age at fifty (that is, forty-one plus seven years of plenty plus two years of famine). Levi lived for 137 years (Exodus 6:16) and presumably died there. One hundred thirty-seven minus fifty equals eighty-seven. So, Levi was in Egypt for eighty-seven years.

The children of Israel were in Egypt for the first part of Moses’ life, when he was being trained to lead them out of Egypt. This first part of his life was eighty years. Forty years he spent in Egypt and forty years he spent in the wilderness tending sheep for Jethro.

If Levi lived in Egypt for eighty-seven years, and the people of Israel lived in Egypt for the eighty years that Moses was alive, then in order for the children of Israel to be living in Egypt for 430 years, Moses’ mother (who was also Levi’s daughter) had to give birth to Moses at the age of 263 years, an absurdity. People did not live to be that old during that time, and Sarah attests to the fact that women could not have children at that age (Genesis 18:11). Given the relationships of Levi to Jochebed and Jochebed to Moses, 430 years is irreconcilable without adding additional generations somewhere in between. Were there additional generations?

If there were additional generations, then either Levi was not the direct sire of Jochebed or Jochebed was not the biological mother of Moses. The former relationship seems the most likely for consideration of missing generations as the relationship between Moses and Jochebed as mother and son seems to be firmly established (see Exodus 6:20 and Numbers 26:59). So, was Jochebed (Moses’ mother) the actual daughter of Levi, that is, did Levi sire Jochebed? Some suggest that she could have been his granddaughter or great granddaughter? However, this conflicts with the biblical evidence concerning the relationship of Jochebed to Levi. A consideration of this evidence is now in order.

First, Exodus 2:1 reads, “And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.” If Jochebed was Levi’s granddaughter or great granddaughter, then why is the distinction made between the man who was of the house of Levi and the wife who was a daughter of Levi? Why doesn’t the text read, “…and took to wife a woman of the house of Levi”? One answer is the text does not read that way is because Jochebed was the actual daughter of Levi.

Second, this is further established in Exodus 6:16-20. In this passage, the sons of Levi are listed “according to their generations.” This means, specifically, that there are no gaps between the generations. So Kohath, who is listed in verse sixteen as the son of Levi, was the son of Levi and his wife. Now in Exodus 6:20, the text says that Amram took Jochebed, his father’s sister, to wife. Who was Amram’s father? It was Kohath. Jochebed was Kohath’s sister, and this would make her Levi’s daughter.

Third, Numbers 26:59 explicitly says that Jochebed was Levi’s daughter by birth: “And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister” (ASV). These three passages overwhelmingly establish that Jochebed was the daughter of Levi, as we would use the term daughter today. This last piece of evidence seals the case as to the relationship of Jochebed to Levi and presents irreconcilable evidence to the 430 year view.

So, since the Israelites were not in Egypt for 430 years, then what is to be said about all the passages that seem to say that they were in Egypt for 430 years? These passages are Genesis 15:13-14; Acts 7:6-7; and Exodus 12:40. Acts 7:6-7 is an exact quote from Genesis 15. So these two passages will be dealt with together.

In Genesis 15:13-14 this statement is made: “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and they shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.”

Noting that punctuation was foreign to the biblical manuscripts, it is the translators task to supply sensible punctuation. So, if the translators understood that the children of Israel were in Egypt for 400 years, then they would insert punctuation to support that claim. However, if that claim is irreconcilable with the Biblical chronology, the punctuation must change. Genesis 15:13-14 should be punctuated as follows: “…and they shall serve them; and they shall afflict them. Four hundred years, and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge….” Moreover, to be consistent with this punctuation, verse 14 should begin with the words “Four hundred.” This harmonizes with the Biblical chronology. The descendants of Abram will go down into Egypt. They will become servants, be afflicted, and 400 years from the time that God gave the promise to Abram, God will judge the afflicters. Acts 7 may be handled similarly.

What about the problem in Exodus 12:40? The KJV reads here, “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years….” Grammatically, the “430 years” is a predicate adjective describing the subject, “the sojourning of the people of Israel.” That sojourning may include the wanderings of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s sons by the figure of metonymy. The “who dwelt in Egypt” is an appositive expression that modifies the substantive “the children of Israel.” The appositive expression itself does not tell us the length of time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt. It simply tells us this: the children of Israel, at some time, and for some time, dwelt in Egypt. Again, it does not tell us how long they dwelt in Egypt. It simply says that they dwelt in Egypt. This is what the text says. There is no way that anyone could prove that the 430 years tells how long the children of Israel were in Egypt. So, are there any contradictions? The answer is no.

Just how long, then were the Israelites in Egypt? They were in Egypt about 215 years. In Galatians we read that from the promise to the law was 430 years. Since Abraham was about 75 when he received the promise from God (Genesis 12:4) and Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 (Genesis 21:5), twenty-five years had gone by since the promise. Isaac was sixty when Jacob was born (Genesis 25:26), so this adds another sixty years to the twenty-five years that we already have. This makes a total of eighty-five years since the promise. Joseph was born when Jacob was ninety-one, and Levi was, at most, eleven years older than Joseph; so Levi was born when Jacob was eighty (as shown above). This adds eighty years to our already eighty-five, giving us a total of 165. Since Levi was fifty when he went down into Egypt (as shown above), this give us a total of 215 years from the promise to the descent of the children of Israel into Egypt.

Levi lived eighty-seven years in Egypt (as shown above), and the children of Israel were in bondage for at least eighty years while Moses was living (as shown above). So, if we take the number of years that Levi was in Egypt and the number of years that the children of Israel were in Egypt while Moses was alive, and before he took them out of captivity, and add them together, we then get 167 years that the children of Israel were in bondage.

But, one might say, the record says that the number of years from the promise to the law were 430, and 215 and 167 do not add up to 430. And this is true; consideration must be given to the years that Jochebed, Moses’ mother, was upon the earth after Levi died and before Moses was born. Since Jochebed was the daughter of Levi, and Moses was her son (as shown above), then to complete the 430 years, Jochebed had to be 48 years or older when she gave birth to Moses. This age of childbearing is perfectly normal and consistent with biology and scripture as Moses was not the eldest child of Jochebed.

In conclusion, there were 430 years from the promise given to Abraham to the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai—215 from the promise to the descent into Egypt and 215 from the descent into Egypt to the Law.

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Selling Our Children?

Selling Our Children?

When Jacob was making plans to go back to his homeland, he told Rachel and Leah how Laban had treated him by making him work fourteen years of hard labor for them. They likewise complained of Laban’s treatment of them saying, “Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money” (Genesis 31:15). As Laban had sold his children: Rachel and Leah, so we may sell our children. Now, while I am sure that most parents would not sell their children into marriage for money as Laban did, yet many parents are selling their children into a bondage that is far worse.

Are you selling your children?

Are you selling your children?

PARENTS MAY SELL THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE BONDAGE OF IGNORANCE

The Bible says that parents are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Parents may sell their children into ignorance by neglecting to obey this teaching. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Therefore, knowledge of the Bible brings freedom, but ignorance leaves one in the bondage of sin. Now in addition, parents may also sell their children into the bondage of ignorance by failing to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the church for the children to learn the Bible. Parents who do not come to the Bible classes and bring their children, are selling their children into the bondage of ignorance. And far too often Bible class is being replaced by playtime or entertainment. Yet, have we ever wandered when the Lord said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6)? God could not bless their children in ignorance and neither can children today who are in ignorance. Sadly, they would be without God’s blessing because their parents had left them without a knowledge of God.

PARENTS MAY SELL THEIR CHILDREN INTO RELIGIOUS ERROR

Parents may sell their children into error by believing error. Children usually follow in the steps of their parents and I have heard on many occasions a child or adult who said, “This is the way my granddaddy believed it, this is what my father believed, and this is what I believe and I am not going to change despite what is shown to me in the Bible.” It is terrible to say that many times a child has refused to accept the truth when pointed out to him because it was not what his parents believed. How careful parents ought to be about what they believe, for the chances are that if they believe error, they will sell their children into a life of error and finally they will sell them into eternal condemnation. In addition, parents may also sell their children into error by failing to teach them to investigate every doctrine and do their own thinking. They should teach them to find out for themselves what the Bible teaches. They should impress on their children that all men, including parents, are fallible, but the Bible is divine and unerring. This is the best way to keep from selling children into error.

PARENTS MAY SELL THEIR CHILDREN INTO INFIDELITY

Many parents are selling their children into infidelity by refusing to see the need of Christian education and sacrifice to provide their children with it. There are so many who claim Jesus, but are disobedient and unfaithful to Him. When children are subjected to the influence of state schools, and particularly state colleges, many of them lose their faith and plenty have gone so far as to become atheists and blindly believe whatever they are told by others. Parents that sends their child to a state school and thereby destroys his faith in so doing because they were never grounded in the Truth and in faithfulness to God in the first place, has just as certainly sold his children into infidelity as if he had personally taught him there is no God!

PARENTS MAY SELL THEIR CHILDREN INTO A LIFE OF SIN

Parents who never think about their own soul, but live only for this life, are selling their own children into sin. It was written, “And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father” (1 Kings 15:11). Asa’s mother is mentioned in the proceeding verse and the implication is that Asa did right because of the influence of his mother. However, the example of Zachariah is written in 2 Kings 15:9 where it says, “And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 15:9). Jeroboam sinned and sold his son into sin in so doing. Many parents have spent a great part of their lives in sin and finally saw that it did not pay, turned from it, only to find that they could not lead their own children out of sin. Lot was one such individual who sold his family when he went into Sodom and when he pleaded with his son-in-laws. The Bible says, “Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law” (Genesis 19:14).

PARENTS MAY SELL THEIR CHILDREN INTO A SHIPWRECKED HOME

One out of every four marriages end in divorce today. This means that at least 2,280,000 people every year are devastated by divorce which does not include the children who are caught in the middle. This means a shipwrecked home. Children have been sold into the ideas of having sex before marriage by schools, friends, and television. In addition, they are taught to marry whomever you choose and if you do not like that person, no big deal, you can divorce for any reason. Parents are selling their children into a shipwrecked home and lifestyle by failing to teach them the sacredness of marriage, by failing to teach children that there should be a “lock” in wedlock, by failing to teach children the importance of marrying a Christian.

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR GREATEST HERITAGE. LET US NOT SELL THEM.

 

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Restoring the Christian Family

A New Restoration Movement: Restoring the Christian Family

I fear that many people who read these words will never realize the real need. To many, the idea of “reclaiming the family” is simply a nice catchy slogan that reads well on the cover of a Christian magazine. But it’s not really something the average Christian needs to worry about—right? Reclaiming the family is for those who have delinquents or serious problems in the home. After all, “we attend church ever Sunday morning and our children are kind to others. Surely, we are alright.” And yet, these are precisely the individuals who I hope will re-evaluate their entire paradigm.

There is a need to restore the family.

There is a need to restore the family.

Let me begin by asking one simple question. If you knew that the activities your family was involved in would eventually lead them away from God would you change your life? I suspect most people would indicate that they would change. But when it really comes down to making those changes in our lives (when the rubber hits the road), we find ourselves making excuses and often justifying our behavior. After all, we may already be “comfortable” and changing things could involve too much energy.

In order to really reclaim our families the first thing we must do is: (1) acknowledge they need to be reclaimed. We must admit that our family has been influenced by the world more than we have influenced the world. Husbands and wives need to sit down and discuss openly the need to make changes. Then, and only then, can we begin the process of reclaiming our family.

In addition to acknowledging the need, we must also (2) honestly evaluate what we are allowing into our lives. Yes, certain shows may be funny, but are they wholesome and can we thank God for them (Col. 3:17)? This step will be the hardest for most individuals—as oftentimes we get into daily ruts and we don’t even see the danger that the world is leading us into. Evaluate your jobs, your children’s schools, your television habits, your children’s friends, your hobbies, etc. Anything that is not going to help your family get to heaven should be seriously questioned and eliminated if possible.

After you have acknowledged and identified the problem, then (3) you must act. Begin by communicating to children (old and young alike), that nothing is more important than getting to heaven, and as such, you are going to make some changes. When they see you changing your life they will be more likely to follow in your footsteps, and carry those sentiments into their own families.

If you stop at this step you will feel good about having made some serious steps towards reclaiming your family—but one final step remains. In order to insure success, (4) families must replace old bad habits with new good ones. Time that used to be spent in front of mindless television shows can be used to study the Bible together, learn new hobbies, exercising together, or just sitting down sharing your thoughts and feelings across a dinner table. Take some time to learn how to reconnect with one another, and teach your children how to recognize anti-God influences.

For twelve years we send our most precious gifts, our offspring, off to be indoctrinated in secular humanism and atheistic ideology—and our tax dollars are paying for this propaganda. (In many cases we are literally paying to have our children led away from Christ!) Those twelve years are followed by four years of undergraduate study in which their faith is questioned and tried in various classrooms. And for the life of us, we cannot figure out why so many young Christians are abandoning their faith. Many Christians have not fully recognized that our children are the ultimate prize. Activists in our country have waged war on Christianity, and they are quietly enlisting our own children against us. By shaping their thoughts and molding their value system for twelve years, secular humanists and evolutionists have fashioned their minds to reject the concept of a God. Instead, they return home to us embracing a philosophy of: “eat, drink, and be merry, and always look out for number one!”

When Adolf Hitler was laying the foundation for his New World Order—the Nazi Party—he commented, “Let me control the textbooks and I will control the state. The state will take youth and give to youth its own education and its own upbringing.” Hitler knew that the youth were the key to his dominance and the future. During a speech he delivered on November 6, 1939, Hitler affirmed: “When an opponent declares, ‘I will not come over to your side,’ I calmly say, ‘Your child belongs to us already…What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.’”

Hitler knew that youth held the ability to reshape the cultural and philosophical framework of a nation. Hitler’s words sound extremely similar to Abraham Lincoln’s, who once noted: “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.

Why do we find the world in the state it is today? Tim La­Haye, in his book, The Battle for the Mind, suggested: “Our present society is in a state of moral decay, not because the majority of Americans love degeneracy, but because the influence of humanism has been greater on our culture than the influence of the church” (1980, p. 189). The time has come to reverse that trend! Christ said:

Ye are the salt of the earth:… Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

God’s people are to uphold that which is right, and oppose that which is wrong. In so doing, we set an example for all around us. We must oppose atheism/humanism because its teach­ings are contrary to the teachings of God’s Word. We must come to understand, and help others to understand, the fol­ly of human “wisdom” such as is found in society’s current philosophies.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of the world? ­Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good plea­sure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe (I Corinthians 1:19-21).

Human wisdom leads away from God if not founded on, guarded by, and subject to biblical revelation. Human wis­dom is at war with God (Romans 8:7), and is foolishness as far as God is concerned (I Corinthians 3:19-20).

The Joseph Challenge

Let me encourage every family who reads this article to consider taking the Joseph challenge. Joseph was 17 years old when we are introduced to him in Genesis 37. Within just a short period of time he was sold into slavery by his brothers—into a land where he didn’t even know the language. He was placed into Potiphar’s house and seduced on numerous occasions by Potiphar’s wife. He was falsely accused of sexual misconduct and thrown in jail. And yet, through all of this he remains faithful to God. Let me encourage you to raise your children (and/or grandchildren) to be strong enough in the world that they too can withstand such trials by the tender age of 17. Use those first seventeen years to instill goodness, purity, and reverence toward Almighty God.

In Ezekiel 22 we find one of the most troubling passages in all of God’s Word. In reviewing the actions of Jerusalem, Ezekiel records that Jerusalem had violated most, if not all of the Ten Commandments. The vast army of Nebuchadnezzar was poised around the city, about to begin a two-year siege that would bring utter destruction to the city. In those days, the common practice to fortify a city was to build a giant wall. Enemies wanting to overthrow the city were then forced to concentrate their efforts on breaching a hole in one portion of the wall. But often, men of the city would step into the gap and fight to protect their homeland. They were willing to “stand in the gap.” At the end of chapter 22 we learn that this is not the case with Jerusalem. God said: “‘I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their heads,’ says the Lord God.” No one was willing to stand in the gap. Parents and grandparents, we must stand in the gap and fight for the souls of our children! Unrighteousness still abounds. The laws and commands of God are still being violated. Have you heard the battle cry? Will you reclaim your family and stand in the gap on their behalf?

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The Kingdom & the Resurrection

Understanding the Kingdom & the Resurrection

It is remarkable how intertwined Biblical truths are. To fully understand one opens the door to better understanding of another truth found in His word. This is true concerning the truth about the resurrection and the nature of the kingdom Jesus promised to establish. There is no way the idea of a future millennial reign of Jesus in Jerusalem where He will establish the kingdom can be possible when one looks at what the Bible says about the resurrection.

What will the resurrection be like?

What will the resurrection be like?

The truth about the resurrection. Read the following words of Jesus and consider carefully what is taught. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). Look at what Jesus says. First, notice that He speaks of “all who are in the grave” (both those who have done good and who will receive life in the resurrection, and those who have done evil who will face a resurrection of condemnation). The subject under discussion is every dead person.

He then says that all of these will “hear His voice and come forth.” There is no way to misunderstand these words. Now, notice that all of this will happen in the same hour. There is no room in this verse for there to be a 1,000 years between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the unrighteous. It will happen for all of them at the same time. They will all hear, will all come forth, and will all be judged.

The truth about the reign of Jesus at the resurrection. Hear the words from God’s Holy Spirit. “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:24-26). Consider the truths taught in these words. Jesus must reign until death, the last enemy, is destroyed.  At that point, Jesus will end His reign and give the kingdom to God. The text says that this coming will mark “the end.” When death is destroyed Jesus will cease His reign.

The truth about the resurrection and the kingdom. Now combine these truths. Jesus affirmed that in the same hour everyone will be raised, both the good and the evil. The only conclusion is that at this point death will be destroyed. When the righteous are raised at His coming so will the unrighteous. At this time, Jesus will not begin His reign but will end His reign. These truths clearly show how mistaken men are who believe in the 1,000-year reign in Jerusalem. Read these words and thank God for the consistency of eternal truth!

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Lessons from Esther

Lessons from Esther

I was one of the privileged ones to have been able to sit at the feet of the late and lamented Bobby Duncan, and I still remember hearing him preach this sermon on lessons from the book of Esther. Esther could be renamed, “God in the Shadows,” for while the name Jehovah or God does not appear in this book, it does not mean that one will not find His presence in studying this inspired literary piece.

Please read the story of Esther, and then let us notice some lessons from this great woman and the book that is named after her.

  1. Let us learn the danger of unholy ambition. The Hebrews writer wrote, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). Ahasuerus and Haman were both guilty of worldly and unholy ambition.
  1. Let us learn the danger of drinking (1:10). Solomon sternly signaled, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is de – ceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 20:1).
  1. Let us learn how a person discharges his duty to benevolence, seen in how Mordecai provided for Esther. James declared, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their afflic – tion, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). The apostle Paul penned, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10), and he told Timothy, “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8).
  1. Let us learn the value of true devotion and con – secration. Esther could have used her beauty for showiness—something even Vashti would not do. Think about the harsh lessons young girls are learning whose parents put them into beauty pageants. Let us not use our blessings as curses.
  1. Let us learn the difference between sorrow and repentance. We do not know if Ahasuerus ever repented of what he did to Vashti. The apostle Paul teaches us that repentance is a change of mind leading to a change of action brought about by godly sorrow (cf. 2 Cor. 7:10).
  1. Let us learn the smallness of a proud person. Haman is a perfect example of this lesson; he felt threatened by an insignificant Jew, Morde – cai. Indeed, pride is a sin: “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18).
  1. Let us learn the value of determination (loy – alty). Upon hearing the decree of Haman, Mordecai was determined to save Esther and the Jews. We need to have loyal determination to God!
  1. Let us learn the source of comfort, as seen through Esther and Mordecai (as well as all of the Jews). We all need comfort at times. Threatened troubles do not always come; we should not worry. Nevertheless, so many sorPage 2 The Southwesterner August 2, 2015 rows are so many times accompanied by so much good. The apostle Paul promised, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). No matter what threat, God has the power to deliver (i.e. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego).
  1. Let us learn the value of opportunity. The apostle Paul penned, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, es – pecially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). No queen ever had an opportunity like Esther, and she had it one time! This is a lesson that young people need to learn as well (think about the Senior Prom; this may be the only opportunity to stand for the right!).
  1. Let us learn a lesson of self-restraint. Esther was patient with her request, planning another feast night before she revealed her request. Pa – tience is a marvelous virtue—it is a portion of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), as well as something for which Christians should aspire (2 Pet. 1:5-11).
  1. Let us learn the blessing of a good wife. Aha – suerus had Vashti and Esther both for wives in two instances. We need to appreciate good spouses (cf. Prov. 5:18).
  1. Let us learn that courage is often a feminine virtue. Women are very courageous. Not only do we see such with Vashti and Esther, but think about the women that went to Jesus’ tomb early Sunday morning.
  1. Let us learn the lesson of providence. We can see the providence of God in Ahasuerus’ sleep – less night. We can see the providence of God in Ahasuerus calling for a reader. We can see the providence of God in the reader reading the chronicles in the exact spot. We can see the providence of God in Haman’s entrance. We cannot pinpoint God’s workings, but we do know that He works through His providence.
  1. Let us learn from the character of Mordecai— he did not let his honor go to his head. Pride did not get him.
  1. Let us learn that we will reap if we faint not— Paul proclaimed, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). Both Mordecai and Esther abided their time.
  1. Let us learn how to accuse an enemy. Esther not only used a great deal of tact; she also ac – cused him to his face, not behind his back. We should not talk behind people’s backs. Jesus taught us, “Moreover if thy brother shall tres – pass against thee, go and tell him his fault be – tween thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother” (Matt. 18:15).
  1. Let us learn how fleet is fortune. One day Ha – man is rejoicing over his position and riches; the next day he is hanging by his neck. Jesus preached, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will you heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21; cf. Luke 12:16-21). James warned against stating, “Go to now, ye that say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain’: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:13-14).
  1. Let us learn that retribution is as much a law of the universe as gravity. Haman is a perfect example. Paul clearly declared, “Dearly be – loved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).
  1. Let us learn the mercy of God. Look at the mercy of God expressed to Mordecai and the Jews. One has said, “God’s mercy is in his outstretched hand, but his sword of justice is in his scabbard.”
  1. Let us learn that some things cannot be undone. For example, once the law of the Medes and Persians was in effect, it could not be undone. We cannot unscramble eggs, and we cannot put toothpaste back into the tube once we squeeze it. Young people especially need to learn that they cannot undo what they did yesterday. Paul penned, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).
  1. Let us learn that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. Esther knew that God was there. What we cannot do, God can!
  1. Let us learn that there are two great elements in salvation—God’s mercy and man’s obedience (both of which we see demonstrated in this book). Paul spoke of both elements when he stated, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus declared that we have a response: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

Therefore, there are so many great lessons to learn from this marvelous book about a truly virtuous woman of God. May our lives be blessed by a constant study of this piece of scripture.

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