經文: | 以斯帖記1-2章 |
中心思想: | 以斯帖記1:1-12;2:8-23 |
提要
以斯帖不僅僅是一個英勇的事蹟,而在說明不論環境何等惡劣,敵人何等強勁,上帝都在看顧各國和百姓的命運。以斯帖讀來頗似今天的新聞:國家詭譎、政治動盪、企圖暗殺等等。終究,上帝至高無上的手還在祂百姓的生命中動工,正如以斯帖置身宮中,末底改名列波斯編年史之上,都是「為現今的機會」(斯4:14)。 |
第1章
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第2章
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1國王的宴席9
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10瓦實提被廢22
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1以斯帖崛起18
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19末底改的膽識23
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放逐
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勇氣
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每日與主同行
在一個陌生的環境中,沒有朋友、感到孤單、害怕,這是以斯帖被堂兄末底改帶入宮後的最佳寫照。
你願意處在她的地位嗎?她出現在這個故事時,雙親已逝,在世上孤苦無依(斯2:7),雖然堂兄收養了她,但當地進入亞哈隨魯王宮中參加選美的時候,卻發現自己的猶太血統竟置她的生命於險境。她在那裡,無家可歸,無友可訴,也無父可靠。
以斯帖信靠的顯然是一位看不見的父親!當她被召入宮,從未恐懼戰兢過!她以對上帝的信心武裝自己,昂首闊步的走進一個陌生的地方,承擔許多陌生的重任,她一發現哈曼的陰謀,立刻要求猶太人禁食──這在上帝面前是一個謙卑代禱的象徵。
如果你是個基督徒,那麼你永不孤寂!上帝永遠都是你親愛的父親。事實上,詩篇六十八篇五節形容祂是「孤兒的父」。今天何不打個電話或寫封信給你在地上的父親,告訴他,地上的父親與天上的父親在你的生命中何等重要。父親們樂意被愛呢!
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默想
富麗堂皇的書珊
美國的五角大廈是當今世上界最大的辦公大樓,佔地三十公畝,容得下兩萬六千七百入在裡面工作。以此擴大十倍,你就會對亞哈隨魯王佔地三百公畝的衛城略有概念,第一屆「波斯小姐」選美大會就是在此舉行!
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金言
所謂勇氣,不是沒有恐懼,而是克服恐懼。 |
English |
5/12/2013 Esther Ascends to the Throne |
Scriptures: | Esther 1-2 |
Heart of the Passage: | Esther 1:1-12; 2:8-23 |
Overview
Esther is more than a story about heroism. It is the story- of how Clod controls the destinies of people and nations in spite of harrowing circumstances and opposition. Esther reads like today's news: national intrigue, political unrest, . attempted assassination. And over it all, the sovereign hand of God is at work in the lives of His people, placing Esther in the palace and Mordecai's name in the Persian chronicles "for such a time as this" (4:14). |
Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Ahasuerus's
1 Dinner 9
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Vashti's 10 Divorce 11
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Esther's 1 Discovery 18
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Mordecai's 19 Daring 23
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Banishment
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Bravery
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Your Daily Walk
Alone ... in a strange place ... no friends ... scared. That's a good description of how Esther might have felt when she was taken to the palace by her cousin Mordecai.
How would you have liked her assignment? She is presented in the story as one who has been left alone in the world by the death of her parents (2:7). Although she was adopted into her cousin's home, her Jewish heritage placed her life in jeopardy when she found herself entered in King Ahasuerus's beauty contest. So there she was: without a home, without a friend, without a father ... or was she?
Esther evidently trusted an unseen Father. When called to appear at the palace, she never faltered. Armed with her faith in God, she marched boldly into an unfamiliar place to assume unfamiliar duties. When Haman's plot was uncovered, Esther called for fasting among the Jews—a sign of humble intercession before God.
If you are a believer, then you are never alone. God is always present as your loving Father. In fact, Psalm 68:5 describes Him as a "father of the fatherless." Why not call or write your earthly father today and tell him what his fatherly role .,. and God's .,. have meant in your life. Fathers love to be loved!
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Insight
The Palatial Palace at Shushan —
The Pentagon is one of the world's largest office buildings, with room for 26,700 employees on its 30-acre site. Enlarge that 10 times and you'll have an idea of the size of King Ahasuerus's 300-acre acropolis, site of the first "Miss Persia" beauty contest! |
Adage
Courage is not the absence of fear but the conquest of it. |
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