Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Dec 16 2019 - Esther 9:20-10:3 – Purim

Due to the second day of fighting in Susa, the Jews in that city spent the fifteenth day of the month rejoicing in their victory while Jews in the provinces spent the fourteenth day of the month in similar celebrations. Mordecai therefore sent out instructions that:

[Jews] should celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote to them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. (9:21-22)

And this is what happened. This feast of Purim (named after the pur or lot that Haman had cast to determine the most propitious day for his scheme), is still celebrated annually by Jews.

The Book of Esther concludes by stating, "King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores" (10:1). This may seem rather an odd comment, having little to do with the story of Esther, but that is not the case. These words emphasise the great extent of Xerxes' kingdom and his authority and control over the whole of his vast empire. They serve as the context for the final words:

All his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, pre-eminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. (10:2-3)

These closing words emphasise that Mordecai the Jew shared the greatness and extensive influence of Xerxes, being second only to the king. He enjoyed this position because he had worked for the good of the people – not only his fellow Jews but the king and people of many ethnic backgrounds within the empire by ridding it of Haman and his evil influence.

In many ways Mordecai reminds us of Joseph, a Jew who rose to a place of prominence in another great empire, prominence second only to the king (or, in that case, Pharaoh). Both demonstrated an unwavering trust in God and an uncompromising determination to live lives of integrity. In both cases their integrity was recognised and rewarded by those who did not share their faith. In both the stories of Joseph and of Mordecai/Esther we see clearly that the Lord was at work through the various twists and turns of their history to accomplish his own purposes: to preserve and bless his people and through them to bring blessing to many other peoples. Similar things might be said about the story of Daniel.

Nor should we underestimate what God can do today through people who love him, trust him and who seek to live selfless lives that honour him. More to the point, do not underestimate what God can do through you if you will only submit yourself entirely to him and seek to live by the direction and power of his Spirit.

Father God, we thank you that the Lord Jesus gave himself for us that we might be welcomed into your family. Help us to learn of him and to follow him and to serve him. Help us to live confidently but humbly under your blessing that our lives may bring the blessing of your presence, love, forgiveness and acceptance to others around us. May they also come to know you, the only true God, the God of grace and of comfort.

Dec 16 2020 - Revelation 7:1-17 – Salvation belongs to our God

Revelation 7 is the answer (in part at least) to the martyrs' cry "How long, Sovereign Lord...?" of Revelation 6:10.

John is granted a vision of the coming judgment of God. But before that judgment can be unleashed, he sees an angel who is given the task of "sealing" the people of God – protecting them from the judgment to come. The number sealed is 144,000 – 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

There is much debate about the relationship between these 144,000 and the "great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language" which John sees next. These, I believe, are two pictures of the people of God. The first emphasises that God has determined to save his people and not one of them will be lost; each and every one will be protected by God. The second picture reminds the suffering church of the scope of God's plan of salvation. God purposes to save for himself a people from every nation, tribe and tongue in fulfilment of his promise to Abraham that through him and his descendants all nations on earth would be blessed. Nor is it sufficient for God to save one or two from this nation and a few more from another. The scope of God's mercy and love is as wide as the earth itself. He will save for himself a vast host from every nation. No wonder the multitude cry out in a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (7:10).

God’s great work of salvation, with its focus in the Lord Jesus Christ, and worked out in the face of persecution, is the cause of unending wonder and praise. “All the angels were standing round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying:

‘Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honour
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!’” (7:11-12)

Nor can we remain silent. We who have known God’s saving wisdom and power in the Lord Jesus, cannot but praise him.

In response to the cry of the martyrs, God assures them that their lives are not wasted. It is through the testimony of his suffering people – the followers of the Lamb – that God is at work for the salvation of the world. Nor can this age of suffering be cut short, for God has not yet finished his great work of salvation. Judgment is held back until salvation is complete.

But what will happen to God's people who are enduring suffering and persecution? They will be brought safe to glory. The chapter ends with this beautiful picture (vv.15-17):

“They are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the centre of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Their suffering, though real, shocking and evil, is only for a moment. Their joys shall last for all eternity.

Thank you Lord Jesus that you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the Great Shepherd of the sheep who will bring every one of your people safe home to glory. Help us always to hear your voice and to follow you. May our lives of praise and worship tell the world of your great love and salvation. Use us to complete your saving purposes and hasten your return.

Peter Misselbrook