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| Whose report do you believe? |
There once was a maiden-fair named Esther (aka) Hadassah. While this young Iranian queen's history was quite unknown to militant leaders, she would come to be known as one of the greatest prophetesses of liberation that is known within the world of religion. And so the story goes like this....
The reigning Queen Vashti had openly embarrassed her husband King Xerxes (aka Ahasuerus) while he was demonstrating the existence of his power. Why any fine king wanting to demonstrate regional authority will show him their wealth....you know, the land they own and WHO manages it, the goods he possesses-especially the gold because it was VERY shiny and glittery, and especially those of whom he is proud of in his own home. Vashti invited folks for dinner and they all show up. But this Indian king, entertaining his guests by showing off all of his goods, calls for his beautiful wife to come so he could introduce her. But she refuses to come...she is TOO busy! Down goes the gavel...the men of the court says, "don't you think if she gets away with these actions, this will set a bad example for the rest of the women of the kingdom? Don't you think, oh king, that her actions will create havoc in the kingdom, leading the community to think that this queenly behavior is the example by which reputable women should pattern their conduct after?" Can you not hear the gasps of breath taken by the neighboring community? Embarrassed to death was the king! This act of rebellion could seriously affect the appearance of a strong ruler.
So the king says NEVER AGAIN! I will not be put down by anyone. This was considered a detrimental act in the court of the king and NO ONE talks back to the king. He refuses to see her again! The court gossip column reports that the king even sent out an decree stating that since Vashti was unable to honor his request and thereby him as the king, two rulings were passed:
- The queen would never again be permitted in the presence of the King
- A search should be made for a woman who would be fit to honor the King.
So they searched over the kingdom, a young maiden surfaced through the encouragement of one of the King's employees, and Esther was chosen to be the queen-replacing Vashti. He threw a party, gave her the royal crown and introduced her to the kingdom. But when Esther's uncle Mordecai, (a national outcast for his culture and religious beliefs as a Hebrew), reportedly overheard two men who were out to take the King's life, Mordecai told Esther who then presented and argued the case so that the king could take action to defend himself. Wow!
But the story isn't over yet! Uncle Mordecai was hired on per Esther's request to be her assistant. Quick eye that any good desert dweller who regards the Lord as his God, discovered and shared that another of the King's employee's were showing more signs of jealousy. This time Haman was asking to dispose of all of the Jewish nation. The actions Esther would take would soon announce how God would once again deliver not only His people, but also those who foreigners who would submit to His will.
Esther runs into the palace of the King!!! and begs for him to come to DINNER!!!-a crime known the world over to be immediate punishment by death. Surprised by her actions, the king agrees and shows up! Of course she was beautiful! Good grief, who would NOT go for dinner? She even invites the King's employee-Mr Haman. So while the king is enjoying the evening entertainment, when he asks why the very nice dinner, Esther is required to tell her fine king about how her families' lives had been threatened. When she explains the plot of Haman and the relationship she has with these folks he had planned to kill, Mr. Xerxes LOST IT! Needless to say, Mr. Haman was forced to pay with his life.
Well, well, well....what goes around comes around! Have you ever sought to get rid of someone in your life that you wished they would just GO AWAY? Jealousy has this incredible way of putting people in a bad frame of thinking. Some people are just "OCD" or obsessionally compulsive about their actions. Politics and smallitics! People usually are jealous because they do not get enough money, they don't have nice enough goods, nice enough house, enough power, enough camera time, enough recognition, enough, enough, enough. Yet jealousy, interesting as it is-is all in the mind of the poor slave to it! It forces its slave to lose power and all the other goods they have, than to retain it!
Who wins a battle? The Prophet Isaiah, another latter Middle Easterner had a good battlemind. His understanding was "whoever has the strength to defeat the enemy is the person that has the right advice or report". Its one thing to have the ammo; its another thing to know how to use it and the secret of defeating the enemy. How many wars have been won by just holding a weapon in ones' hand? None. In fact, Romans 3:4 says "If men give you a report which is contrary to the Word of God, let God be true and every man a liar. What a judgment!
One time, a friend reported she was in her home by herself-just doing housework before the children would come home from school. She was in her living room dusting and picking up toys when suddenly behind her, a man appeared with a large knife to kill her! She immediately started using the only weapon she knew to use-prayer. She loudly proclaimed the Name of Jesus and demanded the man leave her alone! He threw her to the floor and held the knife over her throat. She continued to proclaim the Name of the Lord and prayed loudly-commanding the attacker to leave her alone and leave her house. She demanded the enemy to leave-by speaking directly to the father of lies-Satan. She commanded Satan to get away from her in the NAME of Jesus. She stated the next thing she realized, something SPOOKED him and he left! No rhyme or reason; he LEFT! She had no cuts, broken bones and had not been sexually assaulted! She spoke the Name of Jesus!!! When we use the Name of Jesus, the very demons of hell are required to leave.
Will you be able to stand for your freedom or will you succomb to jealousy? Will you be able to anticipate God's intervention to completely bring about the freedom that gives humans the prosperous lifestyle they're are called to live in? Whose report will you believe? Anything less is ultimate condemnation and defeat. Remember when you find yourself in the middle of a battle, Honor the King! Serve him a banquet of praise and thanksgiving for "He is good and His mercy endures forever!" Use His Name! The authority we are given is that "at the Name of Jesus, EVERY knee shall bow and tongue confess to the Glory of God!" Lay down that sense of lack and worship the Lord. He provides everything when you worship Him!
Are you called to bondage or are you called to liberty? Paul says then Standfast and do not again be entangled to the yoke of bondage! You have been set free by the King and have it at the Name of the King; Jesus! Whose report will YOU believe? We shall believe the Report of the LORD!
