【Chapters 7-8 Recording: Part 1】
The world we sojourn in is fraught with crises, lurking in our lives, ready to pounce and overwhelm us. Faced with such intangible forces, are we then helpless? Certainly not. Hidden within the verses of this chapter is the masterstroke to overcome crises.
Questions for Reflection:
Esther’s plea to the king in Chapter 7, Verse 4, recounts her family's misfortune. Why do those chosen by God also encounter adversity?
Chapter 7, Verse 10, narrates Haman being hanged on the gallows he had prepared. What led to Haman's punishment? Furthermore, who truly meted out this punishment?
When facing dire straits, without support or hope, how can you deliver yourself?
Reactions When Facing Crisis
If one cannot see God's hand in a crisis, it is because faith was abandoned halfway. If faith is maintained to the very end, God will surely accomplish. When God acts, one may even be surprised by the swiftness of His promises and the turnaround of the crisis. When people face crises, there are two reactions: one of faith, and one of no faith. If you are a person of faith, nothing is beyond turning around. Therefore, brethren, today we must begin to learn a lesson: to know that in the eyes of a Christian, there is no crisis that cannot be turned around. Even if the turnaround does not come in your lifetime, God will still bring it about after your death. If you say that it comes too late, I will tell you that God does not see things that way.
God told Abraham: Go outside, look at the sky, and count the stars, if you can. (See Genesis 15:5) Abraham stood outside; in those days, there were no streetlights, and it was pitch black, with stars filling the sky, impossible to count. Those were to be his descendants. Yet, when Abraham died, he had seen only two grandsons (Jacob and Esau). In his heart, Abraham always held onto God's promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. We must also remember that to God, a thousand years are as one day, and one day as a thousand years. So, what may seem very long to you may feel very quick when the turnaround comes. Therefore, every time we pass through a crisis, we are struck with awe that God’s timing is so perfect.
I am most grateful for the faith God has given me. In my faith, I do not see our church as a dying church, even though today we may only see a handful of kittens or a few tigers. In my heart, I have great hope that God will do new things through us, that God will turn around many dire situations through us, and that God is still preparing us to turn around these crises today. Rev. Dr. 周神助’s (Chou Shen-Chu) Home Cell Meeting ministry (回家聚会), which he promotes in Asia, is very popular in Japan. Later on in Malaysia, the local Christians were very fervent too. And in Hong Kong, the Christians were very fervent as well, creating a deeply moving scene. Now that it has arrived in Singapore, I think this is a message that will bring about transformation.
Many churches are praying for Singapore, and in their prayers, they had a vision: they saw a small church of only twenty or thirty people, praying fervently. I was deeply moved when I heard this, because we are using all our public holidays to pray. Brethren, we have entered into God’s heart. Having entered into God’s heart, we are going to transform this generation. We must begin to lay down ourselves, for when we lay down ourselves, God will begin to use us. And when God uses us, we will receive great honor. When facing a crisis, God can still raise up a small group of us, and I feel very honored to be a part of this. So, brethren, no matter what crisis we face, as long as your faith does not falter, God can use you, and there will be no crisis that cannot be turned around, whether it is a personal crisis, a national crisis, or even a crisis of a people.
Brethren, we often only see the small picture before us. Today, you should choose to be like Abraham, believing in God's promise even in the midst of desolation. Just like the crisis our church faces today, the devil will not spare us because we are weak, nor will it be overcome simply because we are strong. So, no matter what the situation, we must hold onto the faith within us. Do not be weak, even if I still have many problems, even if I still have a lot of shortcomings, they cannot hinder God's promise. We must ignite a fire in our hearts, a fire that will lead us into God's will, and the day we destroy the enemy, we will receive all the good things, and all of Haman’s possessions will be given to us. This is the reaction when facing a crisis. Today, we still face crises, so do not be weakened by my weakness, but rather, be strengthened by my weakness.
There Will Always Be Those Who Seek To Destroy God's Chosen
No matter how you choose, you might choose to be a weak person, unwilling to offend Haman. But do not think that if you do not offend Haman, the devil will not destroy you. Do not think that weakness can solve problems. Learn to be strong and courageous. There will always be those who seek to destroy you. You can either be like the Israelites in Egypt, being slaves, or you can come out of Egypt and be God’s chosen people, becoming God’s mighty army, and begin to receive God’s promises. Rev. Dr. 周神助 (Chou Shen-Chu) said at the Home Cell Meeting: I am not perfect, and neither are you. But thank God that He uses us, these imperfect people, to accomplish His perfect work. We may have many problems, but as long as we are willing to let God use us, the devil cannot destroy us because of our problems or weaknesses, as long as we have such faith in God in our hearts.
The enemy’s attempt to destroy us is a spiritual matter, not a worldly one. The enemy desperately wants to destroy our church. If there is a church like ours in this world, he will do everything in his power to destroy it. The more pleasing you are to God, the more the devil will want to destroy you. The more you are strong and courageous, the stronger the devil standing before you. But we must not be afraid, because it is a spiritual matter. On the surface, it may seem like Modecai (末底改) caused the trouble, but in fact, whether Modecai (末底改) caused trouble or not, the enemy would still want to destroy him. It is because there were such Modecais (末底改) and Esthers, that the whole event began to turn around. When the day of turnaround comes, you will be very surprised at how quickly everything happens.
Every time brethren experience a crisis, I am there praying desperately for you. When I see God’s promise, I am always shocked. There is nothing that cannot be turned around. Even if it is a very small matter, we use these small matters to train our faith. If these small things cannot train our faith in God, how can you transform your people, transform your family? So, brethren, I encourage you again, when the church faces a crisis, are you willing to take the time to pray for the church? When the church encounters a crisis, compromise is useless.
Conditions for God's Work
God must choose a vessel that can be used, and this vessel will become a glorious and honorable vessel. A few days ago, every night I saw some brethren in the church, praying desperately for the church. Sitting in my office, I could hear the sound of prayer coming from the next room. They were not praying for their own benefit, but for the church. I was very touched. Such people cannot help but be blessed. God is searching in heaven and on earth for usable vessels. Whether you are such a vessel determines whether you are the blessed one. Esther could have chosen to protect herself when faced with a crisis, or she could have chosen to stand up. And Modecai (末底改) told Esther: Isn't it for today's crisis that God raised you up? You can protect yourself, but God will surely find a vessel from elsewhere to deliver the Jews. If you only choose to protect yourself, then God's glory has nothing to do with you. Why does God have to find a vessel that He can use? Because God works with people. As long as there is a small group of people praying in this place, then that place cannot help but be transformed.
In the past few decades, the gospel work in Japan has been very difficult. One Japanese pastor preached for many years, but he was only preaching to the chairs, and there was no one in the church. One day, a person walked in, and it was a person with a contagious disease. The pastor chose to serve at the risk of his life. Later, this person was transformed and became his co-worker. Today, because there is such a group of pastors in Japan, the gospel work in Japan has been completely transformed. The brethren in Japan who attend the Home Cell Meeting (回家聚会) are very fervent in their faith, completely surpassing our brethren in Singapore.
We really need to arise and become vessels that God can use. To become this vessel, what should we do? Not by your manpower, financial resources, or knowledge, but by your fervent prayer before God. Let us kneel before God, for this place, for our people, with an extremely great dream, praying fervently, seeing our church become a blessing to all nations and peoples on earth. Seeing our church multiply and fill the earth. At that time, you will surely receive honor, and God will surely put a golden crown on your head. You will surely be materially blessed, and God will plunder all of Haman's possessions and give them to you, because you are the vessel that God wants to bless.
The spiritual condition of Singapore is in urgent need of transformation. On September 14th, 15th, and 16th, Rev. Dr. 周神助 (Chou Shen-Chu) will bring the entire Home Cell Meeting (回家聚会) team to Singapore. I long for our brethren to have such fervor, to be able to worship and pray with all the saints, so that God's throne can be established in Singapore, so that Singapore can be completely transformed, and no longer be in this desolate state.
As long as God works, absolutely no one, nothing can harm God's chosen people
All vessels that God uses are people of faith. Through spiritual eyes, they can see rivers in the desert. As long as your spiritual eyes can see rivers, you can open up rivers there, and make roads in the wilderness, perform miracles and wonders, not because we like miracles and wonders, but because our faith can manifest God's power to reveal His glory. Brethren, today the church is still desolate, and someone in the church once said to me: Pastor, look at so-and-so church, they used to be only ten or twenty people, and now they have grown to two hundred people. Look at our church, we've been doing this for so many years and it's still like this. I was very sad when I heard this. I am saddened by how many brethren are willing to share the dream in my heart? Willing to see through faith that God is already doing wonderful things among us? Whenever I say this, someone will say that I am proud and showing off. I don't want to show off myself, I want to show off the wonderful new things that God is doing among us.
God is a God who does new things, and God is never short of old things. God wants to find a vessel that can do new things, and absolutely nothing can destroy us. Not only can it not destroy us, but it can also make us vessels that can transform this generation. In my heart, there is a great dream, and that dream is to multiply and fill the earth. Some of our brethren said in their WeChat moments: We are going to publish six books! As a result, people who used to come to our church left a message below saying: Really? God is really with you! I was very encouraged to hear such words. Brethren, the enemy cannot harm us. Although the enemy desperately wants to destroy us, in my heart, not only will the enemy not be able to destroy us, but we will also see that God's time to transform us will come so quickly. We must have such a dream in our hearts: we want to be a blessing to this generation, to be a mighty vessel that God can use, no matter what the conditions, we are willing.
Haman's End
Haman did not die at the hands of the Israelites, but at the hand of God. Not by the Jews, nor by Mordecai, nor by Esther, but by his own pride and arrogance. If a person is for his own power, that is pride and arrogance; if a person is for the dream of the kingdom of God, even if it is arrogance, it is nothing. Paul said: Even if I am mad, what does it matter? He did not say this to gain anything for himself. For the sake of the dream of the kingdom of God, even if you take some risks and are criticised and judged by others, what does it matter? But I hope that the families of our brothers and sisters will be blessed because of you. As we spread out, the whole land will be full of the glory of God. I look forward to seeing that day come soon. Although the enemy wants to harm us, because of their arrogance and pride, even if they say harsh words, they are only digging a pit for themselves to fall into; they have erected a gallows, and they will be hanged on it themselves. The enemy will not succeed. For God is the God who created all things in the universe.
The Day of Persecution Becomes a Day of Destroying Enemies, Gaining Honour and Wealth!
The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, was originally the day when the Jews were to be exterminated. The date had been set, and the decree had been issued in 127 provinces. Many people were stirred up to kill the Jews. But in the ninth chapter, you will see that this day became the day when the Jews destroyed their enemies.
Today, some may say that we are not far from the day of extermination. But I say, that day is the day we destroy our enemies!
I think Esther was able to find favour in the eyes of King Ahasuerus, not because of human effort, but because of God's work. It was because God chose Esther to be the saviour of the Jews that she found favour with the king. If we can be like Mordecai and Esther, and become vessels chosen by God, we will surely find favour in the eyes of the world, and we will surely find favour in the eyes of the king. No matter what situation we are in, God will help us, because we are to find favour in the eyes of the world for God's sake.
The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, is the day to destroy the enemy. I hope that this day will also be a day for us to celebrate. The day we destroy our enemies is the day we rise up to build God's glorious temple.
Gaining Wealth and Honour as Rewards
In this crisis reversal, Mordecai and Esther appear to have taken great risks, stepping forward to save the Jews. When our brothers and sisters face such a crisis, I encourage you not to be afraid to step forward because of cowardice. You can begin to see one thing: when Mordecai and Esther, with the faith of if I perish, I perish, took on the responsibility of saving the nation, they did not actually encounter real danger. After this crisis passed, Mordecai gained honour, and all the wealth of the enemy Haman became the spoil of Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews.
That is to say, God is pleased with those who are not afraid of danger and who are strong and courageous in faith. When they overcome such trials, they receive wealth and honour as rewards. This is a wonderful arrangement of God. The Gospel of Matthew says: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25). Everyone must know that God has already given us the victory. What we need to do is to stand firm in faith until God's salvation comes. God's will is that we should be victorious and then receive God's reward.
Committing Sin and Forsaking God Will Cast You into a Snare
In fact, the enemy has no way to harm us. Only when people choose to sin do they hand themselves over to the enemy. In the Book of Numbers, Balaam was very clear about this. He knew that there was no way to curse the Israelites by using magic. So he used seduction to make the Israelites sin. Therefore, on that day, the Israelites were struck down by God, and many died.
That is to say, there is nothing in the world that can overcome us, but if we choose to walk the path of the flesh and sin, we will not be able to overcome the enemy. So I encourage brothers and sisters to begin to live a holy life. When we enter into God's heart, we will receive God's mercy, we will receive favour, and we will receive wealth as a reward. Because our God is definitely not a God who does not eat the food of the world. Our God is very real, and he will surely let you receive wealth as a reward in the world. If we enter into God's heart and learn to live a holy life, nothing will be able to harm us!
Scripture:
Est 7:1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther's banquet,
Est 7:2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be granted you. What is your request? Even up to half my kingdom, it will be done.”
Est 7:3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favour with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.
Est 7:4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such trouble would warrant disturbing the king.”
Est 7:5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Est 7:6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Est 7:7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had determined his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Est 7:8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
Est 7:9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Hang him on it!”
Est 7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Est 8:1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.
Est 8:2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate.
Est 8:3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.
Est 8:4 Then the king extended his gold sceptre to Esther, and she rose and stood before him.
Est 8:5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he is well disposed towards me, if it seems right to him and if I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and sent out to destroy all the Jews in all the king’s provinces.
Est 8:6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
Est 8:7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up.
Est 8:8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring, for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
Est 8:9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language.
Est 8:10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses bred for the king’s service.
Est 8:11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed forces of any nationality or province hostile to them, including their women and children; and to plunder their possessions. This was to take place on one day in all the provinces of King Xerxes, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
Est 8:12
Est 8:13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
Est 8:14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king’s command. The edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.
Est 8:15 Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And Susa rejoiced and was glad.
Est 8:16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honour.
Est 8:17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.