Esther
Esther 1
November 5, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 1
What book of the Bible did Martin Luther claim to be an enemy of? What book of the Bible was banned by Hitler from being read in Germany? What book in the bible makes no mention of God, includes no recorded prayer to God, and has no prophet? What book explains why the Jews never be able to be destroyed by Hitler, Hamas, or Hezbollah? Of course you know, it is -- the story of Esther! This is going to be an interesting study, one which is avoided by many pastors. Surrounded by controversy and full of ambiguity, the Story of Esther depicts the potential first Holocaust of the Jewish people. I say potential because the tables get turned and the Jews are preserved, an event still celebrated by the Feast of Purim. Despite the absence of the mention of God, we are confronted with a series of "coincidental" events and decisions that align everything for a specific result. Esther is a portrayal of Romans 8:28 -- an invisible God working through ordinary people in decisive moments. The invisible God is the faithful God. Lacking the miraculous signs and plagues of the Exodus, and a "Moses-like" deliverer, God resists the proud Haman, and gives grace to the humble Mordecai and Esther -- despite.....despite...despite what? Good question. For the answer... ...VIEW and SEE! Steve
Esther 2
November 12, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 2
"And the Winner Is...." - Esther 2 The stage has been set in chapter 1 of Esther. Xerxes' is powerful but largely incapable. That truth is confirmed through history's recording of his failure in battle and his failed shenanigans in the realm of women. But when you are a king like Xerxes you can do whatever you want! Feeling the void left by the de-queened Vashti, the servants suggest a beauty pageant reminiscent of the flirty and fleshy reality TV show, "The Bachelor". PS....sorry if you were a fan. "Whoever pleases the king will be the new Queen!" You can't get much more superficial than that in choosing a queen! Well, some viewer discretion is required as we wrestle with the whole situation. It's impossible not to think and compare Esther to Daniel and even to Joseph. All of them in difficult situations as Jews in Gentile/Pagan settings, having to make moral choices. There is no indication that Esther is wrestling over her situation. Spoiler Alert: Of all the virgins [possibly more than 100] taken into the harem of Xerxes, one pleases him more than any other, and not by being a sharp intellect or being good at backgammon. "Esther, what is a fine Jewish girl like yourself doing in a place like this?" What is she doing engaging in this relationship? How can she agree to marry a gentile king? Why is the author silent on matters of morality and purity? Does this reflect the general lapse of Godliness among the Jews who chose not to return to rebuild after the captivity?? Coincidences? Compromise? How can God possibly be at work in this mess? If you want to hash it out......then, ...VIEW and SEE! Steve
Esther 3
November 19, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 3
"Haman: The enemy of the Jews" - Esther 3 Chapter 3 of Esther is crucial. If you don't watch this message, you won't know what is going on in the story of Esther. But even more importantly, you won't understand what is going on in current events! We ended chapter 2 with Mordecai, a Jew in the Persian empire, serving in an official capacity and blowing the whistle on an assassination plot against Xerxes. Way to go, Mordecai! But chapter 3 starts out with some guy named Haman getting a promotion! Wait....what? But the plot thickens. There is tension between Mordecai and Haman. Big time tension. We get some clues in the story that the tension didn't start with these two guys, and we know from watching the news that it didn't end with these two guys! How much should I tip my hand in the teaser? You can always read the chapter and see what is happening. We will put the pieces together on Sunday. So I will say this: The personal tension between Haman and Mordecai escalates to genocidal proportions. To miss the backstory that we will be discussing is to miss even current references as to what is happening in the mind of Netanyahu and the Jewish people as we watch the current events unfold. Yes, Netanyahu made an "Esther connected" biblical reference in a November 3, 2023 speech that really...and I mean really...stirred people up! What was that reference? How does it connect to the history of anti-semitism? Why are the Jews in danger -- then and now? Oh my... .....VIEW and SEE! Steve
Esther 4
December 10, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 4
"The Turning Point" - Esther 4 Esther 4 is the well known, "for such a time as this" chapter. But, trust me when I tell you that even as I have studied I have been encouraged and excited by what I am seeing and pondering in this amazing story. The Jews in the Persian Empire are facing the genocidal edict of King Xerxes. Mordecia's refusal to bow to Haman, and Haman's disproportionate response, lead to a crucial moment in Jewish....and world....history. Watch with me as Esther comes to grips with her own identity and role in human history. Truly, you can't make this stuff up! Watch the transformation as this moment in time becomes a turning point for an "jewish orphan-turned-queen" named Esther. What decision does Esther face? What is at stake? What makes it a turning point for her? Why should I care? Great questions! You have to... ...VIEW and SEE. Steve
Esther 5-6
January 14, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 5, Esther 6
"Beauty & The Beast" - Esther 5-6 After a prolonged break, we will pick up our study in the intriguing book of Esther! We finished chapter 4 during our last study, so we will pick up in chapter 5! I am quite certain you are familiar with the classic Disney story of Beauty & the Beast. But did you know that it is based on a true story of a French boy who rose to status in court of King Henry II of France? Despite his hairy appearance which resulted from a genetic condition called congenital hypertrichosis, he was not the beast he appeared to be. Rather, Petrus Gonsalvus [his real name] rose to a place of honor and was eventually married and had four children. As in the Disney story, the "beast" was misjudged and misunderstood. Maybe the real beasts were those that judged him by his odd appearance and failed to see the real "him". It's clear in our Bible study that Esther is the Beauty. God has used her naturally stunning genetic beauty for His sovereign purposes. Our beauty -- Queen Esther -- has resigned herself to a willingness to sacrifice her own life to save her people. But who is the Beast? The answer to that question may depend on who you ask. If you ask Haman, the beast is that awful Mordecai who refuses to bow to him. That beast -- Mordecai -- would be more consistent with the real story -- misjudged, overlooked, and then rising to power. But if you ask me...and Esther, Mordecai, and even God...Haman is the Beast. A proud, animalistic man blinded by his inflated narcissism and obsessed with murder. If God is true to His Word, and pride really does come before destruction, can you guess in which direction our story turns? Truth really is stranger than fiction, and our story will leave us in suspense as we see a sovereign God working things according to His Word. What happens to the Beauty? What about our two Beasts...? ...VIEW and SEE Steve
Esther 7-8
January 21, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 7—8
"Consequences" - Esther 7-8 In chapters 7-8 we see two people pleading for their lives, Esther and Haman. Last week left us hanging, waiting for the big reveal that Esther has now postponed for the second time. The King will repeat for the third time, "What do you want. Tell me!" And she tells him. And Haman's world turns upside down in an instant. But, consequences? Haman could have no idea of the consequences of his pride -- unless he read the Bible. He had made an edict that, unbeknownst to him, would call for the death of the Queen of Persia! That's not good. The picture I included above tells the story. In an attempt to get rid of Mordecai, he was essentially sealing his own fate. There is an edict from God. "he who exalts himself will be humbled". That one is also irrevocable. But there is more....such as the consequences of the king's carelessness. The lesson of Chapter 8 is that, although the "hateful offender" is taken out of the picture, everyone still has to deal with the consequences of the things he put in motion. How do the King, the Queen, and Mordecai deal with the looming death sentence for the Jews? Can they unscramble the egg? ....VIEW and SEE. Steve
Esther 9-10
January 28, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Esther 9—10
"Stronger Together" - Esther 9-10 In this message we will wrap up our study in the book of Esther. In chapter 9, all the things that have been anticipated are coming to pass -- the edict of annihilation written by Haman and signed by the King as well as the edict of self-defense written by Mordecai and signed by the King. The Jews will defend themselves against ethnic hatred. What a fascinating day in history, when both parties in conflict could claim to have their actions supported by law! We all know that when the smoke clears, the Israel Defense Forces under Mordecai and Esther surface victoriously and inaugurate a memorial celebration - Purim - that has been observed for 2500 years. In fact, Purim begins this year on the evening of March 23rd. And what an interesting time for the Jews to commemorate Purim, as they again defend themselves and their people from the threat of those who still wish to see them annihilated. The more things change, the more they stay the same. If God is for you, then who can be against you? But the Jews have to fight, right? What is the simple truth for enjoying the victory that God has already determined and set up? What is their role....our role...in the battle that we are sure to win? You already know the answer, but you may find it to be too simplistic! If you are not sure, then... ...COME and SEE Steve