So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther.2 And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” 6 And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.
Haman Is Hanged
7 And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. 8 And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman's face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.
 
Meditation
Recently I was teaching about Satan’s strategy, Satan’s long view, demonstrated in his setting traps that take their toll years down the road. Satan sows seeds of discord and waits patiently. Eventually marriages reap harvest of division, societies have disharmony, and the fruit of darkness is birthed in people’s lives. Someone asked, “Yes, but doesn’t God have a longer game? Isn’t His sovereignty such that the efforts of the enemy will be his own downfall, like the cross?” Yes, my wise friend. Yes indeed. Evil and workers of evil will come to an end.
 
Haman set gallows to hang Mordecai and manipulated a decree to kill all the Jews in Persia. Esther set the stage to advocate for salvation of her people. Haman’s evil plan was eventually reversed, trapped by his own efforts designed to kill Mordecai.
 
Evil will eventually collapse in on itself, destroying the evil one and those who practice evil.  The Bible teaches this truth throughout the wisdom literature: Those who dig a pit for others fall into it themselves (Proverbs 28:10; Psalm 7:12-16); Those who set nets to catch others snare themselves (Psalm 9:15; 56:7); Those who set a trap with rocks will have it roll back on their own heads (Proverbs 26:27).
 
The greatest reversal is seen at the cross. Satan’s trap to kill Jesus followed the sovereign plan of God. Jesus alone gives victory over death. Jesus alone is our advocate- we need not fear. God wins! And evil will fall into the traps set for others.
 
Richly Dwelling                                            
-Do you see God’s sovereignty over evil, using what was intended for evil to destroy evil?
 
-Which image from scripture stands out the most- Haman’s gallows, wisdom literatures pit, net, or rock, or the cross itself? Why?
 
-How does this give you hope, empowering patience to wait on God’s deliverance while also standing and speaking against evil?
 
Key Verse
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, 3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!  Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! 7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
 
Meditation
Flash floods flow from heavy spring and summer rains. Tsunamis result from the seismic shifting of the earth under the sea. When storms of life come upon us and flood our world, when the earth shakes beneath our feet causing tidal waves of worry in our lives, we must find higher ground.  Grace gives ground on which we can stand.
 
God is revealed as a “Rock higher” than ourselves (2). We cry to Him and He hears our prayers (1). The Lord is our refuge in the storms of life, a strong tower for our security (3). We find refuge under His wings (4).
 
David’s prayer for the life of the king (6) points to the greater King who is enthroned forever, Jesus Christ (7).  Jesus is the rock we build our lives upon, one that will not shift in seismic activity and will weather every storm (Matthew 7:15).
 
We can sing in the storms when Jesus our Savior is our rock (8). Yes, we can dance in the rain, knowing our foundation will not change. The word of Jesus controls the storms of life (Mark 4:34-41). In this world we will have troubles, but Jesus has overcome the world and offers peace.  Jesus invites us to stand on the ground of His grace and His word of promise, a higher rock than ourselves.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you overwhelmed by the flash floods or seismic shifts of life? Where and why?
 
-Psalm 61 is a prayer FOR security as it is a prayer of thanksgiving for security. Use the language of the Psalm to inform and form your requests and thanksgiving.
 
-Jesus is the Rock. How can you thank Him for the power of His word, the surety of His foundation, and the peace He promises? Practice gratitude to grow in faith.
 
Key Verse
2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,  and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness,  the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
 
5 Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; 6 but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;  they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. 7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;  instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. 8 For I the Lord love justice;  I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense,  and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.


9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
 
Meditation
Things will not go on like this forever. There will be a day when evil will be utterly judged and God’s people will rejoice in total salvation, a time of the Lord’s favor and a day of vengeance of our God (2).  Our “Sovereign Lord” (1,11) will accomplish this through His servant-messiah, Jesus Christ.
 
The servant-messiah speaks in 1-7, unpacking the year of the Lord’s favor with beautiful and hopeful descriptions. Jesus takes these words and applies them to Himself in Luke 4:16-20. Through Jesus alone can we find the favor and blessings of the Lord.
 
The Lord summarizes His motive, stating His love for justice and His hatred for robbery and wrong (8-9). Evil will receive recompense. The righteous, those whose trust is in the servant-messiah, will receive covenant love and generational blessing. Jesus is the greatest enemy of evil and the fullness of God’s covenant blessing, His steadfast love.
 
Those who believe will sing a song of salvation (10-11), greatly rejoicing and exulting in the Lord our God. Beautifully dressed in garments of salvation as if for a wedding, covenant love will be celebrated. The Lord will cause praise to spout up from all nations and for all generations.
 
God wins. The servant dies and is resurrected, defeating death and the curse for all who believe. The servant is the messiah, the fullness of God’s promises and covenant love. Jesus is the servant-messiah and those who trust in Him will celebrate the Lord’s favor and blessing!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you have hope that things will not go on like this forever? How does this hope fuel you in the present?
 
-Which promises of the year of the Lord’s favor in 1-6 resonate with you deeply?
 
-Are you singing the song of the Lord’s salvation, robed in the garments of His righteousness?  The sovereign grace of the Lord causes praise to sprout up… How can you cultivate this song in your soul!
 
Key Verse
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. 2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram, 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lordmy God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ 6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”
7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.” 8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. 9 My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household.” 10 So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired, 11 while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. 12 And the Lordgave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
13 King Solomon drafted forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men. 14 And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in shifts. They would be a month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the draft. 15 Solomon also had 70,000 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country, 16 besides Solomon's 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work. 17 At the king's command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. 18 So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.
 
 
Meditation
God’s promises fuel participation in Kingdom work, moving hearts into ministry.
 
Servants from Tyre (1) joined peoples of all nations coming to hear Solomon’s wisdom (4:34). Solomon leverages the favor David carried to ask for help in building the temple (2-3). Tyre’s king “rejoiced greatly” at the invitation, blessing the Lord (7). The combined supplies and manpower assembled is impressive.
 
Solomon had “peace and rest on every side” and determined to begin the temple for God’s presence to be restored with His people (4-5). Solomon drew motivation from God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:13, “…Your son, whom I will set on your throne, shall build the house for my name.” Promise fuels work for the Lord.
 
The generosity of Tyre is a foretaste of the “wealth of nations” coming into the New Jerusalem. The riches of all nations will be used to add to God’s glory (Revelation 21:24-26), a glory that will cover the earth as the water covers the seas (Habakkuk 2:14). Jesus will return as King of Kings (Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:29-31; Acts 1), establishing His rule over everything. There will be no more curse, tears, death, mourning, sickness, or sorrow (Revelation 21:1-6).
 
God’s promises give purpose- Christians are a priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) called to mediate God’s promises to the world. We seek first His Kingdom in all we do (Matthew 6:33) and build a place for His glory to be displayed, participating in the application of His promises today, until they fully come with the return of our King.
 
Richly Dwelling
-If you had riches, a kingdom, and international peace would you begin a major building project to establish a place for God’s glory to dwell or would you do something else?
 
-Solomon is motivated by God’s promises. What motivates you in seeking to restore the world to be a place for God’s glory to dwell?
 
-Which promises most move you into ministry, loving people indiscriminately (even our enemies) and seeking first Christ’s Kingdom in all of life?
 
Key Verse
5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ 

The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
4 So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.
 
Meditation
God is sovereign over judgment and salvation. Grace invites us to put our faith in the Lord, trusting Him alone for salvation from judgment.
 
God’s sovereign grace governs every detail of the tenth plague:
 
A-God calls His shot, announcing victory beforehand (1). The Lord specifies the fate He had already foretold (3:19).  The specifics outlined in 11:1-11 match the prediction of 7:3-4. The Lord is sovereign in judgment.
 
B-God takes this one on His own. Throughout the plagues God has used Moses’ staff as a vehicle and Moses and Aaron as mediators. This time the Lord will “go into the midst of Egypt Himself” (4).
 
C-God reverses reality for those who trust in His provision of salvation. As Israel cried to the Lord for freedom from slavery (3:7), those who do not put their faith in God’s provision for salvation will cry out in agony (5-6). God makes a distinction between His people and those who reject His word of salvation (7). The Lord is sovereign in salvation.
 
God reinforces His rule over the people and powers of the earth. God grants favor for Israel to plunder the Egyptians on their way out (3). God “multiplies His wonders” through the Exodus and hardening Pharaoh’s heart (9-10).
 
The power of God’s sovereign grace is available through Jesus Christ, redemption for all who trust His word of salvation. Judgment came on the cross, forgiveness for all who trust in Jesus. In Christ we have salvation!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you comfortable with the revelation that God is totally in charge of salvation and judgment? Why or why not?
 
-How does the revelation of God’s sovereignty in judgment fuel personal urgency to make sure your heart is right with the Lord AND the hearts of those whom you love?
 
-Take a few moments to PRAISE the Lord for salvation from His wrath and just judgment through Jesus Christ.
 
Key Verse
6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Woe to Unrepentant Cities13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.
16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
The Return of the Seventy-Two17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Martha and Mary38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Meditation
Intimacy with Jesus is the key to joy- personally, in the city, in showing compassion, and in service.
 
Jesus “set His face to Jerusalem” (9:51) before He set the table for Kingdom transformation through sending out an envoy of apostles (1). The Kingdom harvest is plentiful, laborers are few (2).  The mission expanded through hospitality, preaching, and healing (5-11).  Towns rejecting Jesus are destined for destruction (12-16).  Towns welcoming the message of Jesus find peace and joy.

​The apostles returned with joy from fruitful mission (17). Jesus reoriented their focus, helping them see that true joy is found in deep relationship with God- “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (20).  Jesus rejoices with Trinitarian joy, in the Holy Spirit, for the Father (21-22). Jesus rejoices in intimate, private, moments with His disciples (23).

Intimacy is interrupted with the question from the lawyer- What must I do…?  (25) The parable of the Good Samaritan shows how busyness drives us away from the heart of love. Martha’s distraction doubles down- Martha was distracted with much serving (40). Jesus re-directs our focus by affirming the posture of Mary, intimately sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His words. Doing can be a barrier to being intimate with Jesus, robbing joy Jesus wants to give.
 
Are you distracted as well?  Are you too distracted to find true joy in Jesus, too busy to be, hear, and believe? A changed heart changes lives. There is no real change or joy without intimacy with Jesus.
 
Richly Dwelling
-The missionaries were told to rejoice in a saving relationship with Jesus more than fruitfulness in their mission. Martha was rebuked for prioritizing serving Jesus over sitting at His feet. Jesus finds joy in Trinitarian intimacy and meeting with His disciples privately. Do you celebrate intimacy with Jesus? Is Jesus enough for you?
 
-What are distractions from Jesus, good things in your life that take your heart focus off of Heaven’s love sent for you? Serving? Busy with mission or religious duties like the Priest and Levite?
 
-How does the compassion of Christ, revealed in His love for you, cultivate authentic compassion for others, even enemies and in inconvenience?
 
Key Verse
23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!