Thoughts on the Bible Readings November 28th (Esther 3, 4; Amos 8; Philemon)

Esther 3 introduces us to the villains of the book - those who are against Yahweh and His people. But as Isaiah 54verses17 tells us, they are doomed to failure. Haman, the son of Hammedatha (the Agagite), the richest noble of the realm wins king Ahasuerus' favour. Haman should never have existed if Saul had fulfilled God's commission to destroy the Amalekites. Agag is a kindred word to the "Gog" of Ezekiel 38. That latter day enemy will also attempt to exterminate the Jews. Could it be the Russian leader? Whoever it is he will be destroyed and buried in the valley of Jehoshaphat, and on the mountains of Israel. How quickly do the archetypal foes meet each other and the result is instant hatred and loathing. The Jew, Mordecai, is warned by the king's servants that in not bowing down to Haman he is in great danger. In verse 7 we are told that Haman seeks a sign from casting lots ("pur"), which he does from the first to the twelfth month, as to when would be the right time to destroy every Jew. From verses 8-11 Haman asks of king Darius (Ahasuerus) the right to destroy a race, which he describes as pests, whose existence (Haman said) was to the detriment of the king's realm (this is not this dissimilar to Hitler's argument in his book, "My Struggle"). If, says Haman, Darius allows this to be done 10,000 talents will be paid into the king's treasury facilitating this to happen. Permission is given and the postmen are sent to all corners of the realm announcing the date of the destruction of the Jews. Chapter 4 tells how God, through Mordecai, is able to thwart this plan. Firstly, Mordecai shows humility before he invokes help from the Almighty. Esther 4verses4 speaks of Mordecai’s remorse and from verse 5 Esther seeks to know the reason for his being clothed in sackcloth. On finding out, and having been told by Mordecai that this perhaps is the reason she has become Queen is providential. Esther agrees to be part of a counter plan to defeat Haman. Esther would do whatever it required, even if it is to cost her life.
Amos 8 begins with the vision of the basket of summer fruit, revealing that God's judgments cannot be averted. Great destruction would be seen everywhere, even in the Temple, which they mistakenly believed was their defence. Verses 4-6 explain why their Sovereign is going to discipline them. The entire population is covetous in the extreme and sees religion as an impediment to their greed. Yahweh swears in His righteousness to avenge such evil deeds practiced by the rulers of Israel. Verses 8-10 tell us that what they hypocritically delighted in is to be totally overturned. Verses 11-12 speak of the famine that is to come when those seeking counsel from God would not find it. At that time their idolatry and calf worship will cease.

In the final segment of our Bible readings, we are introduced a picture of ourself - Onesimus, a profligate runaway slave, who in Rome is liberated from his wasteful state to become a brother in Christ. Theo key words in this letter are related to BOWELS. Paul is demonstrating his love for God, His Son, His Word, His truth, and for Philemon and his family and the ecclesia, as well as for Onesimus. The Apostle is
 
demonstrating to Philemon that, we must not only know and live the truth, but we must also love it, and God and His Son and His Word, His truth, His ecclesia, His familyverses we must be emotionally involved and committed. K Paul sends Onesimus back to his master, as a fellow believer in Christ carrying this letter and the epistle to the Colossians. Onesimus is formerly described as being "unprofitable", which is our condition before we believed the gospel and received forgiveness. But now he has learnt to abound in his grateful realisation of his elevated status see Ephesians 2verses1-12. The Apostle Paul had taught Philemon the truth of the gospel. He speaks of Philemon's debt to God in the forgiveness which he has been given. Therefore, Philemon ought to show the same forgiveness to his fellow believer - even though Onesimus was his slave. The Apostle Paul is confident that Philemon will comply with the Apostle's request. Final greetings are conveyed through Epaphras, who carries the letter to Philemon.

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