Purim Morning Celebration 2024/5784

We can do that enough. I hope that never gets old. We really should be blessing our children on our own daily fathers and mothers bless your children. I'm glad we do this. I hope it's a tradition that exist forever in this congregation. You were all once children and there are things that happened to you and your childhood that you still recall and there are as we talked about last week traumas that happened from childhood for almost all of us that we carry with us.

But these kids get blessed a lot. And I would encourage you to keep blessing if you have kids who are under you keep blessing them if you have nieces and nephews bless them as often as you can. Pray for these kids in and bless them.

Portland begins tonight at sundown as we've heard already before I get into the teaching which will be centered around pulling today. I do want to revisit a little bit. I called the teaching Esther's greatest foe before we do that. I want to go back to last week a little bit. I want to thank those of you who correspond with me over the last week many many more than probably any teaching I've ever given correspondence from people. Who were touched by the sermon it wasn't the sermon it was the word that God has done in your life.

was brought to your mind because of the subject matter and

I was moved we don't even though we we can be in Carnation together for five years ten years, but we still don't know everybody story entirely. You just don't don't know everybody story and you might become friends with some people and they'll give you some parts of their story, But there are things I've learned just this year about people in the ocean.

A Peter put a fine point on some of the things I was talking about as we looked at the Aki and with Abraham went through but also I was sort of more focus on what you went through and his trauma he experienced because of this decision that God called his father. To undergo this testing that he called for his father. He also was put to it a test or trial. And I commented. As the scripture tells us and I pointed out a number of instances. God does test people and I don't know. I don't understand it all but not for his benefit no more for your benefit, right? He knows how you're going to respond. But do you know how you're going to respond in every situation? Do you know? These are ways that we grow. So he's testing his date or not really for him to see what we do is it's for you to see your own have your own metal tested in the human spirit is strong. This is the way God designed and

I just thank you. Those of you who share part of your stories with me this week. I can test the righteous. He hates the wicked in the lover of violence. This is real in life.

I don't want to make light but This is for Gene. Cuz he always asks, where's the where's the coffee with Jesus? So here it is? Cuz this one's sort of captures a little bit of we were talking about last week and Courtney has a pretty good life, but There are hardships and she said I just feel like I'm pedaling uphill Jesus like I'm pedaling uphill and Against the Wind life hard for her.

And our Lord as he sipped his coffee in his business suit says and the uphill and makes it downhill that much more worthwhile. Right, like it's it's both of these things in life and said, okay. So basically it's just 50/50 some good some bad right? Happy Z have hard. No response has no life is pedaling.

Life is going and some of you have found an amazing strength to go to keep peddling amazing trust through hardships to keep going and to keep paddling and you continue to seek after God and what does God teach me through this and what can I how can I help others through this?

so much respect to you and it was Phyllis pointed this out this week to me from Hebrews how she's dealt with some of the some difficulty in her life and traumas seeking continuing to seek without faith without trust. It's impossible to please him or whoever we draw near to God must believe that he exists and that you were Awards those who earnestly seek Him earnestly seeking him through through trauma is A gem I think she had a mentor say there's no other way.

That you really build closeness without some hardship and struggle and I think if anybody understands like training and fitness you can understand this. What I wanted to talk today, however about Esther's greatest foe.

Here's a app or pulling, you know is like a to go out. It's a chance thing as I pointed out last year for team that scripture tells us that a man could throw it in the lap proverb says but God controls it. Things are left to chance God controls it.

Every important we have a few things that we do some people dress up. They send portions of food. They fear hear the story red. They have a celebration festive meal some people dress up. Bring this is from a couple years ago. Nice to see kids in costume and they'll be even more costumes tonight.

Last year, Mr. Frank dress up as a range officer, and I dressed up as Mister Frank.

And I was all-in I don't know you saw that last year. I was I was dedicated.

Yeah, my kids reminded me cuz I couldn't remember what had I been last year I O U R.

Do you see my watch?

He's not here. He's so easy to caricature.

one of my favorite people people dressed up as their superheroes. That's what I did and we also read

Megillat Esther that Esther scroll is red.

I want to read this. Go to assemble all the Jews found in shushan having fast for me and either eating or drinking for three nights. Three days night and day also and the girls attending Evil Fast in the same way that I'll go to the King which is against the law and if I perish I perish this town's so it's like fatalistic.

In the empty or the Hebrew text of this she just sounds like ready to go.

I think it's nice to see Esther is being brave. We teach our daughters to be brave and tough situations. She's a brave Queen. But is she really so brave?

You know most of us read from the masoretic text, but there are other versions of Esther. And I'm going to read from one today longer portion actually, some people call it a ditions to Esther or Septuagint Esther. It's the Greek version for Greek speaking audience of Esther. It shows up in the Apocrypha.

So, I don't know if a patient has really the best but Scholars have noticed that this l x x or the Septuagint Esther has a few sections that don't correspond though. A lot of it is food story that you're familiar with. There are some sections that are not and I hope it was some year. We decide to read Greek Esther. It's a little bit longer. It fills out the story and man. Is it interesting and so I'm going to read some of that today.

A little history. I don't know how what you feel is canonical what you think. It's important to be read, but I like sex Esther Greek Esther probably doesn't show up before 1:50, BC. Most Scholars think that it has a Egyptian flavor to it. So maybe some Jews who work in the aspara Egypt. What's the weather?

Well, let's just say this. Most Scholars that I read this week are pretty sure that it's Providence is Egypt and since the story didn't happen in Egypt, but a lot of his information may not be like historical. It wasn't like extra stories that came out of shushan or you know, Persia or anything like that. They kind of it seems to have originated in Egypt maybe not but but yet if you were a faithful Jew in the diaspora probably in the time of your shoe, and you would have read this your drink speaking in the Greek speaking world. I just keep us know some of these Traditions that are in and he uses them and so do some of the sages they'll bring in things that are not really from and masoretic. Text Esther butt butt from Greek Esther. What are the nice things about recaster? Isn't that the name of God is replete. Right. It's been noted that in Nazareth text Esther the word god reference to God is not there. And so some people see it as a secular now we can account for that by saying God hiding and you know put on costumes and what not, but not only in the portions that are the six sections that kind of seen it but also its put in other places, too.

It's a really fascinating read.

and to my way of thinking it humanizes Esther in a little different way in the empty tea the masoretic text does

She talks about her fear. Which I think she must have experienced.

So let's read a little bit and then I'll make some observations.

Just as you probably don't have this. This is sometimes called addition Steve Mordecai before she goes in. This is at the point in the story where she has caused some people to fast and pray and this is her fasting and praying and these are some of her prayers. so The Story Goes

then Queen Esther Steve's with deadly anxiety lead to the Lord She took off her Splendid apparel and put on garments of the stress and morning and instead of costly perfume. She covered her set forehead with ashes and done the Army Humboldt body. Every part that she loves to Adorn. She covered with tangled hair.

and she prayed to the Lord God of Israel and she said oh my Lord. You only are our King. help me because I'm alone and I have no Helper, but you For my danger is in my hand.

Chico's in a little history lesson ever since I was born I heard from my tribe and my family that you oh Lord, you took his fail out of all the nations and our ancestors from among their forebears for an everlasting inheritance. Is this going to be Everlasting or not?

And you did for them all these things that you promised and now yes send for you.

You have handed us over to enemies because we practiced idolatry and we glorify their gods. You are righteous O Lord. But now they are not satisfied that we are in bitter slavery here, but they have covenanted with their Idols to abolish with your mom now has created and to destroy your inheritance to stop the mouths of those who praise you to quench your altar in the glory of your house the opening hours of the nation's for the praise of feign idols and magnify forever Immortal King.

Oh Lord. Do not Surrender Your scepter. Just some idle that has no being do not let them laugh at our downfall.

Turn their plan against then make an example of him who began this against us. Remember? Oh Lord. Make yourself known in this time of our Affliction and give me courage. Oh King. all gods and master of Old Dominion put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion and turn his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us so that there may be an end of him and those who agree with him, but save us by your hand and help me for I'm alone and I have no Helper, but you Lord you have knowledge of all things and you know that I hate the Splendor of the wicked and I have for the bed of this uncircumcised King, you know, my necessity that I have to do this, but I abhor the side of my proposition is crown on my head. But I appear in public. I abhor these things like filthy rags and I do not wear this crown on the days when I'm at leisure your servant has not eating at home on your servant has not even at that table and I have not honored to King's feast or drunk the wine or any Libations. Your Steward has had no joy since the day that I was brought in here except in you Lord God of Abraham a god who's Mike is over all things here are the boys. of the despairing ones as Rob was saying

each prayer must have been how shall not save us Lord as she cries the voice of the despairing ones and save us.

From the hand of evildoers and save me from my fear.

She says

so I'm going to read a little bit more. Little bit of elaboration as she is about now to go in to see the king.

On the third day when she ended her prayer. Took off the garments in which she had worshipped. And a raise herself and Splendor Tire. Then majestically in the Warren and after invoking the aid of all sing God and savior. She took to maze with her. On one she leaned gently for support while the other followed caring her train and she was radiant.

She was reading perfect Beauty and she looked happy as if she was loved. but our hearts Frozen with fear

when she had gone through all the doors she stood before the king. He was Seated on his Royal Throne clothes and full array of his majesty all covered with gold and precious stone and he was most terrifying and lifting his face flushed with Splendor. He looked at her and fierce anger. and the queen faltered And she turned pale. Faint and she collapsed on the head of the maid who went in in front of her. Can God change the spirit of the king to gentleness? And an alarm he sprang from his throne. And took her in his arms and she came to herself and it comforted her with soothing words and he said to her.

I'm your husband. encourage you will not die. That law only applies to subjects. You are no subject.

Come near to me. Did he raise the golden scepter and touch your neck with it? And he embraced her instead of speak to me. She said to him. I saw you my lord like an angel of God and my heart was shaking with fear at your glory for your wonderful my Lord and your countenance is so full of grace. Now when she was speaking She fainted and fell and the king with her. What do you wish after? What is your request? It will be given to you even half the kingdom.

All right. So there you have been introduced to some of the lxx Esther. the Greek Easter This I think captures a bit better how she must have been feeling rather than if I perish I perish. 3 days of anxiety

so few observations about how she handled her fear and how a person might go about handling fear. You know, I don't I try to be really careful from this spot not to do self help cuz I feel like sometimes that's kind of what's almost with expected in churches like self-help and that's not really what we're called to. Pastoral and we can look at the text and green things from the text. But really I'm not I don't do self help is all kinds of books about that. There's all kinds of psychologist about that. Like I just I just try to look at a text. So just just understand every now and then it veers into that lane. That's not what we do here at Chad and I don't really think it's the business of congregations. We look at the text and try to live our lives according to the text and here is an observation a few observations from what I saw. She had a good counselor. Esther do you know the story right Mordecai is at the front gate and he's sending messages back and forth thankfully and her life. She's got somebody she can trust. She's got a really good counselor. Human counselor talking to her giving her good advice. What if I told them you say this that Esther don't think to yourself that the king in the king's Palace. You'll Escape any more than the other. You can silent this time relief and deliverance will rise is oh so wise he knows that the final story. They will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish and who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this how do you ever wonder how in the world is she in danger in the palace? If nobody really knows that she's Jewish.

How is she in danger? And what danger is she Mordecai seems to think she's in some danger. Does someone know of their relationship? I don't know. Would somebody it is the moment we're right for their own purposes. Would someone disclose the relationship between Mordecai and Esther? Probably he seems to be a known character. I don't know or maybe

her life would be so utterly Changed by not acting.

Don't think that you will escape any more than anyone else.

Can you imagine watching your your Kindred suffer that way and you sit and he's and think I'm a nice Cape know. That's no it's a patrol to sit there and watch that maybe that's the same thing what she means because no one seems to know in the palace anyways, or maybe it is if someone would inform on her. I don't know she does seem to have a good counselor in her cousin. cousin uncle

right isn't texting to say it's her cousin their cousins.

second thing I noticed she took time to seek God's Direction.

She said three days. Join me have other people join me in prayer and fasting let me seek God and and she she prayed and we got a window into what her / could have been from.

Septuagint Esther go and gather all the juice we found a shoe shop. Holdfast, I might have not eat or drink for three days night or day in the young women wall so fast this way then we'll go to the king.

Time sometimes we have to make decisions quickly. And sometimes if you must you must and sometimes we get locked into a pattern where we're so fearful of the decision of making the decision that we just get stuck and that's not a good place to be either.

I suggest. Take some time pray and seek and eventually move to action, which is what she did a third one. She assess the risk. It's always nice to know worst case scenario.

When you're dealing through feeder things that bring fear and anxiety about the future and I think that's really what these observations are in my mind how she's handling some of the sphere because I said, I like some I like the thought of this is very scary proposition for her. And she has to confront that. He's been counseled. Well. You taking time to seek God's face. She assesses the risk, which she says if I perish I perish right she seems to know. I leave it in God's hands. And finally she acted. She put a fear behind her bravery and she acted. Self a people. Sometimes you can't wait any longer and you just have to act. How do I say it this way? Because there's a very famous event in the history of my family. There's a video clip from it the next slide where my daughter was chosen to announce a player at a Dayton Dragons game. Okay. Well, then you realize it's like six or seven thousand people and you got to stand there and say something and your little kids do great every classroom. Well afterwards for Grandma was asking her.

How did you manage to do it? , set up here behind my bravery.

Just made that up my own spot. That was pretty good. We say that any time you got to do something brings fear or anxiety in your life every right to give birth to a child right recently and I'm petrified every time my wife is giving birth. I don't know what she feels.

And help coach her through upside down.

When I put it in there was right side up.

Did it with conviction and strengthen?

This is the hardest part about fear for me. I'm Not Afraid of the Dark or the things that lurk in the dark. I'm not afraid of the future so much. I'm not afraid of being penniless and financial collapse. I'm not afraid of those things. Afraid of knowing what to do with right time doing it.

reading the situation

trying to listen.

I'm doing the right thing at the right time. That's my fear because I can easily go back and forth.

All those other things but sometimes people fear and there's kids in here at least other types of fierce. Like the world is Scary For Kids. I got it. spiders that okay Nothing, you know things that bring fear, but for me. Sometimes you need to act annoying when is right the right time.

That's that brings fear to me.

But as we conclude.

Show all rights to Tennessee. We don't fear is not a place where we have to live. It exists like fear is real like it will always exist. You will encounter it at various times we all do.

Septuagint Esther she recognized fear an active for this reason I remind you to Fan the flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying out of my hands Timothy this famous verse what God has not given us for God gave us a spirit of fear. That's not the dominant spirit. It's there, but it's not set up for the sun. God. And here's this great encouragement. He's given us a spirit of power. in the spirit of love and self-discipline I think to do the things we know that we ought in conclusion. I submit to you that fear is there it is advice like some of us deal with it more than others, but it is there it will always be there.

But you can meet it. estrogen was she Brave? Yes, because she put her fear behind your bravery and she acted her fear was she put it behind her and she acted on behalf of herself and her people at just the right time.

We do not have to live in fear. We do know that the end of the story we know the one who controls the poor.

we know the one who orchestrated the events as we seen today in the Palm Sunday for teaching and in as we think about at the Esther Story the one who controls the events. For his purposes. I'll pray and will be finished.

Father God I thank you for this deeply humanizing story. from the Septuagint Esther will receive window into some fear that she must have been experiencing.

No one lives without fear. The person is reckless and won't last long in the world.

Most of us have healthy fears about various things.

But every now and then dear God we come up with fear we come up to fears. that shake us they become walls if we let them linger.

Sometimes the fears are irrational but they're still there.

Thank you for the story.

and I pray that we can see how Hadassah Esther acted in these moments when she must have felt fear track counselors to help.

sheep

She was not just by herself making own decisions. She sought you out.

prayed and fasted

she knew the risks involved.

She didn't stay there forever paralyzed she acted.

Help us dear. God is weak. assess risk reconsider fears

help me to act in the right situation at the right time. I want to know dear God this I think is living through spirit and seeking you.

That's my brothers and sisters here. I pray for my own children. deal with fear

We would learn trust in You by faith in you. That is radical and whole trust for our future.

Because you control you control the events.

And you have our very best in mind.

The name of the shoe and because of the show and pray this man.