May 29
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MORDECAI GETS HONORED BY THE KING
A poem by ILMA
When Mordecai learned about Haman’s decree to kill all Jews
He tore his clothes and put on burlap and wailed in mourning
As news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces
There was great mourning as well among the Jews.
The Jews fasted and wept and wailed and lay in burlap and ashes
When Esther heard from her maids and eunuchs what happened
She was deeply distressed and sent clothing to Mordecai to replace it
She ordered Hathach the eunuch to find out what’s troubling him.
Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree to kill all the Jews
He asked him to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her
He instructed to tell her to beg the king for mercy for her people
Mordecai reminded Esther that she too will be annihilated.
One night, the king couldn’t sleep and read the records of his reign
He saw how Mordecai have saved his life and realized he wasn’t rewarded
So, he asked Haman what’s to be done for a man who truly pleases the king
And he thought it was for him, not knowing the king wanted to honor Mordecai.
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MEMORY VERSE
Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested. – Esther 6:10
Read: Esther4-6
What an interesting twist of the story of someone who plotted to kill the Jews. Haman’s evil plans was exposed and the punishment he planned for Mordecai became for him. We see how God protects the righteous people.
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REFLECTION
• What was Mordecai’s motive to kill the whole Jewish race?
• What can prayers and fasting do to a person’s life?
• How did the Lord delivered Mordecai from Haman’s evil plans?
Tag Archives: King Xerxes
KING XERXES AND QUEEN VASHTI Poem Devotional
May 25
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KING XERXES AND QUEEN VASHTI
A poem by ILMA
King Xerxes reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia
At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from the fortress at Susa
In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for his officials
He invited all the military officers in Persia and Media.
The celebration lasted 180 days-displaying opulent wealth
When it was all over, the king gave all the people a banquet
It included everyone from the greatest to the least of the people
It lasted seven days and was held at the palace garden.
On the seventh day, Xerxes told his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti
He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze at her beauty
She was very beautiful but she refused to obey the King’s order
This made the king very furious and he burned with anger.
Xerxes immediately consulted with his wise advisers about the law
They told him to banish the queen for what she did was totally wrong
They said the queen has wronged not only the king but all citizens
Women will begin to despise heir husbands when they hear of it.
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MEMORY VERSE
Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throught your empire. – Esther 1:15
Read: Esther 1
If this story happened today, many women would be angered at why Queen Vashti was deposed just because she didn’t show up to be displayed by her husband to other men. She was deposed because her refusal to the king’s order would set a precedent to all the nobles and citizens to be disobeyed by their women.
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REFLECTION
• Why do women need to be under authority to their husbands?
• Why is important to follow orders from authority?