daily reading 36.1 (Esther 8:7–13)

5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023

Our opening prayer for this week:

Lord of all nations, grant me grace
To love all people, every race,
And in each person help me view
My kindred loved, redeemed by you.

Break down the wall that would divide
Your children, Lord, on every side.
My neighbor’s good let me pursue;
Bind them to me and all to you.

Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred
By loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do
Will hurt my neighbor, Lord, and you.

Give me your courage, Lord, to speak
Whenever strong oppress the weak.
And should I be a victim, too,
Help me forgive, remembering you.

With your own love may I be filled
And by your Holy Spirit willed,
That all I touch, whate’er I do,
May be divinely touched by you. Amen.

 

Esther 8:7–13

  • King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, "Look, I have given Haman's estate to Esther, and he was hanged on the gallows because he attacked the Jews.
  • 8 Write in the king's name whatever pleases you concerning the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. A document written in the king's name and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked."
  • 9 On the twenty-third day of the third month— that is, the month Sivan— the royal scribes were summoned. Everything was written exactly as Mordecai commanded for the Jews, to the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the 127 provinces from India to Cush. The edict was written for each province in its own script, for each ethnic group in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.
  • 10 Mordecai wrote in King Ahasuerus's name and sealed the edicts with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses bred in the royal stables.
  • 11 The king's edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war.
  • 12 This would take place on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar.
  • 13 A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples so the Jews could be ready to avenge themselves against their enemies on that day.
Helpful notes on Esther 8:7–13



For yourself pray:

  • That God keeps you in Christ from personal revenge

For others pray:

  • That God blesses and protects those in your area who labor with their hands

A psalm to listen to and ponder, as time allows:

 

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