daily reading 36.3 (Esther 9:1

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 9:1–4

The king's command and law went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. On the day when the Jews ' enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them. 2 In each of King Ahasuerus's provinces the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who intended to harm them. Not a single person could withstand them; fear of them fell on every nationality.
3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the royal civil administrators aided the Jews because they feared Mordecai. 4 For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.

Helpful notes on Esther 9:1–4

That for Jesus' sake God gives you favor with the godly, whether they are influential or not