daily reading 36.5 (Esther 9:11–17)
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 9:11–17
- On that day the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa was reported to the king.
- 12 The king said to Queen Esther, "In the fortress of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Haman's ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek will also be done."
- 13 Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, may the Jews who are in Susa also have tomorrow to carry out today's law, and may the bodies of Haman's ten sons be hung on the gallows."
- 14 The king gave the orders for this to be done, so a law was announced in Susa, and they hung the bodies of Haman's ten sons.
- 15 The Jews in Susa assembled again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Susa, but they did not seize any plunder.
- 16 The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces assembled, defended themselves, and gained relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not seize any plunder. 17 They fought on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.
Helpful notes on Esther 9:11–17
For yourself pray:
- That by his Spirit God shows you what to do in response to anyone who hates you
For others pray:
- That God brings violent people in your area to justice
A psalm to listen to and ponder, as time allows:
- Psalm 107 (YouTube, soloist with guitar)
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