Feasting & Fasting Living Under God’s Hand Building Our Lives God’s Providential Care Nehemiah, Ezra & Esther 2020-01-21 • From Nehemiah – building the walls of Jerusalem, a spiritual rebuilding Esther 4:1-17 • Today – the story of Esther – her radical action of surrender • Many banquets are enjoyed • The overall arc of Esther throughout the story • God’s unseen hand slowly • The practice of fasting & working through the prayer is highlighted in chapter coincidences of our lives 4 • 400s B.C. in Persia • City of Susa • Days of the Persian Empire • Celebrated today in Judaism in the Festival of Purim 1
Fasting & Prayer Esther: The Story A Reversal of Fortunes 2020-01-21 • Esther, a Jew, is a queen to the king of Persia • Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, discovers a plot of genocide against the Jewish nation • Mordecai convinces Esther to appeal to the king on behalf of the Jewish people • Haman is the antagonist who plots the massacre of the Jews • Mordecai is the protagonist who rises to the benefit of Israel Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.’ Then Esther said in reply to Esther 4:14b-16 Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, 2
Trusting in the Three Day Fast Providential Care of God Life is Not Random A Spiritual Practice 2020-01-21 and hold a fast on my behalf, • A strong fast – demonstrates and neither eat nor drink for the serious intention of Esther three days, night or day. I and and the entire community my maids will also fast as you • Not a casual attitude but a full do. After that I will go to the commitment to seek God’s face king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ • Echoes the fast of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4) • A practice which feeds the • Fasting can include other areas spirit in us of our lives • Food reinforces the body; • Fasting from tv, screen time, fasting reinforces our spirit • Any area which can get out of • Jesus assumes we fast in the control Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:16-18) • God’s guiding hand leads us forward • God’s purposeful hand even in challenging circumstances (consider Joseph) 3
Surrender A Call for Us Esther’s Action: Solidarity With the People Full Commitment A Message of Hope A Mystery: Human Initiative & Divine Engagement 2020-01-21 • Help will come for Israel by • God cares for his people but God’s hand - “relief and Mordecai & Esther must act deliverance will rise for the Jews” (v14) • There is a partnership between us and God • Ultimately the deliverance for Israel comes through Messiah • A trust in God’s providential Jesus care • “If I perish, I perish” (v16) • Fully giving of ourselves to God • An action of courage and determination • Not giving up to fatalism or • Collectively something bigger resignation happens as we all do our part • An action of compassion and • A communal action purpose 4
2020-01-21 • Deny our age of self-indulgence and immediate gratification • A call to slow down –reflect on our lives • Act in compassion with others • Step beyond our own comfort & convenience 5
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