Lesson Five of the Quarter: Haman's Wicked Plot

 Today's lesson is from Esther 3: 1-13.  There is a gap of about 44 years from the second year of Darius to the 12th year of king Xerxes. King Xerxes will be a dominant figure in the next three Sunday school lessons. Prior to Esther chapter 3, he made a massive invasion against Greece in an attempt to add to their land to his empire. He behaved very much like a spoiled child when he failed in the attempt. These traits will become evident in the next few studies. 

The book of Esther comes between chapters 6 and 7 of the book of Ezra. King Xerxes was known for his pride and lack of wisdom. The story opens as Xerxes throws a lavish feast and makes a selfish request from Vashti, his queen. She rejects his request and Xerxes dismisses her as queen and a new queen must be found. This is how Esther enters the story. Since both her parents had passed away, Mordecai her cousin, took her to raise her. There is a lapse of 4 1/2 years between the selection of Esther and the events of today's lesson.

The first section is "Haman's Anger." vv. 1-6 Haman's ancestors are a matter of different opinions. Some believe he was from Agag the Amalekite king (1 Sam. 15), while others think he was a Persian. Either way, he was full of pride and a hater of the Jews. The king advanced Haman above the other officials in the kingdom. Persian kings were reverenced as deity and Haman was to be treated in the same way. It was not unknown for Jewish people to bow before their king (2 Sam. 14:4; 18:26; and 1 Kings 1:16). 

Mordecai refused to bow before Haman. His decision was based on God's commands. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Haman is told that Mordecai was a Jew (v. 4) Mordechai remained true to his convictions and would not bow to the pressure to commit idolatry. Haman became incensed with wrath and sought "to lay hands on Mordecai alone." Haman's pride had taken complete control of him and now he wanted only to destroy Mordecai but all the Jewish people (v. 6).

The summary points of this section:

1. Pride goes before destruction.

2. We are not to worship people.

3. We are to remain true to our convictions regardless of the consequences.

The second section is "Haman's Accusations." vv. 7-9 Haman's pride wanted the Jews destroyed. He wanted to know the best time to carry out his plan. Lots (Hebrew "Pur") were cast to determine the answer. "Pur" was the basis for the word "Purim" which became the Jewish feast celebrating their deliverance from Haman's plot. People in heathen cultures often relied on some medium to obtain direction from the spirit world. 

Haman's accusations were fourfold:

1. The Jews were scattered abroad the kingdom so they had the potential to affect the entire population.

2. The Jews laws were different from those of the Ahasuerus and did not fit the norms of their society.

3. The Jews did not keep the king's laws. Mordecai refused to bow and worship Haman as he desired.

4. It was not in the king's best interest to leave the Jews alone. They needed to be destroyed.

The king accepted the allegations and wrote, "Let it be written that they (Jews) may be destroyed. Haman offered to "pay ten thousand talents of silver" into the king's treasuries if he allowed the Jews to be destroyed. This would be worth about 161 million dollars today.

The summary points of this sections:

1. God can take the most adverse circumstances, and change them into a celebration.

2. A life of moral integrity will bring condemnation from members of a sinful society.

3. Because of their love of money, man men will sacrifice moral principles.

The third section is "Haman's Authorization." vv. 10-13 Without any investigation, questioning, or specific charges, the king granted Haman blanket authorization to carry out his plot to destroy God's people. He had access to all the money he needed to bring about the end of the Jews. If he was successful, the Messiah could be prevented from coming because there would be no Jews to which He could be borne. Let that sink in. Satan wanted to prevent the coming of Jesus, and if all the Jews were killed, Satan would have achieved his goal. Haman had the king's ring, the seal of authority. Once the decree had been made and the king's seal attached, under the law of the Medes and Persians, the decree could not be altered or revoked. The decree contained no list of crimes or charges against the Jews, and gave them no means for mercy or consideration. All were to be killed, men, women, and children. Having accomplished his desire, Haman now joined the king in a banquet of wine. 

The summary of this section:

1. Satan desires to destroy all the people of God.

2. Christians are thorns in the devil's side.

3. Power can be used for good or evil depending on the character of the person yielding the power.

The Golden Text: "He delivereth me from mine enemies." (Psalm 18: 48) David wrote this psalm after he was delivered from the hand of King Saul. David could have taken things into his own hands for revenge, but he didn't. God was his deliverer not himself. This is a good message for our times. While we are to stand for truth and not compromise, we are not to take revenge. As the psalm says, "He delivereth me...."

Next week, "For Such a Time as This." (Esther 4: 1-17)

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE -- (Rom. 8:2)

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE -- (Rom. 8:2)

The apostle had just told the Romans that their service to God should no longer be "in the oldness of the letter," but in "newness of spirit" (Rom. 7:6), and declared, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." He also declares that "the Spirit is life" (8:10) . Hence the person who has the Spirit is quickened and made alive unto God; has spiritual life.

Not only so, but he also speaks of "the law of the Spirit of life." We suppose that this means that the Spirit operates according to a certain law; that spiritual life is subject to certain spiritual laws, or rules. We are told that law is "a rule of being or of conduct established by an authority able to enforce its will. The rule according to which things proceed." It is well to understand that God does not do things in a haphazard way in the realm of the spiritual any more than He does in the material universe; that in the spiritual as in the natural, He operates according to certain established laws, so it is not so much a question as to what God could do, but rather what He does do. Doubtless there are many things God could do, if it were simply a question of power, that He does not do, simply because it is not in accord with His plan.

When once we can ascertain "the rule according to which things proceed" in a given matter, we can speak with confidence and assurance, seeing that with Him there "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Hence we declare that if God accomplished the work of entire sanctification in one person at the time of regeneration He evidently does this in all whom He regenerates; for with Him there is no partiality. But if it can be shown, by the word of God, that men have not been entirely sanctified co-etaneous with their regeneration, then we are safe in concluding that such is not "the rule according to which things proceed" in the spiritual realm; and that, therefore, they who make such claims are mistaken. For if we allow that there is a divergence from this rule we would be under the necessity of believing that God has no regard for the laws He has Himself instituted, and that He must not only show a disregard for "THE LAW of the spirit of life," but evidently must be partial, as well as haphazard in His dealings with His children.

We think it is not difficult to prove by the scripture that the apostles, nor the Galatians, nor the Ephesians, nor the Thessalonians, nor the Corinthians -- with many others -- were not sanctified when converted; but, as believers, were urged on to this experience and prayed for, and in at least some instances, obtained this experience subsequent to their regeneration. It would be absurd to urge them on to that, and pray for that which they already possessed.

Of the Corinthians, Paul said, "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ" (1:4). He says to them in the third chapter, "Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." "All things are yours . . . and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." He addresses them as "brethren," and as "babes in Christ" and speaks of having fed them with "milk," thus indicating that they were born and had spiritual life, but after this he tells them most emphatically, "Ye are yet carnal." So it is evident that the Corinthians were not sanctified wholly at the time of their regeneration.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, we note that the entire first chapter is an acknowledgment and commendation of their spiritual experience, even saying they were "examples to all that believe," and that their "faith to Godward is spread abroad; so that we need not speak anything;" he then proceeds to tell them in the fourth chapter, "This is the will of God even your sanctification." In the fifth chapter and fifth verse he declares, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day," and concludes his letter with the prayer, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly," and gives the assurance, "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it." So it is evident they were not sanctified when regenerated, or the apostle would not have subsequently urged it upon them, nor prayed that they might yet receive that experience. We must then conclude that sanctification, according to "the law of the spirit of life" is an experience subsequent to regeneration.

The Spirit and the Word always agree. The Word of God is always "the rule according to which things proceed" when wrought out by the Spirit.

When we speak of law, or think of law, we do not refer to something that is variable, nor optional, but to something that is unalterable and obligatory -- if not compulsory. And the failure to conform to law incurs guilt and penalty.

In order to live, in the physical world, there must be the observance of certain laws of life, known as the laws of nature, and the laws of health, the failure to observe these laws of life invariably brings one under another law, namely, the law of death. It is precisely so in the spiritual world. The apostle testifies, "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." By this we see that there is such a thing as deliverance and freedom not only from guilt and sinning, but from "the law of sin," which he said in the preceding chapter, was in his "members," and brought him into "captivity" (7:23).

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum:"

1. To belong to Christ, we must have the Spirit. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His."

2. He that has the Spirit of Christ has spiritual life. "The Spirit is life."

3. He that now has spiritual life must observe "the law of the Spirit of life." "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

4. That they who are "led by the Spirit" -- that is, follow on and observe "the law of the spirit of life," will find a deliverance from the "law of sin" which is in their "members."

5. That this deliverance is an experience subsequent to the quickening of the Spirit, or the impartation of spiritual life.

6. That this experience brings freedom from that inward condition that brought us into captivity, and is the divine rule according to which things proceed."

Praise the Lord!

We mean to say that the foregoing is a fixed rule designated as "the law of the Spirit of life," and that all who truly obtain the experience of entire sanctification obtain it according to this law; and, therefore, conclude that every other claim or teaching is erroneous. That they who claim they were sanctified at the time of their conversion, or expect to attain it by growth, or by death, or whatever the theory, are wholly unscriptural, and out of harmony with "the law of the Spirit of life."

YET CARNAL

YET CARNAL

In his letter to the Corinthians (I. Cor. 3:3) the Apostle Paul declares that they are "yet carnal," though he had said in the first chapter and fifth verse, "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Christ Jesus." Thus we see that the Apostle recognized the fact that the carnal mind did yet co-exist with the "grace of God" in the heart of the regenerate. That although they were "babes in Christ," and had spiritual life, "so that they could partake of milk" -- spiritual nourishment -- and were "God's husbandry" and "God's building," (v. 9) and had fallen heir to "all things" (v. 21), yet there remained in their hearts that root of evil from which sprang "envying, and strife, and divisions," which, of course, was in their way, and contrary to the new life they had received.

And what was true of young converts at Corinth is true of young converts everywhere. It is well to remember that God does not have a half dozen ways of converting folks; that He does not do things arbitrarily, but moves according to fixed laws in the spiritual world as in the natural world; hence we may safely conclude that so far as the work divinely inwrought at conversion is concerned, it is precisely the same in each case: no more and no less. With Him there is no respect of persons; just as He forgives every sin, quickens into newness of life, and adopts into His family one person who truly repents He does every person who truly repents.

That there yet remains in every regenerate heart, subsequent to conversion, a principle that is antagonistic to the new life is taught by all evangelical denominations, and soon becomes the self-evident experience of all young converts; while he has a new heart he does not yet have a pure heart. As Mr. Wesley wrote in his Journal June 24, 1740: "Sin does remain in one that is justified, though it has not dominion over him. For he has not a clean heart at first." Dr. Pendleton, who is a most orthodox Baptist and an authority in Baptist theology both in England and America, has said in his "Christian Doctrines," on page 300, speaking upon the subject of Sanctification: "Regeneration breaks the power of sin and destroys the love of sin, so that whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin in the sense of being the slave thereof; but it does not free the soul from the presence and pollution of sin. Alas! the regenerate know full well that sin is in their hearts. This accounts for the Christian warfare." Pope, who was a Wesleyan theologian and an accepted authority on Christian doctrine in Methodism, speaking on the subject of sanctification, Vol. II, page 64, says: "Sanctification in its beginnings, process and final issues is the full eradication of the sin itself, which, reigning in the unregenerate, CO-EXISTS WITH THE NEW LIFE IN THE REGENERATE, is abolished in the wholly sanctified."

While the foregoing is in fullest harmony with the teaching of the Scripture, the theologies of the various denominations and universal Christian experience, it seems necessary that we should distinguish between being "yet carnal" and being "carnally minded." "For to be carnally minded is death." Rom. 8:6.

To be carnally minded, we suppose, would imply that a person was yet under the dominion and control of this sin principle in the heart; that where the carnal mind gains the ascendency, and reigns, and enslaves the soul, it results in spiritual death; the margin speaks of it as "the minding of the flesh." Thus, just as God has said "the soul that sinneth, it shall die," so, "to be carnally minded is death."

Thus we see the nature and danger of the carnal mind. That while "regeneration breaks the power of sin," so that it does not reign in the heart of the young convert, it, nevertheless, greatly imperils the soul; and in case it gains the ascendency will again plunge the soul into death.

It is as though a man convicted of a felony and sentenced to die were pardoned by the Chief Magistrate, and thus escaped the penalty of the law he had broken and yet were afflicted with some malignant disease, which were hastening him to his death; but, thank God, this disease of the soul, designated as the carnal mind, is not an incurable disease, for Jesus, our Great Physician, can utterly eliminate and eradicate the "least and last remains of sin" from the soul, and make us every whit whole. "Where sin abounded grace did much more abound." But if the cure is not sought and obtained, this disease of the soul will eventually prove fatal, and the new life obtained in regeneration is forfeited and spiritual death ensues.

Surely any one should see the necessity and importance of the second work of grace; and that pardon, by which a guilty sinner escapes the penalty of death, due to his transgression of the law, is one thing, and the curing of the deadly disease, and restoration to perfect health of the pardoned man is entirely another thing. What health is to the body, holiness is to the soul.

Who would not desire complete deliverance from the deadly malady of sin, and rejoice in being made completely whole? Thank God! in Jesus we may have the double cure -- a full pardon for all our actual transgressions and complete cleansing from the inherited, indwelling sin. "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." I. John 1:7.

The Severity of Hell Part 3

 I have previously written the following as introductions to the Scripture review on the topic of hell:

This is part 2 of this teaching on hell. How long has it been since you heard a sermon on hell? Do you consider the subject tasteless and unloving? If so, how do you reconcile the fact that Jesus taught on hell? If He is your Master, why do you not follow Him? I wrote the following in part 1:

If you attend church on a regular basis, how long has it been since you heard a message on hell? Most pastors prefer to teach on the soft and gentle subjects like love, grace, blessings and happiness. If a pastor never preaches on hell, you may rest assured that they are an unsaved hireling working for Satan under cover as a minister. How can I say that? Simple, if I was a watchman on  bridge and I knew the bridge was out because it had been sabotaged by a cruel individual in the midst of a storm and I saw cars headed that way and I only told them how great the road was and how wonderful the view, I would not be a true watchman. I would be someone who was working for the cruel individual that sought to destroy as many people as he could with his plan to kill and destroy.

An article was published on July 25, 2021, by the Washington Times. The article stated that "Fake Christianity" has supplanted Biblical Christianity in America. The Fake Christianity has at its core what is referred to as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. MTD believes that we are here to be good people and try to do good. Everything is supposed to be geared to making you happy. MTD believes that there is a distant God who just wants you to be happy. So away with the prohibitions on homosexual behavior, lust, infidelity and any thing that makes you feel unhappy, and of course that includes the topic of hell. 

People are going to hell that think they are Christians and we that know the truth have a command to tell the lost the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and includes His teaching about hell. The following are additional Scriptures to study:

1. Punishment of, is eternal: Isaiah 33:14: "The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: 'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?'"

2. The wicked shall be turned into: Psalm 9:17: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God." (BLJ: this most assuredly must include the USA given the anti Christian government in place and the hypocritical "Christians" that supported putting it in power.

3. Body and soul suffer in: Matthew 10:28: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

4. The wise avoid: Proverbs 15:24: "The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below.

5. Hell is getting bigger: Isaiah 5:14: "Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure...."

Reader friend, consider the Scriptures on hell. It is to be avoided at all costs. It will be eternal and severe. Find a church that preaches against hell and gives you the way of salvation, not some sugar coated easy believeism or decisionism. Know the gospel: Christ crucified, Christ buried, Christ resurrected, Christ ascended and Christ exalted!

The Severity of Hell Part 2

 

This is part 2 of this teaching on hell. How long has it been since you heard a sermon on hell? Do you consider the subject tasteless and unloving? If so, how do you reconcile the fact that Jesus taught on hell? If He is your Master, why do you not follow Him? I wrote the following in part 1:

"If you attend church on a regular basis, how long has it been since you heard a message on hell? Most pastors prefer to teach on the soft and gentle subjects like love, grace, blessings and happiness. If a pastor never preaches on hell, you may rest assured that they are an unsaved hireling working for Satan under cover as a minister. How can I say that? Simple, if I was a watchman on  bridge and I knew the bridge was out because it had been sabotaged by a cruel individual in the midst of a storm and I saw cars headed that way and I only told them how great the road was and how wonderful the view, I would not be a true watchman. I would be someone who was working for the cruel individual that sought to destroy as many people as he could with his plan to kill and destroy."

More Scriptures on hell:

1. A lake of fire: Rev. 20:15: "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

2. Fire and brimstone: Rev. 14:10: "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."

3. Unquenchable fire: Matthew 3:12: "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

4. Outer darkness: Matthew 8:12: "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

5. Devouring fire: Isaiah 33:14: "The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: 'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?'"

Friend, are you in danger of hell fire? Are you among the "unsaved religionists?" Do you think you are a "good person" and your righteousness will earn you a place in heaven? NO!!! Only through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ may you enter into the glories of heaven. 

The Severity of Hell

If you attend church on a regular basis, how long has it been since you heard a message on hell? Most pastors prefer to teach on the gentle subjects like love, grace, blessings and happiness. If a pastor never preaches on hell, you may rest assured that they may be a problem. Jesus taught on hell. So should our pastors and teachers. How can I say that the failure to preach on hell is a problem? Simple, if I was a watchman on  bridge and I knew the bridge was out because it had been sabotaged by a cruel individual in the midst of a storm and I saw cars headed that way and I only told them how great the road was and how wonderful the view, I would not be a true watchman. I would be someone who was working for the cruel individual that sought to destroy as many people as he could with his plan to kill and destroy. 

For the next few days, we look at the severity of hell looking only at the Scriptures. The following set forth the severity of hell:

1. Everlasting punishment: Matthew 25:46: "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

2. Everlasting fire: Matthew 25: 41: "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

3. Everlasting burnings: Isaiah 33:14: "The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: 'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings.'" 

4. A furnace of fire: Matthew 13:42: "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

We will examine more Scriptures to show you how awful hell is. 

If your pastor hasn't preached on hell in years, ask him why not? Ask him doesn't he believe in hell? Then, ask him if he is born again. If he says yes, ask him for his testimony.

Have you been born again?

This is the most important question you will ever answer? Have you been born again? Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life?

I have been speaking on my pod cast on being a slave for the Lord Jesus Christ, not being ashamed of the gospel and on the dangers of preaching "another gospel." My concern is that many people who claim to be Christians don't seem to have the same salvation as we read about in the Holy Bible. Over the last few weeks, I have seen or heard of professing believers involved as follows:

1. Leaving their spouse because of past hurts;

2. Using foul and abusive language including profanity;

3. Lusting after someone not your spouse;

4. Being deceptive including lying;

5. Making financial success their main goal.

Candidly, I could go on, but the point is made that many people who claim to be Christians are not living like they are. Two Scriptures to meditate (means to mutter, i.e. speak to yourself softly) on:

1. Matthew 7: 21-23: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I (Jesus) profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

2. John 14: 15: "If ye love me (Jesus), keep my commandments."

A true believer is one that has had the Holy Spirit convict them that they are a sinner in need of a Savior. It is not about "accepting Christ" or "making a decision for Jesus." It is about having a radical transformation with the Lord Jesus Christ. A key word is "Lord." 1 Corinthians 12: 3 states in part: "and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." 

Listen carefully to people who say things like, "I believe in God," or "I accepted Jesus," or "I made a decision for Jesus." No one is saved unless Jesus is their Lord and Savior. "He must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all." And, no one will see that He is Lord until they see their lost condition.

A final thought: are you born again? If so, how did the Lord Jesus Christ save you?More to follow.