ESTHER & JOB

I'm in Esther and Job, and I enjoyed reading this morning.  Here are some highlights: 1) MOTIVATION- In Esther 3:13, a decree was sent out to "destroy, to kill and to cause to perish, all Jews both young and old, little children and women, in one day,"  and "to take the spoil of them for a prey."  Notice that a great motivation would be that they get to "take the spoil for a prey."  In other words, they might want to kill the Jews, not because they did not like them, but because they wanted their goods.  Now look at how the Jews responded in chapter 9, verse 16, when it was their turn to exact vengeance upon their enemies:  "but they laid not their hands on the prey,".  You see, money and possessions were not their motivation.  Now, what motivates you as a Christian?  Don't ever let money and possessions be what motivates us.... let it be the will of God! 2) NEXT UNTO KING AHASUERUS- This is said of Mordecai in Esther 10:3.  How many times we see God putting one of His children next to the king.  Joseph was next to PPharaoh Mordecai was next to the king, Daniel was next unto the King.  These three were shown favor.... being a people of servants and captives, they arose by God's grace to extreme height in ruling the kingdom!  God raises the lowly into high positions!  Keep low.... so God can lift you high! 3) KNEW HIM NOT- In Job 2:12 it says of Job, "they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not."  Here we see that the friends of Job, did not recognize him after he was afflicted with boils from his head to his toes.  It reminded me of Jesus when it says:  "So marred was his visage, more than any man"  This literally means that Jesus on the cross did not look human!  He looked like a chunk of beef.  Job was not recognized as well, and so we understand the trial that he went through was terrible. 4) PRAYER OF DESPERATION- Job was troubled, and in the midst of it he prayed a prayer of desperation:  Job 6:8 "Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! (9) Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!"   You ever feel that way?  Many have, but praise God He suffers with our weakness and does not answer these types of prayers.  We too get desperate at times and pray things that we ought not. Well, these are a few thoughts for today.  I did not get to finish it earlier today, so I'm getting it posted later.  Hope you have enjoyed your day thus far.  Pastor Mike Mutchler