Thoughts on the Bible Readings December 1st (Esther 9, 10; Jonah 1; Hebrews 6, 7)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Esther 9verses1-19 give details of the destruction brought by the Jews upon their enemies. At the Royal citadel in Shushan, on the 13th day of the month Adar, when the original decree requiring their destruction had come into effect 500 are slain. The fear of Mordecai fell upon all the subjects of Ahasuerus. Those killed were mainly nobles and included the 10 sons of Haman, who were ignominiously hung on Haman's gallows, where Haman's body already hung. But no spoil was taken by the Jews. Ahasuerus granted Esther that the slaying may continue in the remaining provinces. The following day a further 300 were slain in Shushan and 75,000 in the provinces. Still the Jews did not take any spoil from their enemies. After this was completed the Jews feasted and rejoiced on the 14th and 15th days. Gifts and food were given to celebrate the deliverance granted to them by their God. Verses 20-31 record the inaugural feast of Purim (signifying the casting of lots) on Adar 14-15 to be celebrated in all generations of the Jews. To this day this joyous festival is celebrated. Esther 10 concludes as chapter 9 began. Mordecai was great and second only to king Ahasuerus. Typically, we see God the Father reigning over all with Christ His Son as the second in command in the time beyond the Millenniumverses see 1 Corinthians 15verses24-28. PROVIDENCE occurs in the life of every believer. Sometimes it will be evident. Often we may suspect God's hand was behind what has happened. Whether, or not, we see God at work in our life, rest assured He is. Recommended reading Robert Roberts, "Ways of Providence". We commence the short prophecy of Jonah in our readings today. His name means "dove" and is shared with the Apostle Peter, in the epithet given him by our Lord Jesus Christ - bar Jonah. In the gospel records Jesus is often linked to the prophet Jonah. We will see in this short book that one of the principal lessons is concerning resurrection. (At Jesus' baptism a dove was seen abiding with him. In John 7 at a discussion on his status as a prophet we read, "Arise and search, for out of Galilee arises no prophet" - yet Jonah was a Galilean. No sign was to be given by Christ to Israel except that of the prophet Jonah). The prophecy was given during the reign of Jeroboam 2, king of Israel, between BC 825 and BC 784. More likely in the later time of Jeroboam's reign, when the earlier prosperity had been overtaken by a period of hardship in Israel (see 2 Kings 14verses25-27). At the time of writing Nineveh and Babylon were the chief cities of the Assyrian Empire, which Empire was in ascendancy. Nineveh is at this epoch the greater city. Jonah is told to denounce Nineveh's wickedness and tell of its imminent doom (within 40 days) should it not repent. But as a patriot Jonah is prepared to die, so that the call to repent cannot reach Nineveh. Chapter 1 describes Jonah's attempt to flee in the other direction - i.e. to Tarshish; so that he wouldn't be able to preach to the Ninevites. But, of course, no-one can run away from God. Whilst attempting to flee a savage storm that would not abate comes upon the boat. The sailors struggle valiantly against the waves but eventually have to cast Jonah overboard. But the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah (and 3 days later disgorge him on the coast near Assyria). The mariners are deeply affected by the whole situation and, perhaps, became more religious. Note how carefully the words of the last verse of chapter 1 are recorded, "Jonah was in the fish's belly for three days and three nights". Hebrews 5verses12-6versesverses20 continues the theme begun in chapter 5 - a warning against apostacy. The first 8 verses deal with a pressing danger to those, who were once enlightened by the Spirit Word, and had shared in the Holy Spirit gifts of the first century, of "falling away" (Greek word for apostacy and having a number value of 666). This proves that the possession of a spiritual gift was not a guarantee of a place in the kingdom. The writer expresses his hope that the majority of the letter's readers will not succumb to this challenge. From verse 13 to the end of chapter the writer outlines the certainty of God's promises. All His promises are unfailing and are not capable of any shortfall in what He has promised. Yahweh's promise to Abraham is vouchsafed by an oath based on God's own existence. And so, with Christ having been raised and exalted to His Father's presence our hope is securely anchored in Christ. This hope takes us beyond mortality and being with Christ will be realised at Jesus' return to earth to set up the kingdom promised to Abraham (see Romans 4verses13; Genesis 13verses14-15). From chapters 7-10 the writer speaks of the "better priesthood", which has been brought into existence by our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 7 introduces us to "one made like unto the Son of God", by the terms the Scripture uses and the manner in which they are introduced to the reader of the sacred inspired text. Twice only do we find Melchizedek, the king-priest of Jerusalem mentioned in the Old Testament - Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. These verses were written about a thousand years apart. And together with an enacted parable from 2 Samuel chapters 6-8 allow us to see how this man prefigures the Lord Jesus Christ and his priesthood. Like Abraham's promises Christ's priesthood (typically seen in Melchizedek) is founded upon an oath. Since Melchizedek's priesthood preceded and also prophetically succeeds the Aaronic priesthood the Scripture foreshadows a change of law administered by an eternal priesthood of King-priests. Christ's sacrifice suffices in the forgiveness of sins once for all time. And our Lord Jesus will return to the earth free from a body which is weak and sin prone to rule in glorious immortality. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-bible-readings-december-1st-esther-9-10-jonah-1-hebrews-6-7/?feed_id=106442&_unique_id=692c035c150dd