Epistle for January 23, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation January 23, 2009
God's "Poetic Justice"
(Esther 7:1-10)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the events of this chapter
1. At the second banquet given by Queen Esther for King Ahasuerus
and the prime minister, Haman, the king once again encouraged the
queen to make a petition or request, which he promised to grant . . .
"up to half the kingdom, v. 1-2.
2. Esther asked that her life and the lives of her people (the Jews) be
spared from destruction, vv. 3-4.
3. The king demanded to know the name of the villain who had planned
such evil; Esther identified the adversary as Haman, and the king in
wrath left the room to cool off in the palace garden, vv. 5-7.
4. Haman threw himself across Esther's couch, begging for mercy;
Ahasuerus returned, caught him violating royal etiquette by approaching
too closely to the queen, and ordered Haman to be hanged on the gallows
he had prepared for Mordecai, vv. 7-10.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual principles seen here
1. The king was ready, willing, and able to answer the queen's request . . .
but she had to ask for what she wanted.
2. Esther prefaced her petition by stating her hope and faith in the king's
grace ("If I have found favor in your sight") and by stating her
submission to his sovereign will ("if it pleases the king"), v. 3.
3. Esther's petition was based on her knowledge of the king's love for her
and his desire to extend his mercy for her sake to those whom she cared
for . . . her people, the Jews.
4. The irony of this story is striking: the king punished the wicked plotter by
by using his own planned method of execution . . . this is "poetic justice."
III. Revelation and Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Realize that God waits for me to ask, to seek, and to knock, Matthew 7:7.
I should let my petitions be made known to Him, Philippians 4:6.
2. Recognize that God will give whatever I ask, if it is according to His will,
I John 5:14-15.
I should ask, first of all, for wisdom and knowledge of His will, James 1:5.
3. Rely completely upon God's love and mercy, Romans 5:8.
I should ask the Father in Jesus' name to supply my needs, Philippians 4:19;
John 16:23-24.
5. Receive God's providential watch-care and divine protection, I Peter 5:7.
I should stand with assurance, confident that God will work all things together
for my good, Romans 8:28.
To The King Eternal!
(I Timothy 1:1-20)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul wrote to his true son in faith, Timothy, whom he had appointed
as the pastor of the church of Ephesus, vv. 1-2.
2. Paul urged Timothy to remain true to his doctrine, writing, "Now the
purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from
a good conscience, and from sincere faith," vv. 3-11.
3. Paul thanked God for putting him into the ministry; he glorified the
King eternal, vv. 12-17.
4. Paul charged Timothy to fight the good fight, avoiding the sins of some
other so-called ministers, vv. 18-20.
II. Meditation: on the attributes of God (v. 7)
1. Eternal = without beginning or end in relation to time.
2. Immortal = exempt from death or decay.
3. Invisible = incapable of being seen; indiscernible in the physical realm.
4. Wise = having all knowledge and judgment, with capacity to use them.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen here
1. These characteristics belong to God alone . . . no one else (including
the human race and the good/evil angels) is eternal, immortal, and
omniscient.
2. God offers these attributes to believers (v. 16) . . .
(1) Everlasting existence in God's presence (heaven)
(2) Resurrection to eternal life.
(3) Possibility of spiritual discernment . . . "seeing God's hand."
(4) Guidance into understanding . . . "knowing as we are known."
3. Believers who have obtained mercy through Jesus Christ should show long-
suffering (patience, endurance) as a pattern to others who are going to
believe, v. 16.
4. The eternal, immortal, invisible, wise King of the universe deserves our
honor and glory forever and ever.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Recognize that God, the Creator, reigns supreme above all His creation.
2. Exercise faith in Jesus Christ, allowing God the Father to share a measure
of His character and abilities with me . . .
(1) Eternal life (including quality of life now and quantity of life in the future).
(2) Resurrection from the grave.
(3) Ability to see the invisible (discernment).
(4) Spiritual wisdom.
3. Exemplify God's character as a witness to unbelievers, because I have
received His mercy.
4. Respond to those great truths in praise and worship to God.
"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars,
or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened
a new doorway for the human spirit."
- Helen Keller
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