Epistle for September 20, 2013
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation September 20, 2013
Conspiracy against the jews
(Esther 3:1-15)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Haman, one of the king's administrative officers, was promoted to
prime minister, everyone bowed and paid homage to Haman except
Mordecai, vv. 1-3.
2. Haman became extremely angry over this disrespect, and planned to
get revenge by killing all the Jews in the whole empire, vv. 4-7.
3. Haman told King Ahasuerus the lie that the Jews had refused to obey the
king's laws, and that they deserved to be exterminated, vv. 8-9.
4. The king gave Haman full royal authority (his signet ring), and Haman issued
orders to slaughter the Jews and to confiscate their property on a certain day
eleven months in future, vv. 10-15.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual implications of these events
1. Mordecai was scrupulously careful not to worship anyone but the Lord God;
showing undue reverence or paying homage to a person of power and authority
can be a form of idolatry.
2. Living a life of holiness, in sharp contrast to the ungodly lives of others, may incur
hatred and hostility, even persecution and death.
3. Anti-Semitism (hatred and persecution of God's chosen people, the Hebrews) can
be observed throughout the history of the world . . . from slave labor in Egypt to the
Dark Ages of the Crusades up to and including the Nazi Holocaust; this attempt to
annihilate the Jews during Esther's reign is but one of many such evil schemes.
4. The king's careless unconcern about human beings, coupled with his willingness to
allow such ruthless slaughter for money, demonstrates the corruption of morals which
always accompanies absolute power.
III. Revelation and Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Worship the Lord my God, and serve Him only, Matthew 4:10.
2. Expect violent opposition because "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus
will suffer persecution," II Timothy 3:12.
3. Treat God's chosen people, the Jews, with honor and respect, Romans 11.
4. Pray for my government officials at all levels, asking God to help them to make
primary decisions based on the principles of His word . . . praying that they will give
primary consideration to the safety and well-being of all citizens, without regard to personal
monetary gain, I Timothy 2:1-3, 8.
Law or faith? Works or spirit?
(Galatians 3:1-29)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught that persons are justified by faith alone, vv. 1-9.
2. Paul pointed out that the law brings a curse, but that Christ has redeemed us from
the curse of the law, vv. 10-14.
3. Paul wrote that God's promise to Abraham is changeless, vv. 15-18.
4. Paul revealed that the purpose of the law is to serve as a tutor to bring us to Christ,
vv. 19-29.
II. Meditation: on the leading questions asked by Paul
1. Did you receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? v. 2.
2. Are you becoming mature by the Spirit or by good works? v. 3.
3. Have your sufferings been profitable in the Spirit, or merely vain . . . not resulting in
your seeing beyond the physical? v. 4.
4. Are God's miracles among you the results of good works or by the hearing of faith?
v. 5.
III. Observations: on the true children of Abraham
1. Like Abraham, believers become righteous ONLY through faith, v. 6.
2. ONLY believers (Jews and Gentile) are sons (children; descendants; family) of Abraham,
v. 7.
3. ONLY persons of faith receive the blessing of Abraham, v. 9.
4. God's promises to Abraham are fulfilled ONLY through Christ . . . the "SEED" v. 16, . . .
and to Christ's spiritual descendants.
IV. Revelation: on the spiritual lessons in this chapter
1. The Holy Spirit is received by faith, at the believer's new birth, v. 2.
2. The Holy Spirit helps a believer to grow toward perfection, v. 3.
3. The Holy Spirit produces enlightenment through suffering, v. 4.
4. The Holy Spirit works miracles among us today, v. 5.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live by faith, because I am being made righteous.
2. Live by faith, because I am a child of God.
3. Live by faith, because I am heir to the blessings promised to Abraham.
4. Live by faith, because I must fulfill the promises, potential, and purpose of God . . .
to be a blessing to others, I Peter 3:9.
"Without faith, it is impossible to please God," Hebrews 11:6
"I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying."
--Oscar Wilde
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