Cliques in the Church—the complete book
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Cliques in the Church
Copyrighted 2004 all rights reserved
Portions can be used by permission only
By
Val Lee
Preface
This book reflects my heart. It reflects my concern for those who are deemed socially unacceptable due to the sinful acceptability requirements set by men. I yearn for people to see the foolishness of it all. I want those who feel unloved to comprehend that they are uniquely and wonderfully made by the Creator who cherishes them and never fails.
I am thankful this book has ministered to ladies as revealed by reviews:
“I WAS HURTING, I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO BE BLOOD BOUGHT , BORN AGAIN, CHILDREN OF GOD, THINK, ACT, AND FEEL THEY ARE BETTER THAN SISTERS OR BROTHERS IN CHRIST, SADLY THIS IS TRUE. I BELIEVE ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE THESE PEOPLE. HUMANS CAN NOT CHANGE PEOPLE. ONE MORNING FEELING PRETTY DEFEATED, I ASKED THE LORD TO SHOW ME SOMETHING. A LADY SAT BESIDE ME ONE MORNING, I SHARED SOME WORDS AND SHE PICKED UP ON MY JOURNEY, AND GAVE ME THIS BOOK “CLIQUES IN THE CHURCH” I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. IT MINISTERED TO MY HEART. THIS BOOK IS WONDERFUL. IT HELPS YOU TO HEAL, KNOW THAT YOUR NOT CRAZY, THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE IN NEED OF HELP, THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE PUFFED UP PRIDE TO BE SO UNKIND. MAYBE THEY’RE BLIND. THE BOOK WILL STRENGTHEN YOU. THIS BOOK WILL VALIDATE YOUR NOT ALONE.”
“…offers comfort and confidence to those who have been hurt by this phenomenon. She effectively shows that this destructive behavior arises from the lack of understanding and application of God’s Inerrant Word, and that those who look to Christ in faith can live triumphantly victorious lives that are beacons of light to others who are struggling. I really enjoyed this book, and hope that many others will be blessed by it.”
May the LORD place this book in the hands of everyone who needs healing love amidst rejecting pain.
Subject Titles:
Partiality
Why Cliques?
History of Cliques
Identifying Church Cliques
Identifying Sunday School Cliques
Identifying Teen Cliques
Identifying Committees with Cliques
Identifying Business Cliques
There Must Be Something Wrong With Me
The Environment
Arrogance
Self-deception
Job, the Social Reject
The Diotrephes Mind-set
An Unnatural Love
The Situation in Corinth
Games of Usury
The Unacceptable One
Rare Gems
Cliques Bring Bondage
A Lack of Joy and Respect
The Discontented Clique Member
Individualists
All Inclusive But Partial “Grace Mode”
Our Response to the Less Fortunate
How Do I Keep From Being Associated With A Clique?
Socialization of the church
When and Why Churches Changed
God’s Word
Evangelism Is For Reaching Out To All
Responsibility and Respect
In Closing
Partiality:
I have been burdened to write a book that exposes the sin of active and visible partiality in the church. I am referring to members of congregations choosing to love certain people that they find compatible and who beget the focused attention they desire through association. I spoke with a man who solemnly revealed the only thing that distressed him about the church he attended was the fact he could only mingle within a certain group of persons and he could not associate with others within the congregation. This was the directive imposed upon him by those who introduced him to the church.
The Bible reveals we are one in Christ. This does not mean we are many separate entities who can pick and chose our associations according to our personal desires and mindsets. We are to view the entire body of Christ as our family. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We don’t love some sisters and brothers and ignore others. When we become Christians, we receive a love that is created to cherish others unconditionally. It does not come from our sinful flesh; it arises from the Holy Spirit who empowers us to obey God and His Word. Part of becoming a believer is shedding the old sinful being and putting on the new man. The old man is full of sin reflected in self-centered desires. This deceitful man desires those things that tickle his ego. He is naturally attracted to individuals with charismatic outgoing personalities, encompassed with a lovely appearance, and whom others fancy.
We witness this nature of mankind uncovered in James chapter 2. In a typical church we can witness this passage relived by envisioning two men approaching the entry area. One is unwashed and donned in unkempt garb, obviously a farmer of some sort. He is in overalls due to performing his morning chores and just made it in time for church. He may smell like he just sloshed the hogs and perhaps he did.
The other is obviously a gentleman, well-respected in the community as a wealthy businessman or even politician. He is wearing State of the Art Cologne for Prestigious Men and attired in a three piece, silk-tailored suit. He is very attractive and is accompanied by a beautiful wife and two happy children in their Sunday finest. Different people approach this externally attractive family as they now begin to approach the auditorium. Many want to shake hands and let them know they are sure pleased they chose to visit their church. The couple is introduced to the pastor, informed of the week’s activities, handed coffee, etc. They are even invited to sit at the front of the church with one of the elders.
The farmer is left to fend for himself. No one shakes his hand; no one even desires to sit on the same pew with him! Several turn up their noses as he passes. What kind of church is this? Actually it is a church that can represent many churches in general. Many more than we’d like to admit.
God condemns these actions and alerts us in this passage to the evil motives that exist when we love the rich above the poor and dirty. James 2:4 exposes us as evil judges if we engage in such behavior! Today one does not have to look far to find an unfair judge, but they should not be in our churches. God emphatically states, we are not to have self-centered desires as the Lord chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith. They are so special in the eyes of God that He selected them to be rich in faith and heirs to His kingdom through their reliance on Him; James 2:5. God condemns the gold seekers in this passage for their ungodliness in using others for personal gain.
Why Cliques?
The main reason, I believe cliques are instigated is low self-esteem which desires to be empowered. If people, even Christians, can believe they are better than others by association, they build a false security blanket of warmth which helps eliminate feelings of inferiority. Also by ignoring those outside their social group, they can manipulate and control the feelings of others which enables them to ascend above others; thus enabling them to reduce inadequate personal social feelings or so they believe.
One can feel if they travel in a group, they will be more noticed and envied. Since only certain types of people are accepted, a person can believe he or she is walking in a place of elevation especially since the majority of people, who attempt to join, are rejected and sometimes even mocked or scorned by the clique. However, if a person has a prominent position in the church it can sometimes assure acceptance into a group.
I personally do not believe true acceptance is gained this way. People who try to attempt social prestige are always residing on the exterior of God’s will therefore they never truly experience the joy-filled life. Only those who follow obedience in all areas of their being take part in His holy communion of fellowship.
History of Cliques:
I believe cliques have always been, that is why the Bible so strictly addresses the area of love for others. Sinful flesh has always wanted to boost itself up by believing through association, prominence can be achieved.
I also believe America paved the way for cliques. If you study historical newspapers and writings of previous centuries and even the early twentieth century, you will read the words “well-bred” frequently. In historical society pages, you will readily read how our well-bred social elite engaged in this activity or that. People walked in great pride if they were referred to socially, as the well-bred of society through their cultural achievements. They actually felt if they had money, position, manners, attractiveness, belonged to prominent organizations and on and on, they came from good stock. Inadequately bred-society was generally people who stemmed from middle class to poor.
Often times, society’s pomp and circumstance kept the poor from accepting anything in the way of handouts or charity. They would rather starve than give the wealthy something else to boast about.
Certain churches consisted only of the upper classes of society; and if unacceptable persons visited their churches, they were spitefully rejected to the point of no return.
Being well-bred was important in the slave trade as well. People were looking for those who were of good stock. Slaves possessed no rights and were viewed as livestock. They even had to mate with whom they were told. The large and strong men were bred with the large and strong women, which produced great specimens in the mind’s eye. This also propagated social prestige in the south. Wealthy plantation owners felt prestigious if their slaves were envied above those of other farms and ranches.
Today, we have withdrawn the term well-bred, but we are still the sorry sinners our predecessors were. We still selfishly want to be admired and adored. Associating with the poor and crippled just doesn’t make one feel prominent and powerful.
Identifying Church Cliques:
A clique can be identified quickly and easily. They generally clump together, often times filling a pew with just their friends and acting snobbish to anyone who would dare sit beside them who is not on socially acceptable terms with them. They can also be located grouping together and conversing in the narthex. Your mind may click into a memory of your high school where the top ten teens would cluster together to be noticed by all.
These collected groups are basically made up of snobbish, clubbable socialites who act superior to others. Their qualifications for clique acceptance vary according to leaders and preferences. But one rule most always applies; you have to snub the believers other members of the clique snub, which sometimes means shunning your own friends. Jealousy for a comrade’s attention is often the ulterior motive. Sharing friends outside the club is not part of the game.
These congregational members do not greet first time attendees and act oblivious to anyone who is not socially accepted into their collective group. They always act superior to other members of the church and will never return greetings to those they view as lowlife. They pretend they do not see or hear them if they do not meet their ridiculous and unbiblical standards for acceptance.
The Word clique in dictionary terms means a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons; esp: one held together by presumed identity of interests, views or purposes syn see SET.
Offensive can be another denotation associated with the above term. It visibly offends members of a close knit coterie when people use this expression in reference to them as they know their agenda is unbiblical and divergent to God’s Word. They would much rather be regarded as a group of friends. To be identified as a clique, makes them squirm in agitation.
Pastors generally are not keen on identifying cliques as being cliques either, especially when they are in their church. It looks bad!! Pastors will generally use a nice term for them. But it’s like calling a dog a cat, as everyone recognizes exactly what it is. Believers can go away laughing in their minds when a pastor sidesteps the term as they recognize he is just walking in preferred denial. I have personally witnessed this setting and believers in the congregation get sorely disappointed in the leadership’s ability to be mature in all matters.
Frequently pastors respond in denial due to the fact they are the cliques’ comrade in defense. It isn’t unusual for a clique to invite their pastor or an assistant pastor to their planned activities. It enables the pastor to feel socially acceptable which results in him always upholding them when opponents complain of their behavior. It isn’t unusual to find members of cliques in key positions either. They are quite enabled to make a pastor feel he is a part of the gang which obligates him to return favors which promotes them to positions of noticed grandeur. Even some pastors enjoy humming, “I’m in with the in crowd.”
It is a sad thing when even leadership will not identify cliques. Believers must not let this chosen deception impede on their vision of truth so they never turn their back on the shunned hurting ones in their fellowship.
Identifying Sunday School Cliques:
I once expressed to a Sunday school teacher how I believed a couple left the class due to the lack of welcome shown to them by others, specifically those who belonged to the class clique. The teacher’s response was, “Well they were too old for our class anyway.” This certainly revealed the inner workings of this man’s heart.
As we become familiar with the antics of cliques, we are able to discern which believers are walking in a lack of love for others. Sometimes this can be more aptly witnessed in a Sunday school setting where people are more prone to let down their hair.
At this same church and in the same class, a couple sat down at a table where a clique always resided. Upon the couple seating themselves, the clique removed itself, explaining there wasn’t enough room now for all their friends. This couple felt completely slighted being left to sit alone. As a result, they terminated their attendance.
In any Sunday school class situation, believers need to be distinctively praying for those in leadership on a continual basis. If you do detect a partiality problem, pray specifically for the Word of Truth to penetrate hearts. Also pray for opportunities to speak out concerning the situation, but always in love. If you don’t view any change or softening of hearts, following a span of prayer, you should speak to the pastor or pastoral staff. If they are uncaring and institute no action themselves, continue to pray and if you feel the Spirit leading you away, seek another class or a place of ministry elsewhere in the church. Also be open to changing churches. There are churches that will not accept or elevate this manipulative behavior.
One thing that has become an in thing in our churches is Sunday school affinity groups for adults. These groups can be created as leadership sees a sincere need to minister to one particular age group, specific marital status situations, or a need to exhort on special interest topics, etc. These are not always base and people can be ministered to through such groups. Nonetheless, when people attend a group that is for a specific situation, and they are cruelly made to feel unwelcome as unqualified due to their age, marital status, and so on, the class is lacking in unconditional love. I have personally seen people in a class not reaching out to certain ones because they deemed them as unqualified for that affinity grouping. We can’t be casting people aside because we see them as undesirable to a certain situation or topic of enclosure. We cannot lose one scriptural focus of the Church that of loving one another or we will be abiding in empty body-life.
Identifying Teen Cliques:
If you have adult cliques in your church, you can be assured you have teen cliques also. If mature adults can engage in this pursuit, then teens can justify it easily. They follow the examples set by adult believers!
The scenario is the same. Teens snubbing other teens, believing they are more attractive and prestigious than others who are unable to appear beautiful, rich, and owning an outgoing confidence. It is sad as it acts as a virus maligning and killing the hearts of our young people and this attitude can be carried into their adult lives.
The majority of teens attend public schools where snobbishness reigns. They must be reeducated in the ways of our loving Lord. In order to reach the lost in their schools, they must posses the fruits of the spirit, which enables them to reach out to all in genuine charity and concern. A snobbish Christian teen does little for the cause of Christ.
When teens shun other teens, they have little concept of God’s omnipotence as well as his omnipresence. They walk in little faith concerning what God is doing and can do in other people’s lives as well as their own. Teens, as well as adults, can believe God limits His love to only those who are socially acceptable, those possessing intelligence and beauty. This is a sad false reality in insecure teens. Most teens struggle with acceptance which produces insecurity that leads to coteries as these build a facade of self-assurance.
When I counsel hurting teens on low self-esteem, I direct them to Psalm 139. The passage reveals the omnipresence of God in everyone’s life. It proclaims He’s unique work in every teenager’s life and their planned distinctiveness. They are not a mistake! Every teen is uniquely formed by the Creator for His purposes of good and not evil. If you turn to Psalm 139, in your Bibles, you will personally witness how you can encourage teenagers through this Psalm. It proclaims how God has searched us and knows us personally. He identifies when we sit down and arise. All our thoughts are comprehended from afar and He is intimately acquainted with all our ways! What we speak is known by Him before we state anything as He is omniscient or all knowing. He encloses us behind and before as His hand is upon us. From the beginning of our lives, the Lord was in control as He formed our inward parts while we resided in our mother’s womb. Skillfully, He wove us together witnessing our unformed substance and He has predetermined our lifespan.
After contemplating this passage, you can perceive how a teenager who is led to these verses can learn to rest on these truths and see beyond the rejection of sinful believers who put them down or ignore their existence. You can perceive that the right medicine can eventually produce remediation in a rejected teen, if they are nurtured into living a Spirit-filled life and are directed to rest on the promises of God.
You can also implement these verses in dealing with a clique-teen- member to expose them to the truth that they have no reason to hold to an uppity status as God formed everyone uniquely even the ones they dub as worthless as they pass by them in an oblivious manner.
Teen leaders need to stress this unique and unconditional love for youth found throughout God’s Word and apply it personally, as I have witnessed teen pastors and workers being partial to those teens they choose to attach themselves to. Unfortunately, the carnal minister dotes on those teens that are beautiful and reveal leadership qualities. This can break rejected teen hearts thus turning them away from God and the church.
Remember we will all give account of our actions before God someday. We want to be pure and spotless in our love for all.
Identifying Committees with Cliques:
I have heard it said, “I don’t want to be on a committee with him or her because they are cliquish.” Some will even leave committees because a member or members of a clique join and they don’t want to deal with the partiality they know will arise from past experiences.
Pastors need to be aware of this also. It is very important to have committees free of coterie members. People will function better together if they see themselves as one in Christ. It may be easy for a pastor to think well, no one else will volunteer. But if he compromises and chooses one who is not above reproach and has a reputation for being cliquish, he will pay in the end.
Many good people will not volunteer for committees because they don’t want to take part in that which turns their stomach. The one who joins a committee, who is of a clubbable mindset, will always be partial to his friends’ opinions and desires. Therefore, what is stated in the Word usually receives second billing. A coterie member will also let it be known, that they don’t respect those on a committee who don’t add up to their social acceptability standards. Who wants to serve on a committee where cruelty prevails?
This cruelty intensifies when a member of a coterie will join a committee with the intention of removing the undesirables from the committee and replacing them with the members of his or her group. Sometimes they succeed. They at times, will even lie, make up stories, or exaggerate to make the undesirables look unworthy. Why? So they can convince a pastor or overseer that they must be removed or replaced. I have seen it practiced to my sorrow.
The Bible addresses the importance of having a good reputation for all leadership positions. In Acts chapter 6, a committee had to be formed of seven members to oversee the serving of widows. The Bible discloses that these men had to be of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. How many leaders pay attention to this passage when choosing a committee member? Not many. If we would begin to heed the Word more, we would have committees filled with above reproach members who possess an obvious concern for all in the congregation and much pain would be alleviated.
Identifying Business Cliques:
Yes, there is such a thing. Remember how Christ drove the merchants out of the temple as their motives for being there was for material gain and not to worship and praise the Lord. You can find this account in Mark chapter 11, verse 16, where it exposes how Christ was not allowing anyone to carry goods through the temple for their sale. When we come to worship, we are to have no desires in our heart for those things that represent worldliness and personal gain. We come to focus on God and God alone. It is wrong to view fellow believers as those with dollar signs on their backs ready for picking. I do not believe God desires congregational members to market their products within the church! It is sinful and self-centered. People will often just join a church to promote their goods and services. Marketers even teach people to join churches so they can obtain a prodigious clientele. These people usually own zero spiritual commitment.
Now there are true believers who promote their business within the church. More often than not, they are a pyramid business, which always seems to be the craze. Some parishioners will even purchase a business membership just to be socially clubbable. They don’t care is it is business-centered as long as they can be a part of something. It doesn’t even matter if they are losing money as long as they feel accepted by some people. Business coteries can be alluring. Basically, the only requirement is to be a company promoter.
Smart promoters will target leadership first, them being the most respected people in the church. If they can recruit believers who are admired as godly, they are on their way to financial success. People follow leaders. Recruiting leaders is often how business cliques begin to flourish. People will buy from people they view as honest and dependable.
I knew a pastor’s wife who owned her own business and from which she promoted an exclusive women’s item. It was the in thing to buy, her being the pastor’s wife, though it was very costly. Women who could afford to buy this item appeared to be better than others who could not. Ladies freely boasted and showed off their purchases. This clique was fashionable, being mainly made up of church leaders. But like anything else the purchased item became just a passing craze and the elitism that accompanied it.
Many women will act improperly, just in hopes of becoming a member of a leadership clique. Women must learn to shun inner insecurities that would cause them to sin. Being a part of any clique is sin. Our security must be found in Christ alone.
Believers are not unspiritual if they chose not to buy goods sold by the pastor, his wife, deacons, or anyone in leadership. Unfortunately, in order to be associated with certain groups at some churches, one has to become a business partner. Don’t allow enterprising cliques to control and manipulate you. Popularity is not a part of godliness and holiness. We come to church to learn to be Christ-like, not how to engage in business to increase our pocketbook. This is spiritual sickness at its worse. This is a desecration of the people of God.
I have a friend who was extremely desecrated by a promoter who still pursues her. This person is a former deacon and he is stocking this friend of mine who resides in Colorado. He attended her previous church. He flaunted his business in the church and she chose to be accommodating. She was caught unawares not knowing he functioned as a Judas, pilfering from the church’s funds and had many other sins consuming his life.
She now does not believe he was ever cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. He most likely became a member for greater clientele- exposure thus to broaden his financial gain, donning himself in a Christian facade. He has plans to rob and rape her. She has put an alarm system in her home and walks in all precaution. There are people in her former church who still stand beside this man and seem to revel in his evil ways.
I plead with you, please be very wise and ever so careful with anyone who claims to be a believer yet flaunts their trade before you. Even when dealing with believers, references and credentials must be verified.
There Must Be Something Wrong With Me:
This well-worn phrase is much repeated when it comes to cliques. People, especially women, can be deeply hurt when members of a clique shun, ignore and direct despise toward them. They actually believe there is something undeserving in them to cause these people to act unbecomingly toward them. These wounded believers don’t generally approach Church leadership when mistreated but blame themselves. This can especially be true when church leadership takes part in this harassment.
When I hear women express self-blame for rejection, I just can’t believe my distressed ears. These women are generally godly and serving the Lord. They are also very humble and caring. I know Satan uses cliques to reduce women to a lower plane of self-image so they become less effective for God’s kingdom. Some of these slighted women withdraw from ministries as a result of suddenly feeling unworthy. How sad and disheartening to the entire body of Christ. Believers end up slipping away through the cracks and it always seems to escape the eyes of leadership or is just passed by.
Those who treat people contemptuously are without excuse. If you personally witness this disgusting snobbish activity, stand up for the person or persons. Call the clique on it. If no one says anything, the clique will feel justified in its antics. No one deserves doggish treatment! You cannot believe another person is deserving of shunning misconduct on the basis of social unacceptability!
The Environment:
Cliques do not enjoy on-fire churches. They relish in turning the thermostat to low because they delight in lukewarmness, that which changes the church climate to meet their spiritual deficiencies. Plus, it is the lukewarm church attendees that they most often recruit so they need that low-temperature comfort zone generating throughout the church.
I believe Satan resourcefully puts cliquish people in on-fire churches to diminish the work of service and acts of love. Attendance usually drops dramatically when a clique becomes visible and people injured. Some people abandon the organized church altogether, fearful of being pained again.
You can recognize this lukewarmness easily as a coterie group will generally sit through church talking or passing notes. They usually reveal little interest in Biblical teaching. They can be very rude. I have heard complaints such as, “They talked all through the discourse and I couldn’t hear a thing.”
Often times they don’t even open their Bibles or bring them to church…why bother; they will spend the whole lesson time talking to their friends or passing notes. These lukewarm believers and false brethren attend church for reasons other than spiritual growth. These lax and inattentive actions can send a message to other believers that the Word of God just isn’t that impressive and doesn’t relate to today’s world.
Years go, at a church in Portland Oregon, I recall a clique sitting together during an evening service. They had a diminutive radio which they passed to one another so none would miss the highlights of a ballgame. They were even making verbal comments concerning the exciting moments of the game. Can you imagine the response of the Apostle Paul if he could have been present or any of the apostles? It would certainly have been addressed in a spirit of correction and reproof. But today, as we experience the apostasy, we witness a great negligence and disrespect toward God’s holy and sacred Word. We also witness little being addressed in the area of manners and politeness in most churches.
I do believe this is where spirit-filled believers must speak out in boldness and address those who are not attentive. Sometimes adults must be addressed as children would be confronted. Most people will just complain about a situation, but not bring forth a solution. If several believers will verbally ask a clique to be silent, the members are usually humiliated into compliance. If they don’t comply, approach the church leadership and ask for solutions.
Don’t blame the leadership if they have no knowledge of a troubling situation. It is very hard for pastors to keep an eye on every fire that arises in a church. Often time’s leadership can be very surprised to hear of something that may be happening directly under their noses. This is because the church as whole can keep pastors preoccupied as so many disturbing situations are brought before leadership.
Arrogance:
Arrogance is certainly another appropriate synonym for cliquish behavior. Though you will rarely hear a message on arrogance, it is a disgusting air that makes our stomachs churn. In Malachi chapter 4, verse 1, God is adamant about arrogance and reveals, “a day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff.” We see God promises to set these people ablaze for their haughtiness. Also notice in chapter 3, verse 15, where people were calling the arrogant blessed. They believed being arrogant was styling and actually blessed of God. Through this verse we receive an education on the character of God as He does not admire arrogance as general society does. We observe reality in this passage as no arrogant person will escape God’s wrath.
Arrogant people possess sharp tongues that are quick to ridicule others. They devour those they believe to be lesser individuals through an arrogant attitude, reducing them to believe they are of no redeeming use. The moment an unacceptable one states something an arrogant person finds stupid or unnecessary, they are on them with the force of an alligator’s bite. Many of the people that surround us walk in the deep pain left by the repetition of these bites. Our acceptance of these injured people can impart miraculous healing.
We all can be guilty of displaying this sin and must watch ourselves with the way we respond to those we find annoying at times. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 implores our love to be increasing and abounding for all men. If our love is expanding for everyone, then the outcome achieved is less and less arrogance displayed. It is not admirable for a person to believe they are better than others.
Humility and lowliness of mind are key attributes to the believer’s walk.
Self-deception:
Acquiring self-deception is another consequence of not obeying God’s Word. The more people choose disobedience the more they lose spiritual discernment and godly wisdom. These are gifts from God which He bestows on His obedient children. Believers who are living in sin seem to have little or no spiritual discernment. At least this has been my personally observance. There are always major consequences to choosing error.
I have also heard the excuse, “You are just more spiritual than me,” for disobedience and chosen self-deception. I even heard this from a member of a pastoral staff. How blatantly silly! All believers are equipped to obey or disobey. If they want to be honest with others, they need to state, “I do not choose to be spiritual! I do not choose to obey God’s Holy Truth. Selfishness and self-centeredness through my own chosen deception are my true desires.”
If you have ever dealt with demon possession, you know how Satan hates the entire Bible and it being quoted when dealing in this realm; actually, Satan hates it being quoted in all realms unless it is for misinterpretation. He hates the Bible due to the fact that it is the only book filled with God’s Words alone. If we are Bible illiterate, he can try to deceive us just as he tried to deceive our Savior during His 40 day fast, which we uncover in Luke chapter 4. Jesus faithfully quoted accurately-related scripture which disarmed His adversary, Satan. Believers should never be Bible-illiterate though too often they seem to be. So many Christians would rather spend time in Christian books. They are forever quoting what this writer or that writer proclaimed in their penned work, but not the Author of the Book of books. I attempt to encourage believers to stay in the Word at least 90 percent of the time and deposit only 10 percent into other reading materials. This way a person knows the heart of God and can recognize false doctrine when it is presented in so-called Christian books. People can be very ignorant and actually believe if a Christian wrote it, then it must be truth. What an outrageous myth! I would encourage every believer to delve into God’s Word as they read this book for accuracy and discernment.
Job the Social Reject:
Yes, the godly man Job, found in the book of Job was the social reject of the hour. He did not possess one friend following his drop off the reputable scale. He fell painfully hard from his most lofty position.
He had held the title of being the “greatest of all the men of the east.” He was renowned as the foremost judge and counselor in his community.
He had been blessed with ten healthy children—seven sons and three daughters. Unfortunately, they all perished during a frightful windstorm that traveled across the wilderness. It struck the house where they were gathered, causing the collapse of the roof. Poor, poor Job!
But wait, that is not all that befell Job. He was a farmer/rancher and his plowing oxen were rustled. Many of his servants were pierced through by the sword held in the hands of these murderous renegades. Within this same timeframe, fire from heaven fell, consuming his sheep and killing more servants. It didn’t take long before most everything he owned was gone. All this bad news, including that of his children, arose within one hour.
Now, you would hope Job’s calamities would end here. Well, not so. He also lost his health and well-being. He was so ill he just wanted to die. Boils encompassed his entire body, which he scraped with broken pottery. His flesh held a crust of dirt and worms roamed throughout. No, not a pretty sight.
All this affected his appetite as you can well assume. He could not think of eating. Imaging food simply made him sicker. It was even difficult to swallow his spittle. Of course, we have all been there when we have had the flu…when our stomach churns at the sight of food…when every swallow hurts our sore and reddened throat, holding unwanted saliva.
Now, Job did have three dear friends. When they came to console him, they did not recognize him. This once lofty man was now a worm of a man—literally. They came and sat before him seven days and nights without speaking a word, as they were in great shock. They grieved with him in love and concern. This was no doubt, Job’s most calming period. Unfortunately, this did not last long. When all would expect them to say “poor Job” following their lengthy silence, they actually shot him with every verbal arrow possible. They held spiteful, accusing tongues. They wanted him to confess everything before them. They wanted every piece of juicy gossip. However, Job held no hidden sins or agendas. He was still the most righteous man on all the earth. All his trials were not evoked by hidden transgressions!
Much of the book of Job encompasses his friends’ cruel, false accusations. Job is not a book that displays sympathy; only the harsh human nature. No person truly loved Job or cared that he suffered in grief and physical pain.
Job was righteous and he feared God. He was so pure, he never gazed upon a virgin. He had eyes only for his wife. Now, I might inject here that Job’s wife didn’t want anything to do with him despite his unfailing faithfulness. She wanted him “to curse God and die.” Later, Job sadly revealed, she stayed away from him because he had bad breath. What a consoling and empathetic wife! She is not left as a godly example for us ladies.
Now, you might think such circumstances are a bit unusual. You are right! This was a trial allowed by God to test Job’s unfailing faith. God allowed Satan to buffet him on every side. Job did not fail God, but he grew in maturity. He even stated unashamedly, “Though He slay me, I will still hope in Him;” Job 13:15.
Through it all, Job came face to face with the fact he could never trust in friendships. Only God loved him in his total social decline. Remember, the LORD is the one who never leaves or forsakes.
God did restore Job to a place of respect in the end. Yes, a very happy ending, full of rejoicing!
I recommend this book for reading as it is God’s holy Word. I recommend it as a medicinal remedy for when you feel depressed, unloved and forsaken of men. I do not know any man or woman made of frail dust that will not benefit from its truths and insights.
The Diotrephes Mind-set:
Quite the character is presented to us in 3rd John, though not unfamiliar to everyday life. His name is Diotrephes and he is an appealing man of social prominence. Strutting around like a peacock, he delights in being the most noticed and controlling person amongst the congregation. He is the determining factor for beliefs and leadership in this church. This man would not even allow the Apostle John to have a voice in this fellowship! Diotrephes wanted no one to exert more preeminence than him for he was the church dictator.
A faltering aspect of Diotrephes’ personality was his cliquishness. He possessed a coterie and it seemed to encompass much of the church. However Gaius, whom the letter was written to, was not completely taken in by his charisma. That is why John wrote to Gaius about this grave situation. He knew Gaius had the authority to change things in order to permit humility to reign in leadership once again. I don’t know the total outcome of 3rd John, but knowing the power of God, I believe godly men dethroned Diotrephes from his power of influence. Men and women were released from this human chain he had welded together to form his clique of influence, resulting in believers refocusing their eyes on Christ.
This type of dictator still exists today in too many churches. You will find they even determine what one should follow or not follow when it comes to Biblical instruction. They view God’s holy and sacred Word as a book of their pick and choose, thus they pick and choose what you should believe or not believe. They even have appealing ways of interpreting God’s Word according to their mindset. This mindset involves the elevation of the dictator- pastor. He is quite apt at reading things into scripture or eliminating certain doctrines.
In time past, I attended a Baptist church where the pastor and his spouse seemed to be tutored by Diotrephes, himself. They possessed a similar mindset, as they too were members of and the protectors of the church coterie. This pastor was a dictator who pushed his individual doctrines on the people. He made it clear that his doctrines were superior to Scripture. The clique consisted of his loyal followers who seemed to report any insubordination; namely, anyone questioning his teaching. If someone revealed any signs of discontentment to a member of the coterie, this member would report it to the pastor and that person would be called before him or another pastor for verbal discipline.
When it came to this coterie acting unkindly, that is snubbing and ignoring non-clique-members, especially the poor, the pastor or his wife’s response to such accusations was something to the effect “Well, people naturally associate with those within their own economical, educational and social level.” This pastor and his wife were deceived in the utmost way and chose disobedience in regards to our Lord’s holy teaching throughout the Bible on caring and loving others unconditionally, especially the poor.
Men resembling Diotrephes enjoy playing God and living on an elevated plane, reveling in the attention of men. Some unlearned people can be deceived by such leaders, thus accepting of any false doctrine that a dictator-pastor will present as he will take a verse here and there to dress-up his messages for an appearance of accuracy. Our defense to false doctrine is to be a learned people who show ourselves approved of God, knowledgeable in God’s Word, so we never become deceived by a false teacher no matter how charismatic they may appear.
Following any preached message, a person of perception (which we all should be) will study the verses before and following a preached section of scripture, comparing scripture with scripture.
Study tools such as a concordance, Bible dictionary and reputable commentaries also aid in obtaining correct interpretation. Just never rest in the opinion of men when using commentaries, make sure there is plenty of Biblical proof before accepting it into your heart as truth.
God’s Word also warns us not to add or subtract from scripture; Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:6 and Revelation 22:18-19. When we discover a pastor engaging in this, we need to give heed to the Word alone and keep an eye on the one who is changing the Word. There comes a time when we separate ourselves from the one who goes his own way in interpretation and refuses to be corrected.
Pastors are human and they need us to hold them accountable as misinterpretations do occur, unintentional and intentional. One example of layman accountability, which is an illustration to all believers, is described in Acts 17 where in the city of Berea; wise Bereans searched the scriptures daily, learning with great eagerness! There is great excitement being expressed in this examination which I view no where else in Acts when the Gospel presented itself. “Great eagerness,” I feel, is an ideal phrase in representing how we should all be enthusiastic in hermeneutical scrutiny.
One of the reasons they studied so thoroughly was to confirm the teaching accuracy of Paul and Silas who came bearing the Gospel. They wanted to stand on God’s authority alone and not the words of mere men. Now we do know, the apostles were chosen men of God and that this calling resembled no other. But all men have faults and even the best-looking professing Christian can bear ulterior drives to gain a following, which was the motivation of Diotrephes.
These verses are put in the Bible to teach us nobility, so we can display distinctiveness as those who don’t believe what they are told without the proper Biblical assessment.
An Unnatural Love:
As Pilgrims on this earth we all should be daily involved in the growing process of obtaining greater love for others. It doesn’t always just naturally flow from us. Personally, I have to intercede before God continually, for Him to give me the proper attitude of care for those around me.
What hinders me as well as others from loving people from a pure heart is the fact that most every one has their own definition of those they believe to be unsuitable. However, this is not Christian. There should be none we find unreachable and unlovable. Joining a group or clique, in my opinion, is just a way for people to avoid the Biblical responsibility of reaching out to those they deem socially unacceptable.
If one feels they must be part of some elite group, I say, you might as well embrace the Ku Klux Klan. You may see yourself as too righteous for this organization as church cliques are not violent. However, church coteries do shun those they see possessing no value and though this may not be classified as a violent act, I believe it is. When people feel shunned, it is like being slapped in the face. When it comes to the internal pain, it can resemble having a cross, burned in your yard. Both cross burning and shunning represent agendas of rejection and hate.
In Ezekiel 16:48-50, Sodom is reprimanded for living in careless ease, not assisting the poor and needy, plus being conceited. I don’t believe this simply means they did not give to the benevolent fund once a month. I believe they didn’t love people from a pure heart. In this passage, the homosexual issue was not directly addressed, which I find interesting. It certainly reveals if we are disobedient in our charity toward others that this greatly dishonors God.
When Peter and Barnabas revealed partiality to the Jewish church, they were reprimanded by Paul for being two faced, as they participated in partiality with their own people, the Jews. These two reputable apostolic pillars in Christendom snobbishly desired not to be seen in a Gentile church when Jews were present; Galations 2:ll f.
Much of what we view in scripture is for the purpose of teaching us to have an unnatural love for others, even through exposing our church fathers.
The Situation in Corinth:
In first Corinthians chapter 1, we see the priority item addressed by Paul, which is partiality. Church attendees being in their coteries according to what eminent teacher they followed. They all felt they were following the most paramount, whether they were following Peter, Apollos or Paul. Paul is quite stern with the situation and very straightforward. He makes it clear; he is ashamed of their actions. Paul exhorts there be no divisions among them, as Christ is not divided, as He died and now lives for all.
In chapter 2, Paul continues to exhort them in the arena of humility as he, Paul, was one who did not walk in pride to impress and make devotees, but presented himself as one who only knew one thing . . .“Christ and Him crucified.”
Paul states in chapter 2 verse 5, that our faith is not to rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God! Throughout the books of Corinthians humility is so stressed and no wonder, it is so easy to follow men and look to humanity for the answers. We must keep our eyes on Christ alone. We are to attend church for the purpose of growth and ministry. Being a diligent servant must be our goal. That is why Christ washed the disciples’ feet as an example of humility and kindness as preparation for future ministry.
Meekness is not usually a sought-out desire. I have two boys and competition is often times the name of the game. Who out does whom in what areas? It comes down to: I this and I that. Now you outdo me! Correction by my husband or I is an absolute must during these times of struggle for prominence with our sons.
As adults, we often require the Heavenly Father’s gentle hand of correction when we feel we must compete for a prominent place of notability. This is why Paul emphasized how he came in humility in 2 Corinthians. He did not arise to the occasion with flattering speech and state-of-the-art attire, as those who desired the recognition and the following of men.
Many believers in our contemporary world do not desire to reveal humility and servant-hood; never desiring to be witnesses of these attributes of Christ’s. It is even difficult to find one who will ask another’s forgiveness. In a certain detestable clique situation, I inquired of the pastor for an apology to be made to one greatly injured; but he simply stated, if the assistant pastor feels led to do so he can. To my great disappointment, there was never an apology made.
Rarely, do I find a pastor even desiring to display the attributes of lowliness that should be constantly played out in believers’ lives, which includes a true humble heart that admits wrongdoing.
We also find in associating with the humble and lowly, that it is not an inner yearned for quality in today churches and their leadership. People desire to be first and noticed by all. The song, “You’ve Got to Please Yourself” can be seen manifested throughout our congregations to God’s anguish.
I would implore you to study the heart of Paul and take notes as to his demeanor. It is beneficial to study all of 2 Corinthians, especially chapter 6, noting the weight Paul puts on learning meekness, that of releasing all pride and forsaking the false-teaching and false-example of those who walk in pride.
As you survey into 2 Corinthians chapter 11, you will witness parishioners acquiring improper individuals to govern them. They took no heed to these men taking advantage of them to the degree of even thrashing them, as long as they felt nurtured in some manner.
We see similar complacency portrayed and illustrated during the era of Hitler, as many people sought to be led. Even during this WW11 period, the media governed the peoples’ perspectives. With Hitler being portrayed before the camera as a powerful, charismatic individual, he arose to control readily. Historians agree, if the German media had not promoted Hitler, he never would have arisen to his realm of domain.
Hitler gained a large following through the majority of the German people preferring to be guided into reason by one appearing commanding, knowledgeable and fearless. Today the media still guides the masses, due to the fact people would rather not take the time to research issues for themselves and gain their own conclusions. It’s easier to listen to well-dressed men and women who are educated in the realm of current events and politics, simply assuming they know what they are talking about.
In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul was attempting to enable the people to mature beyond external dependence that only produces a temporary security. Pompous world and church leaders are always brought down by the hand of God. Proverbs 16:18 declares, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
Games of Usury:
Cliques manufacture personal games with rules of obedience. Part of many manipulative games is following a format as to whom coterie members select, reject or use temporarily. The game is tight knit and players cannot move unless they are told to by a group leader. One of the rules they seem to enjoy is collective deliberate shunning. I have even witnessed pastors participating at times.
There can be a variety of players and pieces moved in strategy as the clique engages in the game. Pace progress is dependant upon the church situation; plus, the power the coterie is allowed to possess through leadership.
I personally understand this game, as in time past; I was rejected by a church clique and not even spoken to by the organizer unless they needed something from me such as my approval regarding some situation. Without warning, they would actually start revealing an interest in me. It certainly made me suspicious. I felt as if they were walking around with concealed walkie-talkies attempting to make the correct spoken moves according to their pre-programmed rules and desire for achievement. Consequently, there were always ulterior motives for their measures and it did nauseate me to see their desperation.
Politicians can become unusually friendly when it’s time to go to the polls; the same can be said of those who have hidden motives for achievement. If a member of a coterie suddenly takes an interest in you, you need to ask yourself, why? Make sure their motivation isn’t to place you outside the will of God. Don’t act with partiality toward them because they are treating you suddenly as a noteworthy human being. This possibly could be due to the fact you are one who oversees an area in the church that relates to some power they desire to add to their rulership.
Groups will try to use and manipulate whomever they can and if they aren’t members of their coterie, they will dispose of them immediately after they have fulfilled their purposes. They may be considerate to you one Sunday but shun you the next.
The Unacceptable One:
The city of Portland Oregon holds most of my childhood memories. Though I loved this city, it was where I acquired many painful memories as I was a rejected foe amongst church goers and secular society. I was seen as unworthy to be spoken to by many aristocratic believers as well as many unbelievers. God manufactured my reliance on Him, by providing me with an unacceptable appearance. He equipped me with a protruding overbite. Additionally, He permitted me to be thin and poor to give me insights into human nature within my surrounding sphere.
Suffering much sorrow and heartache led me to contemplate thoughts of suicide on several occasions during those years as a maturing child in grade school and also in junior high. These negative thoughts of destruction arose from the fact that I was so loathed in my public school due to this unacceptable appearance, coupled with my being a Christian. My fellow classmates would taunt me during class and would also pursue me after school, acting snide, threatening and beating me. Even a few teachers showed contempt for me. On one occasion, following P.E., students ripped my dress apart which left me humiliated and embarrassed.
Christ faithfully brought His light to me within these many hours of darkness through these distressing years. Showers of peace and hope would shelter me, delivering me from the realm of destructive thinking.
Over these harsh and trying years, I never retaliated, as I desired to reveal continual faith and love through my Savior who persistently brought His assurance to me out of His great compassion for me.
When I would move into the church realm, I found life a bit different. I was not beaten and followed home from church. Even though some believers were cruel to me, it wasn’t as harsh.
Unfortunately, it takes little effort for believers to put friendships and social status before Christ due to the fleshly pride we all carry. The cruelty I did receive from church, I believe stemmed from haughtiness. Believers found me unworthy as they possessed a material status I did not, plus an acceptable appearance which I did not. They possessed all the social graces; I possessed negligence and public failure. Since I was unattractive and poor many preferred not to be seen with me.
These coteries I knew in the church, outwardly seemed to have little or no heart for God and enjoyed talking and socializing more than listening to the sermons and serving. I could not receive acquiescence among these believers. They mostly ignored my existence.
As a young churched adult, I was not invited to most of the social parties, which was fine. I always felt like a duck out of water observing everyone trying to impress one another and experiencing fun in a worldly manner without the alcohol and sex. It was during these years that an assistant pastor, who oversaw our college/career department, informed me I was unsociably suitable due to my appearance.
Even though I was viewed as being on the bottom of the barrel of social acceptability, I was thankful I had some contact with those in our college/career Sunday school class. Much of the class did love the Lord deep down, I believe. They just attempted to fit Him into their social grooves, which was objectionable to me. It was disputable due to the fact that the Christ of the Bible did not come to earth to have fun. He came to reveal His love for lost sinners by reaching out to the needy, not to fulfill desires of grandeur through a clubbable agenda.
Seeing and learning personally what it takes to be accepted by this fallen world through negative experiences enabled me to enlist two conclusions, if people aren’t lovely, they are mostly ignored. Plus, to be able to reach more with greater influence, I needed to correct my overbite. I desired to be a voice for the truth of God’s Word in the world of acceptability, where I could never venture and be respected in my present condition. To be honest, I did desire to be more attractive as well. (I don’t mean to say if you possess imperfections you can’t be a witness for Christ as He desires to use the unacceptable ones to His glory; 1 Corinthians 1: 27-29).
It was at this time, when in my early twenties, that I decided on surgery. I had come to the knowledge that the Portland Dental College was implementing a new technique, a surgical procedure to correct severe overbites. I had acquired an adequately paying secretarial job with insurance benefits after graduating from a local business college which permitted everything to fall together. God also provided me opportunities to witness to others while in the hospital. The excision procedure required seven hours; and two years following, I acquired braces for straightening.
It was like stepping out into a brave new world following the surgery. The daily fear I formerly held throughout my life of what people would say and do to me completely dissipated. People at church, work, etc. accepted me and actually liked me. In some ways this saddened me, as people, including Christians, appeared so superficial. There was a deacon in our church who would never speak to me. He saw me as worthless; however, following my surgery, he actually greeted me at church for the first time.
This was not a happening that put a complete end to my social unacceptability in Christendom, as I have suffered rejection for just standing on the Word as well as for standing with those who are treated as undesirables. Due to this, I have also received denunciation and hatred from pastors. However, through the years, I have grown more confident in my stances through the power of the Lord, which has led people to view me as one who will not compromise the Bible.
Many believers receive rejection as there is much prejudice in the church in general. In some areas of the country you can be rejected displaying the color of your skin. Women have been turned away or snubbed by churches due to appearing in pants and not in a dress, and men for not wearing a tie. A friend, who is a professor at Dallas Seminary and a world evangelist, informed me he knew of men who were rejected for wearing a tie. This hate list progresses go and on and many testimonies can be added to mine.
Rare Gems:
Christ did not have any outward beauty that attracted the public to him. Isaiah 53:2 reveals Christ had no stately form or majesty that we would desire to look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be awestruck by Him. His magnificence came from within. That is what believers need to pursue in others, the rare gems of the beauty within.
God allowed many obstacles into believers’ lives throughout the Old and New Testaments to perfect them into rare gems. Genesis chapters 37-47 reveal how Joseph’s uncaring cliquish brothers rejected and persecuted him during his years at home even to the point of attempting to assassinate him. Joseph was an attractive gifted boy, but it didn’t keep his brothers from forming plans for his demise. When the opportunity arose to fulfill these plans, they removed his coveted cloak of many colors and viciously threw him into a pit. Joseph was removed from that pit when his brothers decided not to kill him after all. Instead they sold him as a slave; whereby, he was brought to Egypt.
After experiencing many trials and tribulations through slavery and imprisonment, he was eventually raised to the place of ruler, reigning beside Pharaoh in power. This was all part of God’s plan, holding a divine purpose as He bestowed upon Joseph great wisdom which allowed the world to be saved in famine during his ruler-ship.
After many years of separation, Joseph was reunited with his brothers when they sought rations in Egypt during this famine, though they recognized him not. They had no idea that this powerful ruler was their grown brother. They believing Joseph had eventually died through their mistreatment of him, experienced shock and guilt when Joseph revealed his true identity. Deeply they feared what Joseph would do in revenge; however, Joseph put on a heart of grace that left all vengeance to the Lord. Joseph was a rare gem formed by negative circumstances which God turned into blessings. What Satan desires for evil, God can transform into good; Genesis 45:5-8.
Remember those who perform evil get their comeuppance as God promises He will bring chastisement, and His discipline is completely just. Thus it can be far more severe than anything we could inflict and consequently regret when God judges us for not waiting on Him. Remember God works within the heart and life. We cannot reach in and bring discomfort to a disobedient heart which God can and does. His power of justice is unlimited…ours are very limited! We often work apart from grace and reform.
As we viewed the case of Joseph, we witnessed him justly holding to charity and reform concerning his murderous intending brothers. God, who sits on the judgment seat, also brought convicting legal action within these brothers as they admitted they were guilty in the narrative of Genesis 42:21.
I have been able to identify with Joseph on a minute level, as people from my past, including my former high school classmates, have witnessed that God has been absolutely faithful to me. He did not leave me in the dust as they did, viewing me as a person who was completely undesirable.
At one of my former high school reunions, a previous classmate approached me and apologized for her cruelty towards me. I felt amazingly blessed. She had felt guilty all these years and when I received her in love, she apologized. I hold no bitterness towards those who shunned me for my unacceptable appearance and I want them to see the joy and love God has placed in me through it all. I deeply care about these people and I have prayed for their salvation.
Joseph also became fully blessed of God when he received his brothers in forgiveness. Forgiveness is a key word for us who suffer and have felt rejection. If we carry bitterness, we are not better than those who have harmed us. Christ loved his enemies, the very ones who brought about His crucifixion. In order to be a rare gem, we must shine with such forgiveness—a forgiveness that harbors no pride.
You can locate many beautiful gems in the Bible, people with lovely, God-fearing hearts. Even though tested through the fires of rejection and tribulation, they stayed firm. Before anointing David as king, Samuel questioned how such a young and little man could ever be king! But God took this time to educate Samuel. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God informs Samuel that he is not to focus on the external appearance as men do, but he is to center in on the heart of a person.
Sequencing David’s anointing was his desire to slay Goliath, but he was scorned and ridiculed. This maltreatment did not prevent him from performing his God-given task. David was rejected time and again and suffered great heartache being a fugitive of the law. King Saul was continuously seeking his life. David hid in caves during the years he thought he should have been reigning as king. God protected, guided and assured him through these agonizing years. In Psalms, we read the anguish of David poured out over time. Nevertheless, David always counters these Psalms of sadness with Psalms of gladness. Our Mighty God of Valor always brought the strengthening rays of sunlight in David’s darkened cave to reveal His transforming power to craft a rare gem that would someday rule as a majestic king.
We can never let peoples’ rejection and this world’s tribulations impede God’s given will for our lives. We must adhere to godly examples such as Joseph and David for a steadfast walk in our Savior, Christ Jesus.
Cliques Bring Bondage:
The Bible consistently warns against cliques. Whenever we disobey the Word, we settle for second best. One may think, if he or she could just be a part of a certain influential group or could form one, then they would have all their fusses met. Well…it just doesn’t happen that way; as with any sin, there is always the bondage. This bondage is made evident by the fact there are usually just one to two people who take on the leadership role of a coterie and it is they who determine how the clique is to act, how often they will gather for activities, and all associations with others predetermined.
If the clique dislikes one of the group member’s friends (one outside the coterie), then that person must tame down their friendship or dissolve it. The coterie will make sure that friend feels unwelcome if they ever attempt to talk or sit with them.
Another form of bondage, leaders of cliques inflict, is their control of how a member ministers and to whom they minister. They do not want anyone ministering to someone who does not met their criteria, so the church suffers and people leave. Excuses are always given to leadership. You might hear something to this effect, “Well, our personalities clash or you know, you just can’t get along with everyone.” Since they find the person to be socially unacceptable, they don’t feel they are lying.
People who are part of a clique will usually submit to the leaders or leader of the group not because it is proper, but because they will in no way hinder their position. They don’t want to be cast aside as undesirable material. Bondage is a key element of the coterie due to the fact that one allows others to control friendships and one’s activities in life. Christ brings freedom from bondage. When one is part of a clique, he cannot feel the liberty he has in Christ. For one reason, he is under sin. He is disobeying God’s Word for the purpose of self-acceptance. The Bible does not endorse groups, just the opposite.
A Lack of Joy and Respect:
I have never seen the fruit of joy exhibiting itself in those who buy into coterie sin. Usually people in a clique are not overflowing with happiness. My personal observations of a coterie, is its members are usually downcast to a certain degree. I have also seen people who normally exhibit joy, loose a great deal of it, once they compromise and become a member of a social group.
I wish they could see for themselves the obvious change that consumes them. They may feel a difference, but choose to live in denial believing they are now happier by following others. Leaders enable them to feel secure as much of their decision-making is accomplished for them. Isn’t simpler better? Self-deception always wins when sin is chosen above obedience. Only when we follow Christ can we truly experience joy. The more we follow His Word, ignoring our desires, the more happiness consumes our being.
God exhorts us as believers to be above reproach. Once you surrender to a group, you forfeit your credibility. Satan is a liar and he wants to make you think people are looking up to you now, when they are actually looking down on you. You loose your respect and integrity. I have also found that many people who are a part of a clique lie to cover their questionable tracks. When you compromise in one area, you usually grow to compromise in many areas.
It’s those people who love and reach out to everyone who gain respect and exhibit joy, not those who shun or ignore those who are not in their coterie. If you are a member of a social group, you may be responding right now with, “I’m friendly to everyone so go bite the dust.” Well, I’m not so sure. From my experience of observation, cliques usually talk to others only when their friends aren’t visible. I’ve smiled to let a person know I want to greet them, but they have walked right past me acting as if they didn’t see me, just because they noticed a comrade from their social setting.
If you truly desire to be filled with the joy of the Lord and want to be respected through integrity, simply obey God’s Word and reach out to all in love and grace.
The Discontented Clique Member:
People who are in cliques are unsatisfied. If a person is truly a believer, he or she will only acquire emptiness in attempting to experience pleasure and acceptance from worldly principles. The realm of fun and self-gratification only produces contentment for a season as we read in Hebrews 11:25. When a person gets to this point of seeing sin as a passing pleasure, then the Lord may lead you to reach out to them through ministry training. Invite them—one at a time is best—to assist you as you minister to the hurting. They may just need to witness personally how people suffer so sensitivity to others’ needs can arise through the Holy Spirit’s inner guidance. Learning to assist those in hardship will be beneficial to them. Titus 3:14, exhorts believers to learn to engage in good deeds, to meet pressing needs so they will not be unfruitful.
You may want to invite one of them to attend a nursing home with you or request them to assist you in teaching the Bible to the elderly. You might ask one of them to assist with bringing in a meal to one who has had surgery, etc. Someone may be bed-ridden and unable to clean their home; show him or her how they can support you or another in this ministry.
If you just sit back and feel sorry for yourself along with others who have been injured by these people, most likely nothing will ever be corrected. I believe feeling sorry for oneself is not of God. Naught is accomplished in this state of being. When we are feeling pitiful for us, we put self on the throne of our lives and not God. We need to ask for the wisdom of God as commanded in James chapter 1. We need to cast aside our sorrow of rejection and put our minds to work on a Biblical solution. Inquire of God to reveal to you what you can do to bring more tenderness and charity within the church walls.
Pray for the members of coteries without bias. I personally enjoy praying the prayers in the Bible as well as what the Holy Spirit lays on my heart concerning each individual situation. If you pray using scripture, you know you are praying in the will of God. I especially enjoy praying in accordance with Colossians 1: 9-12. You know if you are interceding for clique members “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord that they may please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God,” etc. that you are praying God’s preferred desires for their lives. God does answer our murmurings if we pray in His will and if the recipients are open to His desires.
You can make a difference in one or more of the lives of these discontented and backslidden people who need answers when the clique falls short of meeting every need. People can hide the pain, but eventually you may be able to expose it and bring healing through just showing them unconditional acceptance even through their present rejection of you. Being a witness can eventually open their eyes to the unfulfilled lives they are living. Always being willing to disciple and be an example may bring them running to you someday.
Individualists:
Adequate revelations demonstrate individualists never join cliques. A true Christian individualist finds his support in Christ and Christ alone. Individualists do not view people as those who must meet their needs, but as those Christ unconditionally loves, minus any ulterior motives. They picture people as individual ministries. They contemplate, how can I minister to this person today? It’s not an attitude of how can this person make me feel more important or with whom should I associate so I can become popular?
Not being an individualist in Christianity can put a person in a vulnerable position. This is due to the fact that they will pursue most anyone for security reasons. The danger of this is exposed through scripture. During the lifespan of Elijah, his stance was to stand alone. Alone with God made him a majority. In 1 Kings chapter 18, we see Elijah standing unaided against the in-grove religion of the time—that being the worship of Baal. Those, who chose to be in style, desired to compromise their faith in God by taking in a dash of Judaism and a pinch of Baal, thus forfeiting their lives after God’s power was uniquely demonstrated.
Elijah was extremely unpopular and disliked by the cool, externally religious Israelites, yet he was magnificently blessed for being an individualist, always traveling the road of individuality no matter the personal surrender.
Many believers living today are undistinguishable Christians who often persecute dedicated believers for living an uncompromising life. Steadfast uncompromising believers need to resemble Elijah who did not incessantly fret about what people thought of him. Elijah is an example in teaching us individuality as he was a faithful follower of God who stood at his God-appointed post as an enlisted soldier who did not entangle himself with worldly pleasures and philosophies. No godly individualist lives by a popularity chart, if he truly views himself as just an obedient soldier of Christ; 2 Timothy 2:3-4.
God knows we cannot stand without an occasional heartache. We are not made of steel and neither was Elijah. In 1 Kings, chapter 19, God had to renew Elijah’s faith as His protected charge when Elijah fled in fear just after God demonstrated his power and character. I confess, though humbly, that this certainly seemed to be a funny time to be fearful to me. I mean Elijah had just witnessed God’s all-consuming fire. No doubt, God gets a laugh too, when He witnesses my lack of faith when I have to cry out to Him when in passing distresses. After all, He is Lord of the universe and nothing escapes His control and command.
Jeremiah 17:5 is one of God’s warnings to us. This verse emphatically announces, any man is cursed who trusts in any man and makes any man his strength. Our source of strength is to be in Christ and His Word alone. If you now or in the past, simply said God save me from my sins through Christ’s shed blood and take control of my life, you know you need to rest in no other. Men will always fail us, but Christ never will! This verse in Jeremiah is put in the Bible to teach us nobility so we can display individuality.
You can see the consequences through history of men thrusting aside individuality and joining groups. Jim Jones was a leader who was charismatic to his death persuading others to join him in the crypt. This sad true tale reveals the dependency that occurs once a person implants another being’s ideas certain they are more important than his own.
Being an individualist therefore is one who never caves into trends or the will of sinful men. He stands solely on the Bible even if he is the only one. He is empowered by God not by in-groove church trends, clique-clannishness or media incentives.
All Inclusive But Partial “Grace Mode:”
This is becoming the dominate mindset in Christendom. Every believer under the all inclusive “grace mold” does whatever is right in their own eyes. They also implement its code to justify others. This “grace mode” is additionally applied in order to back away from obeying God’s Word in the area of correction and reproving, which is hard work and makes enemies. What additionally makes this correction realm unpopular is the fact that people will on occasion leave the church if wounded for sin. Therefore most pastors neatly sweep these verses under the church’s narthex carpet. However, they will justifiably yet incorrectly apply them, when showing hatred to those who do not meet the church’s socially acceptable standards such as not dressing in stylish clothing, being externally unattractive, crippled, impoverished, etc. Some pastors won’t even blink an eye if someone socially undesirable leaves the congregation through unbiblical pressure. They might even glory in this accomplishment.
“I live under grace” may be your response as a pastor for not implementing needed corrective action for congregational members who are dwelling in sin. Yes, you do, but that doesn’t invalidate the character of God or His statutes. In Hebrews chapter 12, we see God as our loving father who disciplines us when we engage in wrongdoing. In 1 Corinthians 11:30, Paul informs the Corinthians that many of them are ill and dieing due to their misdeeds. There are many passages in the New Testament that warn us to obey God or they’ll be consequences. In Matthew 18:15-17 we witness the responsibility being placed on pastors to perform church-discipline when necessary on those who are unresponsive to correction.
I have witnessed pastors; however, deal in partiality when it comes to over-looking the sin of those who are part of the socially acceptable scene. Everything is made hush-hush, but when one is not in the inner-clan, they are humiliated and hated, not Biblically approached in love with concern. Thus proper church discipline is not applied in either case.
When it comes to the unacceptable believers, I’ve seen them humiliated from the pulpit in sermons omitting their names, but many can picture who they are through the details declared. They were not first approached by elders with the evidence of two or three witnesses, just hung out in front of the congregation because someone in the inner circle of friends made an accusation.
If you are a level-headed believer who doesn’t cater to partiality, but you have been requested to become part of an elder, deacon or ministry board, yet you have reservations because of the way the undesirables are treated in your church, you need to believe me when I say it is far…far better to sit in the back pew with a clean white heart that possesses pure innocent love for everyone, than to sit before the church with those who posses blackened hearts that contain the ashes of those who have been burned by the sin of spiteful prejudice.
I have witnessed a youth pastor ridicule one from the youth room pulpit who did not meet socially acceptable standards while later pampering a teen who was pregnant because the family was in the inner circle of acceptance.
You might ask, “Don’t people who participate in partiality feel guilty?” I believe they do, but they feel they are living under grace and their other good deeds replace any indiscretions.
The partiality “grace mode” excuse also flows forth when people are confronted with their unfair treatment of others who don’t fit into the social realm of acceptability or their inner circle of friends. You might find their responses to be similar to this when confronted, “Grace overrides scripture. I am under grace therefore I don’t have to be put under Biblical legalism and love all the brethren. No one gets along with everyone! I refuse to associate with certain Christians in this church!”
Don’t you cave into this ideological mind-set! Exodus 23:2 teaches us not to follow a multitude in doing evil. Your response to someone who gives excuses for being cliquish is to continue to stand on God’s Word and not cave into any justification to disobey God when it comes to being charitable to others.
Some people believe they have to submit to a pastor no matter what the circumstances, but if you are asked to disobey or not apply God’s Word, then you have to contravene or just leave the fellowship. Our ultimate authority is God and He does not want us wavering for any man. Yes, we must respect our pastors but not to a place of disobedience to God’s Word or believing since you live under grace all is acceptable. We can’t call wrong right and right wrong. We can’t decide not to love a person because the pastor doesn’t and he expects you to follow suit simply because a person is not considered clique material.
Our Response to the Less Fortunate:
To reveal the heart of God more and how emphatically, God desires that we not respond positively to cliquish intentions, take a close look at Exodus 22:23-24. In Israel, the widows and orphans were considered the lowliest of human life, very disrespected as well as hated by the religious upper-class. This is why God continually reached out to them as we see throughout scripture. Verse 24 is very strong in revealing God’s feelings and judgment. It dreadfully discloses God will take the life of one who is unkind to any of these misfortunate ones. The command to care for widows and orphans is restated in James 1:27.
Our response has to be one of love if we want to walk in obedience to God’s teachings when we see others elevating themselves above the less fortunate and unacceptable. We can’t become part of the “in crowd;” we have to be those who stand alone for Biblical uprightness. If you walk in the strength of God, He will give you the ability and wisdom to stand in the gap for these people.
How Do I Keep From Being Associated With A Clique?
If you are automatically friendly to all, you will not acquire this stigma. It is easy to be fearful of conversing with those who partake in cliquishness as you can feel everyone is watching you. It is wrong to shun those who belong to coterie groups due to their unfriendly attitudes. By choosing not to speak to them, they could label you as cliquish, as it may appear you only want to associate with certain ones in the church. They could call you on it or gossip about you especially if they know where you stand and they desire your defeat. They would certainly want to appear more righteous than you for power sake. You are dealing with the powers of darkness.
I too have been fearful of appearing cliquish, but if other believers see how you reach out to all, that ungodly attitude will not be associated with you. Godly Christians will let you know they appreciate your attitude of acceptance toward all, if you are indeed reaching out to everyone in charity.
Socialization of the church:
The foremost reason the church has to deal with cliques is the fact she has become lukewarm. In Revelation chapters 2-3, we can dissect the downfall of churches. Many symptoms are revealed, including exposing the blending in of the social culture. What occurs in Revelation and in fellowships today is society’s agendas become implanted. Churches leave their first love and accept the deeds of the godless, becoming tolerant and blending into the social scene. As a result, they become dead churches; 3:1. The church is very dead and lifeless as Revelation and other passages of scripture predicted it would be as time pressed on.
This death has resulted from believers not caring if their church is endowed with the spirit-filled powerful life that arises from God. What is of paramount importance today is making sure people are gathering together for fun activities. They desire to leave the Biblical spiritual emphasis mainly for Sunday service, having no interest in living consistent spirit-filled powerful lives that radiates throughout the week through every action.
The world greatly emphasizes the social culture resulting in fellowships acquiring this mentality. I have found that churches who engage in social agendas are usually prone for cliques and partiality as believers can only be accepted on a social acceptability basis which many do not meet.
If you attend a typical church this Sunday and pick up a bulletin, you most likely will notice several activities listed under the week’s events. Rarely can you attend a church where only ministries are listed such as care visitation, weekly evangelism, nursing home outreach, and prayer meetings. If the church was to turn from the satanic social realm and focus on spiritual maturity, the church would change and cliques would be rare.
When believers gather together, fellowship should be the main goal and that of ministering to all in His name and speaking the things that bring glory to His name. Christ should never be put on a back burner for the sole purpose of having fun.
Though we see fellowship as an important part of ministry, it does not engulf organizing socials. We must remember God never commands socials in His Word nor is an example set forth in this area, He only commands ministry so we must keep things in the proper perspective through Biblical analysis. Outside of Sunday services, nothing should be placed before church ministries. If they are, something is amiss within the body of believers.
If you research the word fellowship, you would recognize the Greek word is KOINONIA. This engulfs partaking in communion, contribution and sacrifice. We share in the ministry of the Lord which produces fellowship, which is also a synonym of communion. One verse that enlightens us to fellowship is Philippians 4:14, where Paul states we have fellowship by sharing in Paul’s affliction, which came to him by propagating the Gospel. It was not a life of ease that we imitate. Christ did not live a life of ease and pleasure. It involves sacrificing ourselves for Christ and to His will, as a body of one.
Satan has a huge foothold in our churches because he wants us having fun, and shunning the work aspect. Why, because believers have bought the worldly lie, that we are to do as little work as possible and have as much fun as possible. You cannot find any emphasis on fun when you study the implores for the church in scripture. You find people getting out and giving the Gospel and at times, dying for it. Christian service was the primary objective and should be the main function in any fellowship today.
As an employee or one who has been employed, you at certain times have been asked to perform functions that you did not desire to accomplish, yet you executed them. However, in the Christian realm, many believers feel they should spurn anything unappealing; yet, God’s commands us to do the work of the ministry. This doesn’t mean just the things we enjoy. Our love for God must proliferate beyond a solace zone. It has been stated doing one thing a day that one does not enjoy is beneficial; this assertion would certainly profit the believer who feels he should not get involved in ministry because it is too intrusive and uncomfortable.
When and Why Churches Changed:
The priority list in churches began to take on a new form when things got satanically twisted around, when new philosophies entered the church realm. The new philosophies centered on the church becoming “hip and cool” in order to reach the lost. Believers began reading and accepting philosophies in the realm of adopting worldly attitudes and life-styles, data which emphasized how we had to resemble the world to reach the world. This philosophy still predominates the Christian bookshelf and church philosophy.
The church is now lifeless; it has to depend on famous Christian entertainers and evangelists to appear so unsaved people can be reached. How sad, how desperately sad that believers have to depend on outsiders to see powerful results in outreach just because their main agendas center around being entertained.
Church entertainment is completely contrary to God’s holy Word; yet, it has become everywhere present and accepted as normal in most fellowships. In one respectable denomination, I was subjected to a pastor who obviously believed his main calling in the pulpit was to entertain the congregation. I felt disgusted; if I wanted entertainment I could have just turned on my television and stayed home. I don’t attend church to see live entertainment; I attend to hear God’s Word preached by a spirit-filled godly reverend. It is extremely disheartening to witness the entertainment world become the church’s mainstay within Christendom in the name of contemporary-ism.
Many Christian singers are now supreme performers. Some famous Christian vocalists come as near as they dare to imitating worldly secular singers with a bit of caution exposed, thus just falling short of sensual. However, there are a few who do represent the sensual in dress and conduct. Awhile back I was viewing an evangelistic program and I couldn’t believe what I saw as a camera man went down and under the cloak of one Christian entertainer, though male, it still stunned me. We should all be in shock when Christian production companies resort to sensual camera techniques. It seems to be more and more predominant as contemporary Christianity falls farther into its pit of deception.
When I witness a female Christian entertainer or vocalist dressing in extremely tight pants with a bit of cleavage or belly exposed, I just pray for God to convict her heart in the area of modesty. We have gone with the world and it isn’t any wonder coquettishness, fornication, and adultery are ever present in our churches.
In light of the fact that some Christian entertainers go from one mate to the next, engaging in improper relations; unstable believers reflect, if these famous respected people can live like this, why can’t I? All believers need to be held to high standards including those on the charts of worldly popularity. Though I believe this kind of fame is not in any way Biblical nor does it represent the meekness, humility and lowliness of heart we see in Christ; Matthew 11:29. Being imitators of Christ in all realms of godliness is His ultimate command to us.
The dilemma of the Church is it has become so secularized, it actually believes if it acquires secular actions, these procedures are sanctified. The church has to swallow herself in denial in order to accept all that is so clearly of Satan.
Deluded Christendom seems to suppose, if one or more persons comes to salvation through worldly compliance, then it is completely of God. Whatever happened to wisdom, common sense, purity, modesty and trust in the power of God to work when things are done apart from the world’s methods and man’s sensual gratification?
Our God is completely omnipotent!! He lacks nothing and is entirely capable of saving apart from this present culture. We must not believe if we shun cotemporary-ism, all will fall apart. How big is God? Well, nothing can contain Him not the highest heaven or deepest earth; Isaiah 66:1 and Isaiah 40:12-26. If the Lord actually required the methods of changing society to be part of His plan, He would have never called us to come out and separate; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 and James 4:4. Beloved writings of the saints of old, including our hymns, embrace separation through holy living through us pressing to seek higher grounds through greater Biblical obedience.
All these radical changes witnessed in this century taking place in the church, can be disheartening to the devoted believer. However, 2 Thessalonians reveals the apostasy must come before Christ returns. The apostasy is everywhere present in the church of today. Revelation 17 speaks of the great harlot who represents the pagan religion of New Babylon. We certainly have some insight into the harlot as we view general churches today as people can divorce, live together in immorality, including homosexuality. It seems most people don’t even care about the sins that exist in the church.
Women and men can come to church in short and revealing clothing, yet immodesty is rarely addressed from the pulpit in fear of offending and loosing members. Modesty, purity and moral living are essential parts of Biblical righteous living; therefore, the church should never give any ground to anything that could represent the approaching great harlot.
One abused excuse for the church conceding to present culture is found in I Corinthians chapter 10, verse 33 where Paul states he becomes all things to all men. I have heard this verse quoted time and again. However, if you study the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians chapter 10, not just verse 33; you will notice the entire chapter actually has zero to do with partaking in today’s conduct. It actually deals with one being inoffensive through politeness and courtesy. A verse can never be set apart from the others which reveal the total meaning. It states Paul in no way offends the church, Greeks or Jews. The chapter deals with not eating meat sacrificed to idols as it may offend a brother. In no way does it address the church accepting those things that are questionable and contrary to God’s Word.
Yes, Paul did say in 1 Corinthians 9:20 that he became a Jew to win the Jews, but you and I rightly know that this involved him applying Old Testament principles to his lifestyle not him becoming pagan in action and deed. Paul was a righteous man who would never forfeit his decency, humility and purity. If he lived today, he would not desire to be a famous Christian entertainer. He would not revel in popularity and fun on a stage adding in a touch of the Gospel to make him feel he was doing the right thing. This would be contrary to all his writings passed to us through the Holy Spirit.
Herodias’ daughter dancing before Herod represents Biblical entertainment; Matthew 14:6f; actually revealing its perversion. Entertainment is to please the sensual prideful man. Just as Israel of old desired to emulate surrounding society, so duplicates the church today.
In Acts 8:9f, Simon the magician who enjoyed entertaining the people with his magic arts seeks Christianity for worldly fame and gain; verses 18-19. His attitude is not acclaimed but disclaimed by Peter, who exposes the evil condition of his heart; verses 20-23.
Christians who exercise performance abilities are generally elevated above the common believer which also sets the stage for partiality and judgment. Pastors love to use externally gifted people, setting them in the forefront, so they can be admired and adored. Pastors know people’s evil sensual desires crave gifted entertainers which can incite increasing membership. This is owed to the fact that even believers follow after charismatic individuals, shunning the ordinary and ungifted. Satan has made sure the Hollywood mindset is set in stone amongst believers to their detriment.
God’s Word:
As believers, we have only one truth; it is God’s Word, which is God-breathed. It is still wholly relevant for today. In Matthew 5:18-19, Christ informs us that not the smallest letter or stroke will pass away from the law until all is accomplished and whoever annuls the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Mark 8:38 further enforces this as Christ signified His authority by stating, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
If Satan can deceive a Christian to believe that one verse or more does not pertain to him or her, or these verses are just an apostle’s opinion, then Satan has won them to his side. Once a believer begins to question the relevancy of any scripture, he or she can then question all scripture to their sinful advantage and mindset. This is how Satan comes in the backdoor of any congregation. When one person starts to question scripture because of outside cultural influences, then they can lead many in a congregation astray. I’ve witnessed it. It usually propagates when believers accept man-contrived doctrines over scripture. Men believing men know more than God, the Creator of all things. You may even locate believers not holding to the Genesis account of creation due to the devilish influences of evolution. Don’t be surprised to find one of these deceived believers teaching your child’s Sunday school class.
It stuns me how Christians are sufficiently warned in the scriptures not to accept current trends of philosophy, but the cool and accepted mindset predominates most of society. Believers cast undesirable verses aside as irrelevant for progressive contemporary culture. Perhaps they don’t fit under the turban of Women’s Lib incentives or what their favorite television commentator or movie star recently proclaimed.
What Happened to Biblical Instruction, Training and Obedience?
Another ailment that produces cliques is less and less Biblical examination and obedience. In the book of 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verses 2-3, God warned Timothy, His obedient servant, that people would eventually want very little Bible teaching. They would tell the preacher what they wanted to hear and he would comply. In other words, into the future, Christians will request messages that don’t challenge them to conform to the Biblical Christ. This future is today.
Pastors excuse wish-washy messages with a statement such as this, “Well, they just can’t understand the Bible so we can’t teach verse by verse.” What I personally believe in regard to this, is pastors judge their words as holding greater significance than scripture; thus they believe straight scripture cannot truly relate to today. Yes, they will use a verse here and there to try to formulate the Bible to support their message thus sounding Bible-centered, but the meat of the Word is never implanted in parishioners’ hearts.
Pastors will also excuse themselves from teaching scripture by stating they have too many baby Christians in the church. That is were discipleship comes into play. Infant Christians must be tutored into adulthood by mature people in the congregation that can disciple them through basic materials on Christianity that wet their appetites for meat. I have seen new adult believers and children become part of an inductive class study and relish being able to grow in their knowledge of the Word at a rapid pace. Sometimes we unfortunately view new believers as redeemed infidels with little or no brain. A gifted inductive teacher will patiently work with infant believers in the class. I have also witnessed class members disciple new believers which lends much excitement to a teaching course, especially as they behold these young believers sharing as they progress. Loving discipleship made available to all, diverts clannishness in churches. All our loved and nurtured without bias!
In today’s church, even if we have only one to two people who desire Biblical inductive teaching, pastors must preach and teach without any compromise. God must be our only influence when it comes to the Word. People can’t pose as barometers. So many pastors manage their church and preach messages according to the input of the congregation rather than according to the input of God. These sermons are meant to appease socializing congregational members where most don’t even desire to pay attention. They never appear to be taking the Word of God seriously; yet, pastors cater to their mindset and influence. Rarely do I see any spiritual growth in these people. If they decide to attend an in-depth class, they usually find something to complain about in an attempt to tone down the discourse. Their goal is to curve all teaching into light and fluffy, please-all-people messages. Because these cliquish socialites have influenced many churches, many homilies that flow from congregations now center on friendship.
Pastors who prefer not to have inductive teaching in their church hurt themselves and their congregations. Some mothers will hinder their children’s growth by never allowing them to develop and mature. They are usually very protective as well as manipulative and controlling. They hinder their children from independence, doing everything possible for them, thus not providing them the opportunities to explore and learn. This type of mother prefers to perform all tasks herself. She usurps tactics that keeps her children dependant upon her for as long as possible; her children being her security. She will attempt anything to keep a grown child from leaving the home. This same type of attitude of manipulation can be seen in the church as a pastor desires his congregation to seek him for every detail of spirituality rather than developing the members into mature Christians who are trained to lead others.
Skilled-equipped believers who enter the church can frighten the immature minister who sees his position and respect threatened. The pastor may fear they will perform ministries in a superior manner. Thus pastors put on a form of partiality formed by insecurities as these believers will usually become ignored by him. Because the pastor holds so much influence, he can pass unfounded negative concerns to leaders so they will never ask these godly-trained believers to perform ministries. This type of pastor would much rather ask a cliquish, ungodly church member to perform a ministry than one he believes can threaten his domain.
Pastors must realize training godly leaders is a very positive move for church maturation even if it results in him having to deal with his own godless intimidation. It is important to get beyond insecurities and rejoice in the leadership which the Lord has developed in others, and then the true virtue of humility can illumine a pastor’s life which transforms the pastor into a superior leader.
A pastor who chooses to become a superior pastor and build trained leaders is responding to Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. Paul proclaims to Timothy and all future pastors, not to play games with the people. Pastors must be serious in their intent of only implementing the Word. Congregations will not mature to adulthood in the faith unless they are regularly implanted with the scriptures which inspire future leaders. A pastor will witness very little maturity in his fellowship when he is only playing softball. To be in the big leagues, he has to play hardball. Meat is harder to consume than milk therefore the implementation of the Word must be regularly chewed on.
Another aspect to leadership are those pastors who desire to make things difficult and complicated by keeping their congregations at bay through simulating the Sadducees and Pharisees. They presume they must slave over deep theological books according to their seminary training. However, it is not a God-given command for you to keep your nose in every book you can unearth on religious studies. Being able to converse on levels no common man can comprehend does not make you a great theologian. Yes, study is important, but true theology can only be located in the Holy Scriptures not in writings that teach man-made religious philosophy. Of course, some pastors prefer to stay out of the Word as it is too convicting. Composing sermons from religious books, keeps them out of harms way in more way than one.
I pen this to persuade and enlighten all to the eminent place the Word of God should hold in churches and believers lives.
Evangelism Is For Reaching Out To All:
Balanced pastors appropriate time for equipping the saints for service; Ephesians 4:11-12. Pastors must pursue commands beyond just hermeneutics. One command for service is spreading the gospel to all in a lost and dying world. This can be implemented by spending some time out of the office for outreach.
Ephesians 6:15, commands you “to have your feet shod or covered,” which is getting out and doing business with a lost world with your shoes on; not sitting under a desk in soft suede slippers. There is no reason to armor one’s feet if one is not going out on the battle lines, therefore, the soldier is not to stay hidden in a church. We see the brave soldier going out to meet the enemy head on standing firm in God’s power. Many lost people would never think of venturing inside the church, yet pastors sit there waiting for them to come in. The unsaved multitudes lie in communities, outside the church doors, where you are to move in shoe leather.
Those shepherds who are out on the battlefield leading people to the Savior are filled with God’s excitement and wonder, thus it is relayed to their congregations in every message. It causes flocks to want to share in witnessing obedience which creates on-fire churches with less clique-snobbishness, as the burden to cherish all is sent and felt throughout these congregations.
Unfortunately many pastors see outreach evangelism as “un-cool” for today’s society. Actually, I believe they are too fearful of trying it, being apprehensive of going door to door. They don’t walk in the faith and power we have heard or read of pastors marching in from ages past. Also many seminaries put no emphasis on Biblical forms of outreach today, outside of friendship evangelism. Many ministers use this form to pass the buck on their God-given responsibility to equip the saints in Biblical-forms of evangelism by stating, “Just witness to people as you get to know them through friendship evangelism.”
“Friendship evangelism” is a modern-day-term for a proven and tried method witnessed in both the Old and New Testament. Naomi, in the book of Ruth, is a perfect example of one who implemented it effectively as she befriended and witnessed to her daughter-in-law, Ruth. It is a great approach to evangelism! It is an easy method to teach and pastors don’t have to move from the security of their church to implant it.
Many pastors have no idea how to implement other forms of evangelism into their churches, if they have only been trained in this one method. As a result, they have no desire to apply and execute other means of evangelism without instruction. However, the Bible is the best training book of all.
If you, the pastor, begin to apply the Bible and pursue additional types of evangelism, you will not be caught off-guard when congregational members learn other outreach methods through scriptural examination. Of course, the main methods exampled are godly men preaching at public gatherings and going house to house. But how often do we witness this in America? The majority of men are too proud to preach to the lost. They see it as belittling to enter the unsaved public sector presenting the Word of God in power. Fortunately, the Spirit-filled apostles never worried about social acceptability. It was the public places that the apostles moved out into, to boldly proclaim salvation’s plan to all without any spirit of partiality. May the LORD raise up multitudes of men who hold to the hearts of the apostles.
Congregational members who desire to go into public places with the Gospel feel a responsible love for a lost world.
Some churches will have classes on evangelism, and other various ministries, but they usually leave the people to do it on their own. Very few pastors will take people out into the community and personally teach them door to door witnessing, park evangelism, and street corner outreach. You do not usually see pastors teaching godly young men to preach in public arenas. On-the-spot-training is so rare! The result is few saints have an inkling of outside church ministry.
As a pastor you may respond with, “Well, no one in my church has time to devote to outreach ministry. The believers are far too busy as it is.” Well pastor, if you remove all social activities from the church agenda, you may just find many people who do have the time. Occasional scriptural reevaluation is a key component to any pastor’s ministry. A schedule change may be a necessity if your time is not set completely on Biblical priorities. You can train others to lead outreach ministries as well. You, like many pastors, may be truly over-extended.
Pastors must realize the people who desire to be trained in evangelism are special. They desire to reach and draw others into your church without social conditions attached. They usually are not members of cliques and are mature in their faith. They are people who truly care unconditionally for this fallen planet. These people are being led of the Holy Spirit and the Word. Pastors please do the work of an evangelist and teach others to be equipped for outreach. You are commanded to be instructing by example; maturing the saints into the service realm. It is simplistic in scripture.
If congregations were taught to care for everyone and how to reach out to everyone, cliques would diminish. We would have a genuine love for everyone in the world as Christ so loved the world and gave His all for every person.
Responsibility and Respect:
Responsibility in respecting our pastors and teachers is a Biblical act. I do not write to cause discord but to challenge us all to greater heights of Biblical compliance. We all fall short and need constant new challenges so we can be further conformed into Christ’s image.
There are believers who will cause discord just because they do not see a pastor or teacher doing what they expect. We must respect our church leaders as God commands. No church pastor or leader possesses all the gifts of ministry as far as I know and we can’t expect them to meet every need in a fellowship. Lay people should lend a hand when they sight a shortcoming and not use a failing for an opportunity to gossip.
Praying for your church’s deficiencies and not backbiting or becoming grievous, will keep you walking in the joy of the Lord. Sometimes it takes years to witness God’s answers to prayer, so don’t ever resign from your church fellowship unless there is direct and willful disobedience to God’s Word by the pastor or pastors.
If church leaders are unwilling to submit to the truth of disclosed disobedience through loving confrontation, seek other counsel from godly people you respect. This can assist in guiding you when you are disheartened by those things you witness as unbiblical taking place in your assembly. Don’t take grievances to those who will pass them on; thus using your confidences as a chance to gossip about your church’s shortcomings. Only confide in those who will keep things to themselves and will pray for you and the situation.
There are instances in which people desire to make those who share church concerns look bad because they bring conviction to them through their concerned Biblical stances. These people will twist and turn what you have revealed to make you appear as a rebel. Be ever so cautious in sharing things of a personal grievance with another unless you fully know the person’s heart.
In Closing:
Please love all the brethren steadfastly and keep praying for continual and renewed charity for everyone. Keep to the course in all steadfastness for we all are lacking creatures and can be subject to sin if we don’t hold close to our Savior. Stay in the service of ministry and don’t submit to social agendas. Don’t start saying “no” when there is a need to minister to people because others are requesting your attendance at their social gatherings. Set proper priorities, Biblical priorities. Satan will tempt you with your ego. He knows it is fun to say, “I went to this party and so and so was there and we had so much fun!”
If you are one who would never be invited to a social, hold onto the fact that in God’s eyes no one is detestable. In some ways you have it better than those who are within the “in crowd.” You know what it is to depend on only God because there is no one else. You have knowledge of the Holy One that few possess. Remember the O.T. prophets who stood alone much of the time as they would have it no other way. They wouldn’t forfeit their allegiance to God for anything as they knew the loving presence of the Holy Spirit was far grander than anything men could contrive.
Please don’t desire to be someone God never intended you to be! God has a plan for every one of His children which includes His suffering children. It is easy to envy those who are traveling a road of ease. You know wherever they go; people will want them to be their friend, always automatically accepted into groups of pleasure-seekers. However, God sheds light in the dark places to reveal the reality of shallow lives.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus encourages the unacceptables through telling us a narrative, which I believe to be true. In the tale, we have this very distinguished rich man who dressed habitually in purple. Now purple, in the period of Christ, represented great wealth and prestige. He was definitely a “show-off.” This man was no doubt the envy of the town.
Proverbs 19:4 states everyone desires to be a friend of the rich, but no one desires to associate with the poor. The reason this is so true is because people long to participate in the benefits that come from being with the rich as they share their food, possessions, pompous associations, etc. Now you might think this rich man is the great hero of the story as he is the envied one. Not so! His name is not even revealed.
Jesus presents contrast to the story by telling us of a very poor and ailing man, the hero of this story, “Lazarus.” This impoverished man was suffering physically, and was spitefully unattractive. He was in such a detestable state, that even the dogs had compassion on him as they licked his body sores…dogs don’t realize they are to be partial to the attractive, rich, etc.
The rich man was a stingy man; not a giver, who thought nothing of this beggar in tattered clothing. He would not even sacrifice a crumb from his table to bring some refreshment to this down and outer.
Do you know who everyone envied in the end including the rich man? Yes, this poor man that everyone shunned as worthless and unworthy of life. Why? Because this rich man, who appeared so religious, being so blessed by the Almighty materially, had no heart for the ways of the Lord neither the natural compassion that issues from being a friend of God. Therefore, he ended up in a very hot place!
God looks at the heart, so dear friend, you who may so adequately fit into the poor man’s shoes of circumstance, as you may be in a wheelchair, disfigured, without a home, unable to move from your bed, mentally challenged and on and on. You could be the one the adored social-elite envy as being the exalted hero in the end.
I believe what Christ is attempting to get us to comprehend from this story is that our lives on earth are simply a drop out of an ocean; but how we live our lives for the Lord counts for the ever unending drops of all the oceans, which represent eternity. Dwell on how many drops of water it takes to fill our oceans. It will give you a clue as to how silly it is to desire the selfish temporal things of this world.
When it comes to me, I extremely fall short of perfection, so please pray for me to stay steadfast in the faith and for my love to be faithfully abounding for everyone. Thank you!
___________
I would like to share with you a portion of a letter that was sent to me that perhaps many of you can relate to:
“Jesus Christ, and when I came to America I thought I’d be coming to the “promised land”, since Australia is such a spiritually barren nation. I desperately sought true koinonia with the body of Christ – to be able to pray with each other easily, confess to one another our trespasses, and minister to and love one another.
After 5 years of desperately trying to connect with other women/believers in my current church I have finally resolved that I have been continuously excluded from an inner “clique” in our bible study group and that I had been changing myself, becoming less of a public pray-er (which I believe is one of the gifts the Lord has blessed me with – I love to pray with and for others and be in continuous conversation with Him) and have become very socially awkward & anxious about anything I say and do.
I feel so lonely and isolated and have a true sick feeling in my stomach when I think about how much I have ached to be a part of the body and have been rejected by my bible study friends and several others through the very large church we have been attending. My son has been excluded as well from my friend’s children’s clique and now he is 6 years old he is starting to feel hurt as well.
I am finding myself almost depressed and though He tells us to be “anxious for nothing but in everything, through prayer & supplication, giving thanks to Him, to let our requests be made known to Him and the peace that passes all understanding will guard our hearts and our minds through Christ Jesus”, I am not finding my heart very well guarded and have really been effected deeply by constant exclusion, gossip (thinly disguised as “prayer points”), and not measuring up to standard.
I feel so dejected and almost like I should just turn in toward myself and focus on my husband, son and the Lord, but being so far away from my home country and not having any family & friends in Idaho really makes it a painful existance here.
I know I should experience the fullness of joy from my relationship with the Lord, but do crave friendship & fellowship with fellow Christians.”
The True William Wilberforce of Amazing Grace
William Wilberforce of Britain stood with strict Christian morality. He stood verbally strong against lewdness, sexually impurity, immodesty, drunkenness, foul language, indecent literature—everything contrary to our most innocent and undefiled Savior; Hebrews 7:26.
Concerning the epitaph of William Wilberforce, I have admired all he sought in the name of his Savior. When he became a believer in 1785, he fought to end slavery, but suffered continually under the hand of liberal persecution. Finally, England ceased its slavery trade in 1833, three days before his death and about 30 years before America followed suit, due mainly to his voice of influence.
Val Lee (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ ”Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)
http://www.churchsociety.org/churchman/documents/Cman_108_2_Bayes.pdf
William Wilberforce: His Impact on Nineteenth-Century Society Condensed
Churchman 108/2 1994
Jonathan Bayes
William Wilberforce is remembered today mainly for his long Parliamentary campaign for the abolition of the slave-trade. He look up the cause of Africa and the West Indian slaves in 1786, and the Act of Parliament for Abolition finally received the Royal Assent and became law on 25 March 1807.
Not that that was the end of the struggle. Wilberforce had always seen the abolition of trading in human beings as but the first step towards the ultimate goal of the outlawing of slavery itself. This objective was not attained until 1833. By then Wilberforce had been retired from the politics of Westminster for eight years, and had handed on to others the baton of the antislavery campaign. It was his joy to live just long enough to hear of the final success in the House of Commons of the Bill for the Abolition of Slavery. He died two days later.
His notoriety on nineteenth-century British society came not through his work on behalf of the slaves, but through the other great task to which he believed himself to be called of God. On Sunday, 28 October 1787 Wilberforce wrote in his diary: ‘God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners’, by which he meant the reform of the morals of Britain. The question of slavery, that he first voiced his personal concern to reform the morals of England.
Around the time when he was preparing his Bill concerning capital punishment, in 1786,Wilberforce read a book by Dr Joseph Woodward, entitled The History of the Society for the Reformation of Manners in 1692.
It was traditional for a new monarch to mark his accession to the throne by issuing a Proclamation for the Encouragement of Piety and Virtue, and for the Preventing of Vice, Profaneness, and Immorality.
At that time, corruption was rife at every rank of society. The well-to-do were notorious for their gambling, while, amongst the poorer classes, prostitution abounded. Drunkenness and foul talk were common lo all social strata.
In devising his plan to form a new Society for the Reformation of Manners, Wilberforce believed, as we have already noted, that the way to begin was by making the strict combatting of crime an effective deterrent. The Society was designed to raise the moral tone of the nation by clamping down on offences such as the publication of indecent or blasphemous literature, and the desecration of the Lord’s Day. In targeting such offences in particular, Wilberforce was giving expression to his conviction that the looseness of the nation’s morals arose from the religious apathy and skepticism
which prevailed amongst all classes. His plan was that his Society for the Reformation of Manners should serve to restore England to its Protestant faith, by standing against those moral offences which militated against Christianity. As a by-product, Wilberforce believed, there would follow a general moral improvement.
1787 the Preamble the King George III articulated his ‘inexpressible concern’ at ‘the rapid progress of impiety and licentiousness’, and at the deluge of ‘profaneness, immorality, and every kind of vice’, which had broken in upon this nation. He declared his royal purpose ‘to discountenance and punish all manner of vice, profaneness and immorality, in all persons, of whatsoever degree or quality, within this our realm.’
Wilberforce: Our dependence on our blessed Saviour, as alone the meritorious cause of our acceptance with God, . . . must be not merely formal and nominal, but real and substantial. . . . It is not an occasional invocation of His name, or a transient recognition of the authority, of Christ, that fills up the measure of the terms ‘believing in Jesus’. . . . We must be deeply conscious of our guilt and misery, heartily repenting of our sins, and firmly resolving to forsake them: and thus penitently flying for refuge to the hope set before us, we must found altogether on the merits of our crucified Redeemer our hopes of escape from their deserved punishment, and of deliverance from their enslaving power. This must be our first, our last, our only plea. The corollary of this view of salvation, Wilberforce goes on, is the recognition that real Christianity is a commitment which demands the totality of a person’s life, doing everything to the glory of God.
Wilberforce proclaims explicitly that nominal Christianity is not
Christianity, that the difference is not a trifling one, but that nominal Christianity lacks altogether the radical principle of Christianity, namely the remembrance that we are fallen creatures, born in sin and naturally depraved, and that we need to be born again to become Christians in a genuine sense. His final challenge is to realize that nominal Christianity in one generation will lead to absolute unbelief in the next.
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Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—the entire book
All Rights Reserved/segments can be used with permission
Also publsihed as an ebook—see Amazon.com
Queen Esther
Looming Holocaust
By Val Lee
Historical Introduction
Most every believer requires strengthening bestowments in the area of encouragement. Isaiah chapter 40 is the perfect place to turn for mind renewal and faith strengthening. It proclaims the omnipotence of an overseeing God—our God who watches over us. Verse 17 explains, “All the nations are nothing before Him; they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.” Verse 22 reads, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”
Verse 23f reveals God rules over all governmental authorities; He establishes rulers and judges and later, often votes them out of office. Christians are commanded to intercede for all in authority; 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Prayer is vital today as threatening leadership governs many sectors on our globe. Even in our nation, there are unjust laws, some which permit the removal of innocent young life. Heavenward petitions can produce hope and answers in troubling times such as ours. Prayer altered perilless times historically. Grim and hopeless data would be the substance of all history books if God never defeated wicked rulers, which He performs in His time, according to His will. He is a just God who hears the supplications of His people, which is why Nero, Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, etc., only ruled for a period in history. Prayer removed wicked Haman from the scene in the book of Esther.
The concluding verse of Isaiah 40 is completely apropos for the book of Esther, as it states, “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Esther prayerfully waited on the Lord and He granted her the power to walk in great strength in death’s face. At first, death reality struck Esther like a sword, piercing through her secure palace door. However, God provided her the fortitude to fulfill her predestined calling whatever the incurring cost. She was even willing to be annihilated for her people, the Jews—God’s chosen.
Many of us have had to face cruel world reality and it can hit unexpectedly and painfully. Death, disease, hardship and persecution are indubious. You may be hurting because world reality is shoving you this very moment. God’s grace and courage upheld Esther, may it faithfully uphold you.
We as believers have much to be grateful for as we are upheld by our Savior through it all. The unsaved own no eternal hope when reality pain strikes them. The Bible teaches that most of earth’s population walks about in spiritual deadness—people being dead in trespasses and sins; Ephesians 2:1-5. If we were to picture this world in accuracy, we would see it as a snatching flaming graveyard; Jude 23. This is why we must reach out, holding forward sincere concern and the Gospel hope. Esther reached out to deliver others in loving concern and God’s omnipotent miracle upholding hand, transformed events.
I will cite a slight overview of the Old Testament and bring us to the period of Esther sequentially with a compiled walk-through. In the book of Genesis, we note the conception of the Jewish race, which consists of God’s chosen people. The Jewish race began with Abraham and Sarah, who gave birth to Isaac. Isaac married Rebecca, and they conceived Jacob, who became the father of twelve sons who fathered the twelve tribes of Israel (Israel is also a designated name for Jacob). The Jews who came forth from these twelve sons produced a great people of God who formed the nation of Israel. The land of Israel was divided according to these twelve tribes for them to inhabit. Each tribe had a section of land allotted to them. Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and Joseph’s descendants were provided a section of land, though not in his name. It was deeded in the name of his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Through them, Joseph’s descendants received two portions of land as designed by God. God appointed the sons of the tribe of Levi to serve Him as priests; therefore, they did not require any bequeathed land placed in their tribal name. However, they could own land within any tribal area. Thus, we have the land of Israel divided twelve ways.
To aid your historical understanding further, it was during the time of Joseph’s stay in Egypt as a ruler equal to Pharaoh in power that the Jews located to Egypt. They were few in number at this time, consisting of Jacob’s sons, their wives and children. Pharaoh welcomed them warmly and provided land. Centuries later, the Jews became a people of multitude and their vast strength and numbers threatened Egyptian domain. To remedy the situation, the Jewish foreigners were subjected to slavery. They grievously labored in the production of bricks. The Hebrews continually cried out to God in their languishing toil and a man by the name of Moses arose to deliver, the ordained one. Moses, through the power of God, led the Jews to the promised land of Israel (the appointed property God decreed to the Jewish race). Moses did not enter the land, but under Joshua, the Jews did. In battle, the Hebrews defeated the land’s pagan inhabitants so they could become a great nation that feared and obeyed God. You can read of these happenings in the first five books of the Bible, called the Pentateuch.
Following Joshua’s death, God appointed Judges to protect and deliver the Jews. By placing yourself before the book of Judges, you can read of the magistrates who presided during this period. These judges included the renowned—Samson, Gideon, and Deborah. Samuel was Israel’s last judge who anointed Saul as Israel’s first king. By reading 1 Samuel you can learn of Samuel’s life and be introduced to the epoch of the kings. The books that record the lives of the kings are 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Samuel also anointed David as Israel’s second king, who replaced godless Saul, who eventually perished in battle. Solomon, David‘s son, secured the throne through God’s predestined hand, following David’s death. Solomon erected the first temple of worship—a very elaborate feat of architecture, famous throughout the known world. Following Solomon’s rule, Rehoboam, Solomon’s wicked, godless son, ascended to the throne. Because Rehoboam was a vile taskmaster over Israel, this nation became divided. Jeroboam, a man who had rebelled against Solomon’s rule, gained kingship of northern Israel. This area consisted of ten tribal areas. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, ruled lower Israel—consisting of two tribal areas—Judah and Benjamin. This lower kingdom held the capital city of Jerusalem, where the elaborate temple and Solomon’s grand palace stood. The northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern was called Judah. Only those who descended from the line of David ruled the southern kingdom of Judah. The northern kings were not related to David by direct descent. Remember Jesus Christ came through the line of David as the Old Testament proclaimed He would; therefore, He has right to the throne for eternity, through His earthly birth, and as God of all.
The Judah kingdom produced seven godly kings; Israel had only one. Israel became very worldly and forsook God’s ways so she could be styling with society. She did not desire to be a separated, peculiar, and an alienated people for God. As a result, God allowed her to be led away captive by the Assyrian Empire, which held the most successful and ingenious fighters of the ancient world. Eventually, Judah became extremely evil, allowing the world to influence her as well. During the time of the great and massive Babylonian Empire, King Nebuchadnezzar took Judah captive and destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple. It was during this period of Jerusalem’s destruction that Mordecai (Esther’s adoptive father) and Esther were removed as Babylon’s captives. As prisoners, they were relocated to the Media-Persian area of the Babylonian Empire. King Ahasuerus ruled Media-Persia under King Nebuchadnezzar; Esther 2:5-6. The story of Esther evolves around King Ahasuerus.
I believe the events of the book of Esther occurred within the time frame of the Babylonian Empire, not the Media-Persian World Empire as most believe. If they occurred during the Media-Persian World Empire, Mordecai would have been 100 years old or older. Mordecai was Esther’s cousin and his aunt would have been far past childbearing age when she bore Esther according to such calculations. In addition, the book of Esther states the events occurred after Mordecai and Esther were removed from Jerusalem under King Jeconiah; 2:5-7. King Jeconiah ruled Judah during the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. Verse 7 states Mordecai “brought up” Esther. The word used in the original Hebrew text equates with, he “moved” her. Media-Persia was an ancient empire. King Nebuchadnezzar most likely trusted King Ahasuerus with 127 of the Media-Persian provinces.
Many subservient kings ruled under empire-owning kings in history. In 2 Kings 16:5-10, we see three kings mentioned as reigning over the northern kingdom of Israel. The Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III, was the prominent king of the three and he ruled over a great deal of the known world before this nation succumbed to the Babylonian Empire. (When at the British Museum, I viewed a large perfectly preserved black marble bust of Tiglath-Pileser III, along with large fragments of his dismantled palace that held artwork that depicted slavery. It was Tiglath-Pileser III, who placed the northern kingdom of Israel in slavery.)
After Mordecai, Esther, and King Jeconiah—AKA Jehoiachin—were removed from Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar, King Zedekiah ruled Judah under King Nebuchadnezzar; 2 Kings chapters 24 and 25. You see, this type of king-under-king rule was common.
To understand this governing of ancient kingdoms, it must be kept in mind that there were no vehicles or paved highways. Travel was difficult and slow. There were no telecommunications. A king of a vast kingdom had to own area kings, as history verifies.
King Herod the Great ruled under Caesar Augustus—the king of the dominating Roman Empire under which Christ was born. King Herod had a luxurious palace and held the reigning power over Israel, but under Caesar. King Herod exercised ruthless power when he massacred multitudes of babies, committing infanticide, in an attempt to kill the Christ child; Matthew chapter 2. He had been told the Christ baby was the King of the Jews. He envisioned this tiny baby boy as an intruding threat to his throne. Various children ruled as kings in history and Herod was well aware of this fact. (Someday Jesus Christ will rule as King of the Jews when He returns in glory. He will be the magistrate of the entire globe.)
Esther and Mordecai, after being forced from Jerusalem, became inhabitants the city of Susa, ruled by King Ahasuerus; Esther 1:1-2. The setting of all cited events in Esther occurred in Susa, close to the border of Iraq, close to Iran. Baghdad is currently the capital of Iraq and its largest city. It is one of the most highly culturalized cities in the Middle East. It rests northwest of ancient Susa. The land areas surrounding this region (the north end of the Persian Gulf) have recorded the highest temperatures in the world, so we know Susa was not an area of cool comfort. Through the war in Iraq, America has gained an idea of the climate and terrain of this nation. Soldiers have reported you breathe and eat sand.
With all this stated prehistory, I trust you are ready to delve into the remarkable book of Esther.
Contents
1. The Banquet
2. Rash Behavior
3. The Villain
4. “If I Perish, I Perish”
5. “Even to Half the Kingdom”
6. A Sleepless Night
7. Haman’s Demise
8. Mordecai Crowned
9. The Chime of Victory
10. The Facts Recorded
Preface
This little book will introduce you to a lovely, godly woman—Esther. She is one of the supreme, female historical figures of all time. Her feminine attributes stand out brilliantly in this day and age of selfish womanhood. Her genuineness should touch your life for change.
Esther was predestined to shelter God’s doomed people. Her walk of faith allowed her to experience the omnipotent, saving work of God in holocaustic circumstances.
To comprehend the content of this commentary, you need to read the Book of Esther, probing its pages for uplifting truth.
Chapter 1
The Imperial Banquet
The curtain of the first act opens on this book and we witness an all-city generous celebration. The staging is magnificent as the glories of a wealthy kingdom are set before us. We behold an all-impressive palace. Both the poor and rich are banqueting in its massive elaborateness at the kingdom’s expense. This imperial feast will last 180 days. Wow, have you ever known a banquet to last this long?
It is only in this first chapter that we find the magnificence of this palace and garden area unmasked. We note hangings of fine white and violet linen are suspended by fine linen purple cords on silver rings. Now, this is not all that we get to glimpse. There are marble columns and couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement holding all sorts of precious stones. What a site to behold! No doubt, many people walked about with their mouths open. Most castles were not this elaborate.
The populace received drinks in golden vessels of various kinds and the wine was plentiful. But the host did not demand that the people drink the wine. He let the people act according to their own desires in the matter. The host is the king and he is completely cordial and sensitive to others. Yes, this has all been orchestrated by the king, who is showing off all his riches and splendor. Nothing but the best for the wealthy sovereign of this massive kingdom—the area of Media-Persia.
Though it appears this emperor was a boaster; actually, he was a giving man, not given to partiality, and everyone was able to partake of everything from the savory cuisine to the grandeur of the palace and grounds. Generosity was one of the king’s good attributes.
(I want to inject here that we must understand we are observing a pagan culture in this chapter. This celebration and most city celebrations emphasize having a good time. This is far different from what God ordained for His nation Israel that has become interwoven into this civilization and will take center stage in the storyline.
Before being captured and removed to Media-Persia, the Jews did gather in the capital city of Jerusalem for God’s decreed celebrations of thanksgiving—worshipping Him for all His provisions. Jewish celebrations were also a reflective time, as Israel’s inhabitants would remember their sin. Designated animals were sacrificed. Such sacrificial times enabled the people to understand how much God hated disobedience and that a price had to be paid. In the New Testament, Christ became the payment for sin as the perfect and final blood sacrifice. He died on a cross for everyone and three days later, arose from His grave. Anyone can place his or her faith in Jesus Christ; yet with the consideration of the rejection that accompanies following a God of holy innocence. You can choose right now to follow Christ. You can ask God the Father to save you through God the Son, Jesus Christ. When you do, you receive abundant life and eternal life; Romans 6:34 and Hebrews 10:8-11.)
You might think all ends well concerning this glorious, elaborate gathering of the kingdom. Well…not so, something dramatic takes this merry-making king off guard and this setting scene becomes all disrupted. The Queen, Vashti, refuses to come in the presence of the king and display her beauty before the people as he commanded. He is infuriated! No one refuses the king, even the queen who wears a crown of authority. His advisors demand her discharge! They do not want a women’s lib upheaval. They do not want wives disrespecting their husbands.
We see in this chapter, women’s rebellion trying to raise its ugly head through the disobedience of Queen Vashti. Women are to honor their husbands as the New Testament commands; Ephesians 5:33. I find it interesting how this command of God was emphasized even during this pagan regime. In Romans chapter one, God reveals that He has placed in all men, including the unsaved, a knowledge of His attributes—His eternal power and divine nature. God, through His grace, has written His law on all men’s hearts (Romans 2:14-15) so some order is maintained in this fallen world including in the area of a man being the head of his household.
At the end of Esther chapter 1, verse 22, we take note of the fact that the king allows certain personal freedoms to abide in his kingdom such as a man having a right to speak his native language in his own home, not necessarily the Media-Persian national tongue. However, the native dialect of the wife, if different, could not be spoken. All had to be performed in respect to the honored husband.
Chapter 2
Rash Behavior
The opening of the curtain of the second chapter arises and we behold King Ahasuerus coming to his senses and realizing what he had decreed concerning Vashti out of his rash behavior. He acted impulsively, exerting his power. At this moment, he misses her grievously. If he had thought about it more thoroughly, he could have saved his marriage, which God declared to be life long. He could have simply not allowed her into his presence until she apologized to him and the kingdom in total humility and repentance. He was an impulsive king and this led him to have to locate a means to correct himself on occasion. He certainly relied too much on his advisors. Of course, he simply may not have been very mentally gifted and therefore, cannot be faulted too much.
King Solomon requested wisdom from God, seeing he owned much inadequacy. Solomon insightfully knew he could not rule effectively apart from God. God, of course, knew his shortcomings and granted him wisdom, unsurpassed knowledge and understanding; however, sin still invaded his life and the kingdom. Shortsightedness exists in any monarchy rule and it still plagued Solomon though the wisest of the wisest.
If a king was not sharp and wise, he secured his kingdom’s downfall. Most kings inherited the role. Most were trained to rule within palace walls, not learning from experience. They generally would not listen to the people regarding their needs. Ivory palaces with their inward wealth left most kings entrapped in self-glory as witnessed with King Herod in Matthew chapter 2.
In 1 Samuel 8:10-17, God speaks through Samuel, to reveal the consequences Israel would face as she turned from a theocracy form of government to a monarchy (This was before Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king). In a theocracy, God rules not a man. That is why originally our American government was opposed to a monarchy and desired a theocracy. That is why all our original laws were Biblically enacted. That is why homosexuality, adultery, divorce, immodesty, etc., where illegal in this great land. It was to be a government by the people who feared God and acted accordingly.
Israel wanted to be trendy and styling, just like the nations that surrounded her. She suffered servitude travail as Samuel’s warnings came to fruition in future years regarding the demands of kings. Esther and her people suffered in Media-Persia because the Jewish kings faltered severely which led to this foreign captivity. The Jews were removed from Judah, the southern portion of the Holy Land, and were dispersed in the pagan land of Babylon.
Returning to chapter 2 of Esther and the plight of the king’s loneliness, it was suggested that many beautiful virgins be brought to the king so a new queen could be sought. Now this was a fleshly way to get his mind off Vashti. This sensual route pleased this pagan king and this is how Esther entered the palace grounds. Esther was brought as a captive to Persia from the land of Israel and now she is made a captive of the king. She and many other women were placed in custody or arrested and made the property of the king against any say of their own. Verse 8 speaks to this custody “…and many young ladies were gathered to Susa the capital into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s palace…”
It is assumed that Esther’s name was changed from Hadassah, verse 7, to the pagan goddess name Esther when she entered the palace. Hadassah means myrtle. Esther would not have changed her Jewess name so she could appear pagan. This changing of the name was a normal occurrence. We see this transpired in Daniel chapter 1, when the Jewish young men had their godly names withdrawn to be dealt pagan god titles, including Daniel. This occurred when they were made to serve King Nebuchadnezzar; they too were forcefully withdrawn from Judah.
No doubt, this union made under duress is not what Esther dreamed about concerning marriage. She desired to obey God and marry a godly Jew who loved and respected her. She desired to keep house, providing love and nurturing care for her husband and children; Titus 2:4-5.
A Jew was not allowed to marry a pagan just as Christians are not allowed to marry the unsaved today—2 Corinthians 6:14f. However, we know, Esther did not walk around in sorrow and weighed down with guilt in her plight. She knew God understood her heart and she recognized His blessings upon her. She, no doubt, remembered Joseph was assigned a pagan wife when in subjection to Pharaoh.
Esther and her adoptive father, Mordecai, were of the Jewish tribe of Benjamin. Her parents died and her cousin Mordecai took her as his daughter. If you go to the maps at the back of your Bible, you will see where this tribe dwelt within the land of Israel. It is closely related to the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was where Esther and Mordecai resided before their captivity. Jerusalem, the capital (today, it remains Israel’s capital), held the temple and king’s palaces and their tombs. It was also the main location of habitation. This was where Jews came to partake in the commanded festivals and offerings. Jerusalem was burned to the ground some years following Esther’s transportation.
Returning to chapter 2 of Esther, we take note of her being a godly woman of character—holding to modesty and femininity. She certainly stood out, allowing her to gain approval and a superior status in the harem; verse 9. She was so well-educated in the ways of the Media-Persians, no one suspected her of being of the slave race of Jews. She obviously spoke the language fluently and also wrote the language as revealed in 9:29. Not all women were illiterate in Bible times, as many would have you believe.
Mordecai, also being a man of character—very godly and obedient to God’s Word—cared very much about Esther and faithfully checked on her welfare; verses 11f.
Verse 12 discusses all the spa preparations made for virgins before joining with the king in a marital relationship. These preparations were a year in length. Esther certainly must have been at the peak of beauty and softness when brought before the king. Myrrh, which is often warmed to sooth, was one of Esther’s fragrant beauty aids. I personally enjoy wearing this unusual, but lovely Middle Eastern scent obtained from the Cammiphora shrub. This thorny flora can grow to be 30 feet tall and is identified by its knotted branches, musty smelling leaves and white flowers. This perfume also owns medicinal properties and is applied to alleviate ulcers, sores, wounds, athlete’s foot, chapped skin, ringworm, eczema and the spread of gangrene. Besides being located in the Middle East, it is also native to North Africa and India.
Historically, it was worth its weight in gold. And, if you remember, it was one of the valued gifts brought to Christ when a babe and aptly signified His death. Interestingly, when the Cammiphora branches are cut, they bleed a reddish brown resin—myrrh (meaning bitter). The myrrh color and bleeding have come to symbolize the sacrificed blood of Jesus Christ. He endured a bitter death for us. Myrrh also represents comfort and healing which is also symbolic of the Savior.
In verse 13, we see a wedding gift was offered to every virgin before she was brought to the king. They could acquire any item they desired from the Harem. Obviously, it was a beautiful area that had to be kept well-stocked for all these wives-to-be.
We learn from verse 15, that Esther was not materialistic and desired wisdom above things when she went to the king. Her inward heart sought wise lasting counsel not riches that pass away. She did not desire to offend the king or others who were in the palace with negligent manners. (When we arrive at chapters 4 and 5, we will observe further the importance of knowing protocol.) This is Esther’s wedding day and she wants it perfect, as she seems to want to be queen. This would provide her with more advantages.
Esther was a godly, pure woman and went to the king as a modest rare gem. Her witness of wisdom and modesty caused her to be in favor with all those who saw her. (I believe Webster’s 1828 definition concerning modesty is absolutely perfect in regard to Esther: “Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of her honor.”) She was not one who would have engaged in dirty jokes or misguided behavior. Obviously, the king was very impressed by her. She was a wise, intelligent woman not given to silly talk or notions of fantasy. She was perfect for the role and later she would act as an ambassador and legislator for her people. The king knew she would not be a woman who would embarrass or make a mockery of him. She held a sensitive and gentle heart.
After seeing the king, the women of the virgin harem graduated to the second harem as they had now been united with the king in the marriage act. Since Esther was crowned queen, verse 17, she no longer had to live in a harem. She was placed in the palace, awarded a large section as revealed in 4:13.
We see this is an event of powerful magnitude. The king, so enamored by Esther and so in love with her, provided a banquet, and even named it “Esther’s Feast;” 2:18. She had to be the most impressive woman in the kingdom to catch the heart of this powerful, presiding king. I am sure everyone at this banquet is taking in the godly loveliness of this uniquely gifted woman. I believe the castle seamstresses fashioned the perfect stunning gown that made her even more the stand out. No doubt, Esther’s impartial and gracious personality captured the hearts of those attending through regal invitation. I am sure she was the talk of the town and nation for teeming days to come.
In verse 20, we view again, the submissive and obedient heart of Esther, so taught to be by Mordecai. He certainly deserves a great deal of praise for this prize he raised and home-schooled. She submits to Mordecai in every way, including not revealing her people as he instructed. God reemphasizes her conformity for a reason. In 1 Peter 3:2-4, we see the type of woman God desires us to be, one obedient to God’s Word without rebellion. Verse 2 speaks to the chaste and respectful behavior of the godly married woman. Of course, this refers to outside the marriage bedroom. Verse 3 speaks of true adornment being internal and verse 4, the magnitude of a gentle and quiet spirit that resounds throughout the land in witness—being precious in the sight of God. Such a spirit reveals true femininity.
(Verse 20 of Esther emphasizes her submission. It does not state AND ESTHER PROTESTED MOSES’ LAWS CONCERNING WOMEN BY CARRYING A SIGN STATING “DOWN WITH MOSES, UP WITH WOMEN.” It does states she submitted to Mordecai in all that he told her, just as she did when in his care.
Women today speak evil of Paul, but under grace we have so much more freedom compared to the women under the law, such as Esther. I personally wonder why women today do not condemn Moses as a radical women-hater and male chauvinist. His writings were far, far stricter than Paul’s. Both Paul and Moses penned the words of God, not their own. The words of the Pentateuch, Moses’ five composed books, were delivered by the angels of God—Acts 7:53 and Hebrews 2:2. This reveals their God-ordained authority.)
In verses 21-23, back in Esther chapter 2, we witness God using Mordecai to prevent an overthrow of King Ahasuerus. It states two men desired to lay hands on the king. This means to kill. They certainly were not simply going to punch him a few times and let him go. They refused to show great respect for this highest of offices. King Ahasuerus held the highest office in the entire Media-Persian empire, consisting of 127 provinces; 1:1.
It was no accident that Mordecai overheard this plot of assassination. God did not want this kingdom in chaos at this time. If King Ahasuerus had been murdered, these men would have had to murder all those loyal to the king, including his royal family. They most likely would not have hesitated to kill Queen Esther. They would have brought in a complete new government with new heads of provinces, etc. It would not have been a pretty sight and God knew these men would have brought even more evil within this pagan plighted land. King Ahasuerus had ascended to the throne by birthright not murderous ways. God had worked in the lives of all the rulers placed over Israel since her captivity, completely by design. Romans 13:1 teaches, “There is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God.”
Queen Esther acting as a knowing informant, verse 22, reveals the plot and exalts Mordecai’s name as a faithful and upright citizen who acted honorably by saving the king’s life. In this, the Queen reveals her faithfulness as well.
Romans 13:2 is excellent instruction, for it states, those who resist the governing authorities receive God’s condemnation. The judging result concerning these two convict culprits was lethal. They were hanged on the gallows; verse 23. These sentences to death for insurrection would have placed fear in many who might have attempted to steal the throne. The Bible further states in Romans 13:3-4 that rulers are a cause for good behavior; therefore, we must have a fear of doing right for governments do bear a sword.
Chapter 3
The Villain
Entering chapter 3, we are introduced to Haman, the villain of our story, who takes center stage in more ways than one. Where it seems King Ahasuerus should have promoted Mordecai for his loyalty, he decides to promote Haman as overseer of “all the princes that were with him;” 3:1.
As Haman now held this most important title, people were to bow down and pay homage to him, actually worship him like a god. There is no doubt this is what Haman desired. Mordecai, being a man of God, would not compromise even though he knew disobedience could cost him his life. He could never honor an Agagite and transgress God’s decrees. Haman’s people, the Agagites or Amalakites, had been the enemies of the Jews since Moses.
Obeying God was Mordecai’s first and only priority. I believe Mordecai’s story is recorded in history, due to the fact most people would think, “What’s the big deal? I want to live in peace.” He stands as one who is strong in his faith in God and His Holy Word which states emphatically, “We are to have no other gods before us;” Deuteronomy chapter 5. We must always obey God before men and their laws. This truth is set before us in Acts 5:29. In this text, we witness Peter and the apostles boldly stating to the Jewish authorities, “We must obey God rather than men.” However, this right we hold as believers, should never excuse self-centered government rebellion.
Sinister Haman
Haman was a sinister Agagite. God let us know Haman was of this decent, addressing him as an Agagite, placing this information before us in Esther 3:1.
The Agagites were Amalakites, as we learn from 1 Samuel 15:8. Haman was called an Agagite—after Agag, the king of the Amalekites as we read in this verse. These people were cursed of God for their Antisemitism. We read of this curse in Exodus 17:14. God demanded they all be destroyed in this text and He declared He would annihilate them completely. We rejoice here because the Jews fought against their enemies, the Amalekites, and were victorious. Amalek was the king of these people at this time; Exodus 17:13; before the time of King Agag.
In 1 Samuel chapter 15, the Israelites are once again battling the Amalekites (The Amalekites once occupied parts of Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. King Amalek was the grandson of Essau—who fathered the Edomites; Gen. 36:12.) and God is demanding the death of every Amalekite. The Jewish army obeyed the LORD and all the Amalekites were destroyed that were present at the location of this battle. However, King Saul disobeyed God and allowed King Agag to live; whereby, the prophet Samuel had to hack him to death in obedience to God’s command.
I believe Haman, being a descendant of Agag, identified that the Jews had slaughtered his people in two main chronicled battles. This owing to the fact he was an educated man that earned an A+ in history to gain the position he owns in this kingdom. These deflating and humbling combative facts, no doubt, incited his furry to engulf the entire Jewish population. Mordecai’s insurrection of refusing to pay homage, 3:2, was just a spark that set off his fiery rage.
Mordecai was acting in obedience to God (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) and would never bow down to Haman—of Amalakite descent. It was not wrong to bow before authority as we witness in 2 Samuel 24:20 where Araunah bowed his face to the ground before King David in respect and honor. In Genesis 23:7, Abraham bowed to the people of a pagan land. In 1 Samuel 24:8, we witness David bowing his face to the ground and prostrating himself before King Saul.
We read in Esther 3:6 that Haman did not desire to place his hands on Mordecai alone when he found out who his people were. It was at this time that he determined to destroy all the Jews. As we delve further into this chapter, we observe Haman coming into the presence of the king owning a complete knowledge of the Jews; verse 8. In verse 9, we observe Haman informing the king that the Jewish religion is contrary to the Media-Persian belief system; implementing it as an excuse to entirely annihilate the Jews in their 127 provinces. Verse 10 informs us that Haman is an enemy of all the Jews, not just Mordecai.
The Jews were commanded to always remember the Amalekites and what they did to them when they came out of Egypt. They were to blot out their memory and they were never to forget! I believe, the Agagites were eventually annihilated and blotted out as God stated in Exodus 17:14. It may have been through Queen Esther that God’s curse of death for the all Agagites (these antisemitists) was carried forth, removing their remnant completely.
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Verse 7 reveals Esther has now been queen five years when all this begins to comes to pass. We know this by the fact she became queen in the seventh year of King Ahasuerus’ reign; 2:16. And verse 7 states the king has now reigned twelve years. This new scene opens with Haman casting a lot in order to find the most appropriate time to talk to the king concerning the destruction of the Jews. He will not appear before the king unless he feels superstition is on his side. This casting of lots is referred to as Pur or Purim. (No one seems to totally understand this concept, though it seems to resemble the throwing of the dice, as a stone or other object was thrown that held markings. The displayed markings determined destiny or so thought.)
Haman approaches the king in verse 8. He must incite the king to believe the Jews must be destroyed—they being rebellious to the king’s ways. Haman knows he must put forth a good act to convince the king. We witness here Haman even using money to bribe the king. However, King Ahasuerus tells Haman he can keep the money and the demise will be carried forth; verses 9-11. It is interesting the king didn’t even care to learn who these people were or their reputation within the kingdom. It certainly appears their nationality was not mentioned. As I stated before, this king trusts too much in man. Jeremiah 17:5 declares that if a man trusts in other men he is cursed. God and His Word must be our only stable trust.
The Israelites were to be completely abated in one day, including all women and children; verse 13. This would be accomplished a year from the enacted decree. It was time-appropriated in consideration of the transit interval needed for the death warrant declaration to reach every distant province.
(Daniel 6:4-13 holds a resemblance tale. Here, we see Daniel is hated for his faith and commitment—much like Mordecai. A plot is formed for Daniel’s demise. This king is also used as an evil pawn…as was King Ahasuerus. Here too we read of a death signed decree. In verses 6-9, we see King Darius being wrongly persuaded to destroy all who will not worship him only as god. If anyone disobeyed, they were to be cast into the lion’s dreadful den. These evildoers knew Daniel would not compromise nor turn away from God Almighty as a faithful Jew even if it meant death. They knew Daniel was no coward or compromiser.
Daniel had learned of the petition, but still he prayed with open windows, boldly and resolutely. He was willing to perish for God. He was a tremendous witness—not trying to please all, and not denying the Scriptural commands. He was thrown to the lions, but God shut the lions’ mouths. We know God was gracious at this time as many of the prophets were killed for not compromising. Of course, their eternal hope was well worth their suffering and execution.)
Mordecai would not compromise and did not fear death when he refused to bow down to Haman. God’s made sure, through His grace, that Mordecai and Daniel were both preserved through their circumstances.
We see the foolishness of this edict signing even further as verse 15 of chapter 3 states, while the king and Haman were eating and drinking, “the city of Susa was in confusion.” The people were abruptly informed they had to kill their Jewish neighbors and their children a year from today. Many of the Media-Persians, no doubt, had come to love these humble people and now they are told they have to murder them for no reason. It might be noted that some of these people possibly had some in-laws who were Jews. If one had a son or daughter who married a Jew, they would have to kill their son-in-law or daughter-in-law and their own grandchildren who held Jewish blood. What confusion indeed! Of course, intermarriage was a sin, but many Jews disobeyed.
The falling dead are what people are envisioning at this moment and it is on this dreadful scene that the curtain falls.
Chapter 4
“If I Perish, I Perish”
We have now arrived at Esther chapter 4; here, this factual drama heightens in intensity as it marches on in intrigue. Toward the closing of chapter 3, we witnessed the Jewish death decree announcement. As we view the current scene in 4:1, Mordecai is in deep and grievous mourning. He displays his grief in a visual way as he wears socially unacceptable clothing—sackcloth. (Sackcloth was made of coarse dark goat’s hair, the substance of sacks. It was far from attractive. Often grievers would add ashes to their sackcloth or sat in them. This sackcloth and ash display often revealed a repentant heart toward God as well. And I do not think it is wrong to assume that the LORD used this tragic decreed situation to convict the Jewish populace of sin. God desired to draw His people closer to Himself and away from the cultural ways of the pagan Media-Persian Empire.)
Please note there was no rioting, simply a peaceful demonstration. The Jews calmly represented their woes. Haman painted them falsely before King Ahasuerus. God made sure the truth concerning their obedient citizenship was made known through their witness before men. 1 Corinthians 4:5 informs us that what is hidden in darkness will be brought to light by God and He will disclose the motives of men’s hearts. Every hidden desire and motive of Haman was eventually brought to light through God who hates every hidden evil thing.
Even though the king and Haman do not know of Mordecai’s blood connection with the queen, her maidens and eunuchs certainly do as they report to her concerning Mordecai’s grievous activities; verse 4.
Esther is queen and, no doubt, second in the land in importance as empress. She has multitudes of persons in her attendance and under her command. We know she is dearly loved by her servants as we observe through their respect—they are concerned by all that effects the queen. Many may have come to a belief in God due to her witness. Remember, Naomi in the book of Ruth, brought the woman Ruth of a pagan land to a saving knowledge of God through her righteous representation.
Esther has been queen six years now and possibly has as many as four children by the king. She may have bore a couple of sons; the elder would be heir to the throne if Vashti’s son or sons perished. The Bible does not state Esther was barren and for a queen to be in good standing with the king, she needed to produce princes. God has thoroughly blessed her; therefore, I personally believe He allowed her to reproduce. The king did not know that by signing Haman’s edict, he signed the queen’s and their royal offspring’s death decree.
Esther inquires into Mordecai’s mournful display, as her heart is broken for her adoptive father who is not acting within a normal state of mind. She wants him to retire his garment of mourning so she no longer has to worry. However, he totally refuses. He will not! He attempts to make her understand by thoroughly informing her of the looming holocaustic situation. He also orders her to plea for her people before the king. Yes, he is commanding the queen; verse 8.
In verse 11, we observe this pronounced massacre is naturally producing anguishing turmoil within Esther. She is in devastating shock! And not only does she have to endure the mournful news, but she must plan quickly a presentation before the king. She has not seen the king for thirty days and she is to address the issue of her death decree before him. It is interesting to note that Esther has kept a mental calendar—noting every passing day she has not been with her king and husband. She obviously has missed him. As far as she knows, he may be displeased with her as he was with Vashti. With his many concubines, he may have found a new love. You can imagine the thoughts that were running through her mind at such a time.
Traversing further into this stirring tale, we see more of the powerful character of Mordecai displayed before us. He now undertakes the commanding role as defender of his people. He is no longer simply Esther’s protector; he is now the one who must lead and encourage the deliverance of his people and Esther. As Barak was the encouraging force behind Deborah in the book of Judges so is Mordecai to Esther.
As Israel’s prophet for this time and setting, he foretells to Esther what God has disclosed to him. Though it does not say God, we know He is the one who has revealed His truth to Mordecai. Never once is God mentioned in this little book, but His providence, protection and guidance are completely distinguished. Mordecai dreadfully reveals Esther’s fate of death and her children if she does not respond to God’s calling to be Israel’s redeeming intercessor; verses 13-14. Today, Jesus Christ holds the position of redeeming intercessor for all believers in the heavenly realm.
Verse 14 also speaks to Esther’s family line. Mordecai reveals if she remains silent, she and her father’s house will perish. She and her children will die and God will allow it. Her silence will be a sentence of death placed upon her for shunning the LORD’s calling for her life. It seems obvious that she was made queen for such a time, to preserve God’s people alive. These were the most serious words Mordecai ever spoke to his adoptive daughter and Esther cannot run and hide from them; there is nowhere to go.
This brings us to greater exposure—more of Esther’s godly qualities set before us; verse 16. She is willing to die for her God. “If I perish, I perish.”
(All believers today are called to die for their faith if necessary. Christ said people must consider the cost of following Him. Every Christian must be willing to lift up a cross and follow no matter the price, and many have followed unto death.)
We also witness further the ruling authority of Queen Esther in this verse. She, being one of the most powerful reginas on the earth, orders the Jews to pray and fast for her. She understands the power of fasting intercession. She will fast and will order her maidens to fast with her. She orders Mordecai to oversee her fasting commands. She is mindful of God’s omnipotence. She knows He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth who answers petitions in accordance to His divine will and purpose. She recognizes the preservation of God’s people is God’s predestined will!
We can envision the closing scene of this chapter with countless people on bended knees.
Chapter 5
“Even to Half the Kingdom”
The curtain is now being drawn away to reveal the ultimate climaxing scene of this book. Here we view Esther displayed in all her queenly splendor; 5:1. She is in her royal robes and is possibly displaying her diadem which was ceremonially placed on her at her crowning debut; 2:17. It was probably protocol for the queen to wear her royal attire when in public rooms such as these. It is also a reminder to King Ahasuerus that she is empress and of utmost importance in the kingdom. (Some historians believe Queen Vashti was asked to be lewd in her conduct before the king and his guests and that is why she refused his invitation and was removed from her position. I, personally, do not see this. The queen was always to be properly attired in modest royal garments. Vashti, most likely, didn’t desire to leave her place as hostess, overseeing the stately women. She being queen thought she held the power to refuse.)
The first verse also speaks in regard to the king’s rooms and King Ahasuerus’ throne room where he is seated. I would imagine his throne was intricate in tapestry and gold design. We know all that surrounded Him spoke loudly of prominent regal wealth. (Through 1 Kings 10:18f we get to glimpse King Solomon’s ornate throne, it being made of ivory and overlaid with the most precious gold. It had six steps and there were twelve fashioned lions upon the steps, two per step, one on each end. This throne was world famous as there was none other that compared to its lavishness.)
King Ahasuerus was certainly wearing his royal robes and diadem, he being on display. I am sure he appeared as no one else in the kingdom could appear in presentation elegance. It could be a life-threatening thing for anyone to stand before this king who held complete judgmental power over the Media-Persian citizens. I am sure many shook in fear when meeting this sovereign face to face. We are commanded to fear and tremble before our sovereign King, the Creator of the heavens and the earth—Philippians 2:12.
(When my husband and I were in London, I received an awakening to the intricacies of monarchy rule. It certainly can be a glamorous realm in which to reside. Seeing Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard made me feel I was part of something I had never experienced before and was very naive in regard. Seeing the Parliament building and other historical areas tucked within Westminster kept me learning on the go. Scanning the intricacies of layers upon layers of imperial history widened my eyes, enabling me to enjoy better vision when studying the regal aspects of Scripture.)
We perceive Esther has to be in anguishing turmoil at this point, not knowing if this meeting could end her life. You can imagine her relief when the king graciously holds out the scepter and she touches its pinnacle in bowing humility (Now, it does not say she bowed, but we know this was proper protocol before a sovereign).
Holding forth a scepter revealed approval. You can picture this in a child’s fairytale setting; whereby, a little girl’s eyes become like saucers when a portrait of a beautiful palace with a king seated on his throne in all his royal grandeur is set before her in large storybook illustrated form. This leaf turns aside and a new is set before her, prompting her eyes to shimmer. Right there, in illuminating color, is the most beautiful queen in all the world. The child intensely examines her soft royal red robe, blue silk gown and glistening crown. This small girl ponders the splendor of the queen’s raiment. She images them on her—being all tailored just to her size, so she can pretend to be queen. The next sheet is positioned before her and she gazes at the queen bowing before the king. She can only see the queen’s eyelids—her eyes are bowing too. Another brightly painted scene emerges and she peers at this lovely queen, taking special note of her feminine perfect hands. One is placed on the king’s fine golden scepter. Tears now arise, fogging the child’s vision, as the next illustrated leaf exclaims exchanged love. This is when the eyes of the king and queen become united. This touching scene (Yes, a bit elaborated by me) can prick our hearts to tenderness and even more so, as we know this fairy-like tale actually maintains a place in global history.
(The British Crown Jewels are displayed at the Tower of London. When there, I took note of the imaged doves seated on the ends of a couple of the scepters. Doves represent peace and submission. They are symbolic of the Holy Spirit according to Christian and secular recordings.
Doves were the only birds that could be offered in sacrifice according to Mosaic Law—two were offered at Christ’s birth. The Holy Spirit appeared as a dove, descending and resting on Christ at His baptism. Doves secure a profile of Christ at His crucifixion, as He was beaten beyond recognition, yet never retaliated.
Doves also represent never departing faithfulness and affection—doves affectionately mate for life. Christ, out of His affectionate love, will never leave nor forsake believers.)
You can imagine the joy that filled Queen Esther’s heart when she recognized the prayers of her people had been answered, when the king lovingly received her. (It certainly is not wrong to pray for a renewed love to awaken a husband and wife. Such intercessions possibly ascended for this king and queen. Sometimes feelings can vanquish away, but God can renew hearts to tenderness. In marriage, we should always strive for the feelings of young excited love through the grace and power of God who desires marriage for life. He can work beyond what we can ask for think.)
The king knows Esther had to be greatly troubled to approach him and attempts to sooth her with loving words, “Even to half the kingdom it shall be yours.” He meant it as he is well acquainted with her regina abilities. He speaks to her as the one who is queen, being powerfully significant in his eyes.
He distinguishes she sacrificed herself to come to him against what is normal protocol and immediately wants to know the unrest of her mind. It is obvious his love has not faded and lavishes comforting words upon her. She represented the attractive attributes of an appealing wife, being his graceful doe and loving hind; Proverbs 5:19. He would love to have her rule beside him, owning half of his kingdom.
Esther, as a wise and intelligent woman, does not fly into an emotional scene before the king at this point. She calmly invites the king to a banquet along with Haman that she has prepared; verse 4. The old adage that through a man’s stomach his heart can be obtained seems to be applied here. A prudent wife does not present a major problem or request to her husband before he is fed, rested and satisfied.
The king knows Esther has prepared a remarkable buffet, as she is not one to perform things half-heartedly. She has painstakingly worked to make it perfect. Wanting to be with his queen for this sumptuous meal, the king hastily grabs Haman and hurries to the banquet. He wants to eat, drink and be with the love of his life. Mainly, he wants to know what is on his wife’s heart. At the banquet Esther refuses to speak her mind and simply requests that they return the next day and promises the king that she will disclose everything; verses 5-8. The curtain closes.
The curtain reopens at verse 10, where we view a nearby setting. We see Haman at home glad of heart, rejoicing before his friends and family. He turns this time into a brag session and recounts his positioned glory, riches, influence, and his many sons. He relays that the queen had requested only him and the king attend her banquet. No one else in the kingdom has ever been so distinguished by the queen. He is even invited to a second banquet tomorrow hosted by the queen. Suddenly, his happy temperament changes to one of gloom as he remembers Mordecai’s lack of respect. Haman is very agitated and everyone around him can see it. He wants every national citizen to recognize his importance and act accordingly! His wicked family and friends sympathize and do not hesitate to advise him to build a gallows and hang Mordecai. Why should such a simple murder be troublesome? The queen and king are uplifting Haman in notable ways, therefore his clan believes he can do anything he desires. Haman simply has to attain the permission of the king and his troubles will be gone forever.
Haman, owning the support of family and friends, immediately sets to action. He commands the building of the gallows in all faith that his desire will be accomplished. Haman triumphantly closes the scene.
Chapter 6
A Sleepless Night
Chapter 6 intervenes to add hope to this grim setting. As the curtain arises, we view a king unable to sleep—he may be worried about his queen. He seems to believe the best sleeping pill is to be read to. (We do know people are praying and this is an answer. God can work in the lives and hearts of the unsaved. I have seen it. I believe it is God who is keeping this man awake.) A servant reads to the king the chronicles of the Media-Persian government. The king so happens…No! It is through an act of God that this king listens intently to the account of Mordecai who had saved his life; 2:21-23.
King Ahasuerus assumes that surely something marvelous was performed for Mordecai—his savior. Obviously, the king forgot the occurrence and recording—a king has a lot to think about and important incidents can slip the mind. He learns none of his servants took note of Mordecai’s lifesaving report either. No one to that day had distinguished Mordecai as the king’s savior. Of course, who would act without the king’s permission?
The king is determined that something be done. He will not pass by this written account that strikes a note of accountability even in the middle of the night. (Here we witness another good attribute of this king, he believes he is to give honor to whom it is due.)
It just so happens (No! God has a great sense of humbling humor) that Haman desires an audience with the king. He wants to tell the king of his demise-scheme concerning Mordecai, this being presented in the most convincing of ways. (What timing! How this chapter makes us chuckle. This drama is turned into a comedy for a short duration. This is a reminder that God is on the throne and there is nothing outside His control; Psalm 50:10-12. Our God is an awesome God of wisdom and might. Psalm 59:8 tells us God laughs at His enemies and scoffs at all the nations.) Before Haman can present his request, he becomes sidetracked with the king who desires to honor a person. Haman holds no doubts, that it is he. Hamans says to himself, “Whom would the king desire to honor more than me.” He knows he is the most highlighted man in the kingdom…very famous. He believes the king and queen just love him to pieces. Why, he is going to the queen’s banquet today. No one else has been invited except for the king. (Can you imagine the bouncing excitement that is now present in Haman’s sinful, evil heart?)
Verses 7-9 reveal Haman’s sick mind, as he desires to be led around like the king, himself, on the king’s stately steed, in all the king’s arrayed splendor, including his crown. He held a tremendous affinity for ruling power. (I believe, Haman hoped to someday take the throne from the king. Why else does he want to be seen as a crowned king in the streets if this is not the goal of his heart? He does not want to be led humbly as the king’s servant, but as king, in all royal attire.)
Haman hears he must do all this for Mordecai. What? Haman must be standing totally dumbfounded. This is the name he hates and dreads the most. How can he comprehend the king is delighted in Mordecai? Haman must be asking himself, “How in the world could this king know this disgusting, obstinate Jew?” While still engulfed in his shock, he learns he must parade this dreadful man before all the rejoicing public. This will be performed in the exact way Haman described to the king. Mordecai will appear in all kingly splendor, just as Haman desired for himself. Haman, no doubt wonders, “How could this wonderful moment turn into such a living nightmare?”
From here, the setting moves to the street scene celebration. However, depressed Haman is not celebrating. He is not jumping up and down in glee as he parades Mordecai down the avenues. The last thing in the world he desires is to appear as a simple servant of Mordecai’s. Truth at times can be stranger than fiction. Haman’s harmonious loud proclamation of praises “Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor” spoken before the world, certainly does not hold an inward enthusiastic note. Haman felt very embarrassed having Mordecai mounted above him in the grandest of ways.
You can invasion this, Mordecai’s heyday…everyone is applauding as he passes by. Mordecai must have chuckled in his heart while being lead by Haman—his guiding servant. He knows Haman is inwardly fuming mad, disgusted and defeated in heart. He also recognizes God is at work behind the scenes at this time, and he can’t help but rejoice as he sees prayer being answered.
Haman is passing by the people who know everything concerning his Jewish death decree. And many probably know of his personal hatred for Mordecai which led to his execution plans. We have to understand he built a monstrous gallows that reaches five stories—quite tall for that day and age. Everyone can see it and has surely asked about it…no one has kept quiet about it. An execution was big news. My, oh my, poor Haman.
We must view humble Mordecai here as one who is being very blessed of the LORD. He is being elevated above everyone in the kingdom. This is a time for the kingdom citizens to celebrate Mordecai. God says, he who humbles himself, shall be exalted; Luke 14:11. God knew Mordecai’s sacrificial heart and made the way for his crowning depute.
Mordecai possibly does not know about the gallows Haman built for him. He for sure knows he is being very blessed by God. He most likely understands God is answering prayer and this horse ride may be the first step in the deliverance of his people. It is by God’s marvelous intervention that Mordecai is not now swinging at the end of Haman’s noose.
The scene is now following only Haman. After all this excitement that is too much for him to bear, he quickly heads for home for comforting reassurance to get his mind off the tragic episode he just engaged in. Upon his arrival, he immediately tells his wife and friends what has happened. He is boggled and so are they. Not that long ago, they were rejoicing with him as he had ascended to new heights in his career. He had also confided in them concerning one depressing aspect in his life—Mordecai. They had empathized and encouraged him to build a tall gallows so he could hang this disrespectful Jew. Now, upon hearing of the Mordecai parade, his wife and friends prophecy, “If Mordecai, before whom you have began to fall is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him.” They, who had honored him, now doom him. What friends! It certainly appears they are well aware of the protecting hand God has on His people as they promptly refer to Mordecai’s Jewish origin. However, they will soon discover the vengeance of God will also touch their individual lives.
As they continue to discuss this incident of disgrace, the king’s eunuchs arrive and hastily take Haman to the banquet. The king wanted Haman to be on time for both banquets. He has to know what is injuring his queen’s heart. The curtain is drawn.
Chapter 7
Haman’s Demise
The curtain is again withdrawn and we see the palace that holds center stage in the kingdom and in our story. It is where the great happenings are taking place and where all exquisiteness is displayed, as we took note of in the first chapter. We can imagine a very tastefully bejeweled room, holding all riches—precious and costly items of gold, silver and everything superior. All this is exhibited as well as delectable cuisine—the best in the world.
Queen Esther has thoughtfully prepared this second banquet for her verbal presentation. It is the perfect backdrop. King Ahasuerus opens the scene with the first lines, beckoning the queen to tell him the woes of her heart. “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half the kingdom it shall be done.” Wow, how we are moved by his loving and sacrificial words that have been repeated in the past to ensure his elevated desire for his wife. This sincere and romantic language surpasses the ages of penned works. These wooing words lead to another climax in the story. Esther must now disclose everything, risking everything—her own power and her own life. She knows the king can still choose to stand with Haman, which will end her life. This touching, caring scene can be turned into a deadly plight. She proceeds anyway as she really has nothing to lose. She is as good as dead due to the decree.
Esther is not stupid and she has planned her words well. She knew just how to prick her husband’s heart, which she now believes she owns. She in boldness states in respectful honor of her sovereign, “If I have found favor in your sight, O King, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king.” She wisely does not tell the king, she and her people were driven to this country as slaves. Through God’s intervening hand, they had became reputable, hard working citizens. She wants him to view the Jews with the respect they deserve.
The king is greatly perplexed by all this; verse 5. He is in total shock. He cannot understand who would want to kill the woman he loves, let alone make her a slave. She is the most important and honored woman in his kingdom of 127 provinces! Even to think of her as a slave leaves his mind dumbfounded. He loves her with all his heart and he is angry! He demands to know who he is—“Who would presume to do this?”
Esther knows she is on level ground and can proceed in confidence. Her man is angry and nothing will stop him from taking revenge. Here is the most exciting line in this historical account: “A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!” What dramatic words spoken. How they must have pierced her husband’s trusting heart. Haman is his most faithful servant and above all the servants and princes in rank. He has been one of his dearest friends. This king is greatly perplexed and agitated. He goes to the palace garden to vent. When he feels he has finally gained a bit of composure, he returns to find Haman falling on Esther’s couch where she reclined…oh no, what a no, no! This is not proper protocol at all. (Now mind you, Haman wasn’t trying to take advantage of the queen in an inappropriate manner, he purely wanted her to plead for his life. He could see by the look on the king’s face that he was dead meat!) I am sure the queen felt very uneasy having her deadly enemy so close to her and touching her body. No doubt, the king saw the tremendous fear overtaking the queen with the man who desires her demise falling on her. No wonder he imagined “rape.” and asked disbelievingly, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house!” The servants were not so sure what was going on until these angry wounded words fell from their king’s mouth. They were most likely dismayed over Haman’s strange behavior at this banquet. Now, when all is clear, they hastily remove Haman, covering his head to spare the king more embarrassing shame. These servants knew more than the king concerning the affairs of Haman. They reveal they don’t like Haman as they tell on him. They knew he was a pompous, untrustworthy man. As I wrote prior, the citizens of Susa all know what Haman is up to, including the palace servants. They disclose to the king that Haman has built a gallows for honorable Mordecai—the king’s savior. Without hesitation, the king tells his servants to hang Haman on his own gallows.
This may appear to be a great place to close the final curtain as the enemy has fallen and the king and queen appear secure; however, curtains still must move about as more scenes will come to stage and some not so pretty.
Chapter 8
Mordecai Crowned
In chapter 6, King Ahasuerus pronounced Mordecai a hero. In chapter 7, the king learned Mordecai was facing death at the hand of Haman—a traitor. Haman was thus executed by order of the king. Now, is the ordained time for Queen Esther to make known her relationship to her cousin Mordecai, who adopted her when orphaned. With Mordecai now holding a prestigious place before the king, it was certainly God’s perfect timing for the revelation. Esther discloses all and the king is not disappointed; he eminently honors them both. Their victory day has come! They have been faithful to God in all things and now He uses the king to advance them even further. (When believers arrive in heaven and stand before their heavenly King, they will be rewarded for staying faithful and holding to His inerrant Word.)
Pressing forward, the set now moves to the grand home of Haman. This massive mansion with servants has been transferred to Esther as a present from the king. It is another symbol of her power and authority and the king’s love for her. It is as if the king said, “You now hold Haman’s noble place.” It is like a special kiss on her cheek. Mordecai also has a part in this scene, as Esther places him over this expansive estate as its manager. Not only this, but Mordecai is positioned in power directly under the king—given the king’s signet ring, which embossed the king’s emblem in clay or wax when placed face down. The king made sure it was returned to him, having been in Haman’s possession. Haman had held this most coveted imperial ring, which revealed he had been second in command under the king. This bestowing of the royal ring was equivalent to the king giving his signature to another.
It appears the king desires both Queen Esther and Mordecai maintain equal authority under him. He had offered to Esther part of his kingdom and now she is stationed above all others in its vastness. I am sure the inhabitants of Susa are taking note—none of this is escaping their desire to know. We witnessed previously that happenings are not kept hidden—word gets out to the people and even to the secluded palace staff. The public knew Haman had built a gallows for Mordecai and they had witnessed Haman hanging from it.
The curtain closes and rises again on a dramatic display of feeling. Esther is once again before the king—falling at his feet. Since she knows she owns the heart of the king, she emotionally asks for the lives of her people. She knows Haman can no longer harm her and the king will protect her from her antisemitic enemies. Yet, she still implores the king for her people, the Jews. She is a selfless Jewess who lives for God and His will. It has never been God’s will that the apple of His eye completely perish. He has always preserved the Jewish race and someday they will turn to Christ in belief and be exalted on the earth and in heaven.
We see in verses 9f that both Esther and Mordecai are very intelligent—being literate and educated in politics. They utilize their god-given intelligence by writing a decree stating the Jews can defend themselves against any antisemitists. The king’s signed decree could never be revoked according the law of the Media-Persians. The Jews were to be massacred on the twelfth month and the thirteenth day by order of the king. (You would think rash behavior’s consequences would cause kings to wisely consider every law and decree. You would think they would thoroughly investigate every detail of consideration before setting their ring’s insignia in clay or wax.)
Fortunately, the law could be altered and Queen Esther implores the king to add to the edict allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. The king ascribes Mordecai, who is second in command, over this task to pen the edict of defense. Verse 11 states the Jews had the right to assemble to defend themselves and to kill and annihilate an entire army or people which might attack them. God has opened this door of salvation that will preserve His people alive. He has placed within Esther and Mordecai the wisdom to amend the decree.
Owing to Mordecai’s unfailing truthful and faithful ways, the king arrays him in royal robes of blue and white, and caps him with a large gold diadem. This royal gala scene is enriched by the fact the entire city of Susa is rejoicing and shouting. Wow, just think of the masses of citizens who are participating. Proverbs 29:2 states, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” Haman, I don’t believe, was liked or respected—being very pompous and assuming. Contrastingly, Mordecai promotes life and liberty in godly humility. By maintaining a spotless reputation and a desire for justice, the majority of the Susa populace exclaim union with him.
In verse 16, we see the Jews enjoyed gladness, joy and light (Under Haman, they were doomed to death’s darkness). They also obtained honor— having Esther and Mordecai in power insured their respectability. This scene ends on a positive note—another happy chapter ending. Curtain closes.
Chapter 9
The Chime of Victory
Chapter 9 verse 3 reopens the curtain of this unraveling tale that is not over. At this appointed scene, we witness further blessings of God, bestowed upon the Jews. Princes, satraps, governors, etc., assist the Hebrews in their defense against their enemies—the antisemitists. The dread of powerful Mordecai had fallen upon them evoking them to join the ranks of the king. Verse 4 states that Mordecai became famous and “greater and greater.” What more could a godly man request of his God? Of course, he didn’t ask or expect, which was why this humble man was exalted.
Because of sin in the world, we must observe a bloody scene of revenge, but held within the realm of a sovereign God; verse 5. It is a matter of self-defense. It is the pathway God provided to preserve His people alive. Queen Esther’s people have no choice but to kill their enemies; their adversaries are out for blood. If the Jews withhold the sword, the antisemitists will prevail! These enemies hold the same heart as Haman. Media-Persia does not need anarchy.
One thing that stands out in this particular chapter is the Jewish obedience to the Word of God—not laying hands on the plunder; verse 10. In other words, they kept themselves unadulterated by not seizing the possessions of those they killed. Self-centered objectives of personal gain were absent from this scene and all noticed. The Jews in Media-Persia are totally yielded to God, making sure all their enemies perish without touching their personal possessions. These wise Hebrews receive all the blessings that obedience brings. They had learned obedience from the evil consequential ways of Saul, as you read in chapter 3 of this commentary. They knew the Word of God.
The sin of greed is present in the heart of mankind. This war of the good guy versus the bad guy did not incite the normal sins of victory. In many battles, self-centered pursuits of pleasure interfere with orders when an enemy is deposed of. The Jews upheld a tremendous righteous witness through it all.
In verse 13, we see Esther once again boldly interceding for her people before the king. She requests another day of vengeance be granted for the Jews who dwell in Susa, the capital. The permanent destruction of the enemies of the Jews must be accomplished, and she will not fall short of her calling in the matter. She also requests Haman’s ten sons be hung on the gallows. King Ahasuerus seems to be in a bit of shock over all the deaths, but still grants the queen her requests. The Media-Persians must understand it is not profitable to follow the road of antisemitism!
Adding up the figures in this chapter, we see approximately 75,800 enemies were eliminated; verses 6, 15 & 16. This led to an exhilarating time of praising God for His grace and total deliverance! I know of no other time in history where the Jews were able to destroy all their adversaries. However, God will destroy all their enemies when the millennial rule of Reges Christ Jesus is ushered in.
God, throughout Scripture, calls us to praise Him for all His benefits and blessings. Verse 1 contains a powerful statement regarding this whole episode of blessed victory. It reveals God can easily overturn every event according to His divine will, “…on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.” This was the ultimate blessing for these Jews at this time. We receive countless bestowments daily because of our relationship to Christ. The New Testament testifies that we should see persecution as a blessing too, being worthy to suffer shame for His name; Acts 5:41. Esther and Mordecai both suffered for obedience, but in this chapter, they receive the rewards of peace and prosperity.
Two designated days of the month are given for this celebration of liberation, the 13th and 14th day of Adar. If you take the time to look at a Jewish calendar (can be located in some study Bibles and on the web), you observe its year holds twelve months as does ours; yet, this calendar does not correspond to our AD calendar. The month of Adar encompasses a portion of February and March. Today, Jews celebrate this holiday of deliverance on March 2-5, being called Purim according to the command in Esther; verse 26. If you will turn to Esther 3:7, you will see how Haman cast the lot called Pur, to determine when he should present his scheme to the king. It took a full year of casting this lot before Haman felt confident to approach the king as we read previously. This entitlement recognizes the time from the conspiracy to the deliverance.
Returning to verse 22, we note the Jews are to celebrate their Purim victory, through feasting, rejoicing and sending portions of food to the poor. (If you read James chapter 2, you will see how much God loves the poor—genuinely poor believers throughout the world. This does not refer to believers who are lazy or drunkards. God commands believers to be diligent workers and if they are not, we are not to associate with them. They are walking in disobedience and consequences are to arise; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-14. Through the James passage, we recognize the poor are precious to God and He has chosen them to be rich in faith. We are never to consider ourselves as superior to others. Being wealthy, beautiful, talented, or educated does not produce a better standing before God. God examines the heart and a righteous heart is precious before God and especially if it dwells in a poor person.)
In verse 25, which is Mordecai’s exhortation to celebrate Purim, he gives honor to the king who changed the edict so the Jews could be saved. He desires no vendetta be placed on the king for allowing Haman to persuade the destruction of the Israelite nation. God did intervene and He did not place a horrifying death judgment on King Ahasuerus—the LORD acted out of complete forgiveness. God knew the king saw the evil he had performed and withdrew from it and He continued to bless this king’s empire.
Because of verse 20 and those following, I believe Mordecai wrote the book of Esther as it states Mordecai recorded all these events and sent copies out to the Jews in every province. The Jews did obey Mordecai’s command and celebrated Purim on the two days legislated. Mordecai also stressed how it was always to be celebrated by every future generation.
The Jews have faithfully obeyed this and in today’s culture, they celebrate by starting with a fast in remembrance of Esther’s fast. She called for all the Jews to fast as well. This was all performed before she approached the king in order to change his decree of death.
In Synagogues on May 2, Jews read the story of Esther from a scroll. When Haman’s name is mentioned, it is a signal for a loud noise to erupt to stamp out his name, as he attempted to stamp out the Jews.
The Jews also send presents of food to each other as was required; Esther 9:22. They send two kinds of food as a minimum. They also give to two different charities to obey the command of giving portions to the poor.
On the afternoon of May 2, they hold a special feast and sometimes a parade. The holiday continues through May 5.
Mordecai referred to it as a custom, verse 27, as this was not included in the Law of Moses. These events occurred toward the end of Old Testament writings.
In verse 29, Queen Esther as a literate woman along with Mordecai, write the decree. They, holding pinnacle authority under the king, confirm Mordecai’s edict of remembrance. This declaration encouragement uplifted God’s saving power. His truth has rung loud and clear in this true tale. This all speaks to the certainty of the proud or pompous being defeated; Malachi 4:2.
We must note through it all, Esther did not harm the testimony of God; she was a woman of obedience and submission. She did not rebel in her role and never grew bitter. She chose godly femininity, which set her in a place of admiration.
If she had rebelled as a woman’s libber, she would not have been adored throughout the centuries. Seeking feminine godly attributes should be a continual goal in every woman’s life. I have compiled a list of the godly attributes and characteristics of Esther:
God-fearing
Quiet and gentle spirit
Obedient
Chaste
Unspoiled
Thoughtful
Contented
Tactful
Gracious
Humble
Modest
Decent
Non-materialistic:
(desired wisdom before things 2:13-15)
Feminine
Loyal
Tender
Sacrificial
Calculated
Uncomplaining
Supportive
Organized
Intelligent
Honest
Loving
Prayer Warrior
Intelligent
Cared for all people
Respected
Faithful
Wise
Subject to governing authorities
Patient
Uncompromising
Determined
Proclaimer of peace and truth
Now it is time to lower the final curtain, this being the finale—a happy ending of rejoicing victory. God answered the prayers of these Jews beyond what they could have asked or thought; Ephesians 3:20.
What we find in chapter 10 is life returning to normal.
Chapter 10
The Facts Recorded
Chapter 10 opens with King Ahasuerus bringing a tax to the land, possibly to aid the monarchy and military. This short closing chapter explains the previous events were recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. The last verse informs us that Mordecai sought the welfare of the whole nation. He never acted out of sinful partiality. This Gentile nation greatly thrived under his godly, meek, and just leadership. This governing produced blessings that were placed upon all citizens. When Christ rules the earth from Israel during His millennial reign, He will bring justice to all nations, which will produce countless blessings.
It is certainly wonderful that we serve the God of Isaiah 40 who can turn all things around for His crowing glory. His book, the Bible, holds a happy ending just as the book of Esther.
January 1, 2009 Posted by Val Lee | Amazing Grace, Bible, Bible Commentary, Book, Christian, Christian Books, Christianity, Church, Cruelty, Despair, Esther, Hate, Hatred, Hebrews, History, Holocaust, Jews, King, Love, Monarch, Political, Politics, Queen, Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust, Religion, Royalty, Scripture, Sin, Slavery, Terrorism, Terrorist, Terrorists, Theology, antisemitism | Esther by Val Lee, Esther of the Bible, Esther the book, Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust | 1 Comment