Dec 2, 2022
ESTHER 9-10:
We have heard how Esther’s request was granted,
the king and Haman came to the second banquet, where Esther
revealed her identity. The eunuch Harbona just happened to have
pertinent information about Haman’s plans for Mordecai, and Haman
was killed and impaled/hanged on the pole he had planned to use for
Mordecai. Mordecai, coming into possession of the king’s signet
ring, wrote an edict that allowed for the Jews to organize and
defend themselves against their enemies.
ISAIAH 43:
In
Isaiah 42 we heard twice about ‘the servant of the Lord’. The first
passage is quoted in the New Testament about Jesus. However in the
second, the servant (singular) pictures the people of Israel.
Before Christ came, the Jews would have read the first section
understanding it also to refer to the people of Israel. This
intentional vagueness is one of the ways God used to reveal his
message to us in this age and conceal it before the time for
revealing had come.
2 Timothy 1:
This
is Paul’s final letter, and it is also the last letter from Paul we
will read this year. This letter includes some practical
instructions for Timothy’s ministry. It also includes precious
statements about the inspiration of Scripture and the Lord’s reward
for obedience and endurance. I love this letter because it is so
very personal. Paul was in a very different imprisonment, not under
house arrest. He knew his time on earth was short. So each personal
message to ‘his son’ Timothy is moving and precious.
GNT Translation
note:
2Tim. 1:5 I
remember [how sincerely you believe in Christ//the sincere faith
you have], [which reminds me of how your grandmother Lois and your
mother Eunice believed//the kind of faith that your grandmother
Lois and your mother Eunice also had]. I am sure that you have it
also].
13
[PET Hold firmly to the true teaching that I taught you[, (GNT) as
the example for you to follow]. Keep believing in Christ, and live
with the love we obtain because of being one with Him.//GNT Hold
firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you
to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union
with Christ Jesus.]