Take on School Boards even if you work for the district-Sorry but NO!

Pastor vows to expose school board wokeness: 

Rev. John Amanchukwu discusses why the diversity, equity and inclusion push in classrooms is 'perfectly perverted' and leading children down a slippery slope. “I have a dream that the racist ideology of CRT will be erased from our public schools and that we will see a return to the teaching of Christian values.”

He speaks against our schools embracing Cultural Marxism, the DEI God, indoctrination, grooming, CRT, and Intersectionality. He calls for parents and churches to be the true watchmen in the Bible. 

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for the light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

John Amanchukwu takes on school boards across the country

Rising Voice of John Amanchukwu

John Amanchukwu: The Watchman

Dangerous Organizations Coming for your Children

Proponents of the programs say they seek to ensure that children's "rights" to sexual pleasure are protected.

1. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

2.The World Health Organization (WHO)

3. The United Nations

These three organizations are advancing children's exposure to sexuality on two fronts, according to documents.

-On one front, the organizations are promoting comprehensive sexuality education that emphasizes teaching consent for sex.

-On another front, the groups are pushing to remold the portrayal of children and young people as "sexual beings" with sexual rights that should be based on maturity instead of age.

Unfortunately, many schools allow or even celebrate these inaccurate messages on certain days and weeks during the academic calendar. This includes rainbow posters, library displays, cafeteria tables, special speakers/assemblies, and classroom lessons that promote harmful transgender ideology. It is crucial for parents to become thoroughly acquainted with these messages and equip their children with the facts instead. 

This calendar clearly shows a persistent agenda aimed at sexualizing our children and pushing dangerous transgender ideology on them. It is our responsibility as parents to protect our children from such harmful influences and ensure that they receive accurate information about gender and sexuality. Let us work together to create a safe and healthy learning environment for our children.

A child mutilation and sterilization cult pushed by the UN, the WHO, the government, medical associations, human rights NGOs, universities, schools, counselors, unions, judges, and child protective services? Truly, the most insane movement in human history. 

“Blocking puberty development means my child will not make fertile sperm or eggs. This means that my child would have to stop puberty blockers and complete their biological puberty in order to attempt to have their own biological children later in life (i.e., become fertile). “This would also mean that my child would develop all the usual secondary characteristics typical of their assigned sex at birth. This process could take several years and there would be no guarantee of fertility. There would also be the need for possible surgeries or other treatments to reverse the effects of having gone through their biological puberty (i.e., chest reconstruction, electrolysis, facial surgeries).”

Truth: Sex is Binary

https://www.prageru.com/video/sex-is-binary?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_7737331

Reclaim your Parental Rights

https://www.capitolresource.org/

Parent Bill of Rights

Take Back the Classroom

Below are the documents parents agree to in gender affirming care. Pay close attention to the effects. Sterilization of your kids. Government control on who can produce and who can't. Evil is evil. Don't believe the lies: 

September 24, 2023 DDF Liberty/Conversation in the car/Let Him roll the Stone Away

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/RJrUhe6tfuLMhK7m9

From the car window traveling from Southern to Northern Nevada, there was a very interesting site. Out in the distance was miles of single dust devils that just seemed to spin out from nowhere and then moving across the desert. It was like multiple dancing dust devils surrounded us and occasionally one would shimmy across the highway making itself known to then dissipate on the other side. It was fascinating to watch. At church today, that image came to mind as I watched how I as a single dust devil combined with other dust devils determined to combine to become a powerful tornado in the desert. 

When multiple groups come together to walk together to fight for the souls of our children is amazing to watch and to be included in this movement is exciting. I once talked to a church pastor and I asked him back in 2019 "don't you see what is coming?" I saw it during our Covid lockdowns when the curriculum started mutating and legislation being passed in the dark of night. Then back in the schools in 2022, the hammer of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Critical Race Theory, Restorative Justice, Transgender ideology, and Social Emotional Learning combined to change the education of our students forever. So I thought. When my posts were being questioned as other educators were against me using the word "indoctrination" then I knew I was hitting the right button. Now, being part of a church that tells me what I need to hear. "Come and see then go and tell." The telling of truths is outside of the church. Bring people to God, but go fight in the world for souls even in politics and in our public schools. 

“When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, hold you accountable for their blood” (Ezekiel 33:8).

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).

We finished the Book of Mark today at church. The point I got today is that we are not to be spectators in the Great Commission. It is in the part of Jesus' story when we find the tomb is empty. Our pastor stated that Jesus has offered us an empty tomb and it is what we do with what he has done on the cross for us knowing that we will never ever see him in that tomb again. It is finished so he offers a new beginning for us all in the belief he died and rose and he will be returning for his believers to never ever enter our worldly tombs again either. His promise is we will be with Him forever and ever.

Another point made was to look at the tomb as we see our circumstances. An unseen hand rolls the stone away so you come out of the tomb free from whatever is holding you in the darkness of your own tomb. The circumstances of your life. The anger, bitterness, hate, depression, pain, any struggle keeping you in darkness. There is a God who has rolled the stone away. Jesus was in your tomb and He conquered it. If He conquered it then know He goes before you rolling those stones away releasing you into a freedom that he loves you so much so he has offered to atone for you and heal you but you have to be willing to accept and agree to the terms. He will never force you. It is your ultimate decision. Do you believe the stone was rolled away for you?

Prayers you listen to the tug on your heart. He is whispering to you, not demanding you, but feel his tug today and return to Him. He is waiting on you to respond.

Prayers for you and your family everyday.

dreamsdontfade.com (posted the battle with the school district so check it out)

I listened to this song today and it just worked so well with the message as we feel we don't have a voice but we do. Trust in your voice today!

'Cause I'm just a nobody
Trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody
Who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me
You gave my heart a song to sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY&list=RDEM8Rv7yTaspR7aGQK4OnOqUw&index=9

Ever heard of the "Sparkle Creed?" or the "Hip Hop Caucus?" or "American Climate Corps?"

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse" (Galatians 1:8).

History of the Apostles' Creed

The Sparkle Creed Openly Mocks God

-A testament to Satan

-Challenges God's status as a Holy Father

-Insinuates Jesus was gay and had two gay fathers

-Blasphemes the Holy Spirit

-Gives power to a demonic "rainbow spirit" 

-They clearly hate God and His Word

-Circulated in 2021 by the Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

-Part of the United Church of Christ who ordains gay ministers

-United Church of Christ invites participants to work towards racial, economic, and environmental justice (open and affirming)

“I believe in the non-binary God whose pronouns are plural. I believe in Jesus Christ, their child, who wore a fabulous tunic and had two dads and saw everyone as a sibling-child of God. I believe in the rainbow Spirit, who shatters our image of one white light and refracts it into a rainbow of gorgeous diversity, I believe in the church of everyday saints as numerous, creative and resilient as patches on the AIDS quilt, whose feet are grounded in mud and whose eyes gaze at the stars in wonder. I believe in the calling to each of us that love is love is love, so beloved, let us love. I believe, glorious God. Help my unbelief.”

United Church of Christ is part of the environment justice cult:

Fossil Fuel Desecrates Creation

And then there is the Hip Hop Caucus?

-They connect the hip hop community to the civic process

-Connected the climate movement to the fight for racial justice 

-AOC worshipers

-Holds conferences like "Environmental Justice & Health Disparities Symposium"

-Petitions like "Demand Congress and Biden Demilitarize the Police"

-Petitions like "Stop Permitless Carry of Concealed Weapons"

-Applauds the creation of an American Climate Corps 

https://hiphopcaucus.org/

American Climate Corps:

"The American Climate Corps will put a new generation of Americans to work conserving our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, advancing environmental justice, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and tackling climate change."

https://www.whitehouse.gov/climatecorps/

Ever heard of the Lift Principles?

 Ever heard of the Lift Principles? LIFT stands for limited government, individual liberties, free enterprise, and traditional values

https://www.txccri.org/lift-principles (Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute)

Limited Government:

-government should be fiscally responsible

-not wasteful, fraudulent, or inept by increasing public debt

-taxation should never be employed for the purpose of redistributing wealth

-government should not restrict productivity, economic growth, or savings

-government should encourage self-sufficiency and promote the work ethic among its citizenry

-public funds should not be used for people who are capable, but unwilling to provide for their own needs

-government welfare programs for the needy should strive to enforce dignity of the individual, strengthen the family unit, and individual’s potential for self-sufficiency

Individual Liberty:

-laws tend to restrict free exercise of liberty and property

-no law should pass unless there is compelling reason to do so

-proponents of any law should have the burden of proof that the passage is necessary

-rights of the individual should, but not be limited to, those rights guaranteed in the Constitutions and the Bill of Rights of the United States

-rights should include God-given rights of freedom

-the individual is more important than the state

-individual's obligation to conduct himself as a responsible and productive member of society

-all citizens are entitled to security of their persons and property

-government’s primary task is the maintenance of law and order to ensure these rights are protected

-system of just must afford each persona access to competent representation and a level playing field to ensure justice can be met

Free Enterprise:

-through free markets, individuals and groups form relationships and exercise self-government 

-states should intervene to establish minimum health and safety standard that encouraged competition

-it is dangerous when the government chooses to use power to regulate free people 

-individuals have the right to choose in free market systems

-individuals have the responsibility to inform themselves to make choices that best suits their needs

-government should actively enforce fraud statutes

-government should not attempt to protect the public from what it perceives as poor choices

-private property is the cornerstone of a free nation

-communal needs should not override private property rights for the sake of convenience

Traditional Values:

-family is the foundation of society

-government should not interfere in its function as little as possible

-family unity and inter-dependency is necessary to foster and encourage culture, learning, and long-term national stability

-parents have rights and obligation in the upbringing of their children, including their moral, intellectual, and physical development

-marriage is meant to be a permanent relationship between one man and one woman and is the foundation for healthy and stable families

-human life is sacred and inviolable from conception to natural death

-protections of the unborn and elderly, compassionate care for the sick and infirm are essential elements of a culture of life and necessary for the health of civil society

-traditional American ideals must be preserved and impressed upon each generation

-duty, honor, and love of country are some of those values, but equally important are the pursuit of justice and equality before the law 

September 11, 2023 DDF Liberty/Conversation in the car/Bread of Life

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t3sWY2nrPX7xkMwH7

I wanted to celebrate my friend’s car show. Taking on a huge task is always scary and a lot of work. It is easy to make excuses why one is not qualified or say it is just too much, but not my friend. Took on the challenge so proud of his accomplishment this month. He did say it was a lot of work but very satisfying. I am sure next year will be even bigger and better.

I mention him today because it is easy to dismiss when being called to take on a task. I set up my calendar for the month and realized just how over-committed I am. My friend was so successful because his focus was on one event, unlike me who is still scattered all over the place that I need to narrow my focus once again. I am not sure which person you more identify with, but my goal is to figure out my focus by the end of this month. Might end up being my New Year’s resolution. If this is you then you are in good company. If you are more like my friend then you are also in good company.

In my need to focus, I found two very interesting insights found in the Bible that I had not thought about before. It is always exciting when I learn something new which is why I am always dipping my attention in numerous topics. These two insights had me pause and I wanted to share what I learned this week.

First, I am taking classes through Patriot Academy and in one of the lessons there was a Rabbi who spoke on this resource:

https://wallbuilderslive.com/home-2/#


The Rabbi was speaking about energy and how barbarism is defined as “the collapse of a civilization and return to barbarism.” These green initiatives are barbaric. He states that barbarism hates energy. Then he goes on to say natural energy created by God like fossil fuels. He stated that we buy time through the use of energy which today we call economics. Everything that works in our homes and in the workplace is reliant on fuel. Even farmers rely on fuel to ensure crops flourish. Removal of fossil fuels will only destroy the economy, but is against the natural energy provided by our Creator.


He takes us back to Genesis where Adam and Eve eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I have always been taught that God cursed Adam with hard labor and Eve with childbirth. In this context to be cursed meant “to express annoyance or irritation.” The speaker took a different approach. He argued that God allowed the consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to take place, but He showed them mercy, forgiveness, and protection. They were going to be kicked out of the garden, but He didn’t just throw them out and wish them good luck. Barbarism strives to erode distinctions especially between a man and woman. But as God walked them out of the garden, He made garments of skin that were distinctively different. One kind for Adam and one kind for his wife, Eve.


“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).


He asked the question of how did God make the garments out of skins? He had to have shown them how to kill an animal and obtain the skins for clothing. He took time to prepare them before casting them out of the garden. He still gave them a special identity above all the animals and taught them to tend the land for crops. He also had to teach them how to make fire so they could bake bread to eat and protect themselves from animals. God passed down his recipe to make bread. All throughout the Bible bread is special as it represents the relationship between God and man.


Later, he gave man the intellect to take fire to make bricks to build with and what does man do? They seek to make the Tower of Babel. Today, we see man striving to remove fire and replace it with unnatural fuel and will only destroy our planet. Trying to replace God will never end well. Also today, man is trying to remove any distinction between man and woman. God created man and woman, so striving to become God’s by eliminating what God has created will never end well either.


Reread Genesis through the eyes of a merciful God who gave Adam and Eve provisions to live by along with all His sound advice. Adam and Eve were not cast out of the garden and forgotten. God walked with them outside of the garden. He kept his connection with them. He did not forsake them. So, today just know you are not forsaken either. He is a whisper away and will walk beside you all the days of your life like he did with Adam and Eve.


Prayers for anyone struggling out there or who needs support in whatever you are going through. Just know you are loved!


Perfect song by Danny Gokey, Brave, on this 9/11 day of memorial.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jRZ5_j3GZE

September 3, 2023 DDF Liberty/Conversation in the car/Pass on the light of liberty

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/VbC5QXYPQNKwJ1K18

 I made a commitment to myself and God to keep posting and making a video each week for a year. I have to say it has been a huge learning curve for me and I think I am finally finding my rhythm. I like things to be short and sweet so I will be changing like breaking my longer writings into smaller chunks. Also not trying to fill in a certain amount of time with my Conversations in the Car. I seem to want to force things in a box I don’t fit in, so live and learn. I hope you all are stepping out and I keep reminding myself what is written in Psalm 119: 11-16

I have treasured Your word in my heart,
So that I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
I shall delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

So, let me pose a question. If you are in charge of a project and it seems to be sinking, but all you do is give lectures and excuses and very long explanations of why you are in charge or making certain decisions then what does that say about the person in charge? In my leadership classes, I learned that top down authoritative leadership eventually falls and why would any worker buy into that philosophy. People need to feel they belong and are an important integral part of any project. Even in churches, the volunteers who serve still need to know that leadership values them with not just their words but their actions. Words hold no meaning unless the actions live up to them. Jesus spoke in this way about leadership:

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20: 25-28).

This is why when I ran across this newspaper article I thought about how America is seeing how our government is ruling at this moment in time. If you look at this list do you see any similarity in what our society is reflecting right now?

Opinion From a Former Judge

I am a student of law whose age is 85. My first year of college was 68 years ago. One class I took was political science. A half-page of my textbook essentially outlined a few steps to overturn a democracy:

1. Divide the nation philosophically
2. Formant racial strife
3. Cause distrust of police authority
4. Swarm the nation’s borders indiscriminately and unconstitutionally
5. Engender the military strength to weaken it
6. Overburden citizens with more unfair taxation
7. Encourage civil rioting and discourage accountability for all crime
8. Control all balloting
9. Control all media

What was printed in 1954 as a possible diabolic nightmare has become an emerging reality. I hope that Americans will unite enough to pen a good finish-Go dwelling.

Written by Keith M. Alber (California)

Anyone else awake enough to see how all 9 listed are being seen today in the greatest country in the world.

"Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.” Ronald Reagan

That is why I am working on running an online Biblical Citizenship class that will start in November. I will be posting my class details and how you may register for it. I am learning how important it is to teach the next generation to the timeless principles of liberty. That we breathe the destiny of our youth who will bear the responsibility to preserve freedom on their watch. They will bear the torch of freedom to continue to hand that torch to the next generation and to change the world. Let’s now go and light this nation on fire.

Prayers to you and your families. Blessings over you and them as well. May we answer the call to teach and guard the hearts, minds, and souls of our youth and our children.

dreamsdontfade.com

Heard this song and it is perfect with its message. It is What Are We Waiting For? By for King & Country

What are we waiting for?
Why are we wasting all the time like someone's making more?
(Why are we wasting all this time?)
What are we praying for? (What are we praying for?)
What are we saving for? (Saving)
What if we could be the light that no one could ignore?
What are we waiting for?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3LAHvGG2PM

You Were Made for this Moment by Max Lucado: Synopsis of the Book of Esther

 Synopsis of the Book of Esther

(much more to this book so I advise you get the book for a deeper dive into taking part in your own “you were made for this moment.”

Seal over your heart-wear me like a signet ring

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Place me like a seal over your heart,

    like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death,

    its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

    like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;

    rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

    all the wealth of one’s house for love,

    It would be utterly scorned.

Was there a time in your life when you saw it was not going to turn out the way you thought?

What is a six-letter word of encouragement? E-S-T-H-E-R

-it is the book where God speaks the loudest but is never mentioned

-the story of our whispering God who is the unseen

“God is still eloquent in his seeming silence and still active when he appears most distant” (Lucado, pg. 8).

Quiet Providence

-God’s continuous control over His story

-He spoke the universe into being 

-He governs all by his authority

This book was written for

- the emotionally weary

-for the person who feels out numbered by foes

-outmaneuvered by fate

-outdone by fear 

Themes of the book of Esther

-all the injustices of the world will be turned on their head

-Grand reversals are God’s trademark

-when we feel as though everything is falling apart, God is working in the midst, causing everything to fall into place

-God is working in our midst

-He is the King of quiet providence

The book of Esther: Dramatic Plot Line

Act I: Confusion

-God’s people compromised by choosing glamor of  Persia over God’s goodness

Act II: Crisis

-Decree of death 

-fringe minority vs. pagan society

Act III: Conquest

-the unexpected happens that turns sorrow into a joyous holiday

History:

-Disobedience of the Jews caused them to be exiled by the Babylonians in 586 BC

-Persia took control after defeating the Babylonians in 539 BC

-Mordecai and Esther- the Jews were 3 generations removed from Jerusalem

-Jews stayed in Persia even after being set free to go back to Jerusalem, but those who had prospered stayed and in that group we find Mordecai and Esther

-The Jews chose to live in the pagan society and were no longer outwardly Jews-they blended in as a Jewish Pagan

Setting:

-City of Susa, 5th century BC Persia (modern day Iran)

-Persian Empire: Xerxes, the king, who ruled 486-465 BC

-King’s disposition: thirst for wine, disregard of women, and convictions that changed with the weather. -He was comfortable holding a goblet and delegating decisions.

-Haman: wealthy and influential officer in the cabinet of Xerxes, tyrant who was all about death, demanded to be worshiped, and so intolerant to Jews he plotted to exterminate the entire Jewish race.

Foreshadow: Esther 3:8-9

Haman sets the plotline 

-approaches the king at just the right time

-tells the king “certain people” are against him

-convinces the king to make a decree to destroy those “certain people”

Who were those “certain people?”

-the Hebrew nation

-the children of Israel

-descendants of Abraham

-the family tree of Jesus Christ

Mordecai

-one of the exiled Jews who was hated by Hamon

-Esther’s cousin

-refused to bow down at the city gate to hero worship Haman

-that refusal put an arrow of destruction on him, Esther, and the whole Jewish Nation

Act I: Confusion

-King Xerxes is having a lavish  party

-the queen (all women) of Persia was seen as property

-the King calls for Queen Vashti to come to the party so he can show off her beauty

-the Queen refuses to come

-the King is embarrassed and his ego is bruised as his audience laughs at him

“The king became furious and burned with anger” (vs. 12)

-the King proclaims and edict that banishes Vashti from the kingdom and forces women to be even more obedient to their husbands

-Esther and Mordecai had disguised their identity as Jews

-they both had agreed to conform to be and live as Persians

“Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so” (vs. 8-10)

-King Xerxes, in his 7th year of reigning, wants a new queen

-Mordecai worked for King Xerxes so he was on the payroll of the pagan king

-both Mordecai and Esther chose to disguise and conform

-both Mordecai and Esther buried their Jewish identity beneath multiple layer of compromise

-Mordecai has Esther apply for the now open position of queen by becoming one of the women in the King’s harem 

8 When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9 She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem (Esther 2: 8-9).

Act II: Crisis

-Haman, the King’s vice regent convinced the King to order that all people would bow in his presence

-Mordecai’s friend knew he was Jewish and would not bow to Haman like a God

-Haman comes through the King’s gate and Mordecai refuses to bow before Haman

-Haman’s anger burns against Mordecai and plots to put him to death

-Esther has been queen for 5 years 

-In-between Mordecai sat at the King’s gate daily where he overheard of a plot to kill the King

-He tells Esther who warns the King of the plot

Twist:

-the King elevates Haman, son of Hammedathat, the Agagite, to the seat of honor higher than all nobles

**An Agagite were descendants of Agag, the king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites were the most ancient enemies to the Hebrews

-Amalekites attacked the people of Israel when Moses was bringing them to the promised land

-King Saul was told by God to destroy the lineage of the Amalekites, but he disobeyed and saved King Agag-the lineage of Haman

***Plot line: Haman’s family line wants to kill all Jews

-Mordecai encountered Haman in Susa-it was a collision of centuries of bias and hatred 

-Day after day Mordecai refused to bow when Ham passed through the King’s gate

-Finally, Mordecai admits he is a Jew and would not bow down before the enemy of God’s people

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes (Esther 3: 5-6).

The Climax 

Haman’s mission to annihilate God’s chosen people, root, and branch

8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents[b] of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”

10 So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please” (Esther 3: 6/8).

-Haman sends couriers to post the edict that all Jews will be exterminated on a certain date

-Mordecai wails loudly and dresses in sackcloth like a man in mourning

-Mordecai sends a copy of the edict of extermination

-Mordecai asks her to reach out the her husband, the King 

Esther’s Decision

-Esther had the title of queen, but she still had no power as all the power is from the king

-A queen couldn’t just enter a room the king was in unless he summoned her 

-The king had to extend the gold scepter to allow her to enter in his presence and to even speak

Reasons Esther would say no to Mordecai’s request

-It is against the law to approach the kin

-It’s been 30 days since the king has given her a 2nd look

-The king’s in a foul mood most of the time

-He will probably kill Esther as she remembers what he did to Vashti

Change of heart-One Jewish mission

-Mordecai sends a message to Esther 

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4: 12-14).

-Esther responds by asking Mordecai and all Jews to fast and pray

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish”(Esther 4: 15-16).

-Esther and Mordecai show that inaction and apathy is costly

-Esther prays the prayer of desperation

-Esther knows she is risking her life

-Esther prayed a prayer of tears

-Esther didn’t eat or drink for 3 days

-Esther humbled herself to let God take control 

The Call to Courage

-Esther could have remained hidden and done nothing

-Mordecai’s days as a diplomat were over

-The days of the Jews were numbered

-The Jews needed someone to plead their case to the king

-That person is Esther who is now standing at the door of the king’s throne room

Esther the Queen:  Plan in Action

-The King sees Esther and extends his scepter to her so she approached to touch the end of the scepter

-The King asks her what she is requesting as he was pleased with her

-Esther requests a dinner date with the king and Haman

-The King accepts and Haman thinks he has won the favor of the Queen

-Haman goes home to throw a party as he anticipates the death of all the Jews and on top of that the queen seems to want to honor him at a dinner with her and the king

-Haman can’t enjoy his party as his hatred of Mordecai burned because as he was headed home he say Mordecai standing at the King’s gate and all he wanted was him to be dead

-His family and friends tell him to plan a way to have a public execution of Mordecai

-Haman has a pole built with the plan of impaling Mordecai with the King and Queen’s blessing

-Ham felt delighted with the plan to impale Mordecai and goes to the Queen’s 1st banquet

An Unexpected Ending

-King Xerxes has a bad night and couldn’t sleep so he had the book of records read to him 

-In the book of records, King Xerxes is reminded that it was Mordecai who told his Queen Esther of a plot to kill him which saved the King’s life

-The next day, King Xerxes asks Haman how he would honor a man who has found favor in the eyes of the king

-Haman thinks it is him who the King wants to honor so Haman said he would put the royal rode on the man, place the royal crest on his head, and have him ride through the streets on the King’s own horse

-King Xerxes loves the idea and tells Haman to do just that for Mordecai the Jew

-God had orchestrated all the details: the sleepless king, the detailed reading, and Haman’s entrance willing to give himself honor 

-A bit of “poetic justice” and divine reversal 

-Queen Esther pleased King Xerxes with the 1st banquet but she did not reveal her heritage but requests his and Haman’s presence for a 2nd banquet

-It is in the 2nd banquet that she asks the king to spare her life and that of her people 

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” 5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?” 6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

-Haman is fearful as King Xerxes leaves the room in a rage

-Haman goes to throw himself on the mercy of Queen Esther but as he does he ends up falling on top of her

-King Xerxes reenters the room and sees Haman groping Queen Esther

-Twist: Haman who wanted to kill a Jew for not bowing down is not caught falling down before a Jew

-The King’s guard take hold of Haman and impale him on the pole Haman had set up for Mordecai

-King Xerxes gives Esther Haman’s estate

-Mordecai is welcomed into the presence of the king

-Xerxes took off his signet ring that was on Haman’s hand an put in on Mordecai’s hand

-The King’s edict would not be removed, but gave all Jews permission that if attacked they had every right to defend themselves 

****On the day Jews were destined to die, Haman’s terror was over, his family destroyed, and Mordecai was positioned as the new Prime Minister of Persia

Interesting:

Peripety is a literary device that describes a redirected story line

1. Mordecai found a spine and refused to bow

2. Esther’s 3 day fast resulted in a surge of courage

3. Esther told the kin what Haman intended to do

4. Haman went from 2nd in command to being impaled on a pole

5. Mordecai went from sackcloth to wearing the king’s robes

6. Jews could live out their identity or hide their nationality

7. Jews can trust the hidden hand of God

The book of Esther does not end with a victory in battle, but it ends with a call to remember. Mordecai recorded all of the events. He sent a letter to all Jews in King Xerxes’ kingdom that there will be a yearly celebration of the day God moved in a way that the Jews found freedom.