Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022
This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT.
Bible Readings: Esther 1-5
Background:
There are so many questions that surround the book of Esther. It was written for the purpose of explaining the Feast of Purim but there is a deeper purpose behind the book. It is one of two books in the Bible that does not even mention God (Song of Songs is the other), but it is a book in which the hand of God is seen from start to finish.
Daily Devotional: Flawed Servants
Esther is a great story but as you scratch below the surface there are a few things that are pretty hard to explain. Esther is an Israelite woman of beauty who becomes a part of the harem of the king of Persia. Many have tried to soften that blow a little, but when Esther was "taken to the king" in 2:16, they did not spend the evening playing Parcheesi. And Mordecai? Esther was his adopted daughter (2:7) and he cared for her and about her. Yet, he helped her in the process of becoming a concubine of the pagan king of a pagan nation.
It is hard to see these actions as virtuous.
In spite of all of this God used Mordecai and Esther to save the nation. The story is familiar. She spent the night with the king (playing Parcheesi) and he fell in love with her and made her his new Queen. About this time, Haman decided to wipe out the Jewish nation once and for all. Like many dictators and evil men in subsequent history, he would fail. God used Mordecai and Esther and their questionable tactics to accomplish the salvation of the nation.
It has always bothered me that God used the founders of my denomination, Southern Baptists, in such powerful ways in spite of the fact that they were slave owners and racists. How could God use people with such obvious glaring faults to build his kingdom?
But then I read the stories of the great characters of the Bible and realize that many of them were flawed and had great moral and spiritual failings. Somehow, in his sovereign power, God was able to use messed-up people to do great things. Church history tells a similar story. Some of the greatest names in church history were people with huge problems - character flaws you could drive a truck through.
We should never be casual or lackadaisical about our sin, but the fact is that I am messed up and so are you. God uses flawed people because that is all the church has. Again, we ought not to use this as an excuse for sin, but we can comfort ourselves that we don't have to be perfect to be used of God.
Do you have some things you are struggling with? Don't give up! God uses people who are struggling. He uses people who are flawed. He uses imperfect people who are in the process of sanctification in his work. You don't have to wait until you are perfect to serve God. He can do great things with willing servants - even people who sometimes walk into walls, stub their toes, or trip over stuff.
You may not be perfect but if you are willing you are useful to God.
It is hard to see these actions as virtuous.
In spite of all of this God used Mordecai and Esther to save the nation. The story is familiar. She spent the night with the king (playing Parcheesi) and he fell in love with her and made her his new Queen. About this time, Haman decided to wipe out the Jewish nation once and for all. Like many dictators and evil men in subsequent history, he would fail. God used Mordecai and Esther and their questionable tactics to accomplish the salvation of the nation.
It has always bothered me that God used the founders of my denomination, Southern Baptists, in such powerful ways in spite of the fact that they were slave owners and racists. How could God use people with such obvious glaring faults to build his kingdom?
But then I read the stories of the great characters of the Bible and realize that many of them were flawed and had great moral and spiritual failings. Somehow, in his sovereign power, God was able to use messed-up people to do great things. Church history tells a similar story. Some of the greatest names in church history were people with huge problems - character flaws you could drive a truck through.
We should never be casual or lackadaisical about our sin, but the fact is that I am messed up and so are you. God uses flawed people because that is all the church has. Again, we ought not to use this as an excuse for sin, but we can comfort ourselves that we don't have to be perfect to be used of God.
Do you have some things you are struggling with? Don't give up! God uses people who are struggling. He uses people who are flawed. He uses imperfect people who are in the process of sanctification in his work. You don't have to wait until you are perfect to serve God. He can do great things with willing servants - even people who sometimes walk into walls, stub their toes, or trip over stuff.
You may not be perfect but if you are willing you are useful to God.
Father, purify me and use me!
Consider God's Word:
Remember, this is not an excuse for careless living, but realize that God can use you even with flaws and imperfections.
His work depends on HIS power not your perfection...thank God.
His work depends on HIS power not your perfection...thank God.
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