Thursday: When Some Gentiles Became Jews
Read Esther 8. Focus specifically on Esther 8:17. How can we understand this in terms of outreach and witness?
No question, the book of Esther is not a typical
story about outreach and witness. And yet we can see something like this scenario happening here toward the end. As a result of the king’s edict on behalf of the Jews, many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them
(Esther 8:17).
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
Some commentators argue that theirs could not have been a true conversion experience, since fear and anxiety should have no place in proselytizing. While that’s true, who knows in the longer run how these people, whatever their motives at first, might have responded to the working of the Holy Spirit, especially after seeing great differences between their beliefs and the belief and worship of the one true God?
Read Romans 1:18-20. How might the concepts taught here come into play with these people, especially in the context of this story?
In the original decrees against the Jews, not only were the Jews to be killed, but the ones to do it were told that they shouldplunder their possessions
(Esther 3:13, NKJV). Also, when the Jews were given permission to kill their enemies, they too were told that they could plunder
the possession of their enemies (Esther 8:11, NKJV). However, three times in the book of Esther (Esther 9:10, Esther 9:15-16, NKJV) it specifically says that the Jews did not lay a hand on the plunder
(NKJV). Though the texts don’t say why, the fact that it was mentioned three times shows the emphasis that was placed on this act. Most likely they refrained because they wanted it known that they were acting out of self-defense and not greed.
How can we make sure that in our outreach and witness to others we don’t do anything that would cause people to question our motives? Why is this so important?
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Everyday we are called to be witnesses by representing the name or should I rather say the honour of God. We are placed in situations that could either question our principles morals and so on... but the ultimate challenge is how do we represent Yahweh when we have trials and calamities that threaten to discourage or break us.
The 3rd commandment speaks of not taking the name of the Lord in Vain... Growing up I thought this commandment was refering to the actual name of God, but later after study actually discovered that that was only a part of it..
The actual understanding I would like to suggest is that if we profess to be children of God the same way as David describes in psalms 23 when He speaks of the Lord being His Sheppard, then we are to live and act like we belong to the King of this universe...
Only by representing properly can we be true witnesses and missionaries for God...
And just maybe draw people closer to God as We read in Steps to Christ... make being a Christian joyful and happy as it really is...
if Jesus be lifted up all men will then surely be drawn unto Him...
I do not have any knowledge of the Hebrew word for "fear' as used in Esther 8:17. However, if it is the same word as used in "fear of the Lord" then could it be that many people wanted to become Jews not because they were afraid of them, but because they saw what God had done for His people and they wanted the same blessing as the Jews had received. The Persians must have witnessed how the Jews had prayed in sack cloth and ashes and had fasted. Their gods had never answered their prayers nor done what the God of the Jews had done for them. They wanted to worship the same God of the Jews who answered prayer.
Maureen, "pachad" means: dread. It is not written that it was the fear of God, but fear of the Jews. One of their number (Mordecai) was next in command to the King, as Joseph was to Pharaoh, so it would be prudent to become a "Jew" or at least not stand against them. Whether it was for personal advantage or true conversion to faith in God, we aren't really told. Clearly, the political tide had turned in their favor and the prudent would quickly become allies with them.
The captive Jews had been released to return to their land and their God 60 years prior to all this but most had remained, and as with Israel in Egypt, the peril that came upon them through the wicked Haman had aroused them to see their dependence on God again, and after 3 days and nights of fasting and prayer, God worked wonderfully out of mercy and about 15 years later, more Jews returned home with Ezra, but I found no mention of these new "converts" returning with the small group listed in Ezra 8.
When we act in a way that I believe that God gets the Glory for saving our lives out of the hand of Satan, and any enemy that comes against us, we are showing the life of Christ. When we know that we are told that we are not to return evil for evil, and that the Lord will fight our battles, and this is a hard matter, when evil is ever present, this fact holds true is the fact that when we show that our motives are right and true who can judge us falsely. When God light shines in are heart and no one can accuse us falsely.
God will not be mocked his word is true he will avenge us no matter how long it takes, trusting in his word. Knowing his word would have us in a peace that others would want to know him as well as being a witness of his power.
in my opinion People should never be forced to choose a new religion or quit their faith because they are afraid of other people. So this class causes troubles to me...
I don't think it was forced except out of self-preservation. This is how people are. What this might be telling us is that God turned the tide against the Jews in response to their prayer and fasting, which revealed God's power in a way similar to the fiery furnace and the lion's den, which I'm sure were still popular stories at that time. How many do you think who saw the 3 Hebrews walk out of the fiery furnace decided to switch Gods that day?!
God works in many ways to save the lost regardless of who they are. He so loves this world.
The word 'prayer' is not used in the book of Esther, only the word 'fasting'.
Leilani, are you saying then that fasting and mourning gave them the deliverance from their enemies? In those 3 days and nights do you conclude that no prayers were offered? Does God deliver without our turning to Him in repentance?
Also, see PK, 598-605 for a few more details on how God draws the erring back to Himself so He can work to save them.
Personally, I have questions over this lesson particularly concerning the business of fear. I think the people could have feared in both ways.
Some could have actually feared not to become Jews because of their association with other Persians involved in the decree to kill the Jews. Others, I am sure, feared out of respect and saw the blessings of the Lord and decided to join the winners.
To me the same happened in the exodus from Egypt in the mixed multitude.
The Lord blesses his faithful children (with possessions), regardless of whether they are home or in a foreign land. Therefore there is no need to plunder. Lets remain faithful to Him all the time.
i am greatful for all the discussion about fear then the question i have is of us today i feel sometimes people profess to be converted but when they really are not
deep down .Its the same as one has mentioned self preservation as they fear what will be the out come of sinners in the second comming of Jesus .because its not for the love their christianity becomes to them a burden instead of joy their conduct leaves a lot to be desired they will always mourn and bring strife and doubt to some who are trying to be faithful followers and that is what im asking myself now am i choosing Christ because of fear or love
Prisilla, it is love for Jesus (for all He has done to save a sinner like me) that leads me to fear God. To me, this means I fear to disappoint Him as Joseph who loved God and feared to depart from His holy law when tempted to, knowing also that those who rebel against God's government will perish and lose out on dwelling in His presence forever.
Fear can go either of two ways. One is shown as fear/dread, the other as fear/reverence. One leads to outward show but no inward transformation, the other leads to inward transformation resulting in outward display of obedience through faith and joyful service towards others. God is glorified in the latter.
Remember, the Everlasting Gospel of Revelation 14:7 is "fear God and give Glory to Him...and worship Him...". Also; "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".