Check out all the previous Esther readings here.
Esther Reading Plan | Week 11 | Day 5
It’s our final reading in our Esther Reading Plan. Check it out below. Next week, we are going to have readings on the theme of “Joy.” Then, we will begin the Christmas Reading plan that will last throughout December. Our kids’ readings will return next year during another churchwide series.
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Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank God that he has forgiven you of all your sins and you can live for Him in freedom today!
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:24
Read this verse three times slowly.
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
Reflection & Questions
Esther finishes celebrating the work of Esther and Mordecai on behalf of the Jews. God has placed them “for such a time as this”. He worked through them to rescue the Jews and the Jews responded in massive celebration!
In today’s verse, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth and tells them why he is exerting himself on their behalf. He says, “we work with you for your joy.” For your joy. That’s why Paul is on mission. For people’s joy. He knew people were lost without hope. They might have fleeting pleasures and happiness. But they were missing the true, lasting joy of knowing Jesus. And it is for that joy that he prayed, that he worked tirelessly and risked his life.
May that be our mission, too! We serve. We give. We sacrifice for the joy of the people around us. That they would come to know Jesus.
- Think about your ONE coming to know Jesus. Picture them praising Jesus full of joy. Pray for their joy today. What’s a simple step you could take for their joy this week? (E.g. Invite them to church, ask them how you could pray for them, or a simple act of service.)
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Prepare to Meet with Jesus
Find a quiet place to read and pray. Make sure there are no devices around that will distract you. Pray and ask God to help you concentrate. Ask Him to help you understand what you read.
Bible Reading: Esther 9:23-32
Read these verses three times slowly.
Now the Jews celebrate these two days every year. They do it because of everything that was written in Mordecai’s letter. They also do it because of what they had seen and what had happened to them. So they established it as a regular practice. They decided they would always observe these two days of the year. They would celebrate in the required way. And they would celebrate at the appointed time. They and their children after them would always observe these days. And so would all who join them. The days should be remembered and celebrated. They should be remembered by every family for all time to come. They should be celebrated in every territory and in every city. The Jews should never stop celebrating the days of Purim. Their children after them should always remember these days. So Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, wrote a second letter. She wrote it together with Mordecai the Jew. They wanted to give their full authority to this second letter about Purim. Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 territories of the kingdom of Xerxes. The letters had messages of kindness and hope in them. The letters established the days of Purim at their appointed times. They spoke about what Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had ordered the people to do. Everything should be done in keeping with the directions the Jews had set up for themselves and their children after them. The directions applied to their times of fasting and sadness. Esther’s order established the rules about Purim. It was written down in the records.
Reflection & Questions
The Jewish Tradition of Purim is still celebrated today. It is a celebration of family and community, a time for joy and for giving gifts. Some traditions include giving Purim baskets which include at least 2 different types of food. Another tradition is to perform the Purim story so all can hear the story of Esther and how the Jews were able to triumph over those who were set to destroy them. They also have a grand feast with family, friends, and the community.
Each of these traditions are followed as they were mandated in the last book of Esther. Essentially, the Jewish people have been commanded to have this super fun party every year!
We have learned that God is all-knowing and will use those whom He calls to fulfill his plans. We have also learned that God is all-powerful and when He is on our side, we have all kinds of strength! But what we see here in this last chapter is that God is also full of joy. He is the reason this great celebration was created.
- Does Purim sound like a holiday that you would enjoy celebrating?
- If you could create a holiday to celebrate God, what would your party look like?
Pray
Thank God for being all-knowing, all-powerful, and also full of joy! Praise Him for His goodness and mercy. Thank Him for being so awesome!
Congratulations!
You’ve made it to the end of the Esther Bible Reading Plan for Kids! Give yourself a pat on the back! Now that you’ve made Bible reading a part of your life, keep going! Ask your parents about downloading the Bible App for Kids and using their reading plans. Or on the (regular) Bible App you can also find some great Bible reading plans for kids there, too. Keep going with your reading – it’s a great way to stay connected to Jesus!
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
