Reading for September 19th

Read 1 Corinthians 1.1-9. In 1.1-3: Greeting. This opening greeting reflects the basic structure of greetings used in ancient letters. The writers of the letter (Paul and Sosthenes) address the church of God that is in Corinth and wish them grace and peace, standard forms of greetings among gentiles and Jews. In verses 4-9: Prayer of thanksgiving. Paul's letters usually begin with an extended prayer (see Rom 1.8-15; Phil 1.3-11). In a reassuring tone, he introduces themes developed later in the letter. All, not just a few, have enough speech and knowledge to be confident of their faith (compare 8.1). Nor do only an elite few experience spiritual gifts (Chs. 12-14). Everyone has been strengthened by the testimony of Christ,the preaching about Christ, continues to be strengthened by God. The prayer looks forward to the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, when Christ would return (ch. 15; 16.22). Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 18th

 Read Esther 10.1-3. In 10.1-3: Mordecai honored. In verse 2: Like other key events of the book of Esther, Mordecai deeds are recorded in the annals of the kings of Media and Persia. In verse 3: The closing tribute to Mordecai, as opposed to Esther for whom the book is named, is sometimes considered a latter addition to the book, though Purim is called "Mordecai's Day" in 2 Macc 15.35. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 17th

 Read Esther 9.18-32. In 9.18-32: Purim celebrations. In verses 18-21: The different days  on which the fighting took place here explains why purim is celebrated for two days. In verse 22: In keeping with the book's strong emphasis on banqueting, Purim observances include gifts of food. In verses 24-26: Ironically, the festival is named after Haman's plot, first begun in 3.7 with the casting of a lot. In verses 27-28: Because Purim is not found in the Torah (Pentateuch), its acceptance would have needed explanation and support. In verses 29-32: The titles of the Jew Mordecai (as in 8.7) and Queen Esther suggest their different, though complementary, authority for sending letters. Comments or Questions.

Reading for September 16th

 Read Esther 9.1-17. In 9.1-17: The events of Adar. In verse 1: On the very day underlines the reversal of fates that has taken place in the book. In verses 5-16: Jewish self-defense begins in the citadel of Susa (vv. 6-12). Fighting in Susa (vv. 13-15) may refer to the same locale or the unfortied city; fighting spreads to other Persian provinces (v. 16). The violence of these verses is variously assessed: Is the killing justified resistance to a planned pogrom? Is it a troublesome commentary on the excesses of revenge? They did not touch the plunder (vv. 10, 15, 16), though Mordecai's edict allowed it, suggesting a religious motive for the fighting. In 1 Sam 15, Saul loses kingship because he took plunder and spared Agag. Comments or Questions.

Reading for September 15th

 Read Esther 8.1-17. In 8.1-17 Esther and Mordecai issue edicts. In verses 1-2: Yet more reversals: Esther receives Haman's house, and the signet ring that Ahasuerus gave to Haman to issue a decree (3.10) is now given to Mordecai to issue a counter-decree. In verse 3: The king has saved Esther and Mordecai, but now asks the he save the whole Jewish people. In verse 8: The irrevocability of a royal edict is both the cause and the solution to the Jews problem. In verses 9-11: Sivan (Babylonian "Simanu") was still 9 months from the execution of the original edict. Given free reign to draft the decree, Mordecai allows Jews not only to defend themselves but also to take plunder (though they do not, see 9.10). In verse 15: Mordecai's blue and white robes (as in 1.6) link him with royalty, as foreshadowed in 6.11. In verse 17: Persians professed to be Jews, suggesting that Jewish identity could be chosen for oneself. Comments or Questions,..

Reading for September 14th

 Read Esther 7.1-10. In 7.1-10: Haman's downfall. In verses 3-4: Esther strategically heaps up deferential comments to the king and focuses on his loss ((damage to the king) in her death. In verse 8: Reclining was a common posture for banqueting. Haman's act of supplication is interpreted by Ahasuerus as a sexual attack on Esther. In verse 9: A eunuch "happens" to be on hand and suggests a "measure for measure" punishment for Haman. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 13th

 Read Esther 6.1-14. In 6.1-14: Royal insomnia benefits Mordecai. In a comic scene, the king passes a sleepless night listening to royal annals. In keeping with the theology of the book, "it just happened" to be the same night Haman "happens" to be in the court; and Haman's desire for royal treatment "happen" to be given to the very man he wished to hang. In verse 10: The Jew Mordecai: The king makes no connection between Mordecai's ethnicity and the people he had condemned to death in ch. 3. In verse 13: If Mordecai ... is of the Jewish people: Since Haman had already revealed this in 5.13, the statement is likely intended as a preview of what is to come. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 12th

 Read Esther 5.9-14. In 5.9-14: Haman's mood swings. In good spirits after the queen has shown him honor, Haman is infuriated by Mordecai's repeated refusal to bow. In verse 11: Haman's bragging to people who already know him suggests an ego out of control. In verse 14: Because the pogrom is still months from its execution, the plan to kill Mordea immediately on a gallows 50 cubits high (75 ft) leaves Haman in good spirits once again. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 11th

 Read Esther 5.1-8. In 5.1-8: Esther requests two banquets. In verse 1: Esther, while bold, shows (respect for the king). In verse 3: Half of my kingdom: Another example of Ahasuerus' impulsive style. In verses 4-5: A clear strategist, Esther feeds the ego of both the king (throwing him a banquet) and Haman (honoring him with an invitation). In verses 6-8: Esther requests another banquet, the seventh of the book. By postponing her ultimate request, she leaves the reader in suspense and puffs up Haman, preparing him for a yet more dramatic fall. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 10th

 Read Esther 4.1-17. In 4.1-17: Mordecai petitions Esther. In verse 1: Torn clothes, sackcloth, and ashes are typical gestures of mourning and distress. In verses 4-5: Why Esther was distressed is not explained: did she fear for Mordecai's safety. In verse 11: Despite her status as queen, Esther remains under the authority of the king and of the ever present Persian law. In verses 12-14: Mordecai is the face of Esther's Jewishness. His speech reminds her that she shares the fate of her people. Another quarter may be veiled reference to God, who is not named explicitly in the book. Perhaps ... for just such a time as this summarizes the book's theme: Esther rise to power just in time to save the Jewish people. In verses 16-17: For the first time, Esther commands Mordecai, and he does everything she says (compare 2.20). The fast is one of the few religious observances in the book and prepares the people for the danger Esther is to face. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 9th

 Read Esther 3.1-15. In 3.1-15: Mordecai angers Haman. In verse 1: Haman's Agagite identity puts him in tension with the Benjamite Mordecai (1 Sam 15.7-9). In verse 2: As in the case of Vashti's refusal, Mordecai's refusal to bow down is not explained. In verses 4-6: Mordecai having revealed his identity, Haman hatches a plan against all Jews. In verses 7-11: Nisan: As in other post-exilic books, month names are based on the Babylonian calendar. Pur: Akkadian for "lot" (singular, unlike the English usage of "lots"). The date chosen for the pogrom is 11 months hence. In verse 8: Haman does not identify the rebellious people, but argues their danger to the empire. In verse 10; Signet ring: Sign of royal authority. In verse 11: As it seems good to you: As usual, the king lets others decide. In verses 12-15: The edict, which bears the all the royal trappings, allows destruction and plunder of the Jewish people. Coldly, the men drink after issuing a decree of death. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 8th

 Read Esther 2.12-23. In 2.13-23: Esther and Mordecai's successes. The elaborate procedures portray Esther's chances as a longshot. In verses 15-18: Why savvy Esther follows the instructions of the eunuch who has favored her. Her victory is celebrated by the fourth banquet of the book. In verses 19-23: Mordecai's protection of the king, while not yet rewarded, will serve as his salvation from Haman's plot in ch. 6. In verse 21: Threshold: of the king's private room Greek sources relate that Ahasuerus died from this type of conspiracy. Mordecai's access to the eunuchs may indicate that he held some official position. Comments or Questions..