Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

For Reading and Meditation:     Ruth 2:22-23

Ruth continues to glean in the field of Boaz, secure in the knowledge that when the barley harvest is over she will be able to stay on and participate in the wheat harvest as well. Naomi is equally elated as she senses that Ruth's meeting with Boaz is no accident, but part of God's wonderful provision and care. One can...

For Reading and Meditation:     Ruth 3:1

As Naomi ponders the sovereignty of God in the meeting between Ruth and Boaz, she begins to realize there is a distinct possibility that Boaz will take on the responsibility of marrying Ruth and providing the security she needs in the future. She begins, therefore, to formulate a clear and daring plan to ensure the continuance...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:7-8

Yesterday we saw how God's purposeful and loving hand had gently guided Mordecai to Susa in Persia in order that he might be the right man in the right place at the right time. Today we meet the woman who is the centerpiece of the story - the lovely Esther. She was, in fact, the adopted daughter of Mordecai. He had taken...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:1-6

Having taken steps to remove Vashti from the throne, plans are set in motion for the selection of a new queen. Thus the first "Miss World" contest gets under way. The king appoints officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, presumably to arrange knock-out competitions so that by process of elimination only the best...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:8-9

One of the most fascinating things about Old Testament history is the way in which God used those who did not believe in Him to further His purposes. Cyrus, the creator of the Persian Empire, is one such example. Yet Isaiah shows us how, behind all his conquests, a divine purpose was at work: "I will strengthen you, though...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:10

The advice given by Mordecai to Esther that under no circumstance is she to reveal she is a Jewess indicates that he had some awareness of God's purpose to use Esther's presence in the palace to accomplish divine ends. It also provides us with a more complete answer to the question we posed several days ago when we wondered...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:11-14

We made the point yesterday that Mordecai advised Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity because of a divinely given consciousness that both he and she were part of God's purposes for their age. Can you imagine, therefore, with what care and concern he must have conducted his daily vigil outside the palace gates? We...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:15-20

The twelve-month period for those who were being groomed for selection as queen is now at an end and the day arrives on which the new queen of Persia is to be selected. Esther, along with the other contestants, is given access to all the perfume and finery that she desires. Just imagine that! It's rather like saying:...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 2:21-23

We turn from the excitement and atmosphere of the palace and Esther's selection to another stage and development in the story. Now that God has successfully brought Esther into favor with the king, His purpose is to do exactly the same for Mordecai. But how could an unknown Jew such as Mordecai become a favored subject...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 3:1-4

Today a new name appears in our story - that of Haman. We know very little about him except for the fact that, through a series of promotions, he rises to a position of great eminence, second only to the king. The Scripture records one detail about him, however, which is rather significant: it says he was "the son of...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 3:7-8

We pause to expand on the point we made yesterday, namely that the fierce persecution which has been directed toward the Jewish people has been the very thing that has enabled them to maintain their clear spiritual identity. The fact that they have survived the cunning of such evil rulers as Pharaoh, Haman, and, in modern...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 3:5-6

When the news is carried to Haman that one man in the kingdom will not bow down to him, he is extremely angry. By this time it is a well known fact that Mordecai is a Jew. Haman, bearing as he did a strong hatred of the Jewish people, would have liked to have ended Mordecai's life there and then. He knows, however, that to...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 3:9-15

Clearly Haman knew that his plan to exterminate the Jews needed careful thought if it was to succeed. As Persia prided itself on its structure of law, his first task was to draw up a new edict which demanded the death of all those who were Jews, then have it approved by the king. When, at last, the cruel document is...

For Reading and Meditation:     Esther 4:1-9

When the news of Haman's cruel edict reaches the ears of Mordecai, his reaction is one of stunned sorrow. He realizes that because of his unwillingness to bow before Haman, every single Jew is to be annihilated. Immediately, he puts on sackcloth and ashes - the Jewish symbol of deep mourning. So dressed, Mordecai makes his...