Lesson 12: Esther and Mordecai

The Book of Esther is a fascinating biblical work that narrates the story of a courageous woman living in ancient Persia. Esther, a Jewish orphan, is elevated to the position of queen and plays a crucial role in saving her people from impending destruction. Her faith and determination, even in the face of mortal danger, make her an inspiring example of loyalty and trust in God. The book reveals how God’s hand often works behind the scenes, even when His name is not directly mentioned, prompting us to consider how we should live our faith in challenging situations.

12.1 Captive in a Foreign Culture

It is moving to empathize with those who live as captives in a foreign culture, facing challenges that are difficult to comprehend. The history of the Jews under the Babylonians and Persians sheds light on a time when faith principles were severely tested.

While few of us today may live in a land where the tenets of our faith shape legislation, the idea that the Jewish people once lived in their land, where their beliefs were embedded in the laws, prompts reflection on the significance of faith and loyalty.

Following one’s faith would undoubtedly be easier if religious principles were directly embedded in national laws. However, salvation history shows that true loyalty depends not only on external circumstances. Even when laws seem favorable, dedication to God must come from the heart to be protected from sin, apostasy, and ruin.

God’s words remind us that external piety is insufficient if not accompanied by internal sincerity. The decision to remain faithful should arise not only from lips but from a deep inner resolve. In such determination lies the strength to remain steadfast and obedient even in adverse circumstances.

Read Daniel 1:1–12; 3:1–12; and 6:1–9. Regardless of the specific situation, what do these accounts reveal about the challenges God’s people may face in a foreign culture?

These Bible passages, Daniel 1:1–12; 3:1–12; and 6:1–9, provide insights into various episodes of Daniel and his friends’ lives in a foreign land. Despite different situations, they reveal some common challenges God’s people may face in a foreign culture:

1. Cultural Assimilation and Identity:

   • In Daniel 1, we see Daniel and his friends challenged to integrate into Babylonian culture, including changes to their names and dietary habits. This illustrates how easy it is to lose one’s identity and faith principles in a foreign environment.

2. Conflict Between Faith and State Orders:

   • In Daniel 3, the story of the golden image tells how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refuse to worship the image. Here, we witness the conflict between faith in the true God and state orders. Choosing faith can come with severe consequences.

3. Faithfulness to God Despite Contradictory Laws:

   • Daniel 6 narrates Daniel’s refusal to disobey the royal decree prohibiting prayer to any other god. This situation underscores that even in an environment hindering faith, loyalty to God must supersede human laws.

4. Trials of Loyalty to God:

   • In all these stories, we see God’s people being tested. Challenges range from dietary practices to obedience to state orders and fidelity in prayer. These trials show that living in a foreign culture often involves moral and spiritual challenges.

Overall, these Bible passages emphasize the need for believers to maintain their identity, stay faithful to God, and not be swayed by cultural norms conflicting with divine principles in a foreign culture.

What challenges to your faith do you see yourself facing in your culture, and how do you respond?

It’s important to note that many people around the world, in various cultures, confront different challenges to their faith. These challenges can vary based on individual beliefs, cultural contexts, and societal environments. Some potential challenges might include:

1. Secularization:

   • In many parts of the world, secularization is on the rise, and religious beliefs may be excluded from the public sphere. Believers might struggle to openly live or share their faith.

2. Interreligious Tensions:

   • In societies with diverse religious representations, believers may face tensions and conflicts, especially regarding differing beliefs.

3. Ethics and Values:

   • Social changes can lead to questioning certain ethical and moral convictions. Believers might find themselves in situations where their beliefs clash with the prevailing moral consensus.

4. Scientific Developments:

   • Advances in science and technology may pose challenges to specific religious beliefs if perceived to conflict with scientific understanding.

5. Individualism and Pluralism:

   • In cultures characterized by individualism and cultural diversity, believers might struggle to live their beliefs in an environment accepting a wide range of worldviews.

The nature of the response to these challenges varies greatly from person to person and depends on individual beliefs, personal strength, and circumstances. Some may choose to actively stand for their convictions, while others might prefer a more reserved approach. Dialogue, understanding, and seeking common values are often key factors in addressing these challenges.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-12-esther-and-mordecai-12-1-captive-in-a-foreign-culture/

Lesson 11, “Mission to the Unreached – Part 2,” provides a profound exploration of missionary work in the context of unreached areas, particularly in urban environments. The Bible texts, especially Jesus’ encounters with people in cities like Tyre and Sidon, offer valuable lessons for modern Christians facing the challenge of mission in urban settings.

The lesson begins by examining Jesus’ decision to go with His disciples to areas influenced by pagan cultures. This served the purpose of imparting lessons to the disciples, preparing them for their calling to reach all population groups, including city dwellers. Bible passages such as Judges 3:1–6 and 1 Kings 5:1–12 are referenced to understand the background of these pagan cities and demonstrate how they posed a test for the people of God in the past.

A significant portion of the lesson delves into Jesus’ interaction with a Canaanite woman in Tyre and Sidon. This event emphasizes how Jesus introduced His disciples to a cross-cultural mission, confronted their biases and narrow-mindedness, and provided a model for holistic mission in cities. The connection to the texts in Matthew 15:22–28 and Mark 7:24–30 is highlighted to illustrate the differences in the portrayal of the woman and the instructive elements for the disciples.

The lesson also draws parallels to Acts 10:9–16.28.34–35, where Peter is prompted through visions of unclean animals to overcome his prejudices against the Gentiles. This demonstrates how crucial it is to address prejudices and cultural limitations to effectively carry out the mission in cities.

Overall, the lesson emphasizes the need to expand the missionary horizon, overcome biases, and practice a faith that shines even in the darkest cities. The challenges faced by missionary work in urban areas are addressed, from health and environmental issues to social and religious challenges. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that, despite these obstacles, Christians are called to engage with cities and bring the gospel to all cultures and nations.

In summary, the lesson encourages facing the challenge of mission in unreached and urban areas, overcoming biases, and following the example of Jesus, who brought love and the gospel to those who needed it most. It underscores that faith and mission are inseparably linked and that the devotion Jesus taught His disciples is relevant for modern Christians engaging in a diverse and challenging missionary environment.

The lesson “Mission to the Unreached – Part 2” connects in various ways to our daily lives and faith. Here are some connections:

1. Overcoming biases: The lesson encourages overcoming biases and being open to different cultures and people. In our daily lives, we encounter various people with diverse backgrounds, and faith teaches us to treat them with love and respect instead of being guided by prejudices.

2. Mission in daily life: The lesson emphasizes cross-cultural mission and the importance of living out the gospel in all aspects of life. This reminds us that our everyday life is a mission field where we can pass on the light of Christ through our behavior, words, and love for others.

3. Shining faith in the darkness: The idea that our faith should shine even in the darkest cities has a direct application to our daily lives. In the midst of challenges, stress, and uncertainties, as believers, we can bring hope and comfort by showing our confidence in Christ.

4. Prayer for a greater measure of faith: The challenge to seek a greater measure of faith in prayer is something that can be integrated directly into our daily lives. Opening ourselves in prayer for more faith allows us to move forward more boldly and trustingly in our daily lives.

5. Community and support: The lesson underscores the importance of Christian community and mutual support. In daily life, we can practice this by actively engaging in church communities and groups to learn from each other, encourage one another, and grow together in our faith.

6. Seeing life’s challenges as mission opportunities: The lesson reminds us that despite the obstacles in urban areas, Christians are still called to advocate for cities. Similarly, in our daily lives, we can see challenges as opportunities to live out our faith and bring others closer to the love of Christ.

Overall, the lesson encourages us not to confine our faith only to worship or personal prayer life but to actively integrate it into our daily lives. It shows that mission and faith are inseparably linked and that through our faith, we can bring about positive changes in the world around us.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-mission-to-the-unreached-part-2-11-6-summary/

Jesus’ question in Luke 18:8, whether He will find faith on earth at His return, is profound and encourages us to reflect on the kind of faith Jesus seeks. The faith Jesus seeks is not merely superficial; it is a living, active faith that shines even in the midst of darkness.

The sections in Matthew and Mark that highlight people with great faith show that this faith can be found in unexpected places and in unusual people. The converted Gentile centurion, the friends who tear open the roof, blind Bartimaeus – they all demonstrate that faith knows no bounds. It can be present in a Gentile centurion as much as in a former blind man in a dark city.

However, it is also noteworthy that even among God’s people, especially in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, faith could be limited or even absent. Jesus refers to His own community as “little faith” and “unbelieving and perverse generation.” This reminds us that faith is not guaranteed by external affiliation or tradition.

The application for today lies in realizing that faith is not confined to specific places, nations, or religious backgrounds. Faith can shine in cities, among foreigners, heathens, and people of other religions. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are called to humbly go into the cities, just as Jesus did, and seek those who, when they hear the truth, will respond with a saving faith in Jesus. It requires an attitude of humility, openness, and love to recognize and nurture faith in the most unexpected places and people.

Challenge: Open your heart in prayer for a greater measure of faith to share your love with people near and far.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before you in humility, bringing my heart and soul to you. You know the depths of my being and my desire to experience more of your faith within me. Today, I am challenged to open my heart in prayer for a greater measure of faith to share your love with people near and far.

I acknowledge that my faith is often limited, and sometimes I let external circumstances, prejudices, or comfort influence me. Yet, I long to believe as the people in the Scriptures who shone in their diversity and unwavering faith. Let your Holy Spirit work in my heart and deepen my faith.

Help me penetrate the darkness around me with the light of your love. Open my eyes to the people seeking hope, whether nearby or in distant lands. May my heart be sensitive to the needs of those I might have overlooked.

I pray for a greater measure of faith that empowers me to boldly go into the cities without being guided by prejudices or fears. May my faith be strong enough to embrace the challenges of mission in the cities and carry your love to people of any origin, nationality, or religion they belong to.

Father, I trust that you hear and answer my prayer. May your Spirit work in me and make me a tool of your love and faith. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Challenge Plus: How did you come to know Jesus and the precious Three Angels’ Messages? List three spiritual blessings you have received from Jesus in your life. Prepare to talk about it on Sabbath.

Getting to know Jesus: Many people come to know Jesus in various ways, whether through personal Bible studies, worship services, Christian communities, or personal conversion experiences. The relationship with Jesus can deepen over time and be strengthened through prayer, Bible study, and community.

Getting to know the Three Angels’ Messages: The Three Angels’ Messages are a central doctrine in Adventist theology. They are based on the biblical texts Revelation 14:6–12 and proclaim the eternal good news calling for repentance and pointing to the upcoming judgment and the second coming of Christ.

Three spiritual blessings from Jesus:

1. Salvation and Forgiveness: Through faith in Jesus as my Redeemer, I have experienced the blessing of forgiveness of my sins and the assurance of eternal salvation.

2. God’s Presence in Prayer: The opportunity to have a personal relationship with God through prayer is a blessing that provides peace, comfort, and guidance in various life situations.

3. Fellowship of Believers: The Christian community, where people encourage, support, and experience God’s love together, is a blessing made possible by Jesus.

If you want to talk about this on Sabbath, remember that it is important to speak authentically about your personal experiences and how your faith and relationship with Jesus have influenced your life. Share the blessings you have found in your faith journey and encourage others to share their personal experiences as well.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-mission-to-the-unreached-part-2-11-5-faith-on-earth/