RPG Adults
UNEQUAL YOKE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Esther 2:12
Deuteronomy 7:1-7
"… what communion
hath light with darkness?"
UNEQUAL YOKE
Only after twelve months of careful cleaning and beauty treatments can a maiden meet King Ahasuerus. This purification was more of a physical ridding of uncleanness and blemishes. It was for the aim of marriage. Each maiden hoped to stand the best chance to be King Ahasuerus’ wife and be crowned queen. It is also believed that the 12-month period was to ensure that they were truly virgins and that none were pregnant. This also ensured that any child they bore would truly be the king’s seed. It was wrong for Mordecai to allow Esther to be part of such a marriage, even though it was to the king of the empire. But Esther was not free from guilt too. She allowed herself to be part of it, and did not seem to resist Hegai’s enthusiastic help to prepare her for marriage to the pagan king. As Jews, they should have been clear that they should never marry a pagan. But Esther allowed herself to be carefully prepared for twelve months for such a marriage. And Mordecai stood outside to watch it. There was no excuse for Esther to be unequally yoked in marriage just because they were in Babylon. Daniel and his friends (before Esther) did not compromise their faith, practices or obedience to God’s Word. Ezra and Nehemiah (after Esther) were zealously obedient to God’s Word. Joseph, as a slave, fled in the face of temptation.
But you say, "Did it not bring good in the end?" or "Esther might have suffered if she did not obey!" God is clear that the believer should never be unequally yoked with an unbeliever (2 Cor 6:14-18). He did not add any exception to the command. The book of Esther is not promoting the behaviours of Mordecai and Esther. It only shows that God is able to bring about His plan despite the sins and failures of His people. It does not mean He is pleased. The lives of Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah while in exile only contrast and condemn these actions of Mordecai and Esther. They obeyed God at all cost, and God delivered them and also fulfilled His plans through them. There is never any justification for the believer to marry an unbeliever.
THOUGHT: Nothing in this world is worth damaging my witness for God.
PRAYER: In times of great temptation, help me to stand firm, O Lord.
Posted in Adult RPG
Esther 2:12
Deuteronomy 7:1-7
"… what communion
hath light with darkness?"
UNEQUAL YOKE
Only after twelve months of careful cleaning and beauty treatments can a maiden meet King Ahasuerus. This purification was more of a physical ridding of uncleanness and blemishes. It was for the aim of marriage. Each maiden hoped to stand the best chance to be King Ahasuerus’ wife and be crowned queen. It is also believed that the 12-month period was to ensure that they were truly virgins and that none were pregnant. This also ensured that any child they bore would truly be the king’s seed. It was wrong for Mordecai to allow Esther to be part of such a marriage, even though it was to the king of the empire. But Esther was not free from guilt too. She allowed herself to be part of it, and did not seem to resist Hegai’s enthusiastic help to prepare her for marriage to the pagan king. As Jews, they should have been clear that they should never marry a pagan. But Esther allowed herself to be carefully prepared for twelve months for such a marriage. And Mordecai stood outside to watch it. There was no excuse for Esther to be unequally yoked in marriage just because they were in Babylon. Daniel and his friends (before Esther) did not compromise their faith, practices or obedience to God’s Word. Ezra and Nehemiah (after Esther) were zealously obedient to God’s Word. Joseph, as a slave, fled in the face of temptation.
But you say, "Did it not bring good in the end?" or "Esther might have suffered if she did not obey!" God is clear that the believer should never be unequally yoked with an unbeliever (2 Cor 6:14-18). He did not add any exception to the command. The book of Esther is not promoting the behaviours of Mordecai and Esther. It only shows that God is able to bring about His plan despite the sins and failures of His people. It does not mean He is pleased. The lives of Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah while in exile only contrast and condemn these actions of Mordecai and Esther. They obeyed God at all cost, and God delivered them and also fulfilled His plans through them. There is never any justification for the believer to marry an unbeliever.
THOUGHT: Nothing in this world is worth damaging my witness for God.
PRAYER: In times of great temptation, help me to stand firm, O Lord.
Posted in Adult RPG