"Our destiny is tied to our history" (B. Moore)
The Whole Megillah
Let's GO!...
Ephesians 6:18 tells us that praying at all times in the Spirit, will infuse the armor and through the Holy Spirit we will be given the strength we need to be the ambassadors (warrior princesses) to fulfill our ministry He has called us to for this time; this season.
Hello Princesses!
If you've been reading along, note that we are moving into Chapter 3. How's the reading going? Last week we discussed the Jewish tradition and learned a little about the Festival of Purim. This week we will begin to discuss the Megillah. According to Bible commentaries, the Megillah is the reading of the book of Esther during the Festival of Purim. The actual reading can be conducted as either a small, private reading which takes approximately 20–25 minutes. A public synagogue reading can last as long as 45 minutes.
1. The Megillah- (Observed during the Festival of Purim)
"Everyone hears the scroll (the Megillah) being read, but very few people study the book. It's a good idea to study the book."
~ Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario ~
Over the next few months as we hear, read and listen, we will also "study the book", obtain perspectives and insights that can only come from an intentional focus on each chapter. Last week I mentioned that as we conduct our 10-week study, it's important to not only read but to also study the book. Provided in each GO! Report we will recap some key aspects of each chapter to fully underscore our study this session. Take a look below:
Chapter 1 ~ The Megillah
· God is not mentioned in the entire book, but in the events of this book, we see the workings of the invisible God as He acts in providence on behalf of His people.
· Time of political power
· Ahasuerus rules over 127 provinces and needed to ensure all followed his rule
· One main goal of his illustrious party was to ensure political power and firmly establish his rule
· Three feasts:
· Ahasuerus made a feast for all his officials and servants: The first feast was for all the government officials, where Ahasuerus showed off the glory and splendor of the riches of his kingdom. This feast lasted for 180 days.
· The king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel: The second feast was for the citizens of the capital city, Shushan and it lasted for seven days
· Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women: The third feast was for the women in the royal palace and was conducted by the wife of king Ahasuerus, Queen Vashti.
· Chapter 1- an invitation and refusal; women's rights movement squashed. Now what?
Oh, princesses of faith...remember
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give."
Closing Thoughts-
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
· do things you couldn't;
· feel things you didn't; and
· know things you wouldn't.
GO! PLAYLIST...For your praise and worship:
GO! 10/8/18- New feature, contains a playlist of songs and Books of the Bible (from Bible Project) for your praise and worship time.
Housekeeping:
· THIS WEEK Fall/Winter GO! Session 8 ~ Esther, It's Hard Being A Women
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve and GO!
Krista