Numbers 1:20–54
Men of War; Offense and Defense

Our sermon verses display to us a rather vast army. To think of over six hundred thousand men rising up and engaging an enemy is almost hard to imagine. That is actually about half the size of the active US military today.… Read the rest

Numbers 1:1-19
A Census in the Wilderness

One of the reasons that scholars cite for the Lord directing Moses to take a census is to show that his promise to Abraham about multiplying his descendants was not forgotten, but was being fulfilled. Though it is true that the Lord made such a promise to Abraham, the census here isn’t necessary to show this.… Read the rest

Esther 10:1-3
The Greatness of Mordecai

Esther, like Ruth or Jonah, is a book which records events that really occurred. Like Ruth, it is one of the historical writings, but like Jonah, and even Ruth, it is also a book which prophetically looks forward, while also being given in types and shadows of other things.… Read the rest

Esther 9:18-32
The Days of Purim

The 30^th Psalm is one which could have been written specifically for the circumstances which surrounded the Jews during the time of Esther. Though it was written by David many centuries earlier, it fits their situation so very well. Other than the several references to the Lord, which are lacking in Esther, the contents reflect going from hopelessness to joy and from utter defeat, to triumph.… Read the rest

Esther 9:1-17
Rest From Their Enemies

The verses today speak of rest twice. But there is a difference in what they are saying, as you will see. There is a place of rest, and there is a state of rest. The two are not the same, but they can be united when the conditions are right.… Read the rest