THE LORD SPOKE (July 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Esther 1-2

We don't have them around today, at least not in an official position. But eunuchs have often held a recognized office in royal history. Chapter one of Esther tells of seven who served King Xerxes (Est. 1:10). They were advisers and royal messengers (Est. 1:15), especially in matters related to the harem which was their special charge (Est. 2:8,15). One from this list of seven men reappears in a later chapter and there are two others not on the list who figure largely in Esther's story:

• Hegai (Est. 2:8ff) - helps Esther "win favor"
• Hathach (Est. 4:5ff) - acts as Esther's emissary
• Harbona (Est. 7:9ff) - suggests "solution" for Haman

As an aside, notice just how favorable Esther is:

• first, she wins Hegai's favor (Est. 2:8)
• (she had obviously won Mordecai's favor long before - how hard was it for him to let her go?)
• then she wins favor "with everyone who saw her" (Est. 2:15)
• and, important to this story, she wins King Xerxes' favor (Est. 2:17)
• but, most important, she has won God's favor and He is happy to use her to accomplish His purposes.

Is there anything we can learn from the eunuchs? It hardly seems like a position people will be lining up for. They probably don't give out lots of job applications. Here's something to consider:

1. Be faithful to the Lord and serve Him from whatever position you find yourself.
2. Be the kind of person that those above you can trust.
3. Be creative with the resources you have at your disposal.
4. Define your position carefully and then be ready to take action when the opportunity comes.

God has His servants in many unexpected places. Sometimes, like Elijah (I Ki. 19:18), we need to be reminded that there are many others around us who love Him and are faithful to His cause.


New Testament: II Timothy 4

What’s a pastor to do? These three “Pastoral Epistles” contain a lot of instructions and answers to that question. Not everything that you read here is CW (conventional wisdom) or PC (politically correct). In fact, you can find “a great number of teachers to say what...[you] want to hear” (II Tim. 4:3).

So, what’s a pastor to do? Start with Paul’s first charge: Preach the Word! All the answers to every question are to be found there. The Scriptures are to be the source of all ministry. The results may not be CW or PC but they will be wise and correct because they’re God-ordained.

What’s a little surprising is the next part of the answer that Paul gives. Two-thirds appear to be rather negative. He says to “correct, rebuke, and encourage”. But he balances that with these words: it must be according to sound doctrine, it must be with great patience, and it must be with careful instruction.

To correct someone, you must know what’s right. That can only come from Scripture, so that’s where the sound doctrine comes in. You better be living it yourself though or all your words will be nothing more than that - just words.

To rebuke a person does little good unless done with great patience. You may deliver a stinging rebuke (“Boy, I sure told him!”) but it will only serve to drive away and embitter the recipient if it isn’t tempered with loving patience.

To encourage someone, you’ll find the greatest success if you do it with a measure of careful instruction. Just a pat on the back won’t go nearly as far as a well-aimed reinforcement. Instead of just saying, “that was great”, name the action you’re commending. “I really liked the way you ____________. You should do more of that! How about if you ___________ also.”

At the end of every epistle, Paul may be seen doing exactly this. His closing remarks always contain some correction, some rebuke, and some encouragement. They always demonstrate sound doctrine, great patience, and careful instruction. That’s why he could say in this, his last letter, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:7).