Tag: Morality

According to Every Man’s Pleasure

On By TimIn Esther 1, TemperanceLeave a comment

Now in the days of Ahasuerus, also called Xerxes, who reigned from India to Ethiopia, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, in those days, the palace where King Ahasuerus sat on the royal throne of his kingdom was in Susa.

Esther 1:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This sets the stage for the things written in Esther. Chronologically, these events happen in the middle of what is written in Ezra. King Xerxes is introduced in Ezra. At the beginning of his reign, there was a letter written to him that portrayed the Jewish people as insubordinate. Keeping that in mind will help to see how the king grew in wisdom despite the intrigue of the adversary to destroy a people.

In the third year of his reign, he prepared a feast for all his officials and his servants. So the army commanders of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials of the provinces were before him.

Esther 1:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We understand that what occurs here happens a few years after what is recorded about the king from the book of Ezra.

He unveiled the riches of his glorious kingdom and the costly luxury of his greatness for many days, one hundred and eighty days.

Esther 1:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This feast lasted for half a year. It was lavish, as the kingdom itself was wealthy. It also showed off the military prowess and conquests of the king. If one remembers the statue from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in the book of Daniel, this kingdom is represented by silver. The Medo-Persian kingdom was not as grand as the Babylonian kingdom it seized. Yet Xerxes’ reign was exerted over a vast kingdom.

When these days were completed, the king prepared a seven-day feast for all the people present, from the greatest to the least, in the citadel of Susa. This feast was in the courtyard garden of the king’s palace where white and blue linen hangings were fastened with cords of white and purple linen to silver rings and columns of marble. The gold- and silver-plated couches were on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

Esther 1:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

After that great feast, a smaller one was prepared. It was much more intimate than the previous one, yet still displayed the splendor and wealth of the kingdom.

For all the opulence on display, some darker things are revealed.

They provided drinks in golden vessels (the vessels being diverse one from another) and royal wine in abundance, by the expense of the king. In accordance with the law, the drinking was not mandatory, because the king had directed all the stewards of his house to serve according to every man’s pleasure.

Esther 1:7–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Drunkenness was allowed by law. Of course, one may overlook the detail, but it is recorded for us that drinking was permitted as a matter of law. As was conscience. Yet the law permitted and sanctioned immorality.

Think of applying these ideas to your own household. Having a grand party to show of wealth may seem pretentious enough. Sanctioning drunkenness is another.

According to every man’s pleasure is how these were served by law. Of course, the law also allowed for conscience. It also permitted debauchery in the highest places.

Sometimes, a person’s conscience isn’t enough to keep them from succumbing to intoxicants. With no outside influence in the society to align with moral behavior, people are given a license to indulge. This is decadence.

Dissipation Leads to Apathy

On By TimIn Last Days, Salvation, Zephaniah 01Leave a comment

Zephaniah 1:12 (MEV): At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are settled on their lees, who say in their heart “The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.”

— Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the prophet Zephaniah speaking to Judah. He is speaking of things to happen in the future because of Judah‘s worship of other gods. Like all prophecy don’t think single prediction. We are given the pattern for the sign. There is a practice drill for the sign first. It is likely to come in the short-term future. While the ultimate complete sign will come in full time.

Judah is ruled by King Josiah. He brought many reforms and God recognized his tender heart toward the things of God. The setting is before the invasion from Babylon. God spoke that it was sure to happen but was to be forestalled until Josiah was gathered to his fathers.

I give the background for context. But I want to look at something specific. The important phrase is “the men who are settled on their lees.” It is better translated as men who have their senses dulled by alcohol. It is written to show that despite all of God’s warnings of impending doom, there are those who won’t and don’t believe that He will do anything at all. Things will just continue to go as they are.

We know from elsewhere in the Old Testament that Jerusalem was indeed invaded, God did exactly what He said. This is despite the apathy and dissipation brought on by booze. The drink addled their intellect. All transgression does that. We read clearly in Romans 1 that it suppresses the knowledge of God.

So what?

Well, here’s an application.

Consider the US and how far we’ve drifted from a true morality in the last many decades. We’ve had a bit of respite with a king that is attempting to make reforms. Yet there is a pervasive pall over the land and the world for that matter. Will God move at all?

I’m not saying the US is in this prophecy, nor is it meant for us. But there are many who have grown dull of thinking clearly. And it’s not limited to our leaders. It’s done by imbibing regularly in the decadence of the culture.

Such things work to suppress the knowledge of God. We take the trinkets of the culture including real intoxicants like booze and drugs, among other things. These lead some to think God isn’t going to do anything by taking the right edges off of reality.. He’s not sent judgment for our foibles whether personal or national. In other words, God becomes impotent.

That pall of apathy still pervades. It’s so bad it has even entered into local churches. It is a challenge to find teaching on the signs of the times. And there are those. They are not signs as in prophecy being fulfilled. They are on the horizon before us casting their shadows that can be seen. They herald something foreboding much like the wail of a klaxon.

Time is short.

Some of us hear. Don’t let the dainties and delicacies of the culture catch you off-guard. The President can’t save you from the time to come. Neither will the right Supreme Court justice do it. These tend to be just distractions.

Don’t get me wrong. These things can be avenues of reform and even revival. They may even provide a small time of respite. We ought to be working toward that. But sharpen the witness, be ready to speak of the love of God even as His tender mercies were offered to Josiah.

One only gets so many trips around the sun, and then there is a day of reckoning. Don’t be apathetic. God might not move in the way you want Him to do. But He is working.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.

Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those who fear God when they have reverence before Him. But it will not be well for the wicked, and he will not prolong his days, like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

Ecclesiastes 8:11–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The shortness of the hour is glaringly apparent. He loves you and is patiently waiting for you. Buy your time is limited. Use it wisely. (If you want to know how to use it wisely, DM me.)