Week Four of Esther

Today is Week Four of the Ten Weeks of Esther

Tuesday has rolled around once again, and it’s time for Week Four of Esther!! I hope you all have been reading a chapter per week in Esther along with me and are finding new and interesting things about the life of this Biblical heroine!

My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter  Four:

Last week the chapter ended with the city of Susa wailing in bewilderment, and in chapter four we pick up right where we left off. Mordecai has learned of the terrible plot against his people, and he is devastated. He rips his clothes and puts on sackcloth and ashes, a symbol of morning in that day, and goes out into the city while wailing loudly and bitterly. He is not alone: all the other Jews were mourning as well with fasting, weeping, wailing, and the wearing of sackcloth and ashes.

Would this be the end of God’s chosen people?

Maids and eunuchs swarmed about Esther bearing the news that her dignified cousin is wailing in the streets. Esther is deeply distressed. What could possibly be so terrible that her father-figure would go about in sackcloth and ashes? She sends clothes to him in exchange for his sackcloth, but he refuses to put them on. Esther, quite worried, sends one of her servants, Hathach, to go speak to Mordecai and get to the bottom of what was troubling the dear man.

Hathach goes, and Mordecai pours his heart out to this concerned soul, and hands over a copy of the text of the edict for the Jew’s annihilation. He instructs Hathach to give it to Esther and to explain the trouble that was destined to come. He also urges the faithful servant to beg Esther to go and plead for mercy on behalf of the Jews in the courts of the king.

Hathach does all that Mordecai instructs, and Esther gives Hathach a reply for her dear relative: no one can enter the kings courts unless invited. If she were to go without being sent for, certain death would follow unless the king extended his golden scepter and spares the intruders life. Was it a risk worth taking?

When Esther’s words were passed on to Mordecai, he sent back a reply that prompted Esther into action: did she think that because she lived in the king’s palace that she would be spared? If she would remain silent, a deliverer would come from somewhere else, but she would surely die, along with Mordecai. Then, Mordecai uttered the words that sum up the whole story of the Book of Esther: she was queen for such a time as this. She had a purpose for such a time as this. The Almighty would use her for such a time as this.

Esther knew what she needed to do, and sent word to Mordecai, commanding that he was to gather all the Jews in Susa and that they were to fast for Esther’s sake. They were not to eat or drink for three nights and three days, and Esther herself along with her maids would do the same. After the fast is over, she’ll go to the king.

And if she perishes, she perishes.

And thus ends chapter four

My Purim Party Ideas for Week Four:

Yes, a little change-up is in the works!! I decided that for now I’ll be telling of Purim party ideas…it’ll probably go back to crafts in a few weeks, but for now, stick with me.

But for now, here’s how Purim is celebrated at my house:

My family has had a party on the night of Purim for as long as I can remember. We make it a special event, with our best dishes and lots of special food. We all get dressed up and mainly keep it a family-affair. (Last year we only had my grandparents and my sister’s family over) Decorations with a purple and gold theme decorate the dinning room and the attached front room.

As we eat, my dad reads the whole book of Esther to us while we listen with cowbells in hand to “blot out the name” of Haman the Agagite (those without noisemakers “boo” and stomp their feet) and we erupt in cheers when Esther or Mordecai is spoken. (it ends up being quite the noise affair!) We eat special cookies (I’ll be putting up the recipe next week) and after the story has ended, we all retire to the front room to open gifts (nothing big mind you). More cookies follow, along with the occasional tissue paper and couch fights, and in time everyone either leaves or drifts to sleep.

Of course, that’s the “short” version of what we all do. ^_^ Haha!

If You’ve Posted For Week Four of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!

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Week Three of Esther

Today is Week Three of the Ten Weeks of Esther

I apologize for not having this post up on the 20^th (Tuesday), I didn’t have time until the day was over. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy Week Three of Esther! Remember, I encourage you to read a chapter per week with me and post about your own findings!

My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Three:

After the affairs in Chapter Two had come to a conclusion, King Xerxes gives honor to a man named Haman. We are told nothing about this man who suddenly is announced in chapter three aside from the fact that he’s an Agagite and King Xerxes gives him a seat of honor higher than any of the officials and nobles. The king also commands that everyone by the king’s gate should kneel down and pay honor to Haman the Agagite…an unfortunate decree for our dear fellow, Mordecai. He refuses to kneel or pay honor to Haman, for if he were to comply to the king’s command and kneel before Haman the Agagite, Mordecai would be breaking Torah.

So day in, and day out, Mordecai is the only one standing, and it causes a big stir of hatred in Haman’s heart. He, Haman, was puffed up with pride because of the honor everyone was bestowing upon him, and there was no way he was going to tolerate this old man’s stiff figure strait as an arrow to heaven when he walked past.

Word leaked out by way of the royal officials that Mordecai was a Jew, and Haman was enraged. He scoffs at the idea of killing the devout man…no, the blood of one wasn’t enough to satisfy Haman’s thirst. He wanted all the Jews killed, from India to Cush.

The pur (that is, the lot) was cast and the fateful day of blood was announced as the lot fell upon the month of Adar.

Haman then went to have a man-to-man talk with the king. He deviously sneaks in twisted truth about the people he so craves to have annihilated so that King Xerxes believes them to be a threat, a people who cannot be tolerated. So by smooth tongue and jingling change purse, Haman pushes the king over and is granted permission from the king along with the king’s signet ring.

Quickly, a script was written out to the provinces in each language spoken within and was dispatched to high-governing men and various citizens. The cold words were to destroy, kill, and annihilate all Jews, young and old, women, children, and men alike and to plunder their goods on a single day: the thirteenth of Adar.  This was not just any script or order, it was law.

King Xerxes and Haman sit down for a congratulating drink…while the city outside wails in bewilderment.

And thus ends chapter three.

My Craft Ideas for Week Two:

Mason jars are wonderful containers, or at least in my opinion. *winks* They can also be great gifts that give an air of homemaking. Some gift ideas that use mason jars are:

#1. Home-made caramel corn stored in a mason jar and tied with a big purple bow with a note make very tasty gifts! It’s also a great centerpiece gift; the yellow corn and purple ribbon look great with most royal Purim themes. Don’t have a recipe for caramel corn? Click HERE. Miss Meggy T submitted one for the current issue of PLLM. 

#2. Another “food” gift idea is the traditional cookie mix in a mason jar. Although it’s a great idea, get creative and think of other mixes you could do, such as spiced cocoa, scones, muffins, etc. Tie a bow around the rim.

#3. Paint the outside of a mason jar (usually strawberries, grapes, or cherries look great on the jars, or paint vintage flowers), put about ½ cup of sand in the bottom of the jar, and place a tea-light candle in the middle of the sand. Be careful how you wrap it, though, because you don’t want the sand spilling out!

#4. Can a batch of homemade jam and give it as gifts! People LOVE it, it's yummy and sweet and practical!

Have any other ideas for mason jars? Comment me and tell them to me!!

If You’ve Posted For Week Three of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!

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Week Two of Esther

  Today is Week Two of the Ten Weeks of Esther

Hurray, Week Two is here! I hope that you have read Chapter Two of Esther and have come up with your own notes for this week…don’t just take my words, search it out for yourself. And when you search it out, post about it!! Challenge your friends to search Esther out as well!

My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Two:

We start Chapter Two out once the anger of King Xerxes subsided, and he remembers Vashti, almost like he realized that he made a rash choice and wants her back. The king’s personal attendants bring forth an idea: a search is to be made for beautiful, attractive young women for the king.

And thus, we meet Hadassah…who is known as Esther. She’s a young girl who lives under an older cousin’s wing. She’s an orphan, and a beautiful one at that.

But just as soon as we’re introduced to this maiden, she’s taken to the king’s palace in the citadel of Susa and placed under Hegai, who is in charge of the harem. Hegai takes a liking to Esther and she wins his favor. Soon, Hegai is treating her “special” and goes out of his way to make her comfortable.

We’re given the impression that Esther is an obedient girl, who follows orders. Her cousin Mordecai has forbidden her to reveal her nationality and family background, and she obeys his wishes and doesn’t tell anyone her real name or that she’s a Jew.

Meanwhile, Mordecai is anxious about his cousin, who he loves as a daughter. He walks back and forth….back and forth….back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out what was happening to Esther and how she was making out. 

After many months of watching one young virgin after another go to the king and come back rejected, it was Esther’s turn. She chose nothing to take with her except for what Hegai suggests.

King Xerxes is completely taken by her. No other had drawn his attention or approval as Esther had done. He places the royal crown upon her silky hair and makes her queen in place of Vashti. He threw an “Esther banquet” ad proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces of his kingdom.

His search had ended.

And his life might’ve ended there as well if it wasn’t for Mordecai, who had uncovered a plot to assassinate the king. Mordecai told Queen Esther, who in turn told the king, giving credit to Mordecai.

And thus ends Chapter Two!

My Craft Ideas for Week Two: Simple dish towel aprons from STITCHES & PINS

Here’s a great gift idea from  JoAnn and Corrie Gagnon’s book, “Stitches & Pins” : Simple Aprons! (titled “Hostess Aprons” in their book)

 All you need is a dish towel, bias tape, and sewing supplies to make a cute little apron! I made one for myself last year and although it technically “fits” me, I like my aprons longer that dishtowel length. I’m planning on making another one for a little friend of mine, though, she should be surprised!

Click HERE to buy the sewing book, I would defiantly recommend it! I was hoping to get pictures up of the apron but nevertheless I’m horrible with computers and I’m still working on trying to get it to the web. Hopefully I’ll get the picture up sometime this week with more instructions on how to make these cute aprons…

If You’ve Posted For Week Two of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!

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Today is Week One of the Ten Weeks of Esther

Today is Week One of the Ten Weeks of Esther

I’m so excited to be hosting the 10 Weeks of Esther on my blog!! We’ll read one chapter per week in the book of Esther, and I’ll be posting not only my findings in that chapter but crafts, recipes, and gift ideas that my family does during Purim (we’ll learn more about the feast of Purim later on in the book of Esther)

My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter One:

As we read chapter one, we find that there’s big problems between King Xerxes and his wife, Queen Vashti. I kind of gathered that the king and queen didn’t necessarily marry for love…and things seem to be taught with tension. It’s only a matter of time before it explodes. And when it explodes…it explodes!

King Xerxes seems to be a prideful man and delights in displaying his glory. Let’s face it, this guy is practically a world-icon, ruling from India to Cush (the upper Nile region), and he has lots to show off. Thus, he hosts a party that drags on for months, with wine in abundance and gold cups of your choice.

Meanwhile, Queen Vashti’s hosting a women’s-week-out over on her side of the castle.

And then it happens.

King Xerxes commands Queen Vashti to “display” herself at his party. Queen Vashti’s attitude is one of defiance as she refuses to come. Needless to say, it was the last straw. The king burns with anger, and after talking with his wise men he kicks Vashti out for good.

One thing I found interesting about what the wise men said was the reason they told the king to expel Vashti from being queen. Vashti didn’t haven’t a submissive spirit, and the wise men know that the women that were at Vashti’s gathering sensed it at well. The foresee defiance among the women in Susa and uproar to their husbands.

So, not only do they advise the king to expel Vashti, but to also send out a decree that every man should be ruler over his own household.

And thus ends Chapter One.

My Craft Ideas for Week One:

As you all know, my family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, so we obviously don’t give gifts then. Although we do Hanukkah, we do not give gifts then either (instead we focus more on devotions, activities, and bonding as a family rather than gift-giving). The only  “holiday” that we give gifts on is Purim (we’ll find out more on gift-giving later in the book of Esther). We don’t give anything big, only small gifts and cards and candy. But this year, I’m going to try to hand-make all my gifts instead of buying them, and I’m also going to try to get gifts for all of my family (which ends up being quite the crowd with the huge passel of nieces and nephews that I have and all the rest of the H----------- clan!)

Anyhow, the gift idea for this week is: coupons!

My mom’s birthday was a few weeks ago, and I wanted to get her something special…but I couldn’t spend a lot of money! I was running out of time, and I ended up sitting on my bed the night before her “big day” with nothing for her. Finally, I remembered something a friend of ours had said: “You always have something to give. If you can’t give with money, you can give with your time”. A great idea popped into my head: I could make out “coupons” for my mom for things that I would do for her, such as making a dinner, washing the floor, doing loads of laundry, etc., and other things that would be going out of my way to help her out.

This is a great idea, and I’m planning on using the idea again for Purim gifts (on select people, of course! ^_^) as well.

If you’re wanting to make Purim gifts but don’t have much money to spend, give the gift of your time. Present coupons for car-washes to your dad, or coupons for extra things to help around the house to your mother. Be creative!

If You’ve Posted For Week One of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!

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