J. Matt Barber
Women, you are called 'for such a time as this'
By J. Matt Barber
I love the Old Testament account of Queen Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman who put her life on the line to serve God and save her people.
Esther had been orphaned as a child and raised by her cousin Mordecai. She was elevated from a life of relative obscurity – via rather unique circumstances – to sit atop the throne of the Persian Empire. King Xerxes chose her, from many, as his queen following a royal bridal contest. He was unaware that Esther and Mordecai were Jewish. It is unlikely that he would have chosen Esther had he known. Mordecai was then appointed to a low level government position.
After Mordecai unearthed a conspiracy to assassinate King Xerxes, he quickly advised Esther. She, in turn, warned the king, giving full credit for the discovery to Mordecai who was richly rewarded for his loyalty.
Meanwhile, Haman, Xerxes' highest-ranking executive – an evil man who hated the Jews – devised a plot to have all the Jewish people killed, including Esther and Mordecai. King Xerxes agreed to the genocidal scheme, still oblivious to Esther's Jewish heritage.
Once again, Mordecai learned of the conspiracy and urged Esther to reveal her Jewish heritage to Xerxes, saying, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
Esther called the Jewish people to fasting and prayer and – at risk to her own life and limb – devised a clever scheme of her own. She held a banquet for Xerxes and Haman wherein she revealed her Jewish heritage to the king and begged his mercy for herself and the Jewish people.
Xerxes was moved by Esther's courage and love for her people. He granted her request and became enraged at Haman. He had Haman executed and promoted Mordecai to his post. Xerxes then pledged safety for the Jewish people.
To this day, Esther's bravery, her faith in God and God's deliverance of His chosen people are celebrated during the Jewish festival of Purim.
The Bible is rich with stories of brave women who were called to serve God and country. These stories, like Esther's, are an inspiration to men, women and children alike. Still, such stories – such callings – are not exclusive to biblical times.
Women, you too – every one of you who both love the Lord and wish to serve Him – are called "for such a time as this."
At Liberty Counsel, we often hear from women who are deeply concerned about our nation's self-destructive trajectory. The burning question they ask is "What can I do?" Like us, they wish to preserve our nation's Judeo-Christian heritage and secure the legacy we are leaving for future generations.
In response, Liberty Counsel and Women Impacting the Nation (WIN) offer an exceptional opportunity to answer the call. Women, young and old, can learn from – and be inspired by – other women who are changing their communities, their states and the nation at the third annual "For Such A Time As This" Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 15-16.
This is a unique conference that blends faith with action, bringing informative speakers with time for fun, fellowship, prayer, praise and worship.
There will be renowned speakers such as AP award-winning investigative journalist Jan Morgan, who will share from her expertise as an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
There will also be opportunities to enjoy a concert with Dove Award winner Kathy Troccoli, to have dinner with author and CURE founder Star Parker, to shop a fantastic silent auction, to attend a reception with Liberty Counsel President Anita Staver and other speakers, to hear from Campus Crusade cofounder Vonette Bright, to meet talk-show host Rachel Campos-Duffy, to learn from Susan Michael, director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and much more.
WIN founder Sue Trombino has underscored why your faith and action are needed now more than ever: "Our nation is in imminent danger of self-destruction at the hands of its own under-educated, misinformed, disconnected citizens," she's warned.
"Our enemies around the globe are diligently working to exploit our ignorance and tolerance to bring the United States of America to its knees. It is time for God's people to take a stand and do something. But to be effective, we must first understand what it is we believe, why we believe it, and what we can do about protecting our faith and our rights."
Indeed, as goes the old adage: "Knowledge is power."
I want to personally thank all of you who take the time to read my weekly column. I also want to strongly encourage you ladies to prayerfully consider attending this conference and to enlist your friends and family members to join you – to join this esteemed lineup of modern-day Esthers.
Come learn about the issues and ideas that really matter to you in a fun, encouraging and relaxing setting. Come and be empowered to help reverse this nation's "progressive" careen toward a secular-socialist cliff's edge. You will go home encouraged, informed, emboldened and equipped with the truth that you need to make a positive impact in your own sphere of influence and community.
Register now for this one-of-a-kind conference at WomenImpactingTheNation.org or LC.org, or call 877-810-1776.
Together, women of faith can help secure our nation for future generations.
Because each of you were called "for such a time as this."
© J. Matt Barber
August 12, 2013
I love the Old Testament account of Queen Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman who put her life on the line to serve God and save her people.
Esther had been orphaned as a child and raised by her cousin Mordecai. She was elevated from a life of relative obscurity – via rather unique circumstances – to sit atop the throne of the Persian Empire. King Xerxes chose her, from many, as his queen following a royal bridal contest. He was unaware that Esther and Mordecai were Jewish. It is unlikely that he would have chosen Esther had he known. Mordecai was then appointed to a low level government position.
After Mordecai unearthed a conspiracy to assassinate King Xerxes, he quickly advised Esther. She, in turn, warned the king, giving full credit for the discovery to Mordecai who was richly rewarded for his loyalty.
Meanwhile, Haman, Xerxes' highest-ranking executive – an evil man who hated the Jews – devised a plot to have all the Jewish people killed, including Esther and Mordecai. King Xerxes agreed to the genocidal scheme, still oblivious to Esther's Jewish heritage.
Once again, Mordecai learned of the conspiracy and urged Esther to reveal her Jewish heritage to Xerxes, saying, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
Esther called the Jewish people to fasting and prayer and – at risk to her own life and limb – devised a clever scheme of her own. She held a banquet for Xerxes and Haman wherein she revealed her Jewish heritage to the king and begged his mercy for herself and the Jewish people.
Xerxes was moved by Esther's courage and love for her people. He granted her request and became enraged at Haman. He had Haman executed and promoted Mordecai to his post. Xerxes then pledged safety for the Jewish people.
To this day, Esther's bravery, her faith in God and God's deliverance of His chosen people are celebrated during the Jewish festival of Purim.
The Bible is rich with stories of brave women who were called to serve God and country. These stories, like Esther's, are an inspiration to men, women and children alike. Still, such stories – such callings – are not exclusive to biblical times.
Women, you too – every one of you who both love the Lord and wish to serve Him – are called "for such a time as this."
At Liberty Counsel, we often hear from women who are deeply concerned about our nation's self-destructive trajectory. The burning question they ask is "What can I do?" Like us, they wish to preserve our nation's Judeo-Christian heritage and secure the legacy we are leaving for future generations.
In response, Liberty Counsel and Women Impacting the Nation (WIN) offer an exceptional opportunity to answer the call. Women, young and old, can learn from – and be inspired by – other women who are changing their communities, their states and the nation at the third annual "For Such A Time As This" Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 15-16.
This is a unique conference that blends faith with action, bringing informative speakers with time for fun, fellowship, prayer, praise and worship.
There will be renowned speakers such as AP award-winning investigative journalist Jan Morgan, who will share from her expertise as an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
There will also be opportunities to enjoy a concert with Dove Award winner Kathy Troccoli, to have dinner with author and CURE founder Star Parker, to shop a fantastic silent auction, to attend a reception with Liberty Counsel President Anita Staver and other speakers, to hear from Campus Crusade cofounder Vonette Bright, to meet talk-show host Rachel Campos-Duffy, to learn from Susan Michael, director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and much more.
WIN founder Sue Trombino has underscored why your faith and action are needed now more than ever: "Our nation is in imminent danger of self-destruction at the hands of its own under-educated, misinformed, disconnected citizens," she's warned.
"Our enemies around the globe are diligently working to exploit our ignorance and tolerance to bring the United States of America to its knees. It is time for God's people to take a stand and do something. But to be effective, we must first understand what it is we believe, why we believe it, and what we can do about protecting our faith and our rights."
Indeed, as goes the old adage: "Knowledge is power."
I want to personally thank all of you who take the time to read my weekly column. I also want to strongly encourage you ladies to prayerfully consider attending this conference and to enlist your friends and family members to join you – to join this esteemed lineup of modern-day Esthers.
Come learn about the issues and ideas that really matter to you in a fun, encouraging and relaxing setting. Come and be empowered to help reverse this nation's "progressive" careen toward a secular-socialist cliff's edge. You will go home encouraged, informed, emboldened and equipped with the truth that you need to make a positive impact in your own sphere of influence and community.
Register now for this one-of-a-kind conference at WomenImpactingTheNation.org or LC.org, or call 877-810-1776.
Together, women of faith can help secure our nation for future generations.
Because each of you were called "for such a time as this."
© J. Matt Barber
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