ODB: Uncommon Era
September 10, 2022
READ: Esther 9:20–23, 29–32
The Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. Esther 9:23
Despite living much of his life as a pagan, the Roman emperor Constantine (
A move to secularize this system has changed the labels to
But God hasn’t gone anywhere. Regardless of the name, our calendar still centers itself around the reality of Jesus’ life on earth.
In the Bible, the book of Esther is unusual in that it contains no specific mention of God. Yet the story it tells is one of God’s deliverance. Banished from their homeland, the Jewish people lived in a country indifferent to Him. A powerful government official wanted to kill them all (Esther 3:8–9, 12–14). Yet through Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, God delivered His people, a story still celebrated to this day in the Jewish holiday of Purim (9:20–32).
Regardless of how the world chooses to respond to Him now, Jesus changed everything. He introduced us to an uncommon era—one full of genuine hope and promise. All we need to do is look around us. We’ll see Him.
— Tim Gustafson
How do you react to instances where it seems like God is being “banished”? In what ways do you see Him today?
Father, thank You for the history-changing reality of Your Son, Jesus.
Source: Our Daily Bread