Caleb Drahosh \\ Now that Paul has expressed the thanks he gives to God for the faith and love of the Colossians, he states how his prayers also present a request to God. Paul desires that the Colossians keep going on the road they have started down; that they would continue to discern their direction according to the truth.

Caleb Drahosh \\ When the gospel is heard and received it produces fruit and that fruit increases. All of this is grace: hearing, receiving, producing, and increasing. God uses human agents to deliver the gospel who also bear witness to its effect: love.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with a traditional greeting and expresses gratitude for the church. Paul – who was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter – had never visited the church in Colossae, but he wanted to send encouragement to them after receiving a report from Epaphras about potentially problematic teaching that threatened the church. The gratitude Paul communicates is grounded in the God-given faith and love of the Colossians.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Now delivered from their enemies, the Jews set aside two days for celebration known as the feast of Purim. Not even the acts that are seemingly the most random are outside of God's control; those who seek supernatural guidance against God's people are foiled. Fully free of the enemy's plot against us, we are to remember all God's wonderful works.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Once Haman is exposed and executed, the king gives Mordecai his signet ring and tells him to write a new edict in the king's name. The Jews are allowed to defend themselves against the original edict established by Haman. In this way, the Jews were saved from their enemies. The new edict did not revoke the first, but established conditions that made it possible for God's people to be preserved and to flourish.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Esther, having garnered favor with the king, reveals Haman's wicked manipulation of the king. Haman begs the queen to speak on his behalf, but compromises himself further in the process. The man who sought to destroy God's people is himself condemned and is executed in the very manner that he sought to end Mordecai.

John Baumgartner \\ Evil is at work in the world. Haman is growing more and more in favor with the king, and he has plans to kill Mordecai in a most public and painful way. But God is at work for good, turning all the evil devices of Haman into deliverance for His people. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Haman’s pride comes before his destruction. In humility, Mordecai trusts the Lord to make everything right.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Haman's plot goes public and when it reaches Mordecai and Esther they are deeply distressed. According to the law, no one could come before the king without being summoned. The punishment for doing so was death. Mordecai appeals to Esther to make an attempt on behalf of the Jews. If the king looks upon her request with favor, they will be saved. If not, she and all her people are dead whether she makes an attempt or not. Esther agrees. She finds favor with the king, and requests that she be allowed to throw a feast for the king and Haman with the intent of exposing Haman.

Caleb Drahosh \\ After Esther is named queen, a plot against the king is made known to her by Mordecai. She informs the king and the plot is foiled. Later, King Ahasuerus promotes Haman the Agagite. Mordecai does not pay homage to Haman. Haman seeks to destroy Mordecai – and all the Jews – by taking the matter to the king who grants Haman the authority to do so. The threat is dire, but God has already worked deliverance.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Kings and rulers of this earth go to great lengths to glorify themselves. King Ahasuerus of Persia was no different. In his excessive feasting and celebration of self, Ahasuerus calls for his queen, Vashti, who refuses. Fearing kingdom insubordination, the king relieves her of her role as queen. Ahasuerus now seeks a new queen. Esther, the niece of Mordecai, a Jew, is chosen.