Today’s readings – Jun 21:-
NEW TESTAMENT: Acts 5:22-42
OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 3,4,5
– Begin of daily reading for Jun 21 – Day 173
NEW TESTAMENT
Acts 5:22-42
King James Version audio with speed control:-
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Background music:-
The Apostles Meet Opposition (continuation)
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow (they were greatly perplexed, wondering what would come of this).
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye (you) put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned (worried that they might be stoned).
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly (strictly) command you that ye (you) should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye (you) have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine (teaching), and intend to bring this man’s (Man’s) blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to (should) obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus (Yeshua), whom ye slew (you killed) and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath (has) God exalted with his (His) right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his (His) witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit), whom God hath (has) given to them that obey him (Him).
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart (infuriated), and took counsel to slay (kill) them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space (that the men be taken outside for a little while);
35 And said unto them, Ye (You) men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye (you) intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain (killed); and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought (came to nothing).
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought (nothing):
39 But if it be of God, ye (you) cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God (or else you may even be found fighting against God!).
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus (Yeshua), and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his (His) name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not (they did not stop) to teach and preach Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach).
OLD TESTAMENT
Esther 3
King James Version audio with speed control:-
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Background music:-
Haman’s Plot Against the Jews
3 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment (Why are you disregarding the king’s command)?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them (had spoken to him day after day and he would not listen to them), that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath (extreme anger).
6 And he thought scorn (mock, sneer, disdain) to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed (showed) him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy (your) kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.
10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee (you), the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee (to do with them as you please).
12 Then were the king’s scribes (secretaries) called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.
13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey ((March 7, 473 b.c.), and to seize their belongings as plunder).
14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment (The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king), and the decree was given in Shushan (Susa) the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan (Susa) was perplexed (confused, puzzled).
Esther 4
King James Version audio with speed control:-
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Background music:-
Haman’s Plot Against the Jews
4 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent (tore) his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains (officers) came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment (clothing) to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains (officers), whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan (Susa) to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
10 Again Esther spake unto (spoke to) Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself (yourself) that thou shalt (you shall) escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou (you) altogether holdest thy peace (remain silent) at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou (you) and thy (your) father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art (you are) come to the kingdom for such a time as this (And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose])?
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer (wished them farewell and returned to Mordecai with this answer),
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye (you) for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish (die), I perish (die).
17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Esther 5
King James Version audio with speed control:-
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Background music:-
Esther’s Request to the King
5 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther (What is troubling you, Queen Esther)? and what is thy request (What is your request)? it shall be even given thee (you) to the half of the kingdom.
4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste (Bring Haman quickly), that he may do as Esther hath (has) said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy (your) petition? and it shall be granted thee (you): and what is thy (your) request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow (tomorrow) as the king hath (has) said.
Haman’s Plan to Kill Mordecai
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation Mordecai (he was filled with rage toward Mordecai).
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow (tomorrow) am I invited unto her also with the king.
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing (Yet all of this does not satisfy me), so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto (and tomorrow you speak to) the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou (you) in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
– End of daily reading for Jun 21 – Day 173
> COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW BOOK (New Testament): Nil
BOOK OVERVIEW (New Testament): Acts (28 Chapters) (Original language: Greek)
Timeline: Between AD 61 and 64
Author: The apostle Luke.
Objective / Purpose: Luke wrote this book to describe what transpired after Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) resurrection. He also described the development of Christianity. Luke was a Gentile doctor who traveled with Paul.
Audience / Attendees / Spectators / Listeners: Although addressed to Theophilus, it is meant for all followers of Jesus (Yeshua).
> COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW BOOK (Old Testament): Nil
BOOK OVERVIEW (Old Testament): Esther (10 Chapters) (Original language: Hebrew)
Timeline: Most probably between 460 and 350 B.C.
Author: Not known. Possibly Mordecai.
Objective / Purpose: This book illustrates God’s involvement with His people indirectly even though God’s name is not mentioned once in this book. The story chronicles (records) a beautiful Jewish maiden by the name of Esther who rescued her people in Persia.
Esther was raised by her Benjamite guardian cousin Mordecai after her parents died. Esther feared God and was a good adopted daughter to Mordecai.
Audience / Attendees / Spectators / Listeners: The Jewish people.
> TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS OVERVIEW:-
NEW TESTAMENT:-
Acts 5:22-42:-
1) The Apostles Meet Opposition (continuation)
OLD TESTAMENT:-
Esther 3:-
1) Haman’s Plot Against the Jews
Esther 4:-
1) Mordecai Requests Esther’s Help
Esther 5:-
1) Esther’s Request to the King
2) Haman’s Plan to Kill Mordecai
> TODAY’S READING TOPICS (New Testament): Acts 5:22-42: 1) The Apostles Meet Opposition (continuation)
> TODAY’S READING TOPICS (Old Testament): Esther 3,4,5: 1) Haman’s Plot Against the Jews 2) Mordecai Requests Esther’s Help 3) Esther’s Request to the King 4) Haman’s Plan to Kill Mordecai
HIGHLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES
VIDEOS
(DISCLAIMER: Please take note that the owner of the video below is mentioned in the description)
VIDEO: Esther: The Bible Collection (1999) HD | Bible Film Series || HEAL (1 hr 30 min) – by H E A L Revatrijos
SONGS
DIAGRAMS
FOOTNOTES
THE ORGINAL HEBREW NAME OF THE MESSIAH
The video below is done by a Jewish Hebrew language lady teacher. Her name is Ayelet. She is born and raised in Israel. Hebrew is her native language. In this video, we will be able to learn the correct pronunciation of the Messiah’s original name in Hebrew:-
VIDEO: Jesus – Yeshua in Hebrew – Hebrew Word of the Day (59 secs) – by The WORD in HEBREW
In Hebrew: מָשִׁיחַ (H4899) = Mashiach = Messiah (English) / Anointed One
In Hebrew (full name): יְהוֹשׁוּעַ הַמָשִׁיחַ = Yahushua Ha-Mashiach = Yahushua The Anointed One. NOTE: Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ (H3442 = He will save) is a shortened form of Yehoshooah / Yahushua יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (H3091 = God / Yah saves). Yahushua as spelt in this manner depicts that the Messiah came in the name of His Father, Yah יה / יָהּ (H3050) as in John 5:43).
In Greek = Christos
In English = Christ = Messiah = Anointed One
GUIDE TO BE A BELIEVER / TO BE SAVED
To accept Jesus Christ (original name in Hebrew: Yehshooah / Yeshua Hamashiach) as your personal Lord and Savior and what to do next, click here.
Blessings.
In Christ we serve
EXPLORATIONS UNITED
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WARNING from God Himself: The Word of God warned that if we do not have His word abiding (remaining) in us, then we are NOT believers (saved)! WAKE UP PEOPLE! Read John 5:38:-
John 5:38 King James Version (KJV)
And ye (you) have not his (His) word abiding in you: for whom he hath (He / God has) sent, him ye (Him you) believe not.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 King James Version (KJV)
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye (you) do.”
Hebrews 3:13 King James Version (KJV)
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Matthew 10:8 King James Version (KJV)
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye (you) have received, freely give.
Romans 10:9 King James Version (KJV)
That if thou shalt (you shall) confess with thy (your) mouth the Lord Jesus (Yeshua), and shalt (shall) believe in thine (your) heart that God hath (has) raised him (Him) from the dead, thou shalt (you shall) be saved.
John 3:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Jesus (Yeshua) answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”
Blessings