The Dwelling Richly Podcast

Faithful and Fearless: Lesson 4/Day 2 Esther 1:1-9

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...Background...
It’s been about 500 years since the time of Ruth. Israel went through a myriad of judges and then the last judge, Samuel, crowned their first king, Saul. Since that time, the kingdom of Israel is no more. Kings Saul, David, and then Solomon were the only kings to rule over a united kingdom. Solomon’s sons, Rehoboam and Jeroboam, rebelled and the nation split around 930BC. Jeroboam became king over the northern kingdom “Israel” (or sometimes “Ephraim”), and Rehoboam became king over the southern kingdom, “Judah.” For their rebellion and sin, God sent prophets (Isaiah, Micah, Daniel, and others) to warn the nations that they would be overthrown by pagan nations, first the Assyrians then Babylonians, Persians, and finally the Roman Empire.
 ...Culture & Context...
Ahasuerus is the transliteration of the king’s name in Hebrew, Ahashverosh.  Xerxes is his Greek name. He was a usurper to the throne who bought the crown. His wife, Vashti, had the rights of royal lineage.
The account of Esther is set about 60 years after Persia conquered Babylon during the period of captivity and exile in Persia, around 483-465BC (although there is some disagreement among scholars on the exact dates.) Both Esther and her cousin Mordecai were descendants of the exiles who had been taken away from Israel to Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. Although Cyrus the Great, the first Persian king, had permitted the exiles to return to Judea (Ezra 1:1-8) to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, many exiles remained. Esther’s parents were among those who stayed back. When they died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. At the time of Esther, there are hundreds of thousands of Jews living in Persia (modern day Iran).  
Ahasuerus is infamous for his drunken womanizing, capricious temper, and lost battles (notably the battle on which the movie “300” was based.) He was the grandson of Cyrus the Great. For more history on this fascinating man, read https://www.ancient.eu/Xerxes_I/
Check out this helpful timeline at http://timeline.biblehistory.com/period/the-exile
Reflect on the Word
The account of Ruth opened during a time when “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” While God had made a special covenant and laws with explicit behavioral expectations for the people of Israel, the reality is that all people are subject to the laws of God. Just as there are physical laws that govern our world – gravity, for example – there are spiritual laws, and God has ordained them all. Esther opens with a snapshot of a prideful king who is not unlike the rebellious children of Israel who “did right in their own eyes,” and he is not out from under God’s laws. The debauchery, drunkenness, and pride he shows will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:18 is a good reminder to keep our pride in check and our hearts submitted in humility to our Father: “Pride goes before destruction     and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
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Faithful and Fearless: Lesson 4/Day 1 Read Esther

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 4/Day 1 Read Esther
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Reminder: One of the goals of this Bible study is to help you develop skills of a good student of the Word. Read Esther straight through without referring to any study notes or commentaries. Use only the maps and references in your Bible. It may be tempting to read notes or commentaries, but do the work of your own personal study. Pray for wisdom and understanding as you read.
Try This: Don’t just read Esther, read Esther aloud. Read it to your spouse or kids or read it with a friend. You’ll find it really changes the experience. Enjoy!
As you read...
Write your questions and key observations
Use the line on the left side of the following notes pages to outline the timeline of Esther. Note especially pivotal moments in the narrative. Note in particular, “just so happen” moments – coincidences in timing, placement, people, events, etc.
Complete the timeline chart on page 8 during this read-through or as you read through your lessons
Highlight: people (brown), places (green), times/dates (pink), God’s name (blue), phrases of note (orange / yellow)
Locate places on a map https://www.bible-history.com/maps/maps/map_persian_empire.html
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
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Faithful and Fearless: Lesson 4 Intro to Esther

Welcome to Lesson Four in our Dwelling Richly Bible study, “Faithful & Fearless.” We’re beginning a new study through Esther.
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Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
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Redeemed Past. Blessed Present. Hopeful Future

No matter what in your past got you here or how you present circumstances feel, your future is hopeful when it's redeemed by Jesus Christ. Listen to this message of hope from Ruth chapter 4.
This is the live talk from the Dwelling Richly community Bible study, "Faithful & Fearless." Join the Bible study at La Mirada Church
Download more hopeful studies, talks, and devotionals at www.jennifergrichmond.com
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Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Days 9 and 10, Ruth 4

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Days 9 and 10, Ruth 4
This world, that man, that person, may not treasure you, may not see the hope in you, may not grasp your value, but you have a Kinsman-Redeemer who does….
Like Boaz who saw the beauty and future in Ruth, Jesus sees the beauty and future in you.
Like Boaz who treasured and protected Ruth, Jesus – your kinsman-redeemer – treasures and protects you!
The book of Ruth begins with loss and emptiness.
No future.
No hope.
...But the story of Ruth ends with gain and fullness.
It ends not only with a future but
the Ultimate future and Ultimate Hope
as it concludes with the name of David the king who was a man after God’s own heart
and from whom descends
the Hope of the Nations – all nations.
Like Ruth, you were bought with a price.
Your name cannot be blotted out from the Book of Life when you
surrender fully to the Name that is above all names –
Jesus Christ.
I am praying for you today that you will renew your love for Jesus,
deepen your trust in His plan, see how his faithfulness makes you more faithful,
and grow ever more faithful and fearless as you
surrender to the One who knows you by name 
Listen to this song on Spotify “Faithful & Fearless” playlist
#lmccwomen #dwellingrichly #FaithfulAndFearless #howtostudythebible #biblestudy
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
M Y C H U R C H:
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B I B L E: Bible App: https://www.bible.com/app

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 8 Ruth 4

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 8 Ruth 4
There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One
Jesus my redeemer, Name above all names, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Oh, for sinners slain
Thank you, oh my father, for giving us Your Son, And leaving Your Spirit'Til the work on Earth is done
- Keith Green 
Listen to this song on Spotify “Faithful & Fearless” playlist
#lmccwomen #dwellingrichly #FaithfulAndFearless #howtostudythebible #biblestudy
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
M Y C H U R C H:
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B I B L E: Bible App: https://www.bible.com/app

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 7 Ruth 4

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 7 Ruth 4
Don’t read the Bible for what you can get out of it. Read it for who you will come to know. God.
Read every account, every poem, every teaching to know God. Anchor your heart, soul, mind, and strength in the knowledge of the character of God and from there venture out to give that truth and hope to those He brings into your life.
#lmccwomen #dwellingrichly #FaithfulAndFearless #howtostudythebible #biblestudy
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
M Y C H U R C H:
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Faithful and Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 6 Ruth 4

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 6 Ruth 4
Don’t we all at some point just want a peek at our future? You are suffering loss – when will this feel right again? You are in a difficult job – how will this be made right? You are in a hard relationship – will this ever turn out all right? The advantage we have in knowing the end of Naomi’s and Ruth’s story isn’t just that we know it all works out in the end, it’s that we can see how only God could have woven the details, drama, and disappointments of their lives together in this way. The challenge of Ruth’s story to us then is to appreciate the not-knowing-how-all-this-will-work-out part that each of them had to go through and to trust the God who does know it all with every aspect of our own lives.
#lmccwomen #dwellingrichly #FaithfulAndFearless #howtostudythebible #biblestudy
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
M Y C H U R C H:
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Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 5 Ruth 4:1-13

Faithful & Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 4 Ruth 4
We in the West don’t have a tradition of speaking blessings over people, but this is more common in eastern cultures. What’s interesting is that embedded in our culture is the idea of blessing. What do you say when you or someone else is leaving? “Goodbye” is actually a contraction of “God” + “Bless You.”
What do you say when someone sneezes?  “God bless you.” Yet in ancient Israel, blessings were a significant and meaningful part of the culture and not just a toss-away thing to say in passing; it conveyed intent and expectation. The blessings spoken over Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz were not only rooted in thankfulness for who these three were, they were expressions of faith in the character of God and who God would continue to be in their lives.
#lmccwomen #dwellingrichly #FaithfulAndFearless #howtostudythebible #biblestudy
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
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Faithful and Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 4 Ruth 4:1-11, 18-22

Faithful and Fearless: Lesson 3/Day 4 Ruth 4:1-11, 18-22
What’s in a name? Well, letters, of course, but along with the name comes all that that person represents.
Think of these names: Elvis Presley… Mother Teresa… Noah… Mr. Rogers… Princess Diana… Hitler…
Just reading that list evoked pictures in your mind and emotions in your heart. You associated the names – even the ones that were less familiar to you – with the event, career, influence, or character traits of that person.
Here we are in the account of Ruth, and all the key players are named – even the ones who died. One significant person’s name is left out – the closest kinsmen to Ruth – Mr. Almost-but-not-quite, Mr. Close-but-no-cigar, Mr. Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda…the man who shall remain unnamed – in the Hebrew, literally, “Mr. So-and-So.”
The only names that are mentioned in this account are the names that move the story to the key point.
The near misses are left out. Why? Because this story is pointing to the ultimate Name, the Name above all names, the Name that one day every tongue will confess. The Name from whom all blessings flow and the Name to whom the final word of this book points – Jesus, the son of David and the root of Jesse.
Here’s what’s exciting, God’s Word tells us that our names – the names of those who claim the name of Jesus – will be recorded in the Book of Life. When we enter into the family of God, we are a part of the lineage of Jesus. Like Ruth, Jesse, David, and all the others, my name is now a part of the family tree.
That is a beautiful reminder to me of the grace and love of God, and that would be wonderful enough as it is, but God – as always – goes even further.
My name is not just in the book, it’s going to be announced before God the Father and before the angels, “He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
This is a blessing reserved for those who overcome. When you are tired and weary…when you feel overwhelmed or questioning…take courage in knowing that your heavenly father knows you by name. Jesus our brother is advocating for you, and the Holy Spirit is indwelling you. This is all for the ultimate end that you would be an overcomer in, and through, and to the glory of His Name.
Read the blog post here: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/whats-in-a-name/
#lmccwomen #dwellingrichly #FaithfulAndFearless #howtostudythebible #biblestudy
Be sure to join me for the next day in our “Faithful and Fearless” lesson!
The Dwelling Richly community Bible study meets at La Mirada Christian Church every other week: Mondays, 6:30pm or Tuesdays, 9:30am, February 4-April 30, 2019
Register online http://www.LMCCWomen.Eventbrite.com
When you share, use our hashtags: #LMCCWomen #DwellingRichlyBibleStudy
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY: https://www.jennifergrichmond.com/dwelling-richly-bible-study/
F O L L O W:
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Share any prayer requests in the comment section below!
M Y C H U R C H:
http://lamiradachurch.com/
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