Bibledoorajar Says Look, God Limited Pharoah's Wise Men!

"As a magician I promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician, unless that one swears to uphold the Magician's Oath in turn. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic."
                                        Magicians Oath for Professional Organization Membership

"Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,…" 2 Thessalonians 2:8,9

Pharoah's butler was alive and well and serving in the palace thanks to Joseph. But he had all but forgotten the one who asked to be remembered. But in the fulness of time, God moved in powerful ways to have Joseph emancipated from slavery. He did this by giving Pharoah dreams that he himself could not interpret. But never fear, Pharoah had all kinds of wise men dedicated to help him in situations such as this. And so they were summoned. Some scholars say that these men were magicians capable of sophisticated magic that makes people say, "how did they do that?" Others say that these men were connected to the occult and got they power from Satan and demons. It appears that both groups are right as clearly the passage quoted above indicates that Satan and his demons have the power to complete sighs and false wonders and that through practice men can create unbelievable illusions.  But, we must never forget that God can use the most likely and the most unlikely events to bring about His will. "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord....He turns it wheresoever he will. Proverbs 21:1" Under these circumstances: prison, a pharoah's psychological distress, magicians and wise men, Joseph is to not only be delivered from prison but exalted to a high position in Pharoah's court. Pharoah's dreams? An instrument in the hands of God. Pharoah's magicians? Instruments in the hand of God. Pharoah's butler? An instrument in the hands of God.
Egypt, the center of all then known culture and learning? An instrument in the hands of God. The Egyptians may have known many secrets about the world and things in it, but the one who would bring true light to Pharoah's dreams was to be a man who feared God. Something to think about.

Bibledoorajar says Ahaseurus 1 Vashti 0

     But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror

the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into 

the same image from glory to glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18

     I don't understand why Vashti "the best" did as she did. It makes me want to suppose. Suppose she was having a bad day. Suppose she wasn't thinking clearly. Suppose she was crazy. Why did she refuse to leave her own party for a better one? Why did she choose to dishonor the king? Why did she not cooperate with the king or be submissive to him? Why was she so unwilling to be called upon for duty. Whatever the answers to these questions, a greater one faced King Ahaseurus. What was he to do with the disobedient Vashti? Her life was now in his hands. 

     The king decided to seek the counsel of his seven chamberlains and his seven wise men. These men knew the king face to face. They knew all about the kingdom, its provinces and its laws and judgement. They were sworn to loyalty and were obligated to satisfy the king with right thinking which would end all strife. They had great influence on the king. The council agreed that the rebellious queen must be divorced and she must be banished from the kingdom. She must be put away for willful disobedience to a court order as dictated by Persian law. And further a new queen must be found. They even came up with a way to make this process more interesting for the king and to keep him from getting further depressed. The counselors proposed having virgins taken from all across the kingdom  to become candidates for the queen. To resist the summons would mean death. 

     This recommendation was accepted by the king and thus there was an opening for God to work on a hidden problem. You see, not all of the king's counselors had the best in mind for certain of the king's people. This proposed a problem for God for these people were His people. They were Jews whom God called His anointed and whom He had counseled should not be harmed.

     Vashti was positioned in the best quarters of the palace, but she was unwilling to relinquish her will and come to the king joyfully. Now, we will see if a young virgin has the character to determine not only her destiny but the destiny of her people. Will she be able to fulfill the requirements of the king? The answer is yes, for God will enable her to spend sustained time with the king and will help her accept his rule and reign in her life.

    The Spirit is enabling us to spend sustained time with our King and to accept His rule and reign in our hearts. He intercedes for us. He is changing our character so that we might fulfill our destiny to rule and reign with Him. Thank you Holy Spirit! Help me be more open to such a great destiny. Amen.

Bibledoorajar witnesses the state of the beloved's heart

    The country girl remains with the man who was called to be a lover of God. Now, he is saying he will give her all she needs to become his beloved and to become a lover of the God of Israel. Her heart believes and she is beginning to rest in his love.

      For the church, rest in Christ for you/me is a major victory. Giving of one's heart to Christ completely is  the most important work of grace. At this advent season, the words of Gustav Hoist come to mind.
The words are in his poem: In the Bleak Mid-Winter.

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty winds made moan
earth stood hard as iron
water like a stone.

Snow had fallen, snow on snow
snow on snow
In the bleak mid-winter
long ago.

Our God, heav'n cannot hold him
Nor earth sustain
heav'n and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign.

In the bleak mid-winter
a stable-place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air.

But only his mother
in her maiden bliss
worshipped the BELOVED
with a KISS.

What can I give Him
poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb.

If I was a wise man
I would do my part
Yet what can I give him
Give my heart.

May God continue to grant us all the grace to give our hearts as well so that our righteousness may kiss the King of Peace. Amen.