I Appeal To Caesar!

“Goodbye, beloved husband, you now will begin entry to your God-ordained ministry, and it will be far-reaching.” * * * * * Esther’s eyes close, her breath ceases, pulse stops. She is gone. Unable to understand or control his emotion, Saul begins to wail and lament with such exertion that Samuel and Hannah fear for his sanity. His agony seems unbearable! Nevertheless, a new vision is birthing, and Saul will realize and fulfill God’s great purpose for his life. Already forgiven, Saul now knows the pain he has caused the Lord, and he will never forget. At the burial, Saul’s tears fall like rain, and he can hardly restrain the awful groaning. The entire Jewish community is plunged into deep mourning. Esther will be missed. Even the heathen Gentile community feels the loss of this beautiful woman and a good number of the local residents attend the funeral—that is, respectfully watch from a distance; these Gentile friends marvel at the devout and serious attitude of the Jewish community about family life and the life beyond. * * * * * To the Jews there is only one “Mountain of God” and that is Sinai where God gave the Ten Commandments. In their eyes, it is the only truly sacred mountain, supposedly because no idolatry or false sacrifice has ever been offered there. It is sometimes called “The Mountain of Fire,” because God appeared in flaming fire to Moses and Israel.