Sunday, Pastor Josh Cody preached on the difference between love and lust.
- Love gives.
- Lust takes.
- Love starts before sex, remains through sex, and is just as strong after sex.
- Lust starts before sex and then ends.
- Love satisfies.
- Lust leaves you wanting more and you can never be satisfied.
- Love is not an emotion, it’s a choice.
King Ahasuerus, or Xerxes, is a perfect example of one driven by lust. We saw yesterday that he had a huge empire of land, but he still wanted more. He attacked Greece.
Esther 2:19, “At the second gathering of the virgins,…” Modern English Version
* * * * * * *
“The enlargement of the harem apparently continued unabated. Perhaps there is a casual connection between the second gathering of women and the assassination plot (vv. 21-23); some have suggested that it reflects palace intrigue in support of the deposed Vashti.” New International Version Study Bible Notes
* * * * * * *
“Vashti was deposed in 483/482 B.C., but she is mentioned again in ancient records as the queen mother during the reign of her son, Artaxerxes, who succeeded Xerxes. Toward the end of Xerxes’ reign, either Esther died or Vashti was able through her son to regain the influence she had lost.” Life Application Study Bible
* * * * * * *
“Esther was declared queen…the king’s lust was not yet satisfied; and therefore being pleased with the former experiment, he desired another collection of virgins, whom he might make his concubines…For it is not probable that Mordecai sat at the king’s gate till Esther was queen; for till then he only walked before the court of the women’s house…Esther 2:11.” Matthew Poole’s Commentary
This is why Esther didn’t make her request at the first banquet. For though she was Queen, she was only 1 wife among thousands. (A concubine was a lesser wife.)
“Sex is like roasting a marshmallow. You need to eat it at the right time. Eating a flaming marshmallow is the wrong time.” Josh Cody, September 17, 2017
Lust is a flaming marshmallow. If you eat it, you will get burned.
©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.
Twitter – @frugalfishorg
Facebook – Frugal Fish
This Year's Bible Reading Guide 