Day 279 Esther’s Triumph and Jerusalem Restored - The Bible in a Year Podcast

What this episode is about

This discussion focuses on Day 279 of a Bible reading plan, highlighting the themes of community and restoration found in Nehemiah 11 and the story of Esther in chapters 8 and 16. It emphasizes the importance of those who willingly relocated to Jerusalem to rebuild the community, while also reflecting on the wisdom found in Proverbs 21:17-20.

Key takeaways

• Nehemiah's Jerusalem lottery: because even ancient cities needed a creative way to distribute residents!
• Esther's bravery rewrites destiny—proving even queens can flip the script on evil plots.
• Proverbs reminds us: a lavish life isn't worth a penny if it costs your peace.
• A city filled by choice rather than chance—shows community building requires more than mere numbers.
• Day 279 of your Bible journey: a daily commitment that might just get you a gold star in heaven!

Who speaks in this episode?

• Father Mike Schmidz (Host) · 18 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Esther, Nehemiah, Ascension, Proverbs
2. 3:00 – 6:00: Esther, Hmon, Mordecai
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Esther
4. 9:00 – 12:00: Esther
5. 12:00 – 15:00: Nehemiah, Esther, Proverbs
6. 15:00 – 18:00: Esther, Nehemiah
7. 18:00 – 19:32: Esther

Notable quotes from "Day 279 Esther’s Triumph and Jerusalem Restored - The Bible in a Year Podcast"

• Salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story. Today it is day 279. We are reading from Nehemiah 11, Esther 8 and 16, as well as Proverbs 21 17-20.

  about Esther · at 0:17

• The book of Esther, chapter 8. On that day, King Aoseros gave to Queen Esther the house of Hmon, the enemy of the Jews. And Morai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her.

  about Hmon · at 5:27

• This festival day this notable day that is described the 13th day of the 12th month Adar we're going to find out a little bit more about that day in the next chapter nine of…

  about Purim · at 18:26

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Hmon — Person · Referenced biblical antagonist · 1 mention · first at 5:30
  He is the enemy of the Jews in Esther; the episode recounts his plot, his downfall, and the king’s edict responding to his decree.
• Mordecai — Person · Referenced biblical protagonist · 1 mention · first at 5:43
  He is elevated by the king (receives the signet ring) and is central to the counter-edict that enables Jewish self-defense; described as a benefactor/savior in the edict.
  And the king took off his signate ring, which he had taken from Hmon, and gave it to Mordei. And Esther set Mordei over the house of Hmon.

Books & papers

• Esther — Book · Referenced work · 9 mentions · first at 0:22
  Part of the daily reading in the Bible in a Year podcast, detailing the story of Queen Esther and the salvation of the Jews.
• Nehemiah — Book · Referenced work · 6 mentions · first at 0:19
  Part of the daily reading in the Bible in a Year podcast, focusing on the restoration of Jerusalem and the return of the Israelites.
  Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story. Today it is day 279. We are reading from Nehemiah 11, Esther 8 and 16, as well as Proverbs 21 17-20.
• Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) — Book · Referenced work · 2 mentions
  The Bible translation used by Father Mike Schmidz for the podcast readings.
  There's always the Bible translation that I'm reading from is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to.
• Proverbs — Book · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at 0:25
  Part of the daily reading in the Bible in a Year podcast, offering wisdom literature.
  That story. Today it is day 279. We are reading from Nehemiah 11, Esther 8 and 16, as well as Proverbs 21 17-20.

Concepts & topics

• Purim — Concept · Key argument · 2 mentions
  The Jewish festival commemorating the salvation of the Jews as described in the book of Esther.

Sponsors

• Ascension — Company · Sponsor · 2 mentions · first at 0:11
  The company behind the Great Adventure Bible and the Bible in a Year podcast, providing the reading plan and resources.
  Podcast where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension using the Great Adventure Bible…

Full transcript with timestamps

0:04 Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmidz and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension using the Great Adventure Bible timeline. We'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story. Today it is day 279. We are reading from Nehemiah 11, Esther 8 and 16, as well as Proverbs 21 17-20. There's always the Bible translation that I'm reading from is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to download your own Bible in a year reading plan, you can visit ascensionpress.com/bible in a year. You can also subscribe to this podcast by clicking on subscribe to receive daily episodes and daily updates. I'm just wondering how many

0:45 people listen to this every single day, you know, and don't skip ahead. It's I don't know. It makes me wonder cuz today is day 279 and you already know where to get the the Bible timeline reading plan. you already know how to subscribe. I just wonder that's just just one of the things that'll remain a mystery. It is day 279. We're reading Nehemiah 11, Esther 8 and 16, and Proverbs 21 17-20. The book of Nehemiah 11, the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of 10 to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while 9/10enths remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem. But in the towns of Judah, everyone lived on his property in their towns. Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple

1:39 servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants. And in Jerusalem lived a certain of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin. of the sons of Judah. Aaya the son of Uzziah son of Zechariah son of Amariah son of Shephathiah son of Mahalal of the sons of Perez and Messiah the son of Baruk son of Kolhosa son of Hziah son of Adah son of Joyb son of Zechariah son of the Shalonite. All of the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men. And these are the sons of Benjamin. Saloo, the son of Moshulam, son of Joed, son of Padiah, son of Koliah, son of Maaihiah, son of Ethl, son of Joashiah.

2:22 And after him, Gabi Salai, 928. Joel, the son of Zikri, was their overseer, and Judah, the son of Hassuna, was second over the city. of the priests. Jadiah, the son of Joyb, Jacen, Sariah the son of Hilkaya, son of Mushalam, son of Zadok, son of Marriott, son of Aitub, ruler of the house of God, and their brethren who did the work of the house. 822, and Adah, the son of Gerro, son of Pallayia, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashure, son of Mkijah, and his brethren, heads of father's houses. 242. and Amashi, the son of Azerel, son of Azai, son of Mashimalath, son of Imr, and their brethren, mighty men of valor, 128. Their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Hageddulum. And of the Levites, Shemiah the son of Hashub, son of Azeram, son of Hashabayah, son of Boni, and Shebati, and Jose of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the outside work of the house of God. And Mataniah, the son of Micah, son of Zabdi, son of

3:28 Asaf, who was the leader, to begin the thanksgiving and prayer, and Bakbokaya, the second among his brethren, and Abda, the son of Shamua, son of Galal, son of Jedathun. All the Levites in the holy city were 284. The gatekeepers, Akub, Tolman, and their brethren, who kept watch at the gates were 872. And the rest of Israel and of the priests and the Levites were in all the towns of Judah, everyone in his inheritance. But the temple servants lived on Oel. And Ziha and Gishbah were over the temple servants. The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi, the son of Bani, son of Hashabaya, son of Mataniah, son of Micah, of the sons of Asaf, the singers, over the work of the house of God. For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required. And Pthaya, the son of Machzel, of the sons of Zerah, the son of Judah, was at the king<unk>s

4:23 hand in all matters concerning the people. Villages outside Jerusalem. And as for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kirath Arba and its villages and in Debon and its villages and in Jacob and its villages and in Jesua and in Mulada and Beth Pellet in Zaral in Beersa and its villages in Ziglag and Makona and its villages in Enreon in Zora in Jarmmouth Zenoa Adulam and their villages Lakshish and its villages and Azaka and its villages. So they encamped from Beersa to the valley of Henome. The people of Benjamin also lived from Gibba onward at Mikmash, Aia, Bethl and its villages, Anithoth, Nab, and Anaya, Hezor, Rama, Gayim, Hadid, Zeboim, Nibbalat, Lad, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And certain divisions of the Levites in Judah were joined to Benjamin.

5:27 The book of Esther, chapter 8. On that day, King Aoseros gave to Queen Esther the house of Hmon, the enemy of the Jews. And Morai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. And the king took off his signate ring, which he had taken from Hmon, and gave it to Mordei. And Esther set Mordei over the house of Hmon. Esther saves the Jews. Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and besought him with tears to avert the evil design of Hmon the Agite and the plot which he had devised against the Jews. And the king held out the golden scepter to Esther. And Esther rose and stood before the king. And she said, "If it pleased the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Hmon the Agagite, the son of Hammedathata, which he wrote to destroy

6:20 the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I endure to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" Then King Ahosweros said to Queen Esther and to Mordei the Jew, "Behold, I have given Esther the house of Hmon, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he would lay hands on the Jews. And you may write as you please with regard to the Jews in the name of the king, and seal it with the king<unk>s ring. For an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king<unk>s ring, cannot be revoked." The king<unk>s secretaries were summoned at that time in the third month, which is the month of Savon, on the 23rd day. And an edict was written according to all that Morortei commanded concerning the Jews to the satraps and the governors and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia 127 provinces to every province

7:11 in its own script and to every people in its own language and also to the Jews in their script and their language. The writing was in the name of King Aaserus and sealed with the king's ring and letters were sent by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king's service bred from the royal stud. By these the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to slay, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them with their children and women, and to plunder their goods upon one day throughout all the provinces of King Aoseros on the 13th day of the 12th month, which is the month of Adar.

7:51 Chapter 16. The king's edict. The following is a copy of this letter. the great king Ard Xerxes to the rulers of the provinces from India to Ethiopia 127 satrap and to those who are loyal to our government. Greeting. The more often they are honored by the two great kindness of their benefactors, the more proud do many men become. They not only seek to injure our subjects, but in their inability to stand prosperity, they even undertake to scheme against their own benefactors. They not only take away thankfulness from among men, but carried away by the boasts of those who know nothing of goodness, they suppose that they will escape the evil-hating justice of God, who always sees everything. And often many of those who are set in places of authority have been made in part responsible for the shedding of innocent blood and have been involved in remediable calamities by the persuasion of friends who have been

8:45 entrusted with the administration of public affairs. When these men, by the false trickery of their evil natures, beguiled the sincere goodwill of their sovereigns, what has been wickedly accomplished through the pestilent behavior of those who exercise authority unworthily, can be seen not so much from the more ancient records which we hand on, as from investigation of matters close at hand. For the future, we will take care to render our kingdom quiet and peaceable for all men, by changing our methods and always judging what comes before our eyes with more equitable consideration. For Hmon, the son of Hamadatha, a Macedonian, really an alien to the Persian blood and quite devoid of our kindliness, having become our guest, so far enjoyed the goodwill that we have for every nation that he was called our father and was continually bowed down to by all as the person second to the royal throne. But

9:36 unable to restrain his arrogance, he undertook to deprive us of our kingdom and our life, and with intricate craft and deceit, asked for the destruction of Morortei, our savior and perpetual benefactor, and of Esther, the blameless partner of our kingdom, together with their whole nation. He thought that in this way he would find us undefended and would transfer the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians. But we find that the Jews who were consigned to annihilation by this thrice accursed man are not evildoers, but are governed by most righteous laws and are sons of the most high, the most mighty living God, who has directed the kingdom both for us and for our fathers in the most excellent order. You will therefore do well not to put in execution the letters sent by Hmon the son of Hamadatha because the man himself who did these things has been hanged at the gate of Susa with all his household. For

10:30 God who rules over all things has speedily inflicted on him the punishment he deserved. Therefore, post a copy of this letter publicly in every place, and permit the Jews to live under their own laws, and give them reinforcements, so that on the 13th day of the 12th month, Adar, on that very day, they may defend themselves against those who attack them at the time of their affliction. For God, who rules over all things, has made this day to be a joy to his chosen people instead of a day of destruction for them. Therefore, you shall observe this with all good cheer as a notable day among your commemorative festivals, so that both now and hereafter it may mean salvation for us and the loyal Persians, but that for those who plot against us, it may be a reminder of destruction. Every city and country without exception, which does not act accordingly, shall be destroyed in wrath with spear and fire. It shall be made

11:24 not only impassible for men, but also most hateful for all time to beasts and birds. A copy of what was written was to be issued as a decree in every province and by proclamation to all peoples. And the Jews were to be ready on that day to avenge themselves upon their enemies. So the couriers mounted on their swift horses that were used in the king<unk>s service rode out in haste, urged by the king's command. And the decree was issued in Susa, the capital. Then Morai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple. While the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, the Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict came, there was gladness and joy among the Jews. A feast and a holiday, and many from the peoples of the country

12:15 declared themselves Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. The book of Proverbs 21:es 17-20. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous and the faithless for the upright. It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman. Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Father in heaven, we give you praise and thank you. We thank you for justice. We thank you for vindication. We thank you for all the ways in which in your providence and in your love for us, you make things right. Lord God, we know that in the fullness of time, you will set all things to right. You will set all things as they ought to be. And these stories of Nehemiah and these stories of Esther are just a foreshadowing of the way in which you will restore restore justice and bring

13:21 justice to the world. Lord God, today this day, bring justice to our lives. Bring reconciliation and healing to our relationships. And above all, Lord God, bring yourself to us and bring us to yourself. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. So just a kind of a brief recap of Nehemiah. Nehemiah chapter 11. There is an honor, right? The honor is to be able to live in Jerusalem. But there's also so one in nine or one out of 10, I guess. So I guess one in there, nine outside. One in 10 are going to live in Jerusalem, the holy city. You get to cast lots for that. But 9/10 will remain in their other towns. Now, there's goodness and badness to this. I mean, to be able to live in the holy city, kind of a big deal, but also to live in your ancestral land. That's also a pretty significant thing to be able to do. And so we have the list of the people. Remember earlier

14:08 on in Ezra and Nehemiah, they they have such good records of those families and of those yeah those heads of father's houses as they say and their land that it's really really important to be able to say if we don't know who these people are then they might not get possession of the land. In fact, if they're if we don't know for sure if they're Levites, if there's no proof that they are descendants of Aaron, then they weren't allowed to serve in the temple. There's something about an actual pedigree, right? In some ways, there's something about actual ancestral gift. You know, all the of the 12 tribes of Israel, everyone was given something. And it wasn't necessarily good or bad or better or worse. It was all good. It was blessing. And so, what we have is that sense of um where you come from really really leads to in so many ways contributes to where we end up. Now, obviously, the story we've listened to,

15:01 the story we've walked with for 279 days is one of brokenness and one of of betrayal is one of people being really great with the gifts they've been given and people being foolish uh with the gifts they've been given, even wicked with the gifts they've been given. And so, the idea of pedigree for a lot of us, especially living in a broken world, we just we dislike it so much. We dislike it so much. So I like wait a second especially if we live in the west where no regardless of what my parents have done or my grandparents have done I can make my own way which is actually scriptural that's actually biblical remember the prophets had said very very clearly that you are not to be judged for your parents' sins also not to be rewarded for your parents virtues I mean there's also contrary gospel or contrary scriptures that would talk about the the curses that would go for three or four generations and the blessings that would

15:47 go for a thousand generations there's see this is the the the paradox Right? It's not a dichotomy. Dichotomy is is both sides are fighting against each other. Paradox is both and. Right? That sense of you get to in many ways chart your course. At the same time, we belong to a family. That yes, we belong to a family. At the same time, you're not necessarily defined by your family. Yes, our family contributes to who we are, but at the same time, we get to break free from the evil patterns of our family. Or even if our families were virtuous, we have to choose virtue, too.

16:20 we just can't inherit their virtue. Now, all that is to say that in chapter 11 of Nehemiah, they have the ability to move back to their ancestral homes. And this is going to be very, very important. Why? Because for the two reasons that I was trying to spell out, I don't know if it made any sense. The two reasons I'm trying to spell out, which are a you have an ancestral home because you have ancestors. Kind of a big deal. At the same time, will you move back to the ancestral home? Will you build upon that land? Will you create a life there? So, here's the thing. What I've received from my family, what I've received from my ancestors, the pedigree part is is gift. Um, it also could be a burden.

17:01 Obviously, every one of us knows, everyone of us who was part of a family knows that. But then what we have in our hands, what we get given to us, what are we going to do with it on our own? So, here's this connection. Hopefully this makes sense that we've been given so much both burdens and blessings by our ancestors, by our families. That's the pedigree part. And then what are we going to do with those burdens? What are we going to do with those blessings? That's the individual part. And so every one of us has been given that responsibility as well as that blessing in some way, shape, or form. As well as the burden in some way, shape or form.

17:34 And we get to decide. We get to choose. Um in uh book of Esther, so good. I mean, just Esther saving the Jews. Um, I love how King Amos basically he doesn't undo the decree of Hmon. He doesn't say, "Never mind what Hmon said." Instead, he says, "I decree that every one of the Jews will be able to rally together and fight off anyone who tries to kill them on that day." And I think that is clever. That is just kind of brilliant. And again, King Aeseros, not a good guy, but clearly a pretty clever guy. Um, and he's able to say, you know, I can't go back on an edict that's already been declared in my name. So, here's the deal. I'll make a second edict that will say that hey Jews heads up on the day where people are going to come after you band together you can fight back and when you kill them you can have all their stuff threat neutralized basically which is just a really fascinating part of this story not only that but we have

18:26 this festival day this notable day that is described the 13th day of the 12th month Adar we're going to find out a little bit more about that day in the next chapter chapter nine of the book of Queen Esther the book of Esther um that it's the feast of Purim and uh what a great complete festival of the Jews being saved by the intercession of this incredible woman Esther who again as we said yesterday the day before in the midst of her anguish in the midst of her powerlessness uh she she allowed God to work because of her great courage because of her great faith in the love of God in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. My brothers and sisters, hopefully this, my friends, hopefully this has been just a blessed day for you. I know it's been a blessed day for me and uh and I'm praying for y'all. Uh please be praying for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Day 279 Esther’s Triumph and Jerusalem Restored - The Bible in a Year Podcast"?

Father Mike Schmidz (Host).

What is "Day 279 Esther’s Triumph and Jerusalem Restored - The Bible in a Year Podcast" about?

This discussion focuses on Day 279 of a Bible reading plan, highlighting the themes of community and restoration found in Nehemiah 11 and the story of Esther in chapters 8 and 16. It emphasizes the importance of those who willingly relocated to Jerusalem to rebuild the community, while also reflecting on the wisdom found in Proverbs 21:17-20.

What is mentioned in this The Bible in a Year episode?

8 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Esther, Nehemiah, Hmon, Mordecai, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE), Proverbs. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Day 279 Esther’s Triumph and Jerusalem Restored - The Bible in a Year Podcast"?

The episode runs 20 min; the transcript is about 3,695 words in 23 timestamped sections.

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