Day 227: Esther 1-5

Esther is an interesting book on a number of levels. First, I think it's just a great story with a wonderful plot twist at the end. Second, I think it gives us a real glimpse into the everyday life and customs of the rich and powerful in the land of Persia.

I had forgotten that the whole plot begins because of the lack of respect for the rights of women. It seems they really had no rights...not even the queen...unless the men who were in charge allowed. The king summoned Vashti, his queen, to put her on display to his guests...but she refuses to appear. This didn't go over well...

Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. (1:16-18)

The text doesn't tell us what became of Vashti. I can only assume it wasn't good. Well, the king had to do something to prevent a feminist uprising so this is the plan his advisers came up with:

Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. (2:1-4)

"This advice appealed to the king." ...I bet it did!

It's amazing to me the time and effort that went into this whole process. It was not just a beauty contest. The king basically slept with a different woman every night until he found the one that pleased him the most. It was Esther.

Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:17)

The other plot that is taking place involves a man named Haman. Through the whole Vashti/Esther affair we get a glimpse into the social position (or lack thereof) of women. Through Haman we get some insight into the value (or lack thereof) of human life.

     Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”
    So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.” (3:8-11)

Just like that it became law that a whole race of people were to be exterminated.

Well, Esther is a Jew. She hasn't told anyone this yet but it's true. Her uncle Mordecai sends her a message putting pressure on her to speak up for her people:

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:13-14)

It becomes clear to Mordecai, and eventually to Esther, that God has her in this position for a specific purpose...to save His people from extinction. Isn't it interesting how God can use this whole sordid affair filled with human sinfulness, pride and lust...and use it for His purposes? I'm thankful every day for God's forgiveness of my sin...but I wonder...is it possible that He can use even my sin to accomplish something good?

The thing is, Esther may be the queen but she's still just a woman in a man's world. She isn't allowed to enter her husband's presence unless she is summoned. If she just walks in she could be killed on the spot...unless the king extends his scepter and allows her to enter. This is gonna take some real guts on Esther's part...

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa

What will happen? Stay tuned.