| | Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favour in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue.” Esther 7:3,4 | | After Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in multiple wars ending in 586 B.C, many Jews were taken captive to Babylon. Jews integrated into the Babylonian/Persian culture there. That’s the setting of Esther. King Ahasuerus is construed to be Xerxes I (or Artaxerxes II) in secular history. Whichever be the case, we know that this is history, because of the graphical sprinkling of Persian culture, names, palace intrigues and the like. Mordecai (Marduka) and Esther (Old Persian stara = star) are Persian names. Hadassah was her Jewish name. The story happened in Susa, the winter capital, its ruins found next to Shush the modern town in Iran. Also the Jews even today celebrate the Feast of Purim. | We all know the story of how this beautiful young girl was pulled against her will into a beauty contest for the King. Vashti was removed from being Queen and a search was made across the kingdom for beautiful girls who could be future queen. The girl had no choice, and so kept her Jewish identity secret as instructed by her (foster) dad Mordecai. It was for her own safety. After 12 months of finishing school type - involving beauty and cosmetics, training in court customs, protocol, basic laws, etiquette etc the King chose a new queen -and it was Esther. Subsequent events show us that Esther was an incredibly intelligent, prayerful and a very courteous girl. | The King gave a great feast in honour of the Queen to all his princes, court officials, and servants, and Bible says “It was Esther’s feast (ESV), Feast of Esther (NKJV) (2:18).” What a beautiful way to describe it. It had Esther’s personal stamp on it, from the arrangements, food, invitations and what not. Vashti’s feast was for women only (1:9), but this was for the entire court, families and friends. Imagine the organization that was needed to have such a party. It is men who call for the parties, but its women who do all the hard work. Overnight Esther grew into the role of conducting a state banquet and impressing her sweet credentials and taste on this huge party. It was a happy occasion for King Ahasuerus, so much so that even tax remissions were given and royal gifts. | Things were going on well, and King loved Esther more than all the women (2:17). Then calamity struck: a wicked courtier Haman was incensed at one Jew Mordecai who refused to bow down to him, and so decided to take revenge on all the Jews. He put together a new legislation to annihilate all the Jews in the Kingdom. Even today laws are being passed in various places that go against the Gospel. The enemy is always blocking the telling of the Jesus story, because the gospel brings freedom to captives. Resistance can be spiritual conflict, intimidation, health issues, legal fights etc. |
|
|