SAVIOUR QUEEN OF THE BIBLE by Bobbie Ann Cole

 

 

Queen Esther saved her people from annihilation at the hands of Haman, an official of the Achaemenid Empire. He was an Agagite, probably descended from the Amalekite king, Agag, whose people were long-term enemies of the Jews. 

Esther in Hebrew is Hadassah, which means ‘Myrtle’. Myrtle is a plant associated with love, peace and youth, qualities Esther possessed, along with great beauty. She would also demonstrate tremendous wisdom and courage in implementing her strategy to save the Jews of Persia.

PURIM

Her triumph is celebrated at the Festival of Purim on the 14^th of Adar— just coming up on 6^th and 7^th March this year.  

Purim means ‘lots’. Wicked Haman cast lots to determine the date when he would exterminate the Jews. However, he would be the one to wind up on a gibbet instead.

Purim is celebrated with carnivalesque gaiety and much swinging of ratchets and booing at the repeated mentions of Haman’s name as the story is retold in synagogues.

Orthodox Jews also fast to remember that Esther got the support of the whole Jewish community by asking that all should fast.

GOD’S FINGERPRINTS

It is often pointed out that God is not mentioned in Esther. Yet, here and elsewhere in Esther, we see God’s fingerprints: no one afflicts their soul by fasting without a purpose and a plea. The Jews of Persia were praying for the success of Esther’s mission to convince her husband, King Ahasuerus, not to allow Haman to succeed.

Esther was initially reluctant to get involved. In Chapter 4, the crux scene of the book, her uncle and guardian, Mordecai, aware of Haman’s plans, asks her to go to the King, “and plead with him for her people,” (Esther4:8).

This was no easy ask. Fearful, Esther answered: “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king,” (4:11).

She has somehow fallen out of favor. Perhaps Ahasuerus has tired of her. To go and chance his pleasure would be daring indeed.

SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Mordecai tells Esther she should not delude herself that she, a Jew, will escape death as her fellow Jews perish. However, he is convinced that, should she refuse to get involved, help will come from another quarter, which seems to me a subtle expression of his faith that God will step in for his people.

He now delivers his famous and oft-quoted line: 

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14) 

which feels like a further demonstration of his belief that God has a plan,

Esther, agreeing to try and save her people, orders a full fast. Like Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, it requires total abstention from eating and drinking, but not just for one day. This fast will last three days and nights. Esther, too, will fast, as well as her attendants. “When this is done,” she says, in fatalistic fashion, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (4:16).

BANQUETS

But she pulls it off! her strategy is to invite the king to a private banquet and subsequently to invite both the king and Haman to a second banquet, at the end of which the king, suitably fed and watered, asks Esther if she has a request to make of him: “What is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."

She asks for her own life and that of her people facing extermination. The king, shocked, wants to know who is plotting such a terrible thing against them. She tells him that it is his own man, Haman.

Haman, flanked by 'hamentaschen' pastries, eaten at Purim

The king storms away, no doubt to consider what to do. Perhaps he goes to seek advice, which is a recurring comic theme throughout the Book of Esther. Ahasuerus cannot decide on anything without counsel. 

Haman, remaining in her chamber, begs Queen Esther to speak in his favour.

When the king returns, he finds Haman, ‘falling on the couch where Esther was reclining,’ (7:8). He jumps to the conclusion that Haman is trying to have his way with her. His words, ‘covered Haman’s face,’ an interesting expression that presumably conveys the king's ire and Haman’s red cheeks.

Only after Haman hangs on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai does the king’s fury subside, (7:10).

Esther’s brave actions have saved her people.

Yet, would you believe? It is Mordecai who gets the credit:

·       ‘A full account of (his) greatness’ is written in the ‘annals of the kings of Media and Persia,’ (10:2)

·       Mordecai would rank second in power after the king,

·       ‘because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews,’(10:3).

We should be thankful for small mercies, perhaps. At least the book is named ‘Esther’ 

 

Bobbie Ann Cole is a Christian writer, speaker and writing teacher.

She runs some lively, friendly and enlightening free online groups:

- FAB CHOW: Historical & Biblical Fiction Christian Writers Online

- YESHUA GROUP INTL  - exploring the Jewish roots of our Christian faith

- AHAVA - Prayer and Meditation mini retreat

Find out more and get on board here.