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 syn...