It's story time, are you sitting comfortably? Once upon a time...
As I read this action filled and sometimes bawdy story, I'm imagining it being told down the pub; I can picture the nudging and nodding when Ahasuerus makes it law that wives obey their husbands ("quite right" all the blokes shout, while the women snort and fold their arms). Imagining the cheers and whoops as Ahasuerus organises a beauty pageant and 'tests out ' each would-be queen for a night. Meanwhile the women purse their lips and tap their feet, and plot their revenge...
2. Ahasuerus decides to replace Vashti through a combination of competitive beauty pageant and one night stand; and Mordecai puts forward his adopted daughter Hadassah (her Jewish identity hidden behind the name Esther) who 'wins' the contest
3. Haman, a man popular with king Ahasuerus, is offended by Mordecai, who will not show him deference, so he influences the king to introduce a nationwide law, ordering the destruction of all of the Jews
4. When the law is pronounced across the kingdom, the Jews despair; Mordecai pleads with Esther to use her influence with the king, and despite her fears she agrees, asking her uncle to lead a movement of prayer and fasting among the Jews for her
5. Esther cautiously seeks an audience with Ahasuerus, inviting him, along with Haman, to two feasts; but the special treatment only makes Haman even more angry about Mordecai's lack of deference
6. Late at night, while catching up on paperwork, Ahasuerus discovers that Mordecai has done him a great service and decides to honour him; he gives Haman the job of publicly rewarding Mordecai, much to Haman's chagrin - who had been busy preparing an enormous spike on which to impale Mordecai!
7. At the second feast Esther begs Ahasuerus to spare her life and the life of her people, doomed by Haman's law; and to his horror, Haman finds himself recipient of the king's anger, as he suffers the spiked fate he intended for Mordecai
8. Esther and Mordecai gain everything that Haman lost; and when Esther pleads with Ahasuerus to revoke Haman's law, Mordecai is authorised to grant full citizenship to the Jews across the land, causing nationwide celebration
9. With the kings permission the Jews are allowed to retaliate against their enemies for two days; by Esther's command this is followed by a two day festival of celebration, known forevermore as Purim
10. This story ends here, but the deeds of Mordecai, who loved his people and his family so dearly, are remembered amongst the histories of the kings of Persia and Media
Esther's story has many saga like elements, and is an entertaining look at a bit of Jewish legacy, but there is no mention of God whatsoever. I wonder why this is? Living in exile, the Jews needed a memorable story with a happy ending, to remind them that this moment of trial wasn't everything - that things can change.
The story also shows how one or two people can be significant in the face of a greater power; both Haman and Mordecai found themselves with influence. One tried to use it to further his own ambitions, the other to help a people in trouble. What made Mordecai willing to take such risk? Haman's behaviour is much more typical of the way humans respond to power.
And what about Esther? She's the epitome of powerlessness; a woman sold into sexual slavery and forced to hide her true identity. Her life is precarious, and the story doesn't play down her fears about helping Mordecai. In the only signs of faith in the story, Esther asks for prayer. Firstly she asks for all of the people to pray for her as she prepares to approach the king. Then, she demands a two day festival of national family-focused celebration to give thanks for what happened. God may not be mentioned in the story, but it is very clear from Esther's actions, where the motivating force lies. Esther's story is of a life of faith and hope, lived out in powerlessness, in a hostile land. Great stuff - thank you Esther!
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