Esther

Esther

from Praying with the Women of the Bible

by Bridget Mary Meehan

A ccording to biblical scholars, the Book of Esther, one of

only two books in the Hebrew scriptures named after the Jewish heroine around whom the narrative develops, is either a historical novel or a vestal legend. This book is one of the most controversial in the Bible because it omits references to God. But its prominence comes from the fact that the story of Esther is a symbol for the triumph of justice for an oppressed people. From the ancient writer’s perspective, Esther’s importance is evident by the appearance of her name fifty-five times in this book—more than any other woman in the Bible. When the existence of the Jewish people was threatened in the Persian Empire, Esther risked her life and took courageous action that resulted in the reversal of an extermination decree against her people. Her victory gave rise to the feast of Purim, an annual Jewish celebration of the deliverance of Jews in Persia from persecution and death.1

After her parents died, Esther, an orphaned Jew, was raised by her relative Mordecai. She lived in the city of Susa in the Persian kingdom and was selected for the royal harem because of her beauty. After Queen Vashti refused to comply with her husband King Ahasuerus’ command that she display her beauty before his drunken guests, the king became so enraged that he issued an edict that her royal position be given to another (Est 1). When Esther was presented to the king, he loved her more than all the other women and selected Esther to be the queen. When she became queen, Ahasuerus did not know that Esther was Jewish (Est 2). When she learned of a serious threat to the existence of the Jewish people, Esther heeded Mordecai’s petition to take advantage of her position and go to the king to seek intervention: “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews…. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” (Est 4:13–14). Esther, daringly, agrees to risk her life to deliver her people from death. She replied to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf…. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Est 4:15–16). As a result of Esther’s intercession with the king, not only were the Jews saved from destruction by their enemies, but they were also guaranteed protection. It was written into the law that the Jews could defend themselves against their enemies (Est 5–9). The Jews in Persia celebrated their deliverance from massacre and named this celebration a Purim Festival. “The command of Queen Esther fixed these practices of Purim and it was recorded in writing (Est 9:32). Each year the Purim Festival is celebrated on the fourteenth and fifteenth of March when the Roll of Esther is read in synagogues throughout the world.2

Sidnie Ann White points out that Esther’s having joined a harem was, in her historical context, a logical, reasonable way of acquiring power. Esther really had little choice in the situation; disobedience would have meant death for her and Mordecai. White concludes:



…Esther, precisely because she was a woman and therefore basically powerless within Persian society, was the paradigm of the diaspora Jew, who was also powerless in Persian society. Because she was successful in attaining power within the structure of society, she served as a role model for diaspora Jews seeking to attain a





comfortable and successful life in a foreign society.3



An analysis of the characters of Vashti and Esther provides a rich resource for reflection on the challenges that wives of public leaders encounter in their use of power. Renita Weems writes: “The story of Vashti’s reign stands as a valuable lesson about the enormous pressures, demands, and responsibilities upon women who live public lives. It is a memorial to the price often extracted of public women when they step outside of their prescribed roles.” Weems goes on to comment that even today, it is unpopular to discuss women whose power was related to their relationship with their husbands. But she argues that some of the most significant contributions in history have been accomplished by wives of religious and political leaders.4

Also, Weems points out that Vashti may have prepared the king for Esther. When Esther makes a request, the king is more perceptive than he was to Vashti. This reminds us, Weems suggests, that



We have a responsibility to remember, celebrate, and come to the aid of those women who once gave of themselves on our behalf, but who, for whatever reason —be it divorce, death of husband or political defeat—now no longer occupy positions of leadership.5



Mary Gendler suggests that women today need both Esther and Vashti as role models:



I propose that Vashti be reinstated on the throne along with her sister Esther together to rule and guide the pyches and actions of women, combining the attributes of these two remarkable females—being softened by grace, pride tempered by humility, independence checked by heartfelt loyalties, courage, dignity—such women will be much more whole and complete than those who simply seek to emulate Esther.6



Esther’s story demonstrates how God chose a courageous woman to deliver the Jewish people. “Taking off her splendid garments, she put on garments of distress and mourning.” Esther prayed to God, “Help me who am alone and have no help but you for I am taking my life in my hand” (Esther 4/C:13–14, New American Bible). Marjory Zoet Bankson describes Esther’s spiritual development as a transformation from “obedient servant” to a “mature and self-conscious woman in charge of her relationship with God. In a philosophical sense Esther was now ready to make ethical decisions because she knew herself. In a moral sense she could now love more fully because she could choose to give her own life to or for another.”7

However, Esther’s decision to risk her life did not remove her fear. She realized she could be killed, but she was also aware that God had chosen her. Esther opened herself to God’s liberating presence in her body. Then she put on her royal robes and met with the king. As Bankson observes: “Her private quarters were like an extension of her body—enclosed, intimate and personal. She was able to open her personal quarters because she was centered in the cosmic presence of God, not in the particular place that was physically hers…. Her resources for influencing the king’s decision were part of her own body—her beauty, her manner, her personal ties with the king.”8

From her humble beginnings as an orphan, to queen of the land, Esther demonstrates





how a woman can use all of her resources to lead a successful life in an uncertain world. Esther’s use of her physical attractiveness, beauty, and persuasive power brought deliverance to her people. Contemporary women who want to succeed by working within structures in society and Church will discover in Esther a powerful role model to whom they can relate.

Pondering the richness of Esther’s story can help women affirm and celebrate their female identity and sexuality. It also can challenge women to examine sexism in societal and Church attitudes and structures. There is much to learn from women who step outside their prescribed roles like Vashti and Esther, Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton, Coretta Scott King, and Winnie Mandela. Their advocacy for justice and equality for women, children, and minorities has been heard around the world. Perhaps we should ask ourselves, how far have women come from the time of Esther and how far do women still have to go?







Reflection



“In those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers. On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded…the seven eunuchs who attended him, to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing the royal crown, in order to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was fair to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him” (Est 1:2,10–12).

“After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Then the king’s servants who attended him said, ‘Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king…. And let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.’ This pleased the king, and he did so” (Est 2:1–2,4).

“When Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace…the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Est 2:16–17).

“Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, ‘All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.’ When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter…. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this’” (Est

4:10–14).

“Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf…. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish’” (Est 4:15–16).

“As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor and he held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and





touched the top of the scepter. The king said to her, ‘What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of my kingdom.’ Then Esther said, ‘If it pleases the king let the king and Haman come today to a banquet that I have prepared for the king’” (Est 5:2–4).

“Then Esther spoke again to the king; she fell at his feet, weeping and pleading with him to avert the evil design of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews…. Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to the Jew Mordecai, ‘See, I have given Esther the house of Haman and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he plotted to lay hands on the Jews. You may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring; for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked….’ By these letters the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and defend their lives, to destroy and to kill and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them” (Est

8:3,7–8,11).







Discussion Starters



1. In the Book of Esther, Queen Vashti, Esther’s predecessor, refused to display herself before her husband’s, the king’s, guests. Why was this a daring decision? What price do women who live public lives pay when they violate their prescribed roles?

2. The Book of Esther tells the story of the Jews in the Diaspora who were a subordinate minority within a foreign empire, just as Esther was a woman subordinate to a dominant male. In what ways do contemporary women have access to power and decision making in government, corporations, and the Church? Are women’s voices being heard in the corridors of power today?

3. In what kind of situations do women use their beauty and sexuality to achieve influence and success? Why do they do this? Have women come a long way since the time of Esther’s attempts to gain power? Why? Why not?

4. How do contemporary women in professional positions and public life gain status, power, and recognition by working within structures? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?







Prayer Experience



1. Slowly take a few breaths. Be aware of the air flowing through your nostrils as you breathe in and out. Let your body relax.

2. As you do so, become aware of the emotions you are feeling…. Feel them…. What joys are you feeling?… What feelings of peace?… What feelings of affection?… What feelings of fear or anxiety?… What angers?… What guilts?… What feelings of loss or sadness?…

2. Open yourself to Holy Wisdom,* Sophia’s saving presence, as you read the reflection on

Esther…. Be aware that Sophia will triumph over injustice…abuse…exploitation

…evil and all that oppresses us…. Ask Sophia to help you discern how you can walk in the footsteps of Esther…. Be aware of ways that you can be a “life saver” for people in your life now…. Be aware of ways you can persuade others to help you bring comfort… healing…deliverance… peace…justice…to family…friends…communities… people in




need, and so on.

3. Select an image, metaphor, word, or symbol from the story of Esther that touches you on a spiritual level.

4. Ponder its meaning. Dialogue with it. Allow it to fill you. Contemplate its richness.

5. Ask Sophia to reveal to you ways that you can, like Esther, make a difference to your family…career…church…other organizations and institutions by working within the structures…. See yourself doing something helpful…significant

… creative that will benefit others…. Give thanks for the women leaders such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Clinton, and so on, who have made important contributions as political wives and paved the way for women in public life today….

6. Allow a picture to form in your imagination that reflects the depths of your beauty….

Contemplate yourself as a beautiful person… a sexual person…a powerful person… a strong person…. Draw, paint, sing, dance, or express your beauty…strength…power…in whatever way feels most comfortable.

7. Reflect on yourself as an image of Sophia. As you do so, be aware of your feelings….



Open yourself to a new understanding of God…. Be aware of any new image(s) of yourself and God that you experience…. Contemplate the divine presence reflected in your sexuality…power… strength…spirituality…. Offer thanks for the beautiful, powerful, radiant reflection of Sophia you are….