By James Riley Strange, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of New Testament, Samford University
Be Ready to Stand
Esther 2:5–10, 15–17
The book of Esther bothered our Jewish forebears because the story never mentions God. That is the source of our challenge too. Because God is silent in the story, the book demands our best, prayerful work if we wish to understand and live out its message.
I suggest that teachers read the entire book, concentrating on 2:1–23 as the setting of today’s passage. The story is set in Persia in the 6th century B.C. Like the Book of Daniel and the story of Joseph in Genesis, it deals with issues of the diaspora: How do God’s people live righteously among the unrighteous? How does a minority live among a hostile majority? Two threats face the Jews of the story: extinction through cultural assimilation or annihilation through genocide.
Even in tumultuous circumstances, recognize that God is actively at work. (5–7)
Before we meet Mordechai and Hadassah (Esther), we learn that the Persian king Ahasuerus has banished Queen Vashti because she refused to come when he summoned her to show her off to “the peoples and princes” at the end of seven straight days of drinking (“feast” or “banquet” translates a word that means “to drink;” no eating is mentioned). We don’t know why she refuses. Perhaps she doesn’t want to be paraded before a bunch of drunk men (1:10–12).
Mordechai is presented as a kind old man who is anxious about his cousin Esther (or “Myrtle,” the literal meaning of “Hadassah”) whom he has raised as his own child. Because of 2:1–4, the moment we hear that she is “fair and beautiful,” we know what will happen: she will become the new queen. Even though the text never mentions God, we can understand Mordechai as a model of divine care. Like God who cares for His children in exile, Mordechai paces in front of the harem to learn about Esther’s well-being.
Take advantage of new opportunities. (8–10)
Esther’s beauty must be known because she goes into the king’s harem when he issues the edict (2:2–4). Or perhaps she and Mordechai simply obey. In this way, the story implicitly brings up the issue of civil obedience and disobedience, and where to draw the line. Unlike her earlier countryman, Daniel, Esther will not refuse to assimilate. She will in fact hide her identity for as long as she can and that may be a mistake. But eventually she will risk being executed when she reveals herself in order to save her people. She cannot know whether she will die or succeed.
Step into new roles and look for opportunities to further God’s kingdom. (15–17)
At first, Mordechai and Esther simply do what seems right or at least what is expedient. It is important to note that they do not do what is wrong, even if the story doesn’t point that out. But we notice: Mordechai and Esther are not opportunists at the expense of their morality. As we will learn, without clear divine direction and doing only what they know to do at the time, they position themselves to do great good.
The will of God is difficult to discern in the Book of Esther. Like us, Esther and Mordechai may prefer to hear from a prophet or to receive undiluted inspiration from the Holy Spirit. In this case, God apparently has already given them what they need: common sense, intelligence and a knowledge of right and wrong. Has God not given us the same gifts? May we too use them as we do justice in our world.
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