Esther: Times Like These

Introduction to the series

Everybody loves a good historical drama to read by the fire in winter (or during COVID isolation!)

Take the time to read through the whole Book of Esther in the Old Testament of your Bible (and read it like you would a novella based on true events). It’s even preferable to read it out loud, and have the reader express the power, emotion and drama. For the time-poor, we have an abridged version of the story via a link on our sermon page.

As you read the story, make a list of anything curious or requiring explanation or context so you can check it off during the sermon series as we proceed. This year, during the pandemic, the famous rock band Foo Fighters re-released their hit song: “Times like these”. This time, they did so in a multi-screen collaboration with a myriad of artists from around the world and it sends a great message: “… it’s times like these you learn to love again”. In Esther 4:14, the key characters are in conversation and Mordecai says to Queen Esther: “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” This book proposes the perennial question: “Who knows, perhaps God prepared you to serve a greater purpose than you thought, in times just like these?”

Note the following clues before you begin your reading:

The Setting:

• Persia, the city of Susa (today: Shushan in Iran). We are not in Jerusalem (the “Holy Land” – Zech. 2:12), even though a remnant of the Jewish exiles has returned to the land promised to them by God after a surprising edict from a non-Jewish ruler named Cyrus (Ezra 1:1,2; 3:7), the grandfather of King Xerxes. Some stayed behind in the land where they had been enslaved by world superpowers years before as their lives were now integrated into society by appearance, yet perhaps a few faithful to God remained there. You may be shocked by some aspects of the culture and values of this ancient kingdom with this book’s honest reporting of objectification and subjugation of females by males, racial hostilities, drunkenness and hedonism, violence, and revenge. We are challenged to consider whether or not Persia then is a “type” of the worst of our world today.

The Cast:

• Xerxes, the king: he has all the trappings of power and wealth and rules over a huge kingdom after his predecessors successfully conquered many nations (Esther 1:1). Feasts of extravagance and parties of long duration were common practice culturally and politically. This king lacked wisdom, lacked judgment, loved wine, had a fierce anger, and was ignorant of much that took place outside the palace gates.
• Mordecai, the Jew: he is a loyal citizen of Susa and works for the government. He plays a crucial role in the story in relation to the king’s protection, and Esther’s ultimate courageous behaviour. Keep an eye on him in the story for signs of sacrificial faith and concern for God’s “chosen” people.
• Esther, the Jewess: she is Mordecai’s cousin, but also sort of like his adopted daughter (her parents passed away and Mordecai became guardian). Look out for how being both beautiful in appearance and of good character in heart puts her in a precarious position of privilege and danger all at once. On becoming the queen of Persia, and sandwiched between political powerplays, see how she uses her circumstances as an opportunity to save God’s people from destruction, at great risk to her own life. As you do so, think of who her sacrificial courage reminds you of in the Bible’s big story of salvation.
• Haman, appointed by King Xerxes as chief administrator, becomes the most powerful person in Persia (besides the king). Note how he seems to hate all Jewish people, and how he plots to destroy the lot of them. Note his over-inflated ego in his interactions in the king’s courts and even with his own family. In the end, his blindness to ego and the seductive power of pride will be his downfall in dramatic fashion. In the scheme of the Bible’s big story of salvation, think of what ultimately happens to all enemies of God’s purposes when they reject the opportunity to change their hearts and minds.
• God: The God of the Jews doesn’t make a visible appearance in the book, is not referred to by name nor any direct action. Yet, as you read along, ask “What might God be doing behind the scenes?”. Theologically speaking, Esther’s story raises questions about God’s providence in life, especially when circumstances suggest God might be absent. After reading the whole story, ask yourself what role circumstance, serendipity and opportunity played in the course of events that lead to the saving of God’s people living far from their homeland. Then, we can begin to ask, some questions about the blessing this book brings to our faith in God today.