Esther Study: Week 7

Reading: Esther Chapter 7; Psalm 7:14-16
____

Commentaries: (Optional)

v1-2: Wine is the final course of a meal. In Persian culture, requests are only made at the end of a meal with permission of the request granter.

v3: Esther posed her request wisely. She switches from "if it pleases the KING" (5:4) to "if I found favour in YOUR eyes." The more direct/intimate mode of address hints she now speaks as his wife. She also personalized her request by voicing the threat against herself first. This essentially pits Xerxes' honour bound promise to her against his own decree. To save her, he needs to save her people. Note that she still hasn't identified herself as a Jew.

v4: I wonder what Haman thought when his own words, "destroyed, killed, and annihilated" came out of the queen's mouth. Esther was in a dangerous situation that called for tact and a bit of ego stoking. Remember there are two men to blame for the threat against her people, she needed to delicately expose one while being careful not to indict the other.

v5: This scene echoes Nathan's accusation of David where the king's own words condemned himself (2 Samuel 12:1-7).

v6: Esther doesn't name Haman until the king declared Haman guilty before he even knew the identity of the culprit.

Note Haman was terrified not just of the king, but the queen as well. This is the first time the royal couple is seen as...well, a couple. A husband and a wife standing on the same side is a force to be reckoned with.

v7: Not only did Haman threaten his wife and caused social unrest in the empire; but more importantly, he played him for a fool. I'd be a little ticked off as well. At least he's applying those anger management classes and leaves the room to compose himself.

Second reversal, Haman who obsessed about forcing all Jews to kneel at his feet is now kneeling before a Jewish girl.

v8: The Hebrew verb "kabash" is typically translated as subdue or assault in the old testament but in this context implies rape. Perhaps Xerxes reached this crazy conclusion because of the jealousy planted with Haman's inclusion in two intimate dinners. The sheer absurdity of Haman making any sexual advances in his situation bolsters this jealousy theory. Ironically, the final crime that evaporated any last chance Haman had at leniency wasn't even one he committed.

Words cover his face? A strange and poetic imagery. Probably refers to the fact that the faces of those under death sentence in Persia are covered with a veil.

v9: Haman was not well loved by the palace staff it seems. This proverbial nail in the coffin gives us a third reversal, the death Haman intended for Mordecai is now his own death.

v10: Graphic Imagery Warning! Based on Persian history/tradition, it's likely that the gallows described here is not a noose but a scaffold holding up a 75ft long stake on which the victim would be impaled and held up for public display. This method of execution is often used on criminals and prisoners of war to serve as a warning or example. It is a dishonourable death.

The king's wrath subsided with a death. Here, the guilty one died and the innocent one lived. With Christ and the cross, the innocent one dies so that the guilty ones may live. Blood is needed to turn aside wrath in both.
____

Reflection:

* Picking the right moment and manner of approach to a conversation impacts how well our messages or opinions are received. Have you ever had a potentially difficult talk go smoother than expected because the "how" or "when" of the conversation was well thought out? Conversely, ever had a well intentioned conversation go poorly because of unwise timing or approach?

* Although her husband was partly to blame, Esther was careful to focus on the real source of the problem. When you argue, do you find yourself more focused on blame (either yours or theirs) or resolution?

* What were some similarities and differences between Esther's request in 7:3-4 and Haman's appeal back in 3:8-9? Is there a difference between being cunning/shrewd and being deceitful?

How do you typically deal with anger?

Why do you think Haman plead with Esther instead of the king?

* Do you ever notice jealousy and anger affecting your sense of judgment and leading to wrong assumptions?

* Did you find yourself feeling sorry for Haman? What are your views on God's justice, especially when bad people "get away" with their crimes?