What scripture tells us: "This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features" (Esther 2:7). We also know she is a virgin, as Esther 2:1 implies.
The story: The king has grown disenchanted with his disobedient wife, so he is in search of a new one. Among the virgins summoned to the king's courts is Esther. She only takes what is necessary with her when she goes to visit the king, and she never reveals her kinship, as her cousin and guardian Mordecai has instructed. After winning the favor of everyone she meets, including the king's, she is crowned queen.
What we can learn: Esther travels lightly. She chooses not to be burdened by unnecessary things. We can look at this one of two ways: 1) let go of the past and do not let it weigh you down and 2) do not be materialistic. Holding on to ill feelings others have caused us or staying angry at ourselves for past sins only inhibit us to carry out God's will. Similarly, temporal objects can get in our way and junk up our lives and our mission.
The plot thickens: In the meantime, Mordecai has overheard gatesmen plotting the king's assasination, and he immediately sends word to Esther. She, of course, relays the information to her husband, who gives the credit to Mordecai. Later on, Mordecai refuses to pay homage to Hamang, one of the king's officials. Yet another gatesman reports Mordecai's disobedience to Haman, who angrily decides to do away with Mordecai and his people, the Jews.
When Mordecai learns of this plot, he tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, and begins fasting and weeping. Esther is "greatly distressed" when she hears of her cousin's suffering, and she has clothes sent to him immediately.
What we can learn: Esther, in all her glorious queenship, has not forgotten her humble beginnings. She has only grown in empathy and readiness to help out her kinsman. May we, in every walk and state of life, be free and generous in serving others any way we can.
But wait...there's more: Mordecai, of course, has word sent to Esther that she must beg and plead on the Jews' behalf. Esther responds that to do so would put her life in jeopardy, for those whom the king does not officially summon will be put to death by law, unless he extends the golden sceptre. Realizing that she will die if she remains silent, because she is a Jew, Esther bravely decides to go and speak with the King, uninvited.
But first, Esther sends word to Mordecai to tell the people to fast and pray, and she and her maids will do the same.
What we can learn: Esther practices what she preaches. Notice she holds true to her word. She, along with Mordecai and even her maids, fasts in preparation for the meeting with her King. Prayer should always preceed our every action if we are to gain the necessary strength and graces we need for this journey.
But that's not all: Then, Esther approaches King Xerxes. He is pleased to see her, and spares her life by holding out the golden sceptre. She says,"If it pleases the king...let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him'" Esther 5:4. The banquet is prepared, and the King asks what she wants. She says again, "'My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question'" (Esther 5:7-8).
Finally, at the second banquet, Esther says, "''If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request'" (Esther 7:3). Then Esther reveals Haman's plot to destroy Mordecai, her kinsman, and the Jews. Haman is done away with, but yet Esther is still concerned for the Jews, who are still at risk due to Haman's existing plan.
This time, Esther pleads with the king, falling down at his feet and weeping. She speaks, "'If it pleases the king," she said, "and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman...devised'" (Esther 8:5).
What we can learn: Esther's got guts. She approaches the king, knowing that her life is at risk. She also shows tremendous humility before the king in the way she speaks to him. Check out the bolded words above. And her persistence. Time and again, she keeps patiently pleading with the King for her own and her people's deliverance. Notice the last time she approaches him, she falls down at his feet and weeps. May we humbly fall before our King in all our trials, and joys, for that matter. And may we never grow weary to petition and ask his pardon and help.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Seeking True Feminism: Rebekah
What scripture tells us: "The girl was very beautiful, and a virgin" (Genesis 24:16).
The story: Abraham sends his servant to seek a wife for Isaac from Abraham's homeland.
When he arrives there after several days' journey, Rebekah is at the well, drawing water for her family. As unglamorous and mundane as the task was, she was faithful to her work. Rebekah notices Abraham's servant, who has just completed a long journey. He is probably smelly, covered in dirt and sweat, and may not speak her language. She does not stop to question if he may be a friend or a foe; instead, she only notices that he is thirsty and in need. She merely acts as a servant. "Drink" she says. (Genesis 24:18) Then, she "ran back to the well" as Genesis 24:58 states to draw water for his camels. And as slobbery and precocious as they may have been, she quietly serves them as well.
What we can learn: Rebekah was faithful to everyday tasks and a humble servant to those in need. She wasted no time in weighing the losses or costs, she only acted.
The saga continues: The servant follows Rebekah back to her house and tells her family that Abraham has sent him and why he has been sent. They agree that she should return with him, as it is truly God's will. However, they are not quite ready to let her go, and they ask if she can remain with them a few days more. The servant insists that they must return immediately, so they leave the decision up to her. "I will go" she simply states. (Genesis 24:65) Then, she took a veil and covered up.
What we can learn: Rebekah had tremendous faith in God's will to leave her family on such short notice to travel with an unfamiliar man to meet more unfamiliar men, one of whom she would marry. Phew. That takes guts. She also covered up with a veil, which was certainly culturally influenced at the time. We could all take note of and learn from her modesty, however, which is against our culture of this time.
The story: Abraham sends his servant to seek a wife for Isaac from Abraham's homeland.
When he arrives there after several days' journey, Rebekah is at the well, drawing water for her family. As unglamorous and mundane as the task was, she was faithful to her work. Rebekah notices Abraham's servant, who has just completed a long journey. He is probably smelly, covered in dirt and sweat, and may not speak her language. She does not stop to question if he may be a friend or a foe; instead, she only notices that he is thirsty and in need. She merely acts as a servant. "Drink" she says. (Genesis 24:18) Then, she "ran back to the well" as Genesis 24:58 states to draw water for his camels. And as slobbery and precocious as they may have been, she quietly serves them as well.
What we can learn: Rebekah was faithful to everyday tasks and a humble servant to those in need. She wasted no time in weighing the losses or costs, she only acted.
The saga continues: The servant follows Rebekah back to her house and tells her family that Abraham has sent him and why he has been sent. They agree that she should return with him, as it is truly God's will. However, they are not quite ready to let her go, and they ask if she can remain with them a few days more. The servant insists that they must return immediately, so they leave the decision up to her. "I will go" she simply states. (Genesis 24:65) Then, she took a veil and covered up.
What we can learn: Rebekah had tremendous faith in God's will to leave her family on such short notice to travel with an unfamiliar man to meet more unfamiliar men, one of whom she would marry. Phew. That takes guts. She also covered up with a veil, which was certainly culturally influenced at the time. We could all take note of and learn from her modesty, however, which is against our culture of this time.
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