Our most recent break time Bible study groups are wrapping up their studies in Esther. My husband and I watched the movie, One Night with the King the other night, which was a timely activity as I reflect on the essence of this book.
Like most books of the Bible, you could dig and dig and continue to learn more truths after several readings. This past time through, I think both I and our participants may have learned some things, or noticed some things that we hadn't before.
The movie, based on the story, but definitely taking liberties, helped me visualize more easily what was happening in this story. It enhanced my imagination in terms of the "real life" situation that was going on at the time--something hard for us to picture in our more modern, Western world. So, let's take a moment to modernize some of the book of Esther. What can we draw into our own lives, specifically from the characters in the story?
Esther felt fear. I'm sure it wasn't a simple matter to just be taken into a sort of captivity (spa-like though it was) and be brought before a king to see if he will approve. And certainly it was not easy to make the decision to bravely go against protocol to approach him, at the risk of death. We feel fear, too. Feeling fear is not wrong. Living in fear is. I know. I struggle with it quite often.
Mordecai lived his values. Last week's post talked about the summary of Mordecai in the last chapter. Would that we would leave such a legacy! Whether humbly in the background and barely noticed, or promoted to a position second to the king, Mordecai lived in surrender to God and in loyalty to his people.
King Xerxes probably gave off the typical powerful kingly demeanor but really, the guy couldn't think for himself. He surrounded himself with unwise advisors and seemed to make impetuous, far-reaching decisions. But he did have a tender heart toward Esther, and I think he did have feelings and perhaps Esther did have a positive influence on him for the rest of their marriage. Some strong, but misguided people, need loving, patient people in their lives to help them use their personality for good.
Haman was a great example of what NOT to do, and what NOT to be. Ironically, he also was perhaps overly influenced by his wife, who does play a fairly significant conversational role in the book. She was greedy too, and between the two of them, image and power became their god, which led to pretty tragic consequences.
Esther (the book and the movie) shows what happens when someone is devoted to themselves, verses devoted to God and others. i'm increasingly noticing in our world that devotion to self is rampant, even when it is disguised in apparent concern for others. I see it in myself--in my own self-interests which compete for my mind and heart everyday. Yet when we surrender and serve our loving, non-changing God, somehow our interests and needs fall into place too. May Esther and Mordecai inspire us to do that everyday.
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