Court Intrigue

AM Psalm 88 • PM Psalm 91, 92
Esther 8:1-8,15-17 or Judith 13:1-20 • Acts 19:21-41 • Luke 4:31-37

The story of Esther is one about the power of being an insider. Esther has become the queen of Persia after her predecessor Vashti did not want to be flaunted during King Ahasuerus’ banquet he threw for the noble men. Esther was beautiful and very good at seeming ladylike, meek, and compliant, so her cousin Mordecai introduced her to the king’s harem with some ulterior plans. After some interesting behind-the-scenes help from the guardian of the king’s harem, she was crowned queen. She pretended not to be Jewish in order to retain her status and power and bide her time.

Of course, the end of this story is not that Esther became a comfortable royal consort who never thought of her poor relatives living under harsh Persian rule. Instead, she held her tongue until the most important moment when she could save her people and put the bad guy Haman to death.

There are lots of great devotional questions to be mined from the story of Esther. For example: if Esther was able to lie about her origins in order to gain power to be used for liberation, it troubles me that others may also have this calling. Do I see a similar story of intrigue and guile in modern culture? Are there circumstances in my life that I could use what power I have in an unanticipated way? Should I get ready to risk my comfort in order to help the uncomfortable, or do I need to bide my time further?

Written by Haley Hixson

Haley is part of Education for Ministry, the Community Meals dishwashing crew, and the bread guild.