College Paper

There's something new at our church it's called Kingsfield College. Which is not really a program but a place & time that anyone who is ready to grow and learn more ~ more about God, His word and the relationship we were created for can join.

In August Pastor Phil taught the course "Knowing the Old Testament" (part of the Bible & Theology Equipment) which was an overview of the history and message of the Old Testament. Each course that is offered is part of one of the four different equipments: Bible & Theology; Church, Culture & Mission; Knowing Me & Others; Service & Leadership. When you complete 4 courses in each of the 4 equipments you'll receive your certificate. With each course there will be an assignment of sorts to put what you've learned into practice which gains you the required credit for each course.

I joined the "Knowing the Old Testament" course and my assignment was to write an article for the Monday Muse which is a weekly paper that Dianne (the Leader of Pastoral Care at our church) writes. I choose to write the article on my favourite book of the Bible - Esther. I’ve always been fascinated by the book of the Bible, “Esther”. The fairy tale dream of a young girl, meeting Prince charming, becoming Queen and living happily ever after.

But as you dig deeper into the story you’ll find it’s full of murder, mayhem and revenge.

During the rule of King Xerxes he held a magnificent banquet and after days of drinking he wanted to display the beauty of his Queen (Vashti). He summoned her so he could show her off. Of course as many women might she decided she did not intend to be on display for her hubby and his cronies so she refused. Are you serious? She refused the King? What was she thinking? Obviously she hadn’t thought it through because as a result of her foolish behavior she was exiled from the Kings’ company. A new Queen was to be found so many young virgins were brought to the King. King Xerxes was pleased with Esther (one of the virgins) more than any other girls brought to him and she was crowned Queen.

Haman, one of the King’s men, was given a new rank that was higher than all the important men and all the royal officers were to bow down and kneel before him to show him honor. Mordecai was the cousin that adopted Esther as her mother and father had died; he refused to bow and kneel before Haman because he was a Jew who followed the Book of Law given by Moses (Exodus 20:4). Because of Mordecai’s refusal, Haman was angry, very angry, and therefore devised a plan to not only remove Mordecai but all the Jewish people. The King listened to Haman’s request to remove a ‘certain sect’ of people who were not obeying the King’s laws. Haman was purposeful in his deceit of not telling the King that it was the Jews he wished to be rid of. The King allowed Haman to do what he thought was best, unknowingly condemning his Queen to the same fate because she too was a Jew. So a letter went out with the Kings’ name and sealed with his signet ring “to destroy, kill and completely wipe out all the Jewish people.”

Mordecai then convinces Esther to step before the King and request help to prevent this massacre. Mordecai knows he puts Esther’s life at risk; according to the law it was instant death for any who came before the King without being summoned. But Esther was willing to risk her life by going to the King without being summoned in order to plead for the lives of the Jewish people. As Mordecai reminds her “who knows, perhaps you have been chosen queen for just such a time as this” (Esther 4: 14b). Would I be able to do something like this? Would you?

Esther tells the King the whole story and he becomes enraged at Haman. The King condemns Haman to die on the gallows that Haman originally intended for Mordecai. I’m sure King Xerxes must have felt quite duped at this time that he was not aware of what was going on throughout his Kingdom.

Mordecai and Esther wrote a second letter under the King’s name and sealed with his signet ring allowing the Jews to protect themselves on the day of execution. I always thought it would have made more sense to revoke the first letter? We learn later that there is great importance of using the King’s name and sealing it with his ring as the letters can not be revoked or canceled.

When the second letter went out the Jewish people were allowed to defend themselves and many were saved from a horrific death. Mordecai was then elevated to second in importance to the king; therefore, he was an important man among the Jewish people. So Mordecai wrote everything down that had happened and sent those letters to all the Jewish people. The Jewish people are to remember and celebrate those days each year as a reminder of how they were saved from total annihilation. The Jews call this Purim.

The book of Esther. It’s a rags-to-riches romance, though you have got to wonder how much romance could occur when the guy you’re married to could chop off your head if you popped into his office without an appointment. But that’s what she did. She took a chance at saving her nation. She’s quite a lady this Esther. I admire her courage, and love this story. One thing that’s difficult to figure out is that God’s name never appears in the entire book. His actions do. His thoughts do. His plan does. His fingerprints are on every page, but not his name.

This book challenges and reminds me that we are placed in this time of history to fulfill God’s purposes, not our own. Just like Esther, we might not understand why things are happening or what our role might be, we only have to trust in the one who made us and desire to do His will for the glory of His Kingdom.

Please leave your comments, I'd like to know your thoughts.

Blessings