Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-2

 

1) I'm not sure if other pieces of the book are in the lectionary. I will recommend Patricia Tull's Esther's Feast, as an adult study book. One of the right-wing women's groups disliked it, so it has to be superior work.

 

2) If this is the only piece from the lectionary, one could go over the back story. One could pay special attention to her makeover, the reason she replaces a wife in the first place, the longstanding enmity between the tribe of one of the king's counsellors and Israel.

 

3) For me, the book is like Brer Rabbit. it is a look from the underside that cast aspersions on the colonial culture.

 

4) Esther has lost her name. It sounds like the goddess Ishtar, also the name of one of the worst, so called comedies, ever with Beatty and Hoffman. What do women lose to please men? What do we all lose to fit into an alien culture? Mordecai, to, is named after Marduk.

 

5) Esther's feast is a different one than the opening of the book.

 

6) the king reminds me of Herod with his grandiose promises.

 

7) Esther uses a good ploy as she starts small and builds up. Notice how courtly is her language.

 

8) she quotes the decree against the Jews but recasts it.

 

9)The king misreads Haman's state. i don;'t know if it says more about Haman or the king. the king's surprise certainly shows how easily he delegated power.

 

 

10) .Haman gets his comeuppance, see Prov.26:27.

 

11) The eunuch, unable to be a full  participant in Israel, is very helpful here.

 

12) Esther is about seeking the hand of god under human response.

 

11) Address ethics of the underclass here. Should she show mercy to Haman? Would that be realistic?

 

12) Esther faces her moment of truth. Have you had a moment of truth?

 

13) Esther has to summon courage. What are examples of courage in acts large and small?