Well, it is #SundayMorning and the lectionary readings again preach themselves. For those of you who don't know what a lectionary is, it is an assigned 3 yr cycle of readings for churches -- prepped long ago.
The text for this week is the story of Esther.
The text for this week is the story of Esther.
About a woman -- in this case, the Queen -- who stands up against male authorities and insists on justice.
(Yeah, you can't make these things up.)
(Yeah, you can't make these things up.)
The king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”
Esther has pleased the King. He finds her "credible." 🙂
She doesn't ask for riches or her own personal comfort. Instead: "Then Queen Esther answered, 'If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me-- that is my petition-- and the lives of my people-- that is my request.'"
The villain of the story, Haman, seeks vengeance on the Jews (he was angry that Esther's cousin would bow the knee to him) and has convinced the King to sell him the Jews as slaves and then kill them.
The King and Esther weren't like say, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. They didn't hang out together on a daily basis. Theirs was a political, arranged, and distant marriage. The King didn't even know Esther was a Jew. And, it appears, he was kinda angry at her.
So she has to wait to be summoned by him -- to appear before him -- and testify on the part of the people.
Thus begins a long series of complicated political events. But, eventually, Esther finds herself in favor again. Esther reveals that she is a Jew -- and that she, along with the rest of the Jews -- will be killed! She tells her story, the story she's kept secret.
The King is outraged! “Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?”
Esther said, “A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!”
Esther said, “A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!”
Haman is terrified. Because now Esther now holds the power of his life in her hands.
So what does Haman do?
So what does Haman do?
He throws her down on a bed and attempts to rape her.
(I'm not kidding. This is the story. You can read it in Esther 7)
(I'm not kidding. This is the story. You can read it in Esther 7)
The King catches Haman in the act. The king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?”
The King, furious, with Haman, the arrogant minister who sought to destroy the Jews when ONE Jew refused him what he wanted, sent Haman to be hanged.
So the decree against the Jews was removed. The day became one of thanksgiving -- a feast and giving gifts to the poor.
And Esther is remembered forever as the woman who faced down injustice, who spoke truth to power, who told her story and saved her people.
And Esther is remembered forever as the woman who faced down injustice, who spoke truth to power, who told her story and saved her people.
This is the Word of God for the People of God. Amen.
Karl Barth once said: “Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.”
Let's just say that today's interpretation couldn't be more obvious or relevant.
When a woman is summoned to tell her story, and does so not for personal gain but for the sake of the people, believe her.
When a woman is summoned to tell her story, and does so not for personal gain but for the sake of the people, believe her.
(And, as always, please forgive typos or grammar mistakes. My tweet sermons are extemporaneous.)
A bad typo in this tweet: "The villain of the story, Haman, seeks vengeance on the Jews (he was angry that Esther's cousin would bow the knee to him) and has convinced the King to sell him the Jews as slaves and then kill them." "WOULD" bow should be "WOULDN'T"
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