Esther 9-10

The Facts (Chapter number: Verse)

9:11-14 - The king tells Queen Esther, "In the citadel of Susa the Jews have killed five hundred people and also the ten sons of Haman. Now what is your petition?" Esther replied, "If it pleases the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day's edict, and let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows."
9:25 - Esther came before the king and the king gave orders that the wicked plot against the Jews shall come to an end and Haman's sons should be hanged on the gallows.
9:29-32 - Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with the Jew Mordecai, gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim. Letters were sent wishing peace and security to all the Jews and giving orders that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as the Jew Mordecai ad Queen Esther enjoined in the Jews, just as they had laid down for themselves and for their descendants regulations concerning their fasts and their lamentations. The command of Queen Esther fixed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.

Esther 10 - No mention of any women.

My Comments

And in proper Bible fashion any celebration of Esther's deeds is almost completely erased. It's no longer Esther who gave the orders to stop the plot, now it's the king. Esther is no longer mentioned alone, but only along with the king and Mordecai. Mordecai is praised throughout both chapters (he's the only one mentioned in 10) and the only solo bit Esther gets is to request one more thing from the king. Based solely on the last chapter Mordecai is being praised as the real hero in all of this, so why is the book even called Esther? Why not just call it Mordecai? Mordecai is the one remembered and honored in the last chapter. Mordecai was the one ranked next to King Ahasuerus and the one powerful amongst the Jews. "For Mordecai sought the good of his people and interceded for the welfare of all his descendants."

Way to completely erase all that Esther did in just one small chapter.

Ugh. I seriously take back any nice thing I said about this book. At the beginning I was a bit hesitant, didn't want to get too excited about a possible woman hero. And then I was frustrated because Esther didn't seem to be doing anything at all. Then I was a bit impressed because Esther managed to stand up to Haman and outed his plans to the king. And now it just feels like why the hell did Esther bother doing anything at all because the Bible completely erases her biggest role in destroying Haman (outing him to the king) and makes it all about Mordecai. And in the end Mordecai gets EVERYTHING, the honors, the land, the titles, the nice shiny gaudy robes. Everything. And I guess Esther's reward is getting to stay the queen to a king who has no less than two concubine houses and who she is afraid to even speak to without his permission because she may be killed for daring to do so. Also, might I add, a husband who doesn't even want to see her on any sort of regular basis since it chapter 4 we learned that Esther hadn't seen the king in 30 days. What kind of reward is that? A life time of neglect and subservience to a man who can dismiss or kill her at a whim. A man who has been shown to punish his queen for simply daring to not want to come see him and prance for his guests when ordered.

Oh yeah, I can definitely see that Esther is the real hero in this story. She had all the major roles and got the best rewards, right? Yeah, right. I feel I should make a tag for disappointments such as these, but I am unsure what that tag should be...

Looks like we get to start Job next. Should be interesting.

There won't be a post on Friday since Thanksgiving is Thursday and my birthday is Friday. Gonna be pretty busy with awesome food and awesome people. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving/holiday break! :D

Monday: Job