Heroine Enters Stage Right (The namesake of the book of Esther)

"What's in a name?"

In Esther chapter 2 we are finally introduced to the namesake of the book and her adoptive father; Mordecai. We are told that the girl Hadassah was from a Jewish family and was orphaned early on in life (2:7-8). The word that is used in Hebrew to describe Mordecai's raising of Hadassah is אֹמֵן "'aman" (You can read more about this verb by clicking here. Blue letter Bible is a fantastic tool for word studies!). This word is a verb and was mostly used either to describe the act of supporting (such as a load bearing wall supporting a house), or the act of fostering a child. We're told in 2:10 that Esther had been instructed by Mordecai to keep her background hidden. While Hadassah was her Jewish name, it makes sense that as the story continues the writer chooses to use her Persian name, Esther. She would have been known publicly by the people, and by her spouse the king of Persia as Esther. 

"A contrast of characters" 

The book of Esther is filled with comparisons, contrasts, sarcasm, humor, intrigue, and irony. With the introduction of Esther herself we see an amazing contrast between characters. A character we've become somewhat familiar with in chapter 1 was king Xerxes (Ahasuerus was his royal Persian name and is used in many English Bible translations including ASV, ESV, KJV, NASB). So far Xerxes has demonstrated himself to be:

• king over a vast amount of land (1:1-3 state the extent of Xerxes's empire)
• a drunkard (1:10 is a nice way of saying the king was smashed)
• Extravagant (1:4-8) but ineffectual (1:12 his queen, Vashti, refused to listen to him)
• Petty (1:15 he seeks revenge against his queen in a moment of pride)
• Impetuous (the definition of impetuous is "acting or done quickly and without thought or care" - that pretty much sums up 1:15-22)

So on the one hand we've been introduced to this petulant king Xerxes, and now in chapter 2 we're introduced to Esther. Esther could not have been more different in her character from Xerxes. You can almost line up the traits of Xerxes, and find the opposite traits to be true of Esther. While Xerxes was a king over huge portions of the world, Esther was an orphan, born to a people who were downtrodden. The conqueror of Esther's people had been defeated by Xerxes predecessors (2:5-7). While Xerxes demonstrated himself to be a drunk when given the opportunity, Esther is given attendants, food, and special attention, yet she does not indulge herself to excess as Xerxes did (2:8-9). Esther is described as being beautiful (2:7). Her extravagance is not in her possessions, but in her very body. This is reinforced again later in chapter 2 when we are told Xerxes reaction to Esther (2:15-17). When Xerxes had a chance for revenge or to behave arrogantly, he did so. Whereas Esther was just the opposite. She was magnanimous and loyal to Mordecai and to Xerxes when she heard about the plot to assassinate the king (2:21-23).  Esther's steps were ordered and well thought out when compared with Xerxes. She goes into her new situation and seeks to learn, grow, and be a force for good. While others would take with them gifts during their royal night with the king, Esther took only what was suggested by Hegai, she was thoughtful but not proud, attentive, but not manipulative (2:15). 

"A word about wisdom"

In the first two chapters we are given a great contrast between Esther and Xerxes and I can't help but think of the contrast throughout the books of the Bible known as "wisdom" books. Often times in wisdom books a contrast is highlighted as a theme. This theme ranges in scope and purpose, and sometimes multiple themes occur in a book. In the book of Job for instance, one contrast is between those who know, and those who do not know. Job and his friends who weep and seek solace in the midst of tragedy do not know what the happenings are in the heavenly courts, but the readers of the book of Job know full well after reading Job 1-2 what is going on. In the book of Proverbs wisdom is described in all sorts of luscious language while foolishness is the subject of much derision. In the book of Ecclesiastes life itself is compared to a gust of wind, a breath of air, or a fleeting moment. In the book Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) love is celebrated and the bond between a husband and wife is compared with the vivid scenes in creation. 

Wisdom books love to give a spectrum, and fill that spectrum with lucid word pictures. This brings the principle being taught from the conceptual level into an actual level which leads to a real outcome in the life of the one reading. While you won't find any short statements that would make for good "twitter" or "facebook storyboard" candidates in the book of Esther, you will find a depth and a spectrum of behavior and belief contrasted. Esther in many ways presents it's wisdom in the ways in which our eyes get used to seeing in the dark. One of the best ways to see in the dark is to simply wait and observe. Your eyes begin to adjust to the dark. Sometimes it takes only moments, seconds, or minutes. Wisdom and the lessons in Esther are sometimes this way. Sometimes we see right away a lesson to be learned from Xerxes, Esther, Mordecai, or others. Other times, it takes us a bit longer to get adjusted to the story, to the nuances, to the subtleties of Esther. 

When reading Esther you will never have an intrusive moment from a narrator or author in the text clearly spelling out for you "DID YOU SEE THAT CONTRAST?!?!?!?" The book of Esther almost never presents wisdom in the way the Kool-Aid man presented his sweet drink, disruptively shouting "Oh-Yeah!!!". The wisdom in Esther is more often than not built upon layers of previous wisdom. In my house, oftentimes when watching a movie or show, there are a great many voices asking "why did they do that?" or "what's happening?" (It's just the reality with a 9 year old, 5 year old, 3 year old, and our newborn means it'll be happening for a while haha). Sometimes, the voices aren't our children, but are me or my wife asking for an update since we were out of the room for a scene. Esther as a story and Esther as a book filled with wisdom, doesn't have many moments to allow you to "catch up", or have many moments where the story breaks the fourth wall to share an inside joke between the writer and the reader. 

As we read about Esther's upbringing and rise to power we are presented with a lesson in wisdom. The wisdom of Esther is a wisdom that sees present situations as an opportunity rather than a challenge. This is a wisdom that seeks to utilize the gifts that have been given previously. It's a wisdom that refuses arrogance and accepts advice. Here is a wisdom that finds obedience preferable to decadence. Here is a wisdom that pursues loyalty rather than pride. 

When we come to the end of chapter two, we've learned much about the character of Esther, the upbringing of Esther, and the rise of Esther into the position of queen of Persia. While many stories would want to end here, the story of Esther is only beginning. In some ways, we have previews of challenges to come. Previews such as: the impetuous nature of the king, the violent and wrathful execution of law (both against Vashti and against the assassination conspiracy) and the hidden background of Esther's Jewish heritage. These all provide a wonderful tease for what is yet to come in the story and what lessons of wisdom are yet to be studied.