Esther 7:3
[The king asks,] “What is your petition, Queen Esther?” 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.”
In the Wonder Woman story, Diana is a princess on a hidden and secluded island ruled by women warriors. Her world is upended when a WWI fighter pilot crashes off the shoreline and tells her of the war threatening the entire planet. Diana decides to help him by using her newfound superhuman powers as Wonder Woman to help restore global peace.
Now consider this. In the book of Esther, Esther was a biblical heroine who saved the Jewish people. She is recognized mostly for her strength, bravery, and dignity. She was chosen by the Persian King Ahasuerus to be his wife in a contest, not knowing she was a Jew. All the Persian King could see was an incredibly beautiful woman. When the king’s right-hand man, Haman, came up with a plan to kill the Jews, Esther’s uncle Mordechai found her and pleaded with her to spare Israel. Even though she was the King’s wife, she knew she was not allowed to approach him without invitation, and if she did, it could end in death. But she believed she was chosen by God to save her own people and agreed to go in front of the king anyway to win his favor and save her people, the Jews. Esther foils the plan of Haman and wins permission from the king for the Jews to kill their enemies if necessary, and they do so. Israel is spared.
It almost sounds like a Wonder Woman story! For the Jewish people, it is a wondrous story of a woman who uses the gifts that God has given her to bring hope and life to her people. Who would have expected such a deliverance from a female? God empowered Esther then and empowers us today to make a difference.
The story of Esther is celebrated as The Feast of Purim yearly by the Jewish people to this day just as it was declared in the 9th chapter of Esther. The exact date is flexible but in 2021 it will be celebrated from sunset on February 25 to nightfall on February 26. To celebrate this occasion of Jewish deliverance, the story of Esther is read, food is shared, joyful music is heard, plays enacted, gifts are given to the poor, and often parades are held.
The name of “God” in not mentioned once in the book of Esther but it is obvious that (G-d) God was actively “pulling the strings” to care for His nation. Because Purim celebrates a miracle in which (G-d) God’s presence was hidden, people often “hide” behind costumes. Both adults and kids can dress up which sounds a bit like Halloween. Additionally, Haman’s edict catalyzed a spiritual revival among the Jews. In a sense, this was even more significant than the Covenant at Sinai.
Mordecai, a solid, faithful, godly man, and Esther were two dedicated people of God. Praise God for Esther and Mordecai! Praise God for all those who are willing to step out for God to bring hope and peace to others. Amen.