For Such a Time as This

For Such A Time As This

“FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS”

Orphaned as a child, a woman of Jewish decent becomes the most powerful woman in Persia. During a decree which would cause the annihilation of herself and her people, she stands up to the most powerful man in Persia, which could instantly cause the loss of her life and hopelessness for her people. Can this woman save herself, her people, or lose her life in a time where a women’s authority was substandard?

“One hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia” (MacArthur, 1997, Esther 1:1) during 486 – 465 B.C., “Khshayarsha,” which is the “Hebrew translation of the Persian name Ahasuerus” and “Xerxes” which is the “Greek” form of the name Khshayarsha succeeds King Darius as the King of Persia (MacArthur, 1997, p. 685). King Ahasuerus will be referred to as King Xerxes (Engyclopedia) from this point on. During King Xerxes reign, “On the seventh day of a feast, King Xerxes requested his Queen, Vashti to come before him “Wearing her royal crown in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials.” Queen Vashti refused to parade herself in front of the king and his drunken subjects (MacArthur, Esther 1:10-12). This angered King Xerxes. After seeking consul of the wise men closest to him with expertise in law and justice, “Memucan answered before the King and princes stating “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husband in their eyes, when they report, King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come, This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen, thus there will be excessive contemn and wrath. If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be...