QUEEN

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QUEEN
ESTHER
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Persian Empire
From border of India to Aegean Sea to Egypt
From 547330 BCE
Colonial rule via much local autonomy
respect for indigenous religious cultural
practices
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DIASPORA
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Wheres God??
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Literary Technique Ironic Over-kill
what appears vs whats intended
whats expected/what happens
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Characterization of the King
Foolish Easily Manipulated Powerful Concerned
about honor
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Characterization of Queen Vashti
Proud Restrained Willing to say no
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110-20 Ironic Over-kill Again
all women will look with contempt (z z b) on
their husbandsthey will rebel against kings
officials 117f
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Types of Wisdom and Power
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Characterization of Esther 25-18

• vulnerable (orphan)
• beautiful
• skilled at negotiating the terrain

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ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING

• SEXUAL
• EXPLOITATION

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Characterization of Mordecai 25-23

• descendant of Kish
• diaspora Jew
• loyal to family responsibilities
• politically shrewd
• loyal to king

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Characterization of Haman 31-2

• descendant of Agag
• politically shrewd
• high status in government

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Intertextual Echoes1 Samuel 15
Saul of Kish
King Agag
Mordecai
Haman of Agag
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Hate FEAR MONGERING

• They disobey the kings law
• They are not like us!
• Do Not tolerate them!!
• They are everywhere
• Their laws are different

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Literary Overkill313
all Jews
destroy
d m v
kill
g r h
everywhere
destroy
d b a
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Literary Echoes of Other Texts
casting lots
expose Achan Joshua 7
expose Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14
clue things wont go well for Haman
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reality check
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For if you keep silence at such a time as this,
relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews
from another quarter Who knows? Perhaps you
have come to royal dignity for such a time as
this. 4.14
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Theological Conviction
Jewish people will survive
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Questions for Esther

• Is this your Kairos?
• Have you come to this time for this?

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I will go to the king, although it is against
the law, and if I perish (d b a), I perish 416
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"you and Haman,
please come
to my
banquet"
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Literary Technique Ironic Reversal
Haman prepares to lift up Mordecai on gallows
king prepares to lift up Mordecai in honor
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DIGGING DEEPER
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"you and Haman,
please come
to my
banquet"
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CONVERSIONS?
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E S E D
E R O I S M
I D D E N HAND