Esther I-III
Act One: Based on the first book of Esther
Introduction- Setting the Stage
For most of high school, my mom didn’t like the friends I had. The same is true at A levels and even up to 200-level university (the sophomore year of college). Friendships are significant influences, whether we realize it or not. They also serve as a significant source of wisdom and advice.
Right now, she doesn’t talk about my friends- maybe it’s because I barely have any. But, the Holy Spirit reminds me of a King forever remembered with his friends.
In 1 Kings 12, we see the story of King Rehoboam. When he was crowned KIng, the people confided in him that his father had made their yoke heavy, and if he would lighten it, they would serve him. He asks them to return for a response (wisdom). King Rehoboam asks the elders who served his dad for advice, and they advise him to lighten the load. King Rehoboam then asked his friends for advice, and they asked him to make the people’s yoke even heavier than his father had done. He responded to the people with his friend’s advice (not wisdom).
Long story short, the people rebelled and left Rehoboam; they also attempted to stone him at some point, but he fled (wisdom). Interesting.
Scene One
Bigtha returns to the King’s chamber with the seven wise men who understood the times.
Meres: My King, may you live forever.
King Xerxes: I have summoned you all in the middle of the feast because of Vashti, She has refused to obey my command that I sent through my eunuchs. I cannot accept this rebellious behavior in my courts. What can be done to her, according to the law?
Tarshish: My King, we were present at the banquet and witnessed the gravity of the situation. My King, she can be charged according to the law, so that the King is not only seen as a firm grounded King but one of order. My King, may you live forever.
Meres: My King, this matter is very delicate and has to follow the written laws. So that when news reaches King Darius, it will be a matter of you enforcing the law, not enforcing dominance and power, which could give him the wrong signal. My king, may you live forever.
Carshena: My King, the King himself, gave Vashti to you as a wife, and the land for you to rule. In all your delaings, my King, seek to please the King. My King, may you love forever.
Memucan: My King, Queen Vashti has not just wronged you, but all the princes and all the people and King Darius himself. When the young maidens hear of what Queen Vashti did tonight, they would also imitate her in their own homes disrupting the kingdom. My King, may you live forever.
Shethar: My King, we all agree that Queen Vashti has done a great wrong. However, there is no current law directly addressing her atrocity. My King, may you live forever
Memucan: My King, since there is no current law, a new law can be made. Let a decree be made and be recorded in the laws of Persians and Medes. My King, may you live forever.
Carshena: My King, I disagree with Memucan. That is taking things too far. Queen Vashti has been of wise counsel to the King’s court. I believe suspending her from coming before the King for a month would suffice. My King, may you live forever.
Marsena: My King, let Vashti never come before you again. For it would be a great shame and spit in the King’s face. My King, may you live forever.
Memucan: My King, that is a good suggestion from Carshena. In fact, My King, let the decree state that Vashti never comes before you again, and her position be given to another. Let her royal estate and gifts also be given to her replacement. My King, may you live forever.
King Xerxes: Enough, I have decided. Bigthan, take my ring and do all that Memucan suggested. Make sure to translate to every house and language in the region.
Scene Two
The news of Queen Vashti’s predicament spread throughout the courts. No one knew exactly what happened to her, but that didn’t stop the rumors. There were stories that Memucan had sugested Queen Vashti be removed because he wanted his daughter to be Queen, while others had said it was because of how she had an infuence on the King over him. As the courts of the King echoed with stories of what could have happened. A man named Mordecai, who served at the King’s gate came in.
Bigtha: Mordecai, my good friend, how have you been?
Mordecai: Adonai liveth, so I have bene good. How did you find Torah readings at Shabatt?
Bigtha: Refreshing. I have so many questions. But most importantly, I have some news for you.
Mordecai: If it is about Queen Vashti, then, it is old news, I am afraid.
Bigtha: That and worse. the King has been so sullen since her removal, he has been lonely but has refused to admit that her wise counsel was always comforting.
Mordecai: My friend, may the King live forever. May we not act in anger.
Bigtha: I agree, men like us cannot afford to act in anger like the King. However, I wanted to seek your counsel on how to comfort the King.
Mordecai: Well, we are men. We cannot do what women do. Just carefully advise him to take a new wife. Not from his old concubines, because there is a reason they were not queens. Maybe from the royal princes, they have wonderful daughters.
Bigha: Indeed. Thank you, my friend. Also, you should avoid Bigthan and Teresh.
Mordecai: I know they are not trustworthy, but what specifically caused this advice?
Bigtha: Day by day, they satisfy their flesh, and they are getting close to treason.
Mordecai: I would have to investigate, in case they are serious with their plot lest the Kingdom grows weak.
Bigtha: Ah my friend, you are always wise in your dealings. Now unto other pressing issues. Can you explain the family redemption law according to the writings of Moses?
This scene ends with Mordecai teaching Bigtha abour the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Glossary.
Mordecai means follower of Marduk, Marduk stood for justice, fairness, and order. However, Mordecai was most likely a Babylonian name. Mordecai served Yahweh. Mordecai was the son of Jair, from the tribe of Benjamin, and a descendant of Kish and Shimei.
References.
Holman Bible Staff. (2017). CSB Apologetics Study Bible, hardcover. Holman Bibles.