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Women in the Bible
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Lesson Seventeen: by turtle
I got to thinking this week about how hard it is for women in general to work and
breath in still much a man dominated world. Though women have made long
strides in becoming equal in the work force, there are still some areas in which
women have not gain access into. Yet women still strive to reach those goals.
Women in leadership in the work force almost always has to earn their dues much
more so then men. And yet I think maybe earning that respect with hard work is
much more valuable then just be handed the golden ticket.
Esther earned and did not just receive her title of queen. She was a woman to be
respected and to be reckoned with. She gain her right to use authority not just as a
wife but as queen. To have that kind of respect by one’s mate and by others is
worth fighting for. But one must realize I do not think Esther stood up to the plate
to be acknowledge, she step up to the plate because she seen a need to and she was
in position to. Deborah on the other hand had respect, how she gained it, the
Bible does not say. Let us continue looking at Esther life in chapter eight.
The mortal enemy was going to be defeated. See the king wanted to know all that
happened and all about Esther‘s family. Mordecai himself was honor to be
master of the home of Haman. Can you imagine getting to lord over your enemies
house. The king gave Mordecai his ring a symbol to all that would question his
authority. The king was upset by all that had taken place. I do not doubt this. Who
would not be upset especially if you knew they were kin.
Esther 8:1-3 KJV
(1) On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy
unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told
what he was unto her.
(2) And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it
unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
(3) And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and
besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his
device that he had devised against the Jews.
.The king honor’s Esther by holding out his scepter to her. She then makes a
request of the king and he grants Mordecai permission to undo all that had been
done to his people. Whoever said revenge will not come is wrong. For the fact is
God was in control and he would justify all that had been done to his people.
Esther 8:4-12 KJV
(4) Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and
stood before the king,
(5) And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the
thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to
reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which
he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:
(6) For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how
can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
(7) Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew,
Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon
the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
(8) Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with
the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with
the king's ring, may no man reverse.
(9) Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the
month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according
to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the
deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an
hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing
thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to
their writing, and according to their language.
(10) And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring,
and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young
dromedaries:
(11) Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather
themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to
perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little
ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
(12) Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
After they had discussed what would happen they had to make it a law. And so it
became a law throughout the land. Not only a law to free the people but a law to
rectify the injustice done to Esther people.
Esther 8:13-17 KJV
(13) The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was
published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to
avenge themselves on their enemies.
(14) So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and
pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the
palace.
(15) And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue
and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and
purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
(16) The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
(17) And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's
commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a
good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the
Jews fell upon them.
That day many came to know God out of fear of being killed. Fear of being
trampled on. Fear of being slaughter. The fact is we should never fear our
convictions if God is on our side. Something that as always impressed me about
religion in general a true believe will stand no matter if persecution comes. Many
of the land that worshipped idols, were willing to give up to keep from having
harm come to them. What does that say about their gods. Are you willing to lay
your life on the line for your faith. If so are you convinced without doubt what you
believe is true not just because you were taught to believe it.
Many wars have been fought in the name of God. Yet when it all boils down, was it
because of faith or for freedom. In the USA we fought for our freedom to believe
and chose what we believe. When America goes to war to help another country it
better be to protect the rights of others and not for wealth or gain. Those things
might be part of a reason, just like the civil war there were many reason there was
a war. One must remember the most important reason to fight is for liberty. Queen
Esther wanted her people to have religious freedom not to bow to a man. Haman.
To not be persecuted for being a Jew. Just like religious groups fight for that today
as well. It is when someone becomes like Haman and wishes to control another
human belief or religious practice there is a problem. When one controls a person
to cause persecution of any kind it is a terrorist act against another human being.
God is a God of love. Jesus loved us. He desires us to love him and love others.
Hate is not love. Esther actions were one of revenge and not love. Yet as a ruler she
had the choice to do and so because basic freedoms had been taken. From a
religious stand point we are to love our enemies. If Esther had been a prophetess
she could not of corrected the sin against the people, she would of had to allow
God to do it. That is why there is a separation of church and state. We can not just
always turn the other cheek.
1 John 2:8-11 KJV
(8) Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in
you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
(9) He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until
now.
(10) He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of
stumbling in him.
(11) But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and
knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
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