Esther

I was reminded today of the book of Esther in the Bible. What a cool story.

This king gets drunk and tries to get his wife, Queen Vasti, to come and entertain him and his buddies but she says "No way" so she gets bounced and he looks for a new queen.

Of course he does this by having a beauty contest.

This really good Jewish guy named Mordecai decides that his niece, Esther, should try out for the job so that she'll be on the inside and will be able to influence the King not to persecute the Jews.

Esther's not happy about it but she gives her all for the team - and gets chosen.

In the meantime an evil villain named Haman starts hatching these crazy diabolical plots to get Esther and her uncle killed.

In the end it's all a reversal of fortune. All of the bad things that Haman wanted to happen to Mordecai - actually happen to Haman.

In one part of the story when Esther is scared and unsure that she can confront the King her uncle says, ...if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

Good words for all of us who've been in similar positions.

On a lighter note, when I lived in South Florida and Jews celebrated Purim, a Jewish holiday mentioned in the book of Esther, the Jewish bakeries featured a treat made from dried apricots call "Haman's Ears."


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