Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will rebel against the king’s officials, and there will be no end of contempt and wrath!”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, December 5, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
This is a comedy, remember. King Ahasuerus ordered his wife, Queen Vashti, to make an appearance at a party and she refused. Rather than simply sulk about it, he has to take bold action to send a message to all the women in his kingdom: Obey your husbands or be cast off!
To modern ears this is horrific, especially if you didn’t know or forgot this is a comedic play. In a culture where women are still fighting for equality with men in all areas of life, this is just one more example of oppression. But the subtext of the declaration is that women hold way more power than the “ideal” norms of the time would dictate. Women obviously exerted themselves in their relationships with their husbands, otherwise why make fun of it by having to create a royal decree? Mind you, I’m not saying it’s a good joke that should be just brushed off without reflection, but I imagine the inherent ridiculousness of this was clear at the time and maybe we can see it as further support of the idea that society needs to change radically to render this entirely moot. Giving women full equality to men doesn’t lead to “contempt and wrath” toward men. Quite the contrary, it removes the need for contempt and wrath because everyone is on the same level.
The ironic twist in this story is that Esther, when she comes onto the scene, is the epitome of the quiet, obedient woman who only lives to please her husband, yet she exerts incredible power and influence to the tune of saving her entire people from genocide, thus subverting the oppression her role puts on her.
If nothing else, I certainly encourage you to make a cup of something warm, kick back, and read the book of Esther as if it is the script of a ridiculous farce—it really is a lot of fun!
How can I find humor even in the struggles of my life? How is humor healing for me?