Today’s reading: Esther 6-7; Philippians 1
I don’t really have much time to write today, but I just had to take a minute to recognize how much I love Esther 6. It is my absolute favorite ironic twist in the Bible, and I laugh out loud every time I read it!
Obviously I’m talking about how Haman, in his arrogance, not only devises, but also has to carry out, the reward for the man he hates so much. It’s just so good…
But it’s also worth pointing out that Haman does it and without even the slightest hint of disagreement or disdain. I have never lived under an absolute monarchy like this, where the king’s word must be carried out without question, so it’s somewhat difficult for me to situate myself in that setting, which is why it stands out to me. But the fact that Esther, as queen, cannot freely stand before her husband, and that Haman, one of the king’s closest advisors, dare not argue, complain, or offer any alternative (including asking that someone else be the one to carry out Mordecai’s reward) to the king’s relatively casual instruction, says a LOT about his authority and what it would have been like to serve him and/or live in his presence.
It also gives me a deeper appreciation for men like Daniel and his friends, or Nehemiah, who were willing to engage or defy the absolute monarchs under which they lived and worked.
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