I love this depiction by Francois-Leon Benouville. Esther seems troubled by something. Perhaps the challenge to fulfill her destiny?

As we close out our first book club series, we come to the phenomenal story of Esther. As Irene Nowell tells us, there were two versions written, the shorter Hebrew version that doesn’t seem to acknowledge God’s presence, and a later Greek version that injected the presence of God.

Why do you think the original version didn’t include God?

What was the author thinking?

What would be the purpose for excluding God?

When I studied Esther in my fourth year of bible study with the Archdiocese, we didn’t spend enough time on this issue, and I was a little disappointed about that. It troubled me that someone would be inspired to write this story explaining the celebration of the holiday of Purim, and not choose to include the source of the inspiration. To quote a contemporary phrase, “What’s that all about?”

For me, the answer can be found in one of the key turning points in the story, when Esther’s uncle Mordecai pleads for her to petition King Ahasuerus to overturn his decree that will wipe out the Jewish people. Initially, Esther throws up an excuse that expresses her fear that the king will punish her with death for disobedience, like he did with her predecessor, Queen Vashti.

But then, Mordecai challenges his niece to ponder whether or not her life had always been leading up to this very moment.

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he had this reply brought to her: “Do not imagine that you are safe in the king’s palace, you alone of all the Jews. Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source;but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows—perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?” (Judith 4:13-14)

Esther is a very lucky woman having won that extravagant contest to replace Queen Vashti. Was her success only so that she could live a lush life in the harem of King Ahasuerus? As Mordecai points out, Esther’s Jewishness may not remain hidden from the King (if it isn’t already known), and as such she might find herself to be the predecessor all the pretty virgins speak about at the next beauty contest.

Esther girds up her courage and decides to take action. She first strips off her pretty garments and other adornments (notice the contrast to how women of the Old Testament used clothing, perfume and other accessories to attract and distract others) and prays fervently to her Lord for courage and strength and guidance.

The rest, as they say, is history. The decree is overturned and Haman, once the powerful and trusted second in command, is defeated. Even his sons lives are taken in order to reduce the possibility of revenge. Esther has taken up God’s challenge for her role in history, and met it.

What do you think about your life and what God calls you to be and to do? Do you ever spend much time thinking what it is God wants from you? Irene Nowell poses that perhaps Esther came into a fuller appreciation of herself and her faith through this hardship. Esther places God rightly at the center of her being, and the meaning of her existence. As we know from the first Commandment handed down by Moses, we are called to love God first and base our actions and words around his desires for us.

So perhaps the original Hebrew author left out God because he had an immature faith. Or maybe he left God out so his readers would be drawn to the question “Where is God?” If the latter, I applaud the author for offering such a brazen challenge. I also applaud Esther for her humanity, her initial lack of courage, her growing into her faith. That is very human and I can empathize with her struggle. How about you?

A very Happy and Prosperous New Year to all.