November 18, 2013 – Esther A - 1

Esther is different with it’s A’s and B’s in chapters, mixed in with the regular 1’s and 2’s.  The introductory section talks about a first and shorter Hebrew version and a Greek version that was longer (has the additional lettered sections.

Section A sets up the character of Mordecai while Chapter 1 sets the stage for Esther’s queen ship. Mordecai, in the same type of situation as Daniel, has a dream, tells it to the king, and it then brought up into power, leading to someone being jealous of him.  Queen Vashti loses her seat as queen basically because she doesn’t want to come to the king’s celebration.  We don’t really get any reason for her not wanting to come, just that she is very stubborn about it.  It could have been worse.  You get the sense that during this time, if a wife didn’t comply with a husbands request, it could have been the loss of her head, not just her title.  I wonder if she plays any more of a part in the story (she would obviously be very jealous of Esther) or if she is only introduced to set the stage for Esther.