Preposterous Stories
As Brenna has taught, the book of Esther is a dark comedy. But just because it’s a comedy doesn’t mean it’s not cutting and insightful (ever see the movie Don’t Look Up?!). Read these two passages. Ask yourself these two questions:
Where is the dark humor and why is it there?
What is a modern parallel?
Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver (175 tons) to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” Esther 2:8-9
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of 75 feet, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. - Esther 5:14
Haman’s wife plays on his insecurities to go BIG on violence. Insecure Haman plays on the king’s insecurities, giving a super-sized bribe to do something no king should ever do. It’s all so ironic… and lays out the ridiculousness of those playing with power. And in the whole book, God is not mentioned once - but you can’t help but see God’s hand in so many of the happenings.
And it’s just like today and what’s going on in the halls of power… and God is at work, even though violence and briberies and a whole lot of male insecurities are driving so many initiatives right now in our country.
Talk with God about what all of this is stirring up for you.