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Review the big story: God created the cosmos and humans and called it all good. We were created to live in harmony, but sometimes we miss the mark. All of humanity missed the mark, and they had to live with the consequences, but God stuck with them and continued to love them. Then God called a family to be a blessing to the whole earth. Like the humans before them, the generations of this family often missed the mark, but God was faithful. When the people became slaves in Egypt, God raised up Moses to be their leader. God performed many signs and wonders, and delivered them from slavery. In the wilderness, they learned to be a people of God, trusting in God’s provision, living out God’s commandments, and wrestling with the law in shalom community. As they prepared to go into the promised land, they were given the shema, words of love to keep with their whole beings. God gave the people a new leader, Joshua, and through miraculous works brought the people into the promised land. Once there, they had to learn again how to be God’s people. They missed the mark a lot, and God sent judges to guide them. Ordinary people showed creativity and steadfast love in the way they continued the story of the people of God. When the people demanded a king, God sent prophets like Samuel to try to keep the people faithful to God. Kings Saul, David and Solomon continued to miss the mark, and the kingdom divided into the north (Israel) and the south (Judah). Leaders and prophets like Elijah, Huldah, Josiah and Jeremiah were how God stuck with the people and continued to call the people back to God, even as first the northern, and then the southern kingdom fell to invading powers. After the kingdoms fell, the people were scattered. Some were left in the ruins of the kingdoms, and some were sent into exile in foreign lands. God continued to work through prophets like Ezekiel to reconcile the people to God, to each other, and to creation.
Tell the story: The story of Esther is a story that happens during the diaspora, the scattering of the people. Esther, a Jew, was an orphaned young woman, cared for by her cousin Mordecai, in the Persian empire. She found favor with the king and became queen, putting her in a position to help the Jewish people. Esther’s story includes palace intrigue, suspense and cunning. Esther is the daring hero in this story, putting her life on the line to save her people.
Prime the pump:
Microsong: "She Risks Her Life"
Haman plans death for Esther’s exiles. She risks her life so they might survive.
- Key verses: Esther 4:14-16
Tell the story: The story of Esther is a story that happens during the diaspora, the scattering of the people. Esther, a Jew, was an orphaned young woman, cared for by her cousin Mordecai, in the Persian empire. She found favor with the king and became queen, putting her in a position to help the Jewish people. Esther’s story includes palace intrigue, suspense and cunning. Esther is the daring hero in this story, putting her life on the line to save her people.
- Read the whole book of Esther for the full, intriguing story! Or if you want a shorter version, read Esther 1:1-5; 1:10-12; 1:16-20; 2:1-2; 2:4-12; 2:15-18; 2:21-23; 3:1-6; 3:8-11; 4:1-2; 4:5-17; 5:1-9; 5:12-14; 6:1-11; 7:2-6; 7:9-10; 8:3-6; 8:8; 8:17; 9:24-26; 9:32
- Read page 123 in the Shine On story Bible
Prime the pump:
- Things to notice:
- This story is kind of the biblical equivalent of a tall tale. Rooted in real experiences and a historical context, it’s a heroic folk story. As you read it, notice the elements of the story that remind you of other legends and tall tales you’ve read.
- As you read the book of Esther, notice how many times God is mentioned. What do you think of that?
- This is a story of reversals, many of them comedic (like when Haman dreams up a triumphal parade for himself, only to realize the recipient of his plans will be his enemy). Notice and maybe even list all of these reversals.
- King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes) is depicted as bumbling and week. Notice how many decisions he makes based on his own convictions and how many he makes based on the people who have his ear. He’s a “last person in the room” kind of ruler.
- Background information:
- Esther is the only book in the Hebrew Bible that was not found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, and it is not mentioned in the New Testament. Its inclusion was controversial among rabbis and among early Christians. Yet the book won out and was included. Why do you think that might have been?
- This book is peppered with Persian words and names. It was written during or right before the return from exile, and is truly a product of its time. In its original language, the use of Persian/Hebrew has a comedic effect.
- Get out a map and check out where India to Cush (Ethiopia/Nubia) is. How does this change the way you picture the story? The Persian Empire was known to be very tolerant of other religions. Looking at the map, does this make sense?
- Conversation starters:
- The hero of this story is a woman! This is even unusual in folklore today. Talk about Esther as a hero and the importance of her inclusion in the big story of the Bible.
- The festival of Purim is a celebration of the end of winter (similar timing to Mardi Gras). Like the story, the festival has a kind of carnival feeling to it. It plays with all the reversals of the story. If you’re intrigued, put Purim on your calendar (February 25-26, 2021) and come back to the story and celebration then.
- Rules are a theme in this story. “Their rules are different from our rules.” This difference in rules is the cause of a lot of the conflict. Rules here seem to be the outward way (religion) that values and beliefs (faith) are lived out. Can you come up with a parallel tale in today’s world?
Microsong: "She Risks Her Life"
Haman plans death for Esther’s exiles. She risks her life so they might survive.
Sing the big song:
This is the story of how it all began. God made matter, and chaos shattered.
Eve and Adam, they tried to hide. The world got violent and God replied with a mark and flood and a rainbow sign, God’s love written on skin and sky,
And then God called a family to be a blessing to the earth, ohh ohhh
A mother and her favorite son wrestle for the blessing, another son becomes a slave, the land is saved from famine.
God’s family grows. Egypt oppresses. They groan to God and God sends Moses.
Ten strange signs day “Please release them!” By the sea God saves them. Ohh ohhh.
The people complain God rains bread. Daily food and ten new rules.
Five sisters come and ask for land. God says “Yes, amend the law!”
Moses says, “In your new life across the Jordan, love God with your whole heart and with all your being, and your strength, now listen: God is One, only God! God is One, only God!”
Cross over Jordan, stories and stones. Circuits and shouts and the walls come down.
God sends judges like Deborah and the land has rest.
Ruth’s worth more than seven sons; Redeem the lost with steadfast love.
Corruption in the temple, and God sends Samuel.
God gives them a prophet, they ask for a king. Does God need a temple? A wise king forgets. And when a bully rules the land, a nation tears apart. And loses David’s heart…..
Through a widow’s gift and a prophet’s cry. God brings life in desperate times.
Josiah reads a misplaced scroll. He turns to God wholeheartedly. Like David did.
God gives Jeremiah a picture of God’s ruined family…
Is there any hope left, is there any hope left, is there any hope left for you Jerusalem? Any hope? Any hope left? Is there any hope left for you, Jerusalem?
By the streams of Babylon, how can we sing when you are gone, Jerusalem… Jerusalem?
I’m in a valley of human bones. These bones are Israel, God’s breath is hope.
Haman plans death for Esther’s exiles. She risks her life so they might survive.
God loves every one of us, it’s true, and God loves the universe.
This is the story of how it all began. God made matter, and chaos shattered.
Eve and Adam, they tried to hide. The world got violent and God replied with a mark and flood and a rainbow sign, God’s love written on skin and sky,
And then God called a family to be a blessing to the earth, ohh ohhh
A mother and her favorite son wrestle for the blessing, another son becomes a slave, the land is saved from famine.
God’s family grows. Egypt oppresses. They groan to God and God sends Moses.
Ten strange signs day “Please release them!” By the sea God saves them. Ohh ohhh.
The people complain God rains bread. Daily food and ten new rules.
Five sisters come and ask for land. God says “Yes, amend the law!”
Moses says, “In your new life across the Jordan, love God with your whole heart and with all your being, and your strength, now listen: God is One, only God! God is One, only God!”
Cross over Jordan, stories and stones. Circuits and shouts and the walls come down.
God sends judges like Deborah and the land has rest.
Ruth’s worth more than seven sons; Redeem the lost with steadfast love.
Corruption in the temple, and God sends Samuel.
God gives them a prophet, they ask for a king. Does God need a temple? A wise king forgets. And when a bully rules the land, a nation tears apart. And loses David’s heart…..
Through a widow’s gift and a prophet’s cry. God brings life in desperate times.
Josiah reads a misplaced scroll. He turns to God wholeheartedly. Like David did.
God gives Jeremiah a picture of God’s ruined family…
Is there any hope left, is there any hope left, is there any hope left for you Jerusalem? Any hope? Any hope left? Is there any hope left for you, Jerusalem?
By the streams of Babylon, how can we sing when you are gone, Jerusalem… Jerusalem?
I’m in a valley of human bones. These bones are Israel, God’s breath is hope.
Haman plans death for Esther’s exiles. She risks her life so they might survive.
God loves every one of us, it’s true, and God loves the universe.