banquet

Esther in the presence of her enemies

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You have anointed my head with oil;My cup overflows.Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.Psalm 23:5-6

Esther’s Banquet

I am so hostile to this book [2 Maccabees] and Esther that I could wish that they did not exist at all, for they judaize too greatly and have much pagan impropriety. Martin Luther Poor Luther. The book of Esther is indeed peculiar and perplexing, particularly to us Gentiles. But part of the genius ofContinue reading “Esther’s Banquet”

Vashti and Esther: His banner over me is love

On the face of it, the book of Esther is about a pagan king who trafficks young women, a plucky queen who refuses to come when called, and a humble girl of unknown birth who, together with her uncle, braves her way into the king’s harem and saves her people. I used to read theContinue reading “Vashti and Esther: His banner over me is love”