dennyh

Vashti And Esther

In dedication to my awesome wife Carol

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household." (Proverbs 31:25 27) This Saturday, people worldwide will be buying flowers for their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. "Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2:17) The Jewish people will be celebrating the - Purim (Festival of Lots), this month. This year Purim falls on March 16, and Shushan Purim on March 17, 2014. This holiday celebrates the exemplary leadership and bravery of Hadassah, a Jewish girl who rose to become ancient Persia's Queen Esther. Hadassah risked death to inspire change, advocating for the Jewish People's salvation from planned genocide. She modeled modesty, courage, and perseverance as she rallied her people to fast and pray for their lives - an act of faith in an evil time - after struggling with the decision to seek the king's mercy. To come before the king uninvited was a huge risk, but Hadassah, though she was queen, listened to the sage advice of her uncle Mordecai who urged her to break through social barriers and do whatever was in her power, even if it meant hazarding a death sentence. "Mordecai trained Esther so that when the time came to exercise courage to risk her life and her nation (that special moment), she was able to accomplish what YHVH wanted. It takes courage to push yourself to places that youve never been before, to test your limits, to break through barriers." The king had already shown a predisposition to objectifying women.

dennyh R3814

!"

dennyh
The Book of Esther reveals that the Persian king had demanded that Queen Vashti, Esthers predecessor, display her beauty before the court. Some commentators argue that the king wanted all her beauty in sight in other words, appear naked. Refusing the king's command, Vashti lost her place at court, which paved the way for a new queen to be selected from a bevy of beauties set before the king. He chose Hadassah who became Queen Esther.

Women in the Bible "Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land." (Genesis 34:1) Esther and Vashti are not the only notable women in the Bible. It is full of stories about women who played decisive roles, distinguishing themselves as prophets and leaders in Jewish society.
dennyh R3814

Queen Esther, by Edwin Long

#"

dennyh
While some Bible stories highlight leadership and an overcoming spirit, others highlight the tragedies of exploitation and injustice. For instance in Genesis 34, the daughter of Israel, named Dinah, was raped by Shechem, the son of a local ruler who professed to love Dina and underwent circumcision in order to marry her. Dinah's indignant brothers, Simeon and Levi, attacked Shechem and every male in his city, incurring the condemnation of their father. (Genesis 49:57) Despite this, they argued: "Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?" (Genesis 34:31)

Seduction of Dinah, Daughter of Leah, by James Tissot Judah's Daughter-in-Law Tamar: The Pursuit of Justice "He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children." (Psalm 113:9) Another story concerning the poor treatment of women, involves Tamar, the wife of Judahs firstborn son, Er. (Genesis 38) Because of his wickedness, Er died before Tamar conceived any children. Under Yibbum or Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:56), Ers brother Onan was obligated to marry the widow to raise up an heir for Er.
dennyh R3814

$"

dennyh
Despite this obligation, Onan refused to give Er an heir, and so G-d judged him as well and he died prematurely. At this point, Judah told Tamar to wait for his son Shelah to grow up so that Shelah could bring about an heir for Er. He really had no intention of doing so, though, as he blamed his daughter-in-law Tamar, thinking she was cursed.

Judah and Tamar, by Rembrandt When Shelah grew up, Tamar understood Judahs deception and disguised herself as a prostitute in order to raise up an heir for her husband. Judah unwittingly hired Tamar who had disguised herself as a prostitute. When it was found that she is pregnant, he condemned her for prostitution. In fact, he called for her to be burned to death. In her wisdom, Tamar had kept Judah's pledged seal, cord and staff (the emblems of his leadership), as evidence of his involvement - and also to reveal that Tamar's deceased husband, Er, finally would receive an heir from a close male relative, as was the custom. When Judah recognized that he was responsible for Tamar's pregnancy, he repented of his unjust attitude and actions toward Tamar.
dennyh R3814

%"

dennyh
He understood that she acted to obtain what was due to her and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." (Genesis 38:26) By independently acting to obtain justice for herself, Tamar not only protected the lineage of her husband, but also the promised lineage, as her son Perez is included in the genealogy of King David and Yahshua. (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33)

The Lion of Judah is the symbol of the Tribe of Judah. Ruth: A Woman of Excellence "But Ruth replied, 'don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your G-d my G-d.'" (Ruth 1:16) The Book of Ruth highlights a similar situation in which a woman overcomes obstacles. Ruth, the Gentile daughter-in-law of the Jewess Naomi, looked to the family goel (kinsman redeemer) to redeem her from widowhood, thereby helping the widow Naomi who was left without a husband, sons, or grandchildren. Boaz consented to marry Ruth and to redeem the land, fulfilling the patriarchal duty of keeping the land in the family inheritance. (Ruth 4:5; Deuteronomy 25:6)
dennyh R3814

&"

dennyh
Through his marriage to Ruth, Boaz became the ancestor of both King David and Yahshua.

" Ruth in Boaz's Field, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld Ruth has some wonderful qualities in addition to being an overcomer, which should inspire men and women alike. Ruth could have easily left her mother-in-law when disaster struck in Moab, as she was now free of family obligations. Nevertheless, she insisted on standing by Naomi and returning with her to Israel, even though it was a foreign land. She is a model of chesed (compassion) and courage by facing the dangers of gleaning in the field so her mother-in-law could eat. Ruth further demonstrated loyalty and obedience by agreeing to Naomis plan for her to marry Boaz. (Ruth 3:5)
dennyh R3814

'"

dennyh

Ruth, by Antonio Cortina Farins Boaz didn't only marry Ruth because of his responsibility to Naomi. He recognized, along with everyone else, her very evident qualities and called her an eshet chayil, which has been translated as a virtuous and capable wife, a worthy woman, and a woman of excellence. Don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character (eshet chayil). (Ruth 3:11) This same phrase is found in Proverbs 31, which Jewish men recite over their wives every Shabbat as a blessing. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10) King David's Daughter Tamar: Purity and Innocence. Another Bible story involving a woman named Tamar, who was King Davids daughter and the sister of Absalom, has a tragic ending. Tamar is described as an innocent, pure, beautiful virgin.
dennyh R3814

("

dennyh
Davids firstborn son Amnon believes he is madly in love with her and concocts a plan to rape her. Caught in his trap, Tamar attempts to dissuade him, but he forces himself upon her. Once he is finished with her, he realizes that he doesnt love her, and he throws her out as damaged goods, destroying her emotionally. David is angry, but does not act to protect the honor of his beloved daughter, perhaps because of his own guilt in his sin with Bathsheba. Her brother Absalom takes care of her, and two years later he has his revenge on Amnon, having him murdered when he thinks the matter has been forgotten. Her brother Absalom said to her, Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don't take this thing to heart. And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman. (2 Samuel 13:20)

A model of the City of David

dennyh R3814

)"

dennyh
Violence Against Women
Tragic Bible stories of women being objectified, abused, and denied justice are not exceptions in this world. According to the United Nations, up to 70 percent of women experience violence at some point in their lives, with "intimate partner violence" costing the US $4.1 billion a year in medical services and $1.8 billion in lost productivity hours. In American, the legal system may have shown biases that cost victims of assault the justice they deserve. Such cases include the slow-moving review of "a video showing an NFL player dragging an unconscious woman he just allegedly assaulted outside of an elevator," writes columnist Kim Myers. Myers argues that the NFL shows "a passive stance against players who have been charged with crimes against women" while "penalties are swift" for failing a drug test, driving under the influence, or hitting another player's helmet. This indifference about mistreating or disrespecting women exists in many sectors of society, in line with an ancient double standard for the behavior of men and women. In many places around the world, the ratio of females to males in the workplace still remains significantly one-sided. In the US, the percentage of women working in top-management positions increased only slightly since last year. However, China leads the nations in bringing women into topmanagement positions, boasting 51 percent female top-managers to 21 percent in the US, according to the 2013 Grant Thornton International Business Report. These numbers pair with a trend that Grant Thornton reported last week of how developing countries are much more likely than traditional "European" economies to elevate women to business leadership, while also being more likely to value coaching, creativity, and intuition. "Were definitely seeing a difference of approach that highlights the value to business of having gender diversity in senior roles," stated Grant Thornton global leader Francesca Lagerberg.
dennyh R3814

*"

dennyh
The Prophetic Ministry of Judge Deborah. "Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel." (Judges 5:7) The Prophetic Ministry of Judge Deborah. "Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel." (Judges 5:7) Unlike the detailed story of the rise of Queen Esther, the Bible does not record the circumstances under which Deborah rose to a position of national leadership. She is one of few Bible women who achieved that status. The Bible does, however, indicate in Judges 4:47 that Deborah was not only a wise woman, but she made herself available to assist others in need of that wisdom. As a judge, the people came to her "to have their disputes decided." (Judges 4:5)

Deborah Beneath the Palm Tree, by James Tissot Within her position as judge, Deborah had a prophetic ministry as the Lords messenger.
dennyh R3814

!+"

dennyh
As a prophet, Deborah would seek G-d's decisions on issues the people faced, and even issued commands directly. The Book of Judges reveals that Israel had been drifting away from G-d, and was experiencing His judgment, which resulted in them being oppressed for 20 years by the significant military might of Jabin and his commander Sisera. To deliver Israel from oppression and this superior might, God gave Deborah the wisdom, insight, and understanding of a military strategist. She detailed G-ds plan to Barak, telling him exactly where the victory would take place. "She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, 'The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabins army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.' (Judges 4:67)

The Kishon River at Haifa, Israel Barak accepted the plan but told Deborah she would have to accompany him.
dennyh R3814

!!"

dennyh
"If you go with me, I will go; but if you dont go with me, I wont go," Barak said to her. (Judges 4:8) Verses 813 underline Deborahs faithful obedience to the Lord, courage, and personal availability as a leader. Defying, perhaps, the social mores of the day, she accompanied him to the battlefield, prophesying that YHVH would deliver Sisera into the hands of a women as a result. "Certainly I will go with you," said Deborah. "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." (Judges 4:9) Yael (Jael) was the woman who fulfilled that prophecy. She welcomed the fleeing Sisera into her tent and killed him as he slept. Her valiant act earned her the following blessing by Deborah and Barak: "Yael is most blessed of women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; she is most blessed among tent-dwelling women." (Judges 5:24)

Jael Smote Sisera and Slew Him, by James Tissot

dennyh R3814

!#"

dennyh
A Woman's Place: More Than The Home
"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." (Proverbs 31:1618) Although it is obvious from the Bible that women are capable leaders, many societies have done their best to keep women in their place. The 1960s feminist movement asserted women's capabilities, some saying that they did so in a way that disadvantages men. At the heart of the Word of G-d, however, we find that men and women are equal. The original Biblical model serves to remind us that "G-d created mankind in His own image, in the image of G-d, He created them; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27) G-d created humankind, male and female, in His image. Women are no less the image of G-d than men. "Most conservatives agree with (Raymond) Ortland when he says, 'Both male and female display the glory of G-ds image with equal brilliance,'" states an essay by Grace Communion International. "Male and female alike were assigned to rule over the earth and its animals; although G-d made male and female distinct and different from one another, this chapter says nothing about male and female having different roles," the essay adds. As well, the Ten Commandments require children to honor both their father and mother: "Honor (kaved) your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your G-d gives you. (Exodus 20:12) In other words, we are to consider our both our parents as being equally worthy of respect. Honor or kaved is a central concept of Judaism. This word is related to weight or heavy, as well as glory (kavod).
dennyh R3814

!$"

dennyh
Judaism holds that we are to treat one another with respect, considering people as having equal weight or importance as ourselves. Many of us are tempted to think that this kind of respect only involves parents and leaders, but it is not necessarily owed to women or wives. Nevertheless, it is impossible to fulfill G-ds commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, without honoring them and giving them this kind of respect. Today March 8 is the International Womens Day, may we honor the women in the Bible by meditating on the valuable lessons that they have to teach us. May we reach out with love and respect to the women in our lives.

A mother and father clasp hands with their daughter on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the Law), a coming of age ceremony when young women accept responsibility for their actions. "For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show My glory to Israel." (Isaiah 46:13) "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the G-d of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2:12) More Information about Purim (Festival of Lots). http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Winter_Holidays/Purim/purim .html

dennyh R3814

!%"