Post Women’s History Month: 3 Women of the Bible
In the last instalment in the series, Women of the Bible, we will briefly look at the lives of Esther, Mary Magdalene and Delilah. This post is not about religion or the Bible, but a look at some prominent women of the Bible.
Related Posts
Post Women’s History Month: Ruth – Women of the Bible
Post Women’s History Month: Jezebel – Women of the Bible
Esther: Do you play it safe, or risk your personal safety, standing up for what’s right? But what is the right thing to do? That’s a tough question, one that most of us ponder from time-to-time. The answer depends on the situation that you find yourself in. Queen Esther is married to King Xerxes, King of the Medes and Persians. His Chief Officer of the State, Haman, plans to kill all the Jews in Persia. Haman doesn’t like Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, and wants revenge. Haman is quite sneaky, to get back at Mordecai, he tells the king that some of the subjects defy his edicts – they won’t bow down to him. Haman knows the king very well, so he knows which weaknesses to exploit to get what he wants.
Mordecai is pressuring Esther to talk to the King about Haman’s planned genocide, but she is fearful for her life. Mordecai tells Esther that even though she is a part of the King’s household, doesn’t mean that she is safe if the planned massacre goes ahead. Now, King Xerxes is not known for his benevolence, and in fact, if anyone has the audacity to speak to him, without his expressed permission, could be killed. And wives are not exempted from this rule. What would you advise Queen Esther to do? Remember, it is a time very different from today, where women didn’t have the many rights and freedoms they have today.
At first, Esther refuses to grant Mordecai his request, but the more she thinks about the situation, the more she realizes that the right thing to do is to risk her personal safety, to speak to her husband. Before she takes the plunge, she asks the Jews in the kingdom to go on a 3-day fast with her, and she decides that if she perishes, so be it. After the fast, she adorns herself in her royal robes, then positions herself in front of the king’s hall. King Xerxes sees her, extends his gold scepter to indicate that she can approach him. She does so, touching the tip of the scepter.
“3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”
So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”” Esther 5 v 3-8 New International Version
As you can see from the above Bible passage, Queen Esther does not just blurt out what she wants from the king, she knows that she has to be strategic to beat Haman at his game. She knows her opponent, therefore, she develops a strategy to win the game, hence, the scene has to be perfect, and to her, a banquet is the perfect place to execute her strategy.
At the banquet, King Xerxes asks Esther about her request, and she sets up Haman’s downfall perfectly.
“3 “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”” Esther 7 v 3-6 New International Version
What happens next? Haman is hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai?
The big lessons in the story are to treat all people with respect; think carefully and plan your response to situations; and study your opponents, so you know how to respond effectively to impending threats.
Mary Magdalene: Mary Magdalene is considered to be one of Jesus’ closest companions, and was one of his devoted disciples. Their relationship was so close that she is the first person that Jesus appears to, after his resurrection, and he tells Mary Magdalene to spread the word. In the Bible, there are countless nameless women, so it is surprising that Mary Magdalene is mentioned over 12 times in the Gospels. It is worth noting that there is a rumor floating around that Mary Magdalene had an intimate relationship with Jesus, but some Biblical scholars have renounced the rumor.
The first mention of Mary Magdalene is in the Gospel of Matthew 27 vs 56, “55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” In terms of biblical timeline, her first encounter with Jesus is when he performs a miracle, driving out seven demons that are inside of her.
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
What makes Mary Magdalene important is that we can learn loyalty and devotion from her. She was present for many of the important events in Jesus’ life: She was at his crucifixion, but unlike others, she stayed until he was taken from the cross and placed in the tomb; along with Salome and Mary the mother of James, they carry spices to anoint the body, and she is the first one he appears to, not the 11 disciples.
Are you a loyal friend?
Delilah: Like Jezebel, Delilah is not a well-loved woman in the Bible. When Delilah first meets Samson, she is living in the Valley of Sorek. As many of you know already, at the time, Samson is the strongest man, who gets his strength from his hair, which has never been cut. The rulers of Philistine do not like him and often scheme to kill him, but are never successful. Unfortunately for Samson, he falls in love with Delilah. The Philistines approach her, charging her with finding out what gives her lover, his incredible strength, offering to each give her eleven hundred shekels of silver.
“6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
7 Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”
8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.”” Judges 16, NIV
So Delilah continues to ask Samson about his strength and he keeps on toying with her, giving her false answers. She keeps on nagging until she finally wears him down, then Samson tells Delilah that no razor has ever touched his hair, and that’s why he is so strong. She realizes that her lover has told her everything, and she betrays him. While he is sleeping, Delilah cuts off Samson’s seven braids. He loses his strength and the Philistine captures, blinds and imprisons him.
One evening they bring Samson to entertain the masses, and he prays to God asking for strength one last time. He pulls down the columns holding the building, killing himself and everyone present.
The story of Delilah is about the ultimate betrayal, and it is sad because we are supposed to be able to trust those in our inner circle. We are supposed to be able to trust those whom we love, and who profess to love us in return. The story is also about greed and what some will do for money.
What lessons have you learned from the 3 women of the Bible?
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Image credit of Esther, Mary Magdalene and Delilah via Wikipedia.
Sources Cited/Referenced
The Holy Bible
Women of the Bible, a CBS Collector’s Edition
All the Women of the Bible by ML Mastro