Characters were summarised for the purpose of incorporation into the stories that were to be written by groups at the Church Weekend.
For pictures from the church weekend click on this.
It is 474 BC. A Jewish girl wins a beauty contest and becomes the most powerful woman in Persia.
A Jewish woman in a land ruled by non-Jewish people, Esther became powerful by winning a beauty contest and entering the king's court as one of his wives, and eventually becoming queen. Her cousin Mordecai was a devout Jew and looked to Esther to use her influence when the Jews were being persecuted.
Bowing was a gesture of respect, loyalty and submission. As a rule the people of God bowed in respect. But 'reverence' could have implied an attitude of worship. This is how Mordecai, a lower ranking officer, saw it - and so he would not bow. He would worship no other God - and this enraged Haman, one of the court officials, who 'sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus'.
Esther's crisis:
'My people were being threatened with
annihilation, because my father refused to kneel before an official
in the court. As I was queen, they looked to me to help. I wrote
to Mordecai saying that I could not go to the king without being
summoned. According to the law, I would be put to death. But Mordecai
wrote back. He said I may have become part of the royal family
for just this time. Suddenly, I was not just Esther - if I had
enough courage, I could use my position to try to prevent a great
evil'.
Esther wrote: 'Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish'. Esther 4:16
How the story has been interpreted recently
There are writers who have used the
story of Esther as an example for managers. Esther's mastery of
"palace protocol" translates into learning the ways
of corporate culture; she relates to her wise cousin Mordechai
as a mentor; her dustups with the villainous Haman is a model
for dealing with difficult people; and her bravery in saving her
people underlines integrity and risk-taking. Hmm.
Different perspectives on Esther
Traditionally Esther's story has inspired
a great warmth - it is the heart of the Jewish festival of
Purim, when the seventh psalm is sung, reflecting the sentiments
of this feast.
What choices did Esther have? What else could she have done?
Esther became queen in place of Vashti. But
Vashti's only crime was to refuse to come before the king when
he, drunk, wanted to 'show the people and the princes her beauty
for she was fair to look on'. Vashti was proud then, when Esther
was initially compliant.
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Minor prophet.
Told by God to marry a prostitute and have children by her.
After some time she leaves Hosea for her old life
God tells Hosea to go and bring her back and forgive her.
God uses Hosea's experience as a metaphor for His love for Israel
- i.e. no matter what they do He loves them so much He cannot
give them up.
More likely:
Hosea fell in love with a woman, Gomer, who was serially unfaithful to him (Hosea 1).
The names of the children suggest that they were not Hosea's:
First Child (Son): Jezreel God sows
Second Child (Daughter): Lo-ruhamah Not Loved
Third Child (Son): Lo-ammi Not my people
Gomer probably stayed around until the children
were old enough to plead with her to be faithful (Hosea 2
1-5).
She left Hosea, she might have been sold into slavery, and
was used as a prostitute (Hosea 3.1).
Hosea seems to have been much in love with Gomer, perhaps obsessively so. He bought her back from those who used her as a prostitute for fifteen pieces of silver, some barley and wine. Gomer was to live with Hosea and not have sex with any man even Hosea. (Hosea 3: 2 -3)
It was his personal experience of love, sex and marriage which Hosea drew upon to describe the rottenness of religious life in Israel. 'His love for Gomer was something he could not kill, and he believed that God stood with him as husband and father bound to a treacherous Israel and crying,
0 Ephraim how can I give you up,
How can let you go?' (Hosea 11:8)
Different perspectives on Hosea
What would be your attitude if your partner were unfaithful?
How would you view the children of your partner's unfaithfulness?
Do you have a limit to forgiveness?
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Jezebel
Usual view:
A Phoenician princess who was wife of king Ahab. She encouraged
idolatrous worship of Baal and persecuted the prophets. Jezebel
was the bitter foe of Elijah. When Elijah challenged the priests
of Baal to a see whether Baal or Jehovah was the greater God by
each calling on their God to light a sacrificial fire. Elijah's
God won and Jezebel tried to kill Elijah. Crisis point came when
Jezebel caused the death of Naboth because, her husband wanted
his vineyard. Elijah returned and prophesised Jezebel death. True
to his prophecy Jezebel, defiant to the last was thrown from her
window and eaten by dogs.
Jezebel's view?
My name is Jezebel I came from Sidon to marry Ahab and become Queen of Israel. My marriage was a political one. I had no choice in the matter, but I had no idea they hated foreigners so much in Israel before I came here.
I didn't give up my own gods when I came here, why should I?. I haven't forgotten my roots. I thought a little religious tolerance wouldn't go amiss in Israel; after all, there were Baal worshippers here already. Nothing like a little cultural pluralism, mutual understanding; you know. But Elijah didn't like that.
Of course, there was that contest with Elijah, two sacrificial bulls, see whose god would set fire to the sacrifice. Naturally, Elijah cheated somehow. He was clever, I'll give him that. He won the contest. But he was not a gracious winner. He murdered 450 of my priests in cold blood. But that's OK if Yahweh is on your side.
Then there was Naboth's vineyard. It wasn't that big or particularly special, but Ahab wanted it. I was surprised that my plan to discredit Naboth was so easy. Well, no one spoke up for Naboth did they? Where I come from if a king asks for something, you don't whine. Give graciously, and you will be rewarded gratefully, and graciously.
Everything my husband Ahab did wrong was my fault; always blame the woman. But all this was some time ago. Now Ahab is dead, so are my sons and I wait here by the window, dressed as a Queen, my face made up, waiting for death at Jehu's hand. Perhaps Elijah was right and the dogs below will eat my body!
Jezebel: a shameless painted woman.
Different Perspectives on Jezebel
Jezebel's story was written by the victors.
Could there be another way of looking at her life? Do you have
any sympathy for her? If you do, why?
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Usual view:
Favourite son of Jacob & Rachel, wears multicoloured dream coat! (Gen 35: 24; Gen 37:3)
Joseph dreams he will be set over his brothers, envious brothers sell him into slavery, tell Jacob that Joseph is dead. Joseph taken to Egypt (Gen37: 5-36)
Sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian Court official, and he becomes a trusted servant. Potiphar's wife fancies Joseph. When he doesn't do what she wants she accuses him of trying to rape her. Joseph is thrown into prison. (Gen 39: 1-20)
Joseph became a trusted servant of the prison Captain of the Guard and also successfully interpreted dreams. (Gen 39: 20- 40: 1- 23).
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams about an approaching famine and is promoted to be governor of Egypt (Gen 41)
Famine hits Jacob's family as well and they are forced to go to Egypt where, thanks to Joseph, there is a plentiful supply of grain. (Gen 42: 1-4)
Joseph recognises his brothers but they do not recognise him. He questions them about his father. (Gen 42: 5-38; Gen 43)
Joseph tricks his brothers by placing a golden goblet in his younger brother Benjamin's sack and then accusing him of theft. (Gen 44)
The brothers plead with him for Benjamin's freedom saying that his loss would kill Jacob particularly since he had already lost Joseph. (Gen 45: 1-15)
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, forgives them, brings his Father to Egypt and they all live happily ever after or at least until the time of Moses! (Gen 45: 16-28)
Joseph's view?
Crisis point in my story? Well there wasn't just one, in fact it seemed like a succession of crises. Down the pit and sold into slavery was one. Potiphar's wife was a crisis in two ways first I was thrown into prison on a false charge but secondly I was tempted! Then interpreting Pharaoh's dreams - suppose I got it wrong. Then revealing myself to my brothers - how would they take it after all this time? But it all came right in the end. God had allowed me to be sold into slavery in order that I might save my family from starvation.
Different Perspectives on Joseph
Joseph believed that God had used his story to save his family from starvation. But on this view God had also condemned the Jews to years of slavery and oppression.
Dreams play a great part in stories world wide.
Do they play any part in your life's story?
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Judas Iscariot
What is the first thing that comes
into your mind when you think of Judas? When people are so sure
of something, it raises doubts. It's worth considering whether
Judas is actually a scapegoat, an outsider who has taken the blame.
It's a bit of a mystery story.
What do we know?
The story of Judas is a difficult one to be certain about. Before the gospels were written, Paul writes in I Corinthians 11:23 that Jesus was betrayed on the night of the Last Supper, but he didn't mention who it was. In fact it is very likely that Paul's sources tell him that the traitor was not one of the twelve, because he stated explicitly that Jesus appeared to the twelve after his resurrection, and not the eleven.
Then there are two different accounts of how he died. According to Matthew Judas threw down the money that the priests had paid him to betray Jesus, went away and hung himself. The Pharisees then bought a field with the blood money, and so they called it Field of Blood. Luke, claiming to set the record straight, tells us that Judas took the money and bought the field himself, enjoying the fruits of his ill gotten gain, until one day he tripped and his guts spilled out and he died. Thus they called the place Field of Blood.
Perhaps Judas has been misrepresented. That is a theme in Jesus Christ Superstar, in which Judas is understood as a man with a conscience, a forthright man who wants less talk and more action when it comes to helping the poor - most powerfully (and perhaps reasonably) when he objects to the use of precious perfume to wash Jesus' feet.
A misunderstood outsider?
Judas was from the district of Judah,
while the rest of the disciples were Galileans. Some scholars
think that Iscariot might be a form of the word "sikarios"
which means "dagger-bearer" or revolutionary. This has
led to the theory that Judas was one of the Zealots who engaged
in revolutionary activity against Rome. Perhaps, they say, he
began to follow Jesus because he saw in him a man who could lead
the Hebrew people out of the clutches of the Roman chains. When
he realized that Jesus was not going to be the political leader
that Judas thought that he would be, Judas handed him over the
Rome.
Iscariot also could imply that he was from the town of Kerioth. As stated above, some earlier translations make this assumption. Other scholars think that Iscariot may come from the word "scortya" which was a leather coat with large pockets which would have served well as purses to hold the money that was received by Jesus and the disciples. This makes some sense since it is fairly clear that Judas was, indeed, the treasurer of the group because it was he who carried the money (Jn. 13:29).
So he was maybe a revolutionary; probably a bit of an outsider; almost certainly the treasurer.
Crisis point
What to do when resources could be
used for the benefit of the poor, instead of as demonstrations
of love? What is more important?
Different perspectives
If we accept that there is some doubt about who Judas was, and
what he did Suppose we take the chance to imagine that he was
not the person who betrayed Jesus. What would we think of him
then?
Why might the gospel writers want to blame
Judas for the betrayal of Jesus?
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Usual view:
Uglier daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, cousin & first wife of Jacob. (Gen 29: 17)
Made to marry Jacob, who wanted her sister Rachel, by her father Laban because the elder sister had to be married first. (Gen 29: 26)
Bore Jacob six sons (Reuban, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and one daughter, Dinah. (Gen 29 & 30)
Family life with Jacob less than tranquil - Jacob not only married Leah but also Rachel, in addition he had two concubines Bilhah (Rachel's servant girl) and Zilpah (Leah's servant girl) (Gen 29 & 30)
Leah's view?
It's no fun being a woman. Laban, my father, is rich he owns sheep, goats, camels, slaves, and me and my sister, Rachel.
It's no fun being the 'plain Jane' to your younger sister's 'good-looker'. The men all over her and ignoring you.
It's humiliating to have your father arrange your marriage by trickery.
It's humiliating to wake up after your wedding night and see the look in your husband's eyes when he realises that he's made love to the wrong woman. (Gen 29: 25)
It's demeaning to have to compete for your husband's affection with your sister by producing more sons for him.
It's demeaning to have to buy sex with your husband by paying his other wife with mandrakes of all things! (Gen 30: 15)
But I prefer my husband to my father. It's no fun being a woman.
Different Perspectives on Leah
What parallels are there between Leah's story and the position of women in eastern cultures/religions today?
Is it ever justified to excuse the treatment of women, like Leah, as just a matter of cultural/religious difference?
The Bible makes it pretty clear that it supports a patriarchal, male dominated society. How do you reconcile this with it being the main authority for your faith as a Christian?
# Note the story of Rachel is intimately
bound up with that of Leah. Most of the Bible passages are the
same. Basically all you need to know is that Rachel was the pretty
one - and take it from there!
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Mary Magdalene was perhaps the most important
woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. She was the first to
see the risen Christ.
She is usually assumed to be the sinner in Luke 7: 36-50- but
there is no evidence for that.
According to all the gospels, Jesus' women disciples, led by Mary, were the first witnesses to the resurrection. Her name is often first in the list of witnesses (Mk. 16:1-11; Mt 28:1; Lk. 24:10; Jn. 20:11-18; 1 Cor. 15:5-8). Nevertheless, she has been marginalised. In many lectionaries she doesn't get any of the Easter Day readings.
Crisis point
The crucifixion of Jesus marks a deep
crisis for Mary. She is bewildered and lost, and in that confusion
she continues to 'practice her Jewish beliefs, going to anoint
the body according to the rituals.
Her encounter with Christ that first Easter
morning is one of the most dramatic, personal moments in the Gospels.
She finds a gardener, and asks where the body of Jesus is.
She does not recognise the man to whom she speaks until he calls
her by her name. 'Mary'.
'Raboni!'.
Different perspectives
It's most likely that Mary Magdalene was an influential figure, but as a prominent disciple and leader of one wing of the early Christian movement that promoted women's leadership. How and why has the church made her into something different for so long?
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Mary, Mother of Jesus
Usual view;
Young girl engaged to Joseph (Luke 1: 26)
Chosen by God to be the Mother of 'God in human form'. (Luke 1: 30-33)
Became pregnant whilst a virgin. (Luke 1: 34-35)
Angels, kings and shepherds attend the birth of her son. (Luke 2, Matt 2)
Quite proud of her son's special powers at first (Turning water into wine. John 2: 1-5). But later questions his sanity (Mark 3: 21)
However reconciled to her son by the time of his crucifixion (John 19: 25-27)
Joins the early church at the beginning. Was present with other disciples after the Ascension. (Acts 1:14.)
Later Myths:
Was the daughter of Saint Joachim and Saint
Anne
Was herself conceived without taint of original sin.
Was considered to be perpetually a virgin, references in the Bible
to Jesus' brothers are regarded as non-literal.
As Second Eve regarded as Co-redemptress with Jesus Christ
Mary's View
I'm an old woman now and it was all so long ago. So many people have asked me questions about him. So many people have told me stories about him. So much seems to hang on him being seen to be different. Books are being written about him. I really can't remember and if I could what difference would it make? He was my son. You've got his story more or less. Make up your own mind.
Different Perspectives on Mary
Traditionally Mary has been seen as the role
model for Christian women, submissive, obedient, non-threatening
sexually, supportive of men. Is she a role model for women in
the 21st century?
The characters of Mary and Jezebel are described in their respective
stories in the Bible. Do you think they tell us more about men
than about women?
Why has Mary played such an important and divisive role in the
history of Christianity?
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Moses
Jews, Christians, and Muslims, all
revere Moses as a great prophet. He is considered the greatest
prophet in Judaism and he is the most frequently cited individual
in the Qu'ran. Although there are some differences, the basic
Story of Moses and his role in the Exodus of the Israelites from
Egypt is very similar in the Torah, The Bible and The Qu'ran.
In all three books, we watch the maturation of a man as he develops
the qualities and leadership skills to bring together a group
of squabbling individuals into a nation of united people with
a common goal.
Moses was the third child of a Levite family in Egypt. Lucky boy. At the time, baby boys born to Hebrews were supposed to be drowned at birth, but Moses' mother didn't have the heart to comply. When the boy was three months old, she put him in a basket and placed it among the Nile reeds where the pharaoh's daughter found it. The name Moses is thought to signify that the boy was drawn from the water.
God first speaks while Moses is tending his flock. God calls to Moses from a blazing bush telling him to return to Egypt to free the Israelites from bondage. Moses fears that no one will believe him. In The Torah and The Bible God tells him to say that his name is Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, which means, "I will be what I will be." He further says the he is "The God of your fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob." (Exodus 3:15)
Moses is doubtful. In the Torah and the Bible, Moses is almost 'human' hero. God reassures Moses by turning his stick into a snake, and giving him leprosy - an interesting kind of reassurance (Interestingly, Moses in the Qu'ran is portrayed more as a willing partner who asks Allah for the help he will need to accomplish his task).
Moses' crises
In Egypt Moses shows the signs God
gave him and the Israelites believe him. Moses and Aaron approach
pharaoh and tell him that their God has ordered Israelites to
celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh says no and responds
by doubling their workload. The Israelites in their anger blame
Moses and Aaron for their extra work. After the Israelites depart,
Pharaoh sends an army after the Jews. Once again the Israelites
blame Moses for their hardships, until they make it across the
bed of the Red Sea. Later in the desert, they complain again that
they are much worse off.
Moses is in constant motion, mediating between God and the people. After destroying the Golden Calf that the people built, he returned to the mountain where he persuaded an angry God not to destroy the people, but instead to forgive them. When God did so it was the first Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Then, with a second set of commandments, Moses returned from the Mountain top.
Modern views
Perhaps we have too little time for Moses?
He has gained the image of a great patriarch and leader, one of
Peter's big three with Elijah and Abraham, and in these days of
networks and democracy he doesn't fit very easily into our ways
of seeing things.
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Usual View: Essentially a good bloke. Someone you want on your side in a fight.
Married.(Mark 1, 30)
Strong outdoor type (Fisherman,
Mark 1, 16).
Impulsive.(Walks on water Matt 14, 28; Cuts off the High
Priest's servant's ear John 18, 10; jumps in the sea John 21,
7)
Good on brawn (A Rock) but uneducated (Acts
4,13).
Tends to say things without thinking (Rebukes Jesus
after confessing he is the Christ Mark 8, 32; refuses the feet
washing at first John 13 6; will go to prison or death for Jesus
and never desert him Mark 14,31; John 13, 37)
Lacking in confidence before the Resurrection (The
Denial John 18, 17) but Holy Spirit's Assertiveness Course
at Pentecost transforms him (The Sermon Acts 2, 14).
The Myth:
Went to Rome ~ 55AD. Crucified upside down in the reign of Nero on the Vatican Hill. His memoirs were written down in the Gospel of St Mark.
High Spots: Prime character in the Gospels.
Jesus renames him because of his statement
that Jesus is the Christ.
Jesus chooses him to witness the Transfiguration and the Agony
in Gethsemane.
Jesus gives him a special commission as far as the Church is concerned.
(John 21, 15)
Low Spots:
Rebuke from Jesus - get thee behind me Satan
Denial of Jesus.
Rebuked by Paul over eating with the gentiles (Galations 2, 11).
Different perspectives on Peter
What kind of man leaves his wife (& possibly children) to go off after a wandering preacher?
Why do people like Peter get our approbation whereas people who desert their families for cults today do not?
Very influenced by what people thought of him. (The servant girl and the bystanders at the trial of Jesus. The Jews who came Antioch where Peter had been eating with Paul & Gentiles.)
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A Moabite woman who married a Jew whose father had emigrated, with his family, to Moabite land when there was a famine in Judah. (Ruth 1:1-3)
When Father and son died Ruth was left a widow with her Mother in law Naomi. Naomi decides to return to Judah and Ruth begs to go with her. After some argument Naomi agrees. (Ruth 1: 3-18)
They are poor and arrive back in Bethlehem, the family home, just as the barley harvest is beginning. (Ruth 1: 22)
Ruth goes to the fields to see whether she can pick up the scraps which the reapers have left. (Ruth 2:1-3)
The owner of the field, Boaz, is a near relation of Naomi. He hears Ruth's story and tells his men to help her and treat her kindly. (Ruth 2: 8-13)
Naomi thinks Boaz would make a good husband for Ruth and tells Ruth how she might get him to marry her. (Ruth 3:1-5)
Boaz agrees to marry Ruth if a nearer relative of Naomi's refuses to act on her behalf. The other relative gives up his rights, Boaz marries Ruth and they have a son Obed who becomes the grandfather of king David. (Ruth 3: 6-16, Ruth 4)
Ruth's View?
Naomi was a good mother in law she supported me when her son, my husband was alive. It seemed only right that we should stay together now he was dead. True I left my own father, mother and country but Naomi needed me and they didn't. If she was going back then so was I.
Scavenging is pretty demeaning but needs must and Naomi and I have nothing else to live on. Boaz seems a nice fellow; didn't try it on even though it was his field I was working. Even when Naomi told me to make myself pretty and go to him at night he still kept his hands off me.
He did right by Naomi, and her nearest relative. More importantly he did right by me. He cares for me, he is kind, I've borne him a son. I'm learning to love him.
Different Perspectives on Ruth
Ruth and Boaz both did their duty to Naomi. Doing your duty is not a phrase we hear much of these days. There is a tendency to believe that you have to feel right about an action, to want to do it. To act simply because it is your duty somehow makes the action less. Do you think this is so?
Do you think this story has anything to say
to us about the way we treat strangers?