Esther the OG 'Strong Female Character'

Scripture: So, if the king agrees, let him pronounce a royal ruling and have it recorded in the laws of the Persians and Medes so that it cannot be revoked, that Vashti is permanently banned from King Xerxes’ presence. And then let the king give her royal position to a woman who knows her place. When the king’s ruling becomes public knowledge throughout the kingdom, extensive as it is, every woman, regardless of her social position, will show proper respect to her husband. Esther 1:19-20

Observation: When Vashti refused to attend King Xerxes' party, the issue his advisors raise is this ... that women throughout the land will now ignore men's authority. This is the initiation of the action of this story, to keep women in their "place". It is therefore interesting to know how this narrative will play out. Esther will use intelligence, seduction, and manipulation, to take authority as the queen, then step into a critical situation - a condemning sentence on all Jews - and completely alter the outcome. In this way, she will overcome and/or control Haman, all other male leaders, and even the king himself.

Application: We live in a time when one of the lies satan is speaking is that there is this need to overhaul gender roles, and especially create the idea of a "strong female" that effectively succeeds by doing everything men do, only better. They lie here isn't that equality is good - it is good - but rather the lie is the mis-definition of what equality is and can be. The lie extends to include the idea that past generations of women are weak by the very fact they performed within their 'traditional gender role'. 

Around 2,500 years ago, Esther proved herself strong and capable, while also operating within the classical relationship structure. From "her place" she saved a nation. There is nothing ever weak about her. Likewise, there is nothing about her that ever assumes a non-traditional role. She will, in fact, pull off her final act by cooking a dinner.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with the growth of individuals in learning new things. I am saying that satan is lying to the world when he convinces everyone that traditional female roles are weak while traditional male roles are strong, and thus equality requires tearing down roles and values that have held families together for millennia.

Prayer: Lord, the enemy's lies are permeating everywhere, and they are hardest to address when they embrace "good" ideals like "equality" and "strength" and "liberation" and "anti-oppression". I know this is also so very, very complex. May we stop looking for what is "right" and "good", and instead simply all try to live in a manner that aligns to your will, oh Lord. If we did this, no one would be oppressed, no one would be unequal, and no one would feel the need to change. Amen.