In this series we shall focus on a category of (generally) nameless and overlooked characters in the Old Testament â the servants. In the social and economic structures of the day, households were large establishments, comprising the family, together with the extended family of siblings, relatives, concubines, children and a host of servants. Throughout the narrative of the Old Testament, we read of servants doing their masterâs (or mistressâ) bidding and were thus as much instruments of Godâs divine plan, though in less obvious ways. What were their perceptions of Yahweh and His human agents? How does Godâs Story look like from their eyes? We shall imagine these things in this work of fiction.
SERVANTS OF THE LORD
MY MISTRESS looks worried â whatâs going to happen? Thereâs such an atmosphere of gloom here, Iâm worried too! Sheâs a Jewess, for Mordecai who sits at the entrance of the Kingâs gate is a Jew and they are related.
Gee, I didnât know she was a Jewess, not that Iâm going to tell anybody. Why should I tell tales ⊠sheâs been a good mistress, kind and generous, not like some of the others who wanted us to do everything for them. Iâll have you know I am one of the Kingâs eunuchs, not a common slave! But now isnât a good time to be a Jew.
I heard from the cupbearer that Haman the Agagite has asked the king to issue some decree. We didnât know what it was about but that Haman is a no good fellow, prancing around like he was king. Proud, that fellow.
Unfortunately our King doesnât see that and thinks that Haman is a good guy; but really, heâs bad. So he gets the King to proclaim this decree and, next thing you know this Mordecai sits at the Kingâs gate in sackcloth and ashes, weeping and wailing loudly. Now really, you canât do that, not at the Kingâs gate. But he goes on and on and refuses to stop.
All the servants were flapping about, and wondering what to do and hoping that the King doesnât find out, but one of the girls must have told Queen Esther because the Queen sent him some clothes. He didnât accept them. So then the Queenâs servants are upset.
We were wondering why the Queen was so distressed about this Jew crying at the gate, I mean, if she got upset with everyone crying at the gate sheâd be pretty busy! Then she called me, and asked me to speak to Mordecai. She wanted me to be discreet, but who can be discreet out at the Kingâs gate, I ask you?
I thought I shouldnât hide the fact that sheâd sent me, so I just went out in broad daylight, went up to that Mordecai and asked him what the problem was. He looked at me, well, I guess he could tell that I was from the palace the way I was dressed.
When I told him that Queen Esther sent me, he actually stopped his wailing and told me about the decree: that all the Jews were going to be killed, all mind you, in the whole empire, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.
Yes, thatâs right, he gave me a copy of the decree and I saw it with my own eyes. Then he asked me to ask the Queen to do something about it. I didnât get it at that time, I mean, why should the Queen have to do something about it?
So I went to tell the Queen, and she sends me back to him to say, well, she canât go and see the King unless he asks for her, and if she does go, you know, he could put her to death. Thereâs a small chance, if, only if he decides to hold out the golden sceptre to her, then she can live. But thatâs not likely. So I went back to the gate and passed the message. I thought I was going to be a messenger boy for the Queen! But she can trust me, not some ordinary slave.
So I tell Mordecai what everyone in the palace knows, and trying to tell him, donât expect a miracle from the Queen, ok? I thought that would be the end of it, but no.
I wonât forget the way he looked at me and the message he gave, âDo not think that because you are in the Kingâs house you alone of all the Jews will escape.â
So thatâs how I found out the Queen is a Jew. âFor if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your fatherâs family will perish.â
Does he believe that there can be relief for the Jews against the armies of Persia? Thatâs not possible. But heâs right, she wouldnât be spared once they knew sheâs a Jew.
Then he paused, and said, âAnd who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?â There was something in that statement, in this whole reply, as if he really believed in some god out there who could save them, and that the Queen was part of this grand plan.
So I passed on the message, and I must have done a good job because the Queen understood exactly what he meant. All the hidden layers of that reply she knew. So she sent back a response, and asked him to gather all the Jews in the capital and fast for her. And thatâs where she is right now, with her servant girls in their quarters.
I donât know whatâs going to happen, but I really hope she knows what sheâs doing. â Esther 4.
Kwa Kiem Kiok, a member of Trinity Methodist Church, is on sabbatical at Asbury Theological Seminary at Kentucky, the United States.
âBut heâs right, Queen Esther wouldnât be spared once they knew she is a Jew.â