Page 49 of Love Unscripted
“So the events occur around 483–473 BC in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, during the reign of King Ahasuerus—commonly identified as Xerxes I. This is a story about Jews living in exile, over one hundred years after the Babylonian captivity. Many chose not to return to Jerusalem with Ezra and Nehemiah, remaining instead in Persia.”
“So I should probably get acquainted with those books?” she asked. “They overlap?”
Aaron took a gulp of his coffee and nodded. “Yes. Esther’s story sits right between them historically. The temple was rebuilt in 516 BC, and this book begins sometime after that but before Ezra arrives in Jerusalem—about twenty-five years later. What’s interesting is that God is never mentioned by name in Esther, yet His hand is everywhere. He’s working behind the scenes, even when He seems absent.”
That struck Camille deeply.
“I can relate to that,” she said quietly.
Aaron watched her as he took a bite of his sandwich. “Care to elaborate?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I was in a relationship that was very bad for me. I made terrible choices. At a low point, one of the crew encouraged me. She gave me this Bible.” She ran her fingers over the worn cover. “I started reading. Then I felt a great conviction of my sin. I knew without a doubt God exists, and that there was hope even for a sinner like me. I gave surrendered my life to Jesus.”
“That’s powerful,” Aaron said quietly.
“That’s why this story feels personal.”
He nodded thoughtfully then turned back to his notes. “Okay, so chapters one and two—”
“What about you?” she asked, watching him closely.
He looked up, surprised. “Oh.” He laughed softly. “Me?”
“You can’t let me do all the sharing.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. I was raised in a Christian home. Never doubted God’s existence. I was baptized with my siblings at fifteen.”
“Impressive.”
“Not what followed,” he admitted. “I drifted. In college, after being drafted into the NFL, I blended in instead of standing out. Conviction came, but I justified myself. It wasn’t until my wife died that I realized God was the only one who could truly help me—fill me, restore me. I recommitted two years ago. And here I am.”
“I like that,” Camille said softly. “That’s also powerful.”
He glanced at his watch. “At this rate, we’ll finish this book when the movie’s already in theatres.”
She raised her hands. “Sorry. No more interruptions unless it’s about the text.”
He grinned. “Alright. Chapters one and two deal with Vashti’s removal and Esther’s selection. Chapter one introduces Ahasuerus and Vashti. Esther is set in the kingdom of Persia, specifically in Susa, which lies above the Persian Gulf. It’s near Ur of the Chaldeans. You remember who came from there?”
“Umm…Abraham?” Camille said.
“Yes. So geographically, it’s significant. Now, in this first section, Xerxes—probably the most powerful man on earth at the time—celebrates the greatness of his empire with a one-hundred-and-eighty-day display. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, he ends it with a seven-day feast for all the people.”
“Yeah,” Camille said, nodding. “I noticed the finery. The floor was made of gems and mother-of-pearl and marble.”
Aaron smiled. “Exactly. This man clearly had deep pockets. Meanwhile, Queen Vashti was holding a feast for the women. Xerxes ordered his eunuchs to bring her into the banquet hall so the guests could gawk at her beauty. There’s debate about whether she was expected to appear immodestly—I’m not certain—but either way, she refused.”
Camille leaned forward slightly, attentive.
“He was enraged,” Aaron continued. “No one refused a king’s command. So he consulted his advisors. Their counsel was to expel Vashti and replace her, issuing a royal decree to find a new queen. This was supposedly to ensure that men’s leadership wouldn’t be challenged by women and that wives would honor their husbands. Xerxes agreed. And so—he no longer has a queen. Chapter two begins the search for a new one.”
He paused to take a few mouthfuls of coffee and then continued.
“The application is the contrast between this king and the true King. In Persia, a drunken king who makes rash decisions of questionable morality. In heaven, a wise King who never does. In Persia, a king who uses people for his own purposes. In heaven, a King who always seeks the good of His people. In Persia, a king with limited power and no humility. In heaven, a King of infinite power who embraced humility in the form of Jesus. In Persia, a king who spent six months celebrating his own greatness. In heaven, a King who laid aside His glory for thirty-three years to lift others up.”
Camille watched him with rapt attention. “That’s remarkable—what you said.”
Aaron nodded as he drained his cup. “Do you agree?”
