FYI
1. Esther was a sex slave. She was kidnapped by a foreign ruler who was her King while in exile. In that society & at that time, she was given one night to either “please” the King & be made a bride, become one of his many concubines, or be sent away as “damaged goods”.
1. A Queen (Vashti) who risked death by refused to be objectified & was ultimately sent away. Her exile made way for another woman.
2. Queen (Esther) who was objectified, but whose circumstances made possible salvation of God’s people.
God in his cosmic wisdom that transcends space & time raised up two strong women who would stand against the violent misogyny of a Pagan world. Thru their courage & insistence to rise above circumstances their moves prevented a genocide.