Godly Woman: Days 3 - 7

OK, I got a little behind blogging about this...LOL. I'll blame it on Easter preparations! *wink* So let's see...

Day Three: Ruth 3
Was a little lost about the whole "spread the corner of your garment over me..."

And, I was a little clueless about the whole history of marrying again within the same family if something should happen to your spouse but I think I grasped that Boaz would try to find her someone to marry and, if he can't, he'll marry her. He's trying to keep Naomi's land within the family.

I liked the empty-to-full metaphor thing going on. Naomi was utterly empty and is slowing being restored.

Day Four: Ruth 4
Little mention of Ruth other than her being taken as a bride to Boaz. Mostly the legal stuff of hashing out their kinsman-redeemer roles. The fact that the first kinsman-redeemer declined the offer of Naomi's land via Ruth and that Boaz stepped up makes me think that the Scripture is reinforcing how Ruth's and Boaz's selfless act are being rewarded. And, finally, Naomi's re-filling was complete.

Day Five: Esther 1
I've been told Esther can be seen a Christ-like figure in terms of being willing to die for her people and is an advocate on their behalf. So, how appropriate that the book of Esther records the annual festival of Purim, the yearly reminder of God's faithfulness to His people!

This first chapter set the scene, described the characters and explains how a queen is NOT to act in the form of Vashti. Xerxes, with Vashti's deposal, also confirms the Biblical principle that "every man should be ruler over his own household" (v22) while I'm not sure if throwing out the queen, soliciting all over the kingdom for virgins, and picking a new queen would be the way *I* would advocate dealing with it! LOL

Day Six: Esther 2
Esther is introduced. According to v15, Esther is Mordecai's great-niece. She had no parents (no explanation I could find) but apparently was an obedient young woman since it mentioned more than once how she obeyed Mordecai by not revealing her ancestry.

I'm not sure that being made queen immediately meant she was made a wife and lost her virginity. Not sure which, if any, of Esther's virtues are being exemplified through her preparation and eventual selection by Zerxes.

But, her virtue of loyalty seems to Xerxes as the assassination plot is revealed by Mordecai and reported to the king. Esther gave Mordecai credit. No self-seeking, self-aggrandizing behavior there.

Day Seven: Esther 3
Four years pass. Haman introduced. He is immediately a foil character to Mordecai. Mordecai uncovered a plot and goes unrewarded but Haman appears to be promoted without reason.

I found it interesting that my notes state that it wasn't because of the second commandment that Mordecai refused to bow to Haman (that's what I originally thought) but simply because of the outstanding and long-running problems between the Jews and the Amalekites. But, Mordecai's refusal started the wheels turning on Haman's plan to have all the Jews killed.

Esther's attributes not mentioned here yet. This is the setting up of the narrative of events that will lead to her eventual intervention.