The Courage of Esther: Self-Sacrifice and Divine Purpose
Let's explore the Messianic archetype of Esther; her unwavering resolve to self-sacrifice for her people; how she gained favor in the upper worlds to avert the harsh decree - And, how her story finds resonance in the Gospel narrative of Jesus's trial.
Previously, we've explored a few of the Messianic themes in the Book of Esther - and the shadows of these that appear in the Gospels.¹
Others have noticed² the linguistic and thematic connections between Esther's approach to the King and Jesus's trial in John 18 and 19.
I want to build on these ideas with an element from the Zohar to see if more is underneath the surface.
Esther a Messianic Prototype
Esther's willingness to die for the Jewish people and the favor she gained in the upper and lower worlds for this has placed her amid the messianic archetypes in the Bible.
Realizing the dangers, Esther stepped into the breach between decree and death.
So great was the redemption of the Jewish diasporic community, it catalyzed many Gentile converts to Judaism³. This is another way the book of Esther foreshadows the future redemption when the nations fully come to recognize and follow the G_D of Israel.
According to the teachings of the Vilna Gaon, Esther represents an aspect of Messiah Ben Joseph⁴:
"Queen Esther who was from the line of Mashiach ben Yosef." - Kol HaTor 2:8
Esther Put on Malchut
So Esther understood the risks of unlawfully approaching the King, and that cost might be her life⁵. Nevertheless, she nullified herself, and prepared herself to face the King:
On the third day, Esther put on royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, facing the king’s palace, while the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room facing the entrance of the palace.
- Esther 5:1
The Hebrew word translated as 'royal apparel' is the word 'malchut' (מַלְכוּת). Malchut means "kingdom" and, in the kabbalistic tradition, refers to the lowest of the Sefirot.
Through the Sod (mystical) interpretation of the story, the characters are more or less representative of the higher-dimensional, spiritual battle being fought in the upper worlds. In this, Haman represents the forces of evil (the Sitra Achra)⁶.
To add another dimension of interest, some commentators have suggested references to the "King" could be also understood as a reference to G_D who Himself does not manifest plainly in the book. Subsequently, when we read "king Achashverosh," we understand this as a reference to the human king in the story.
The Zohar portrays Esther as the embodiment of [the Sefirah of] Malchut. Malchut, in this sense, represents the humility and self-sacrifice that come from the nullification of self in service of the Creator's Will.
