The Book of Esther generated the most discussion to date in Disciple IV. Along this the Book of Ruth, Esther is a book of social justice and inclusion. Ruth was a non-Jew surrounded and ultimately accepted by the Jews. Ruth was necessary for the continuation of the Davidic Dynasty. Her non-jewishness was secondary and illustrates an instance where the Jews disobeyed The Law in deference to saving the Jews. Esther was a Jew among nonJews, who assimilated into her surroundings and ultimatly saved the Jews. The cental element is the community and its protection, protection from God and Man. These two books are also instrumental in their projection to the egalitarianism of Jesus. The fact that these are women in a pathetically patriarchal society and story is also paramount to the Christian story, regardless of how Augustine and Constantine tired to supress the sacred feminine.
© Copyright, C. Michael Bailey, 2006
