We are considering Esther 7
I listened to a TEDx talk recently (www.ted.com). It was being given by a Nigerian writer named Chimamanda Adichie. She explained what she called the ‘The Danger of a Single Story’[1]. She said people sometimes tell an actual (but incomplete) story about other people. They do this often to make those people look worse than they really are – lazy, flirty, aggressive, ignorant, criminal, dirty, etc. Some even manufacture monikers like “nigger”, “sweetie”, “ahwerewfo”, “oriabrika”, “pepenii”, etc., for people they do not understand. Do you remember how you made fun of a new classmate or neighbour? You were probably acting on a “single story”.
Queen Esther had invited the two great men, King Ahasuerus and Haman, to a second dinner in our story. The king had spent a sleepless night wondering why the queen had invited the two of them just to eat, so he was anxious to get to the bottom of the matter. Haman, on his part, was just having fun.
For the queen, tonight was the night. She, her ladies, and the whole Jewish community had fasted and prayed in anticipation of this moment (Est. 4). So, courageously and in plaintive tones, she pleaded for the king’s intervention since she and her people had been scheduled for annihilation like chickens infected with bird flu. And after a few sentences she finished and wondered what the reactions would be.
The two great men were shocked. One wondered who would dare attack his queen and her people. The other realized with dismay that the queen was a Jewess. Ahasuerus realized that he had trusted a snake in a few short exchanges. He shot up heatedly while Haman tried to hide behind his own ten fingers. He ramped into the garden just outside to try and gather his thoughts. Then a guard prompted him that Haman had advanced on the queen. So as he turned back into the room, there was Haman on his knees beside the Queen on couch, negotiating for his life.
The king thundered from the door, “Will he even molest my queen while I am still here?” You know the rest. Haman was a dead man that very night. King Ahasuerus suddenly realized that he should have asked more questions before approving Haman’s request. All the time, Haman had been feeding him single stories. Today, many respected leaders, even politicians, act on single stories to take significant decisions for their people.
You and I, we are also being fed and fooled by all sorts of single stories in our meetings, programmes, chats, online, offline. Young people start promiscuity, smoking, drinking, having sex for the first time because of “single stories”. They fling their future over their shoulders into a ditch based on single stories. What is your own single story? What really matters? Is it love or lust or wait; android, BB, phablet, phone; the beauty of skin, body, face or character; juju, witchcraft, spirits or Christ; profession, occupation or vocation? Do you know anyone who achieved life goals by acting on single stories? How much peer pressure can you withstand without being misled? What would it cost to get you back on track?
One day each Haman must die. Be sure you are not that Haman. One day Ahasuerus will realize he has been an idiot. Be sure you are not that idiot, and you are not too late. Wake up NOW!
©2021 C N E amoah
[1]https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en
Tags: single story, Chimamanda, Tedx, Queen Esther, Ahasuerus, Haman, leaders, decision making, fasting and prayer, courage,
Earthly Living in Heavenly Anticipation 
Indeed we’ve heard single stories and been led by half truth and even told some
To know the full story and ask questions on single stories will be of help
Great post
Thanks so much for the enlightenment
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nancy you’re so right. We’ve all fallen prey to single story spinners or spin doctors. We may be swallowing some even now. Vigilance is critical. Consider the COVID19 for example. Hmmmmm
LikeLike
Hm…. I pray to be an Esther… or better still, ensure of know both sizes of the story before reacting. God be our helper. Amen 🙏🏾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen!! He will help us.
LikeLike
Its true o. But it may not be sooo easy at times to find both sides of a case.
LikeLike
That we will be discerning enough to realize a single story! So many negative issues develop in our affairs, marriages, and our very lives, that could have been easily avoided if only we saw through single stories. The Lord grant us that wisdom; that foresight, that will enable us to avoid the traps of that single story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wisdom and foresight…. Especially those single stories told on purpose. Thanks brother.
LikeLike
The thing about prejudice is a serious one. Thank you for shedding more light on the unfortunate phenomenon. The Christian perspective is great, Osofo!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly unfortunate. We have to have the ability and skill to see through single stories. Thank you sire.
LikeLike
Oops! Some technological glitch occurred and took my unfinished thoughts into the blog ether. If perchance it is visible to you. Kindly return without posting. Thanks. Denis Greenidge
LikeLike
Sorry about that brother
LikeLike
Thank you so much pastor for such an inspiring scriptural story, told in a different line with that captivating captions “Single Stories”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Frank. May God be praised.
LikeLike
Great lesson! We should ensure to know both sides of a story before we draw a conclusion and not rely on a one – seded story. This can help avoid making bad judgment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmmm. We really need to be able to have that skill and ability to see through it. Thanks
LikeLike
Indeed, single story should be checked and improved upon.
Nice Post…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mrs.
LikeLike
The story is a reminder that half truths are full lies, and that any attempt to purposely soften or ignore vital parts of any story falls into Mr Haman’s camp. It is important however, to differentiate truth from an honest, but different vantage point, without missing the writer’s insightful grasp of the Biblical standard of truth. Let me cite an example: an accident occurs at intersection “A” with eyewitnesses at each corner of the intersection – N, S, E & W. Eyewitness at the East end sees the full impact and the driver response, but is unaware of the vehicle damage that the eyewitness sees from the West. The North and South eyewitnesses tell their versions. Each telling their story from a different vantage point and experience. The critical point is that the motive is not to distort, mislead or create a cunning narrative for the audience; not to get around the truth using situational ethics, but to convey truth. Even as we read this story, remember it may have two or more perspectives that should not be missed/misunderstood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, a half truth was what the serpent told Eve.
In effect each of them will be telling a single story. Even when they are all being as honest as they can. Thats why we need the skill and ability to not rest until we have the full picture. All in all we need God’s help to make the right decisions. Let the Lord mercifully deal with us. Let us trudge the whole nine yards. Let us trawl through it carefully. Thank you sire
LikeLike
Thank you . God richly bless you for the message
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and God bless you too.
LikeLike
Wonderful and powerful lessons to us all!, There is nothing prayer cannot do. Esther’s act, really made me be proud of coming to God first before complaining to humans. Why wouldn’t Esther used her power as a Queen?, But, she never noticed that, because, all her source is from God, I pray that God will answer our prayers, just as He did to His daughter (Esther) in Jesus Name Amen. Pastor thank you Sir for sending to me, I’m grateful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Thank you Happy Lady. God is faithful and is willing to fulfil His promise in 1Peter5:7
LikeLike
The way you went about the article is intriguing and fascinating for every curious reader. You will like to know how the story ended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank God and thanks Elder.
LikeLike
Nice read Pastor. It’s evident from the story that, regardless of how long evil may seem to reign, it surely will come to an end, and the sure way of approaching evil, as a Christian, shouldn’t be by worldly power but by the power of prayer. Queen Esther knew this so well and instead of utilizing her power as a queen, she rather fasted and prayed and the foe was vanquished. Thanks pastor for the insight
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Thanks so much Ruddy.
LikeLike