September 14
Ezra 6:14-22, 4:6; Esther 1:1-4:17
Martin Niemoller was a Lutheran pastor and outspoken critic of Adolph Hitler, spending seven years in Nazi concentration camps as a result of his public stance. It was his strong belief that the Nazis were allowed to do what they did largely because the Germans, including the clergy, chose to remain silent as others, not them, were one by one persecuted, imprisoned, and murdered by the Nazi regime. He is quoted as saying: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.” Does this seem far fetched to apply this to our nation and our times? There is such a strong desire for the individual to simply maintain as much of their old life as they can during these chaotic times. God can always be trusted. Individuals can sometimes be trusted. But the popular view often can not be trusted. When businesses were forcibly shut down in the name of being non-essential, many were just happy it wasn't their business. When someone's kid is manipulated/convinced that they were born the wrong gender and this is supported at the school level with parents being threatened if they go against it, most remain quiet being happy that at least it's not their kid. When cities and neighborhoods are being lit up on fire, with murders and theft rising to unthinkable levels, most are simply comforted thinking, at least it's not where I live. We quietly watch trying to fly below the radar, hoping that it won’t be us or our group which is targeted next.
As we approach the book of Esther, realize it chronicles the story of the disobedient. Around 50 years before this story begins, as we look at the book of Ezra, when the king of Persia gave the edict that the Jewish people could return to their homeland and rebuild their temple only 50 thousand responded (or 2.5% of the Jewish population). The rest chose to remain in pagan Babylon. Why would they make such a choice? Because after 70 years they established lives, businesses, friends and families and they craved maintaining this status quo over being obedient to God. We read in Esther 2:10, “ Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so.” Not only had Mordecai and his family chosen not to leave, they were non-observant Jews. They were indistinguishable from others in Babylon in terms of how they ate, dressed, etc. But then a situation arises as the lives of the Jews in the Medo-Persian empire are threatened. Esther, who is now queen, initially chooses to do nothing and maintain the status quo, but after further word from Mordecai, her uncle, she chooses to act, as we read in Esther 4:11-14, “ “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai. Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
This was not a simple decision, as her life was on the line as a result of stepping out in faith, as we read in Esther 4:16, ““Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” God doesn’t need giants of faith or heroic personalities. He uses willing vessels. Esther found herself in the midst of a situation which she did not choose. We find ourselves in the midst of another. We find ourselves living in morally debased times when everything that is godless is celebrated and the things of God have been called intolerant. Our times are our times. Plenty of societies have gone before us. Some have chosen the road of kicking the can down the road with hopes that someone else will care enough to do that which they were not. So, may we all reflect personally. Where do we stand? What are we going to do in the face of our current injustices? Even if you disagree with one another’s viewpoints it is our freedom which is at stake.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: