Esther: Hidden strength

Esther loved and clung to (although concealed) her despised but honourable descent. She was a true patriot and in the hour of crisis was not ashamed to be her race even though it was deadly to acknowledge it. 

H.V. Morton says that, “When a person has gone up in the world and has achieved a position of power and eminence, it requires strength and beauty of character for that person to still love and remember the simple people from whom he, or she sprang.”

Humble girls have often married rich men and have forgotten their origin. They have in fact, been ashamed of anything that might remind them of it. Esther dared to risk death for her people and so escaped dying with them. By her patriotism she won for her nation a great deliverance and God used her as an instrument for the working out of a purpose.

While Esther had the help and support of Mordecai in fighting the decree that was aimed at destroying the Jewish people, it was Esther who was able to implement the plan and who had the foresight and insight to know how it had to be done. Esther insisted that the story of Purim be written for she knew that its relevance to the Jewish people will always be pertinent. This is why the “Scroll of Esther” which is part of the Torah is read from during the holiday of Purim, is named after her.

The history of the Middle East is long and tumultuous and it still goes on as we see everyday in the news. What made a difference for Esther and her people were that she was willing to enter into a relationship. She gave her gift of reading and writing in a way that allowed the King of Persia to learn about what was about to happen and then record the events so that they were never forgotten.

In my own life I try to share stories that I am hoping will help us to create bridges rather than roadblocks. The more we experience shared understandings of our human experience, the more we understand that we are on the same team. We are rooting for one another. The better we do individually, the better we do as a group and as a world. In a polarised world it requires strength and risk but it is worth a try. It worked for Esther.