God Please Save Your Planet...from us.

Chapter Two- The Curious Case of Esther of Shushan

Are politics and activism the same? Can politicians or political movements save us from the consequences of our choices? I think most people today would be divided on the answers to these questions. Perhaps, polarized is a more accurate assessment of the situation. The collective population of our planet has been warned of impending climate change for decades, but there have been only superficial changes to our all consuming behavior. In some countries climate destabilization has even accelerated.

Rather than: "Blah, blah, blah", as Greta Thunberg so eloquently puts it, it is more like: Nah, Nah, Nah. While some are content to feign interest in reducing our collective impact on our environment, others prefer to deny outright, our role in climate destabilization.

This has placed all of us in a frustrating situation where our foot is pressing down on both the gas pedal, and the brake pedal at the same time. This is not only getting us nowhere, but wastes our remaining resources simultaneously.

As in the case of political elections, this problem produces undecided spectators who see no benefit to taking sides since ultimately, we remain in gridlock. Is there anything that can break this cycle of societal indifference? Is there any way to turn the rudder of our proverbial ship before we reach a tipping point? Perhaps, a story from the past can help.

This is actually one of the least religious stories in the entire accepted biblical canon. It is in fact quite secular. There are many religious overtones, but it is a story that people from virtually any background could identify with. It was written in an undisputed period in history. Many modern historians question many biblical tales as fabrications and forgeries, but this book is different because it contains no direct divine intervention. Even if you doubt the historical validity of the Jewish people, their existence in this moment in history is indisputable.

As a person of faith, you know that it ties in with much older texts of recorded events that led up to this pivotal moment. This book was simply titled: "Esther". This is not the given name of the main protagonist of our story, but it is the name that she came to be known by. It was a common practice in the ancient world to rename people when their nation had been conquered. If you are a descendant of a conquered people today, then you know this practice has continued into our time as well.

So what can we learn from this ancient story set in the ancient Persian Empire (located in modern day Iran)? The circumstances that led to a possible genocide are sorted to say the least. The monarch in the region was unhappy with his head wife. Although, he had many wives, this particular wife sought to stand against him in a political act of defiance. In order to save face, he had his Queen (named Vashti) deposed and replaced with someone he deemed more suitable. In ancient Persia, a domestic disagreement could become a national issue under the right circumstances. Whoever, would replace Vashti would need to be both diplomatic and submissive. And of course, quite beautiful. This is a bit of a Cinderella story. Well, if Cinderella was kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night, and brought to the palace, pampered, and then delivered to the king for examination.

No inquiry was made as to the origin of any of the young women kidnapped that night, and this young maiden's identity would remain concealed, because her uncle/cousin saw the calamity since she was after all, a Jew. However, Hadassah (as her uncle/cousin Mordecai knew her) was no stereotypical Jewish Princess. She was also not one to be trifled with.

A man with a historic hatred for Hadassah's tribal origins, had made it his personal goal to eradicate every last Jew from the kingdom of the royal realm of Persia through political intrigues. This man named Haman, was planning a genocide that would have made Adolph Hitler jealous. His personal vendetta dated back centuries. In fact, both Hadassah and her cousin/uncle Mordecai were not only Jews, but of the same tribe of Benjamin that had nearly eradicated Haman's ancestral linage. There was just one problem. Haman hated the Jew Mordecai, and wished to see him dead, but he had no idea that the soon to be Queen Esther was actually born with the Semitic name: Hadassah. If he had, he might have stacked his deck differently. I will not bore you with all the details here. Read the story for yourself if you would like to learn more. What is most important for our purposes is how Haman's plans were ultimately thwarted.

Once all the pieces were in place, Haman played the Persian king like a pawn. But as in any game of chess, he should have kept his focus on the queen. Although, she had many reasons to remain silent, Mordecai reminded her that her place on the board at that moment may have been more than mere coincidence. The previous queen dared to defy the king with political posturing. What could Queen Esther hope to accomplish by placing herself in harms way? Was it truly for a time such as this, that she had ascended to her royal position?

Mordecai reminded her in the form of a letter that she didn't have to participate in saving her people from extermination. He was convinced that hope and deliverance would come from another source if she remained silent. Esther did indeed have a difficult choice to make. What course would she choose? That was the question. What course would she choose as she risked her very life by inviting both her husband and her would be assassin to a banquet?

She defied state laws by appearing before the king unsummoned. Had he not extended his scepter, her fate would have been sealed. She moved across the proverbial chessboard with grace in a spirit of hospitality. Haman never saw it coming when she pleaded for the lives of both her and her people. The king chose love over law. The day was won. The law was on Haman's side, but he did not live to see its amendment. The king placed Haman and his family on the very execution weapon that Haman had intended for Mordecai (the same Jew of the tribe of Benjamin who wrote this story down). The Jews were not exterminated that day. They fought for their very lives. Since then, the descendants of this people have survived every genocidal plot that has been made against them as a people.

The curious case of Queen Esther of Shushan reveals the power of taking action at a pivotal moment when survival is at stake. Even when one struggles with indecision, a desire for survival is a strong motivator. Politics is a messy business, but activism when performed with an uncompromising sense of integrity can have a profound effect on the future of generations.

Esther was not the first woman to have such a profound effect on her community. Despite the misogynistic overtones often found in biblical narratives, there are moments when women made a lasting impression on the course of events. One such woman lived in the times of the judges of ancient Israel. Her name was Deborah. She actually served as a Judge. She even had a palm tree named after her. Her influence was so important that a military leader named Barack would not go into battle without her support.

Throughout the Old Testament we find examples of women who used the tools at their disposal to change the course of history. They are often forgotten or obscured by male oriented recorders, but their stories remain if you know where to look.

Mordecai saw Hadassah's potential. He did not reason that her position as a woman diminished her value. As queen, Esther could give her people the courage to fight for their very survival. Like the woman Jael, who drove a tent pin through the head of the military general Sisera in the days of Deborah and Barack, Esther had drawn Haman in with a meal. By creating a calm environment she was free to reveal his ambitious plot against her people.

When our decisions are based on greed, whether for money, power, or even revenge, it will certainly lead to untold suffering. However, there are moments so pivotal that they demand a response. It is the opinion of this author that we live in such a time as this. If we choose to do nothing hope and deliverance may come from another source, but we should not think that we should benefit from it if we are unwilling to stand up, and speak up when circumstances demand a response. Such moments do not need to be overt or extravagant. However, a calm demeanor can do wonders for diplomacy. Never underestimate the value of hospitality either!

The curious case of Esther of Shushan may be our last warning before our countdown timer runs out. What question should we all be pondering at one second to midnight? Because that is where we find ourselves on the next page.