May the mumbling commence!
Mordecai counseled Esther to stand
up for her people… “who knows that you have come to such a position of power
for such a time as this.” It was good
advice. And Mordecai accepted that
advice for himself. He, too, became a
powerful person. Read a brief summary of
what Mordecai did with that power at the end of Esther:
King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout his empire, even
to the distant coastlands. His great
achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king
had promoted, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Media
and Persia. Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister,
with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great
among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he worked for the good of his
people and was a friend at the royal court for all of them. (Esther Chapter Ten)
Mordecai remembered where he came from… he remembered
his people and worked for their betterment.
He worked for the betterment of all Jews. What did “all the Jews” encompass?
Mordecai would have included the non-Jews who became
Jews with the king’s announcement that the Jews could band together and protect
themselves (Esther 8:17). Mordecai would
have given special attention to the poor… like when Purim was celebrated and
gifts were given to the poor (Esther 9:22).
Mordecai not only gave his niece the advice to remember her people and
save them but he also accepted that plan of action for himself.
That is a sign of a great and godly person – able to
give good advice and personally follow it.
The Jews of Esther’s day were at the bottom of the
valley with little hope. How do we
respond to the pain and suffering of those nearest and dearest to us? What is there to say or do? We can feel utterly helpless.
That is where the theology of presence comes into its
own. Just be there. You don’t need to solve anything. You don’t need to say just the right
words. Be there. Let your loved one know by your constant
presence that what is happening to them matters. Somebody cares. You care.
How long do we need to be present with them in their
pain and suffering? For as long as it
takes, be there. Read from Job chapter
two:
Three of Job's friends were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad
the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they heard of the tragedy he had
suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and
console him. When they saw Job from a
distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into
the air over their heads to demonstrate their grief. Then
they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. And no one
said a word, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.
(Verses 11-13)
For seven days and seven nights, Job’s friends sat with
him in silence. In Scripture, seven is a
complete number. Job’s friends sat with
Job in silence for as long as it took.
But, please note: the time did not begin in utter
silence. They wailed loudly, tore their
clothes and threw dust over their heads.
In their own way, they demonstrated their grief over the afflictions of
their friend. When we are present with
our suffering loved ones, we need not hide the emotions that we have.
That being said, we cannot allow our emotions
and feelings to drive everything that we do.
Remember the silence. Remember
that Job’s friends allowed him the first words.
Listen. Be present.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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