[I’ll be sharing more about these three words at Harbor, the Pepperdine Bible Lectures, on May 6, 2020]
Esther’s world was filled with injustice: nationalism, political idolatry, sexism, abuse, and racism. Her story focuses on how she is awakened to the injustices and, once awake, joins God’s revolution in resisting and repairing these injustices. This awakening happens through three phrases spoken to Esther by Mordecai. They are three phrases spoken to us by God. In them we find the prophetic challenge and the daring call to collaborate with God in his cause to end injustice. They are phrases oriented around solidarity, sovereignty and sublimity.
“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther…’For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place.’” (Est. 4:14 ESV).
This is a word about sovereignty.
God’s passion to pursue justice on earth is greater than our daily decision to stand in the gap or sit on our butts. His plans to obstruct oppression will proceed whether we take the field or stroll the sidelines. The question is never “Will God eradicate racism?” or “Will God pummel poverty?” or “Will God cease sex-trafficking?” or “Will God arise against abuse?” The question is only “Will we?” God hopes to heal the land through us, but he will also do so without us. Justice surges like a river (Amos 5:24). It would be easier to stop the mighty Mississippi that flows past Memphis than it would be to stop God’s rushing righteous cause. We can choose to remain safe on the shore or daringly dive into its stream. Either way, God’s river surges forward.This is not an excuse to step aside, believing God’s got others to take up the fight. But it is a sober reminder. God’s sovereignty is greater than our ardency. And I, for one, want to wade into the waters.
