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She’s No Cinderella
Sermon by Sandra M. Thomas June 24, 2007, Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill Esther 5:1-8; 7:1-10 James 5:7-12
She was a little orphan girl, curled up next to the fire at her uncle Mordecai’s house – but she was no Cinderella. She was an ethnic minority – a Jewish girl exiled in Persia -- with skin tones that would allow her to pass if she chose too….and with her uncle’s encouragement, she choose to pass. She may have, now and then, dreamed of a prince charming coming to sweep her off her feet and out of Persia – but others had dreamed that dream as well. Even though she was beautiful, she was not Cinderella. Word spread quickly through the countryside that Queen Vashi had been deposed after saying “No” to the King. The King and his cohorts, drunk after an evening feast, had sent for her, asking that she “display” her beauty for them. She responded with the only word one never says to a king – No. A replacement was not urgent, but after a few years a contest is held to select a replacement Queen. Esther hears talk of a Cinderella type story, recruiting girls who were Persian and beautiful to try out for the position of Queen. Uncle Mordecai comes seeking Esther…. “come and try, enter the beauty contest, maybe you could become Queen ….. just don’t tell anyone we’re Jewish.” Growing up in exile one wonders if “being Jewish” meant anything to her anyway. Race was an awkward factor, not a rejection of God. She probably knew little of God Maybe she could “pass” -- just for today. But miracle of miracles! She wins! Oh, dread of all dreads. One does not say “No” to the king and the king was no prince charming. After the excitement – she realizes – this is a contest no young girl wanted to win. The king had 100’s of women at his disposal….tucked into a courtyard near his bedroom door. Being Queen only meant the same courtyard was now her home, and the women she lived with would despise and resent her. An honor – yes. But as Queen one mistake would cost her life – the glass slipper was most uncomfortable – thin and fragile. She was no Cinderella, but smart enough to know the importance of pretending to be. Carefully, politely, with delicate submissiveness, Esther continues in the King’s favor. Uncle Mordecai, also a Jew “passing” and is working in government and has the opportunity to uncover an assassination attempt against the King – thereby also winning the Kings favor. Things are looking good, at least for some of the Jews who remained in Persia even after they were free to return to Jerusalem. Mordecai’s family had chosen to stay – life was good for them in Persia. Their lack of passion for returning to Jerusalem is our hint that this family was no longer practicing their religion. Jerusalem was in upheaval – there was poverty, danger, crowds of immigrants mixing with all sorts of other settlers. Whatever draw the holy city had for the religious was not there for Mordecai. Yet he verges on the spiritual when he observes: “Esther, maybe you have been put in this position for a special purpose?” The people of Israel, like Presbyterians, believe that God calls people into position for special purposes – there are no coincidences – there’s nothing called “luck” – its Providence – God working among us in mysterious ways, even when we do not recognize God’s hand. Think about it – an orphan girl, born of a Jewish exile has risen from the cinders of her uncle’s campfire to sit next to the king. Is she wondering what her responsibility is or just how to get through the day? What is it she should be doing? What can she be doing? What dare she do? The new Queen grants a first interview for 60 Minutes. Queen Esther, what role will you play in this new position? Will you belly dance at parties? or be a feminist naysayer like Vashi? Will you take on any special projects to benefit the kingdom? Will you bake cookies and go to high tea, say “Yes sir,” be submissive. Are you easy to get along with, too perfect, very much a Persian? (whispering in the background her playmates from the campgrounds were wondering – will she use her new found power to help advance the well-being of her people – will she be an instrument of God – very fully Jewish? Will she be discovered and put to death?) What would you do? This was real life – not a Cinderella fantasy. She was not a clear, calm, and strong Hillary Clinton or a wild, courageous Wonder Woman. She was not a devoted, educated, faithful Jewish woman. Not an experienced Queen or ultra-feminist, or warrior princess. She almost certainly did not know what she was …… As she ponders her role, Uncle Mordecai, (the one who has said “Don’t tell anyone you’re Jewish”) was in the town square, refusing to bow down and worship the king’s chief officer Haman, in a rash moment revealing that he is an Israelite! (Is he crazy? What is he doing to her?) It’s not that he has a sudden wash of religious fervor -- Mordecai refuses to worship Haman, not because he of his loyalty to God; but because he carried an ancient Jewish hatred of the Amalekites. He would rather die than bow down to an Amalekite – Haman responds, by planning Mordecai’s execution AND by drawing lots to select which day on which to begin a massive annihilation of all the Jews in Persia. Queen Esther hears what is about to take place….Esther, the orphan girl hiding her Jewish heritage, while sleeping with the King whose chief of staff was preparing to murder all Jews. She cannot be angry or overtly disobedient. She cannot rage through the palace, demanding that the King spare the Israelite refugees….One option she did have was to close her eyes and continue to enjoy life and wealth as Queen of Persia. A faithful Israelite would understand that God requires action on behalf of the oppressed – that she must act to deliver her people…..but Esther has not been raised in this tradition. God does not speak….and Esther does not pray….and she receives no counsel that we know of. There’s no indication that she understand the divine urgency of Israel’s survival. The suspense builds – what will Esther do? She throws a dinner party! inviting Haman and the King to eat with her. Nicole Duran, a Presbyterian who teaches at Villanova College has recently published a book titled “Having Men for dinner: Biblical Women’s Deadly Banquets” a study of the frequent convergence of disenfranchised women, food, drink, sex, and murder. The Presbyterian Women – who will be studying Esther this fall might want to look at that! just for fun. Esther surely is afraid. Dinner is fun, but she says nothing. Uncle Mordecai – himself uncertain of how to stop the impending slaughter – begins to mourn – tearing his clothes, and walking the streets with ashes on his head, crying and moaning. Perhaps only then Esther realizes the fate that awaits her people. At this point in her life, if at no other, the 2nd century theologian quoted in the bulletin today, assumes she must have prayed: “Help me who am alone, and have no help but You. For I am taking my life in my hands.” She invites Haman and the King to dinner again – this time she has a plan. Her stomach twisting, her knees shaking. This may be her last supper but her family and all the Jewish community faces annihilation if she does nothing – Esther decides to speak and in speaking her people are saved. So Esther is the hero!? Yes – and no. Esther is brave – but the real hero of the story is the one whose name is never mentions. This novel that never names God, finds it’s way into scripture because it is the story of God acting to save his people. The same God who has so delivered his people so many, many times before – the same God who has once already made it possible for the exiles to return home and live in freedom – the same God who is ignored as a segment of Israel chooses security and prosperity rather than the temple…this God is watching over Israel – the God who moves the players into place – speaks to the heart of a young woman, gives her insight and courage – and saves his people. This is God’s story. Miracle of miracles is Esther role in it all – Esther, in her Cinderella innocence, foreshadows the actions of Jesus himself —who though he always had the nature of God, chose to set aside his lofty positions, instead he gave it all up and took on the nature of a servant ….became human ….was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death upon a cross. And then Paul says: have this same attitude yourself – look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own. What God requires of us is the same thing he found in Esther -- when the glass slipper fits, we must be willing to put it on – take the chance, give of ourselves – attend to the needs of others and become obedient – even to death if necessary. What is most remarkable is that God is still on the same adventure – still active among us – putting people into the places they need to be – calling them to acts of simple courage – working for our deliverance – and calling us to be ready to speak – maybe after dinner – at the right time – for the right reason. |