The text of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL on September 27, 2009

“People” podcast  

This morning’s Bible reading is from Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22

What?

What exactly was this week’s reading about? We’ve got Esther, Mordecai, Haman, Harbona, Ahasuerus, conspiracy, plot twists and a day to give presents to the poor. Maybe today we can flesh though the story a little to understand the good mixed in with evil. Maybe today we can try to understand a little bit of kindness and love mixed together with anger and wrath. Maybe it’s necessary to fill in at least a little bit of the story that’s missing in our truncated reading. Maybe the only way to make this morning’s sermon memorable is to present a “Mordecai in first person” monologue.

OK then . . .

(Puts on robe and beard and headpiece.)

I am Mordecai, the Jew. Some people say that I am a great leader. I don’t know. I am not a leader – I only know who I am. I care for my people — I take care of my people.  And they take care of me.

I want to tell you about someone that makes me so proud. Her name is Esther. Many years ago, when my Uncle Abihail died, I looked on the baby Esther and knew there were great things in store for her. I adopted her. Now she is a queen! Esther knows who she is, but she must keep it a secret. If the secret of who she is came out, she would be in danger! A queen in danger . . . serving a king who is often in danger.

You see – a few years ago I discovered that there was a plot to assassinate the king. I told Esther and she told the king. The plot was foiled and the king was so happy with Esther. He did not, however, know it was I who uncovered the truth.

Well – there’s more. Several years later, a man found favor with the king. He was proclaimed to be the ‘noble’ Haman. Haman hated me. He told me I must bow to him. I would not. I bow to no man. Haman . . . was angry. He sought to have me killed. He tricked the king into thinking I and any who agreed with me were dangerous. He said we should all be killed. And the ‘noble’ Haman was persuasive. The king agreed.

Things did not look good. But my Esther – she is a genius! I said to her that Perhaps she came to royal dignity “for just such a time as this.” She had us all hide and then she arranged to have the ‘noble’ Haman to the palace for a meal with the king and queen. And at dinner, Esther reminded the king of the time he was saved from assassination. She told him that someone had warned her of the plot. Then the king asked the ‘noble’ Haman what should be done for one who saves the life of the king.

“Put him in a Purple cloak and let him be honored by all in the streets!” said Haman.

The king agreed.

Then Esther told them that it was I – Mordecai — who saved the king’s life.

Haman’s jaw dropped all the way to the floor. He wanted to kill me and any who agreed with me! 

But that was not to be. The king learned of Haman’s plot and  . . . well . . . took care of things. 
I was appointed trustee over Haman’s estate. Esther, me – all of our people were safe. We now celebrate a feast – called Purim. It is a time to remember when we gained relief from our enemies. We went from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday. During this time of feasting we celebrate and send gifts of food to one another and give presents to the poor.

Some bits of trivia from the book of Esther:

• It never mentions God
• There is no prayer in the book
• It doesn’t really mention any important Jewish practices at all. 
• And the obvious one – the heroine is Esther – a courageous, loyal and intelligent woman in the Bible. 

Esther – someone who is in a position of recognition, but no real power as a queen (she became queen by winning the equivalent of a beauty pageant) But in the time of crisis, she was remarkable! She was courageous, responsible, and (in a good way) clever as she foiled Haman and saved her people from annihilation.  

We can learn about courage and loyalty from Esther.

But . . . full disclosure here. Most non-orthodox Jews think that the story of Esther is fictional. They think that Purim was a Babylonian holiday and Jewish people put together the Esther story to make it into a Jewish holiday. It’s a time at the temple where the rules of polite quietness during the service are out, and loud noisemaking (especially when the name of Haman is uttered) and general chaotic fun is in. It’s a time to let loose, celebrate and give extra to charity. The seriousness nature of the book is gone – the fun and frivolity is there.

Though Purim isn’t a Christian holiday, most Christian Bible scholars have a similar view of the Book of Esther.

Orthodox Jews and Conservative Christian Bible scholars don’t see things the same way. 

Something to ask with the differing opinions. Can God use fictional stories to teach? Sure!  Does that mean Esther is fictional?  No!

And what can we learn from this story – regardless of our opinion of its origins?

I think we should be disturbed by much in this book

• Haman’s hatred should bother us
• That Haman sought not only to kill Mordecai but also all Jews should bother us
• That the King was so easily swayed in either direction should bother us
• That Haman’s punishment was death should bother us
• That in the events after this morning’s reading and monologue Mordecai and many with him killed hundreds in Haman’s family should really bother us.
• That the celebration of Purim – a time to celebrate when the Jews gained relief from their enemies – characterized days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor has it’s roots in such violence and anger on both sides should bother us.

Why? Because we have learned the metanarrative and the two rules! The metanarrative is that God creates, we mess up, God redeems, we mess up . . .  and the two rules (contained in both the Old AND New Testaments!) are:  Love God and love everyone.

And the Hamans, the Mordecais, the Ahasuerus’, the Harbonas and the Esthers of the world are part of everyone.
It should bother us because we do not need to categorize someone based on our deep seated opinions and beliefs. We do not need to decide that any of God’s precious children are any less important than any others. 

Will we have the courage to show love for all of those whom God calls precious? We can be a people of God’s love for all. We can be a people who choose to side with justice. We can be a church that, as we have said where God’s good news is proclaimed, where our children can learn the Biblical stories and get to know Jesus, that practices hospitality and respect for all people and has  opportunities to transform the community and the world.

As we love God – and all people.

Close with prayer.