A Word from Pastor Nathan

The story of Esther appears in this week’s lectionary readings. You know her story as one of the most epic plots in the Hebrew Bible. Haman enacts a scheme of Jewish annihilation, which threatens Queen Esther and her people. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, encourages Esther to approach the king and plead for the Jews, saying, “For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Risking her life, she approaches the king and states her case. After hearing Esther, the king orders the execution of Haman. Esther saves an entire nation of people.

Before Esther, however, is Queen Vashti, spouse of the same king. The story in Esther 1 goes like this: On the seventh day, when the king was drunk, he sent for Queen Vashti, to wear the royal crown—[and only the royal crown?]—in order for the king to exploit her body. Queen Vashti said no. She refused to come and perform a striptease for the king and his guests. Vashti’s decision brought grave consequences; she was shamed, and she lost her royal position. Vashti was one of the early women in the #metoo movement. Sometimes we forego Vashti’s story and prefer another heroine, Esther, but we should pay attention and honor Vashti and her witness.

Many persons in contemporary society have similar stories to Vashti; they are the recipients of unwelcome and unwanted advances from an aggressor. This week, we will hear testimony from one survivor, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, as she testifies before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. History repeats itself as this is not the first time we have heard accounts about powerful persons preying on others.

As we await Dr. Ford’s testimony this week, and as we hear stories from persons in the #metoo, #churchtoo, and #whyididntreport movements, let us remember the stories of Vashti and Esther. We must listen, honor, and respond to Vashti, and like Esther, we must speak out on behalf of persons who have experienced sexual violence. How will you use your voice for such a time as this

God requires that we pursue justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. May we have the courage of Vashti and Esther to do what God asks of us.