Religion & Politics

You know the expression that you can lose friends over religion and politics? Well, I have always said that I would rather lose a friend over talking about religion than politics. As a matter of fact, I hate politics. But sometimes politics invade our lives and we have to deal with it firsthand, mainly through voting. In Bible days God was, or so it seems, a lot more active in the lives of rulers and politics. Many well known Bible figures dealt with these leaders with the help of God, but one story stands out to me more than ever. It is the story of Esther.

The most interesting thing about the Book of Esther is that God is not mentioned. An amazing story that involves leaders, good and bad. Decrees, good and bad. We know the story, the wicked Haman is upset that Mordechai will not bow to him, so he plots to have all the Jews killed. He gets the king to sign a decree making it possible to have the Jews slaughtered. The only thing is that the king does not know his wife Queen Esther is Jewish. Through a series of events the truth comes out and the Jews are able to not only defend themselves, but they are able to turn the tide and slaughter their enemies.

The Jewish people celebrate festivals that are appointed times. They are holy convocations or mikra kodesh (holy rehearsals), Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles just to name a few. As a matter of fact the three I have mentioned here, all males in Temple times were required to attend. They were all family affairs that celebrated redemption and promise of a heavenly future. 

There are a couple of celebrations that are not appointed times, but they do shed some spiritual significance to our lives. Chanukah and Purim. You may know more about Chanukah than you do Purim. Purim is the celebration for the deliverance of the Jews from the wicked Haman and those that wanted to see them perish. It involves telling the story, and everyone can play a part. While the story is read, we are prompted to "tsk tsk" whenever Queen Vashti is mentioned. When queen Esther is mentioned, everyone "aaaaahhhs". When Mordechai is mentioned everyone cheers, and when the wicked Haman is mentioned everyone boos and shakes noise makers to drown out the very mention of his name. Children often dress up for this celebration. They may dress like Queen Esther or be in sack cloth and ashes like Mordechai. Of course as with any celebration there is always food.

One of the most famous lines in the Bible is found in the Book of Esther. "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" The response was to pray and fast. Why? Because there was not going to be any way to just vote this away. It was going to take a concerted effort on the part of all those affected.

Politics today is a little different. There still are the elite that care not what happens to the common man and his family. We still have to do more than vote. We need to pray that God involves Himself in leaders lives like He did in Bible days. There were many celebrations after our most recent election and many that were on the other side feel as if they are heading to the gallows. You may not agree but it seems that God truly has involved Himself more into politics lately...