When you think of bible stories, what comes to mind? Well, for me one of the first stories that come to my mind is the story of Esther. Which leads me to the topic that I have studied this week: Moral Courage. I want to talk about the moral courage of Vashti, Esther, and Mordecai. In the story of Esther we learn that they all had the courage to stand up for what they thought was right. They had the courage to face the odds, and to not participate in what was 'popular. You are probably thinking, "Come on, Josie! Get to the point!" Ok, here is what I have found.
Vashti:
In Esther 1, the king has a feast. He was having this feast to show his people that his kingdom was very great, and also because he was about to head to war. Vashti, has come to love the king, and does not want him to go to war. She decides to have her own feast to show the king that she does not approve. He, however, still has the feast. Later on, in this chapter of the story his guests want to see her. They want to look upon her beauty. The king then commands her to come to the feast. She refuses (verse 12). She refuses because she does not want the king to go to war. As the story continues he, the king, decides that he needs to get a new queen. So, Vashti is basically kicked out of the king's house. But, there is a lesson that we must learn from this. Vashti knew that her refusal would result in her not being queen anymore. However, she had the courage to do what she felt was right, because she loved the king. She wanted him to know that she did not want him to go to war.
I think that as I think of Vashti's story it is very applicable to what we go through today. Every person has come to a point in there lives where he must decide whether or not to follow the crowd or to stand up for himself. Vashti is an example of standing up for herself. She knew the consequences, but she did it anyway.
I want to emulate that in my life. Especially, when I go on my mission. I know there will be times in my life, or on my mission where I will be tempted by the adversary to do the easy thing. However, I will remember Vashti and how even though she knew the consequences of her standing up for herself she did it anyway.
Mordecai:
In the book of Esther there are many examples of Mordecai standing up for himself. He was a very strong person who was dedicated to do what is right. In chapter 3 of the book of Esther, Haman, a man from the king's court has all the king's servants and all the people that under the rule of the king bow to him. Mordecai does not bow. I have read the book of Esther many times. One thing that I have always wondered till just now is why Mordecai does not bow... In later verses he declares that he is Jew. Or in other words he believes in God. Therefore, he will not bow because he feels that, that would be a form of worship to Haman. He only worships God. Another example of him standing up for what is right is when he rights to Esther in chapter 4. He writes because the king has just sent out a decree to all the people that the Jews will be killed. The letter said, "13....Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14. for if though 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?" He had the courage to tell Esther what she needed to do. He knew that what he told her would be vital to the Jews survival. Throughout the story of Esther, Mordecai, does countless courageous acts. He is not afraid to do the right thing, even when it means death.
There are times in my life when I am afraid to stand up for what is right. I want to remember what Mordecai did throughout the book of Esther. He truly was a follower of God, because he was not afraid to stand up for Him.
I think that as I go throughout my life I will try to be better at following the Lord. The Lord has given us commandments and sometimes those commandments are hard to follow, but I will try to remember Mordecai's example of standing up for what he believed, having the moral courage to do what is right.
Mordecai and Esther
Esther:
Esther was truly an example of standing up for what she believed in. She is actually my favorite character. Throughout the whole book of Esther she has the courage to do the right thing. An example of simply her obedience to have courage and trust in her uncle is in chapter 2, verse 10. He tells her to not disclose her heritage. He wants to make sure that she is protected. Another example of her having the moral courage to do what is right is her heeding the counsel of Mordecai when he tells that she must go before the king to tell of her beliefs they both knew that there was a decree sent out that said all of the Jews were to perish. They also knew that the only way for them to survive was to have her tell the king of her beliefs. She had amazing courage to be able to do something so dangerous, and something that put her such a vulnerable position (4:13-17). Another example of her true courage is when she reveals the plot to the king of Haman wanting to kill the Jews. It took a lot of strength from the Lord and prayer for her to be able to do that (Chapter 7). Furthermore, she had the courage to tell the king about Haman when he was ready to go to war (Chapter 7). Her confession to the king goes as follows from chapter 7 verse 4, "For we are sold, I and my people to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold to bondmen, and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage." She then tells the king that Haman was the person who wanted her people dead. She truly was a brave woman to be able to stand up for herself, and her people in such a way!
I cannot describe in words how much her example has benefited me. She truly was a woman of God. She knew who she was, and wanted to protect her family, and her people. I have learned a lot from her!
In my own life I want to stand up for my siblings even when it is hard, like Esther standing up for her people. She stood up for them even when it was the hardest thing she possible could do. She did not take the easy route, she took the hard route of standing up for people, and her beliefs. I want to emulate that in my life. I want to strive to live up to my beliefs, and live as the Lord would have me live.
I would just like to say that each of these three people, Vashti, Mordecai, and Esther were all very brave. They had the strength to do the right thing. I know that this story is a true, inspiring story. Esther was truly a woman of God. Her ability to stand up for what is right is a testimony to me that doing the right thing is what our Lord wants, and when we do the right thing He will bless us. I say all that I have written, in the name of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
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