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HISTORY'S HEROES: A LEGACY OF FAITH FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT/HEROISM FAR FROM HOME

Posted by Erik Hall on

 HISTORY'S HEROES: A LEGACY OF FAITH FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

Bernard of Chartes coined the phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants”.  It describes the way any current generation achieves greatness, not in its own right, but by building on the great work of previous generations. This is true in philosophy, science, technology, exploration, discovery and…   FAITH! The heroes of the Old Testament stepped out in faith in response to God’s power and promise. The result was great feats of heroism that became foundational examples for faithful living.

We’ve all learned about Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others…   in this five-week series we look at some of the other impressive heroes of the Old Testament.Through July and August as we explore and discover the great stories of:

Esther

Elijah

Deborah

Gideon

Solomon

Join us each Sunday as these faith heroes inspire and challenge us to more faithful living!

 

Pastor Erik

 

HEROISM FAR FROM HOME

First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

This famous quote is credited to Martin Niemoller, a German pastor in Nazi Germany who publicly opposed Adolph Hitler and spent seven years in a concentration camp. It speaks to courage and standing up for others. It speaks to standing out and risking oneself on behalf of those who are in imminent danger.

Sadly, we are often all too comfortable and content to remain quiet and ‘on the sidelines’ when others are being mistreated. Of course, we are horrified. Of course, we oppose. Of course, we know its wrong. But, standing up for someone else often means real risk and sacrifice. It means the real possibility of suffering the same fate of those who are in the danger in the first place. When we do the calculation…   self-preservation kicks in and we fail to speak out.

Real courage, real faith, and the follow through to act boldly are the marks of a true hero.

In the Book of Esther, a poor Jewish girl living in exile in Persia grows up to be a strikingly beautiful woman whom, by a string of circumstances, becomes a Persian queen! Meanwhile, the Jews, whom have often suffered terribly under the rule of other nations while in exile, are facing annihilation. A plot has been uncovered! The Jews are in terrible danger.

Should Esther expose the plot?  Should she plead to the king for their protection? Esther has a choice to make. Her wealth, her power, her position, her security…   everything she has would be at risk if she went to the king to plead on behalf of the Jews. She herself would certainly be killed along with them. Of course, she could just do nothing. After all, she, even though a Jew, is a safe and sound member of the royal house.

10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:10-17)

Esther rose to the challenge and became a hero…   saving the Jews of her day! The risk was real. The consequences deadly. She could have remained silent. But, her courage, faith, and follow through to act boldly revealed her to be a real hero.

Its uncomfortable to talk about, especially for those of us who have been blessed with much safety and security and prosperity. But, if there were more Esthers among us, there would be a lot less suffering, oppression, and crimes against humanity. It is a tragedy, a moral crime, and wrong in the eyes of God to stand ‘on the sidelines’ and remain silent when we are able to speak and act on behalf of those who are in danger and suffering.

God wants to use us to literally SAVE others through our courageous action. God wants us to be heroes. Are we courageous enough? Are we faithful enough? Can we follow through boldly?

 

Pastor Erik