One of the great questions for missiologists and practitioners among Muslim converts is the question of self-disclosure. How or when should a Muslim follower of Isa make her faith public? At what point should a man reveal that he is a Christ follower? Many times those working among Muslims struggle to know how to advise converts because of the tension between biblical commands for confession and cultural realities of persecution or martyrdom.
The story of Esther from the Hebrew Scriptures has parallels to the questions of self-disclosure of Muslim converts as well as their mentors. The parallels include a people group that was threatened due to their identity with God, laws that supported the persecution and death of the people of God, encouragement by a mentor to conceal identity for a while and later to reveal identity even at the potential sacrifice of a life, and the hand of God in giving grace to Esther in her moment of disclosure.
The beautiful missionary narrative begins with King Xerxes who is driven by his pride, power, and people pleasing priorities to banish one queen and seek for another. Esther, raised by a relative Mordecai, is selected. Mordecai, a godly prophet, advises Esther not to reveal her identity to anyone (Esther 2:10, 20).
Mordecai lived as a dead man. He chose to obey God rather than bow to Haman as he passed (Esther 3:2). His godly behavior however not only put his life in danger, but all those who followed his God (Esther 3:5-6). Haman devised an evil plan not only to take Mordecai’s life, but all those who followed his God. Some might have argued, “Mordecai, you should have bowed. Now see what trouble you have brought on us.” (Not unlike the Israelites who complained about Moses speaking to Pharoah, then getting more work. Exodus 5:21) Others, nobler might have advised, “Mordecai, we are glad you feel convicted not to bow, but why not just avoid any place where Haman might be passing?” But perhaps God wanted to use Mordecai’s character and boldness to bring many people into relationship with Himself.
Haman took his demonic plan to King Xerxes. “In your kingdom there is a group that is a threat to your kingdom, your power, and your rule. I have a plan to remove them and their threat to you and I will even pay you to annihilate them” (Esther 3:8-9). The King, true to his nature, approved a sharia (law) to destroy all of these people (Esther 3:10).
Mordecai heard of the law and even obtained a copy (Esther 4:8). He appealed to the only source he knew who could intervene: the God he boldly served (Esther 4:1). In sackcloth and ashes he interceded for his people. Esther heard of his heartache and prayer, but did not know the cause. She sent him food and clothing and encouraged him to return to joy (Esther 4:4-5). Was it Esther’s concern that sparked an idea? Was it God’s vision becoming apparent in his mind? Did he suddenly understand God’s purpose in bringing Esther to the palace, which up to this moment had been a mystery?
Mordecai sent word to Esther urging her to plead with the king for her people (Esther 4:8). Esther replied that death awaited anyone who went to the king uninvited (Esther 4:11). Mordecai, her mentor, sent a second word, “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” (Esther 4:14). The same one who had advised Esther to conceal her identity (Esther 2:10, 20) was now advocating exposure. He was also encouraging a very difficult move. Her self-disclosure as a follower of God and a member of this people would likely result in her death.
How could Mordecai make such a horrible recommendation? Wasn’t it bad enough that he had “caused” this decree against God’s people, now he was suggesting that his innocent relative sacrifice herself to save his people as a result of his actions?
They both understood the law. Going to the king uninvited meant almost certain death. Identifying with these people who were condemned to die would bring death as well. A logical plan would be to continue to remain silent concerning her identity especially during this time.
Esther might even be led to think, “God loves me so much. He allowed me to be chosen by the king. I live in this palace with servants waiting on me. Even Mordecai’s advice to keep secret my identity is now a wonderful blessing. When all of my people are being killed, I alone will be saved. God must love me more than the rest of my people.”
But Esther sought the mind and will of God. She heard the words of her trusted confidant, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)? She came to the conclusion that after she and others had prayed, I will go to the king even though it is against the law. “And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Esther had also chosen to live dead.
Esther’s self-disclosure was carefully orchestrated. God (who was not named in the narrative) continued to give Esther his gift of favor before the king. He extended his scepter to her uninvited approach (Esther 5:2). Banquets for the king and Haman were called (Esther 5:4, 8). They attended and the king asked, “what is your petition” (Esther 5:6, 7:2)? At the appropriate moment Esther disclosed her identity. She identified herself with the illegal, condemned, and unlawful people of God (Esther 7:3-4).
The moment of truth had come for Esther. She did the unthinkable, the unlawful, and the illogical: she gave up her right to life in order to be identified with the God she loved and to save the people he loved. She made the commitment to live dead three days prior. Now she acted on that commitment. There was no turning back. She was out of the closet. She had confessed her faith in God under a legal system and in a culture that condemned those of that faith to death. She stood ready to die for her faith, her confession, and her God.
Her confession resulted in the ability to live dead from that moment forward. Esther no longer lived as a secret believer. Her name was proclaimed throughout the land. Her fame gave hope to the fearful and faith to the doubting. Her declaration set a people free, changed an empire, and brought revival. Yes, brought revival. “And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them” (Esther 8:17).
The question of when it is right to boldly identify with Jesus Christ is a delicate one for Muslim converts. The mentor also prayerfully considers how to advise his spiritual children in this matter. Like Mordecai there may be a time to advise secrecy and there may be another time to advise openness. When the right time comes may mentors boldly and prophetically encourage their disciples to “Confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’” (Romans 10:9).
Jeff Nelson
23 January 2011
