in celebration of the 4th
The Bible, divided into two books, is both of old and new. In each, a multiple of books depicting life thousands of years ago. Entwined in the old are ideals of good, bad, right, wrong, hardship, perseverance, including the struggles of the many crushed by the few, along with the desire for power no matter how deceptive one was to achieve it. One of the Old Testament books: Esther. An interesting story of two men (Mordecai/Haman), a king (Ahasuerus), the queen (Esther), and the proposition that each of us has a purpose other than ourselves and are born in our life timeframes for a reason.
In Esther, Haman wanted to kill all the Jews because Mordecai (Jew) would not bow to him, but Mordecai had also earlier saved the kings life, a juxtaposition to come. Esther, related (foster daughter) to Mordecai, but married to the king, her religion kept from him, had also given Haman permission to destroy the Jews. And things would have come to pass if not for: … he (Mordecai) had this reply brought to her (Esther): “Do not imagine that you are safe in the king’s palace, you alone of all the Jews. Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source; but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows – perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?” (Esther 4:13-14)
So, as we awake in the morning and prepare for get-togethers, parties, and fireworks, let’s not forget the reason we have this day to celebrate, a Declaration of Independence. An austere moment in time when a segment of British-American citizens believed their freedom from oppression could only follow if British America separated from England. Except, there were others of those same citizens who believed loyalty to the king was their only source of self-preservation. The outcome; the American Revolution. A multi-tiered David versus Goliath, civil, world, and revolutionary war that formed the United States of America.
Those who chose separation, while in their fight for liberty, try to imagine the lives lost, bodies maimed, and families destroyed, believing their birthright was to gain freedom from an oppressive government. They willingly sacrificed everything for family, and for us, their posterity. If it had been any other group of individuals, would they, like Mordecai and Esther, have been able to persevere and win? Or, in retrospect of thought, could WE THE PEOPLE even do the same today, while their war then showed the world that a superpower was no match for the desires of heart. But if events had taken place at any other period in history, would the outcome have been an impossible undertaking? Look around and think about the paucity of citizens who now hold any national allegiance today. And comparatively speaking, before and during the revolution, those who feared the unknown over the known, willing to remain oppressed, bowed to the king for his benevolence, while those who wouldn’t bow willingly chose death if it meant “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness:”
So, I wonder how many ever recall the immortal words: I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country! After being caught for spying, Nathan Hale was twenty-one when he supposedly spoke them on the 22nd of September 1776 before hanging. At the time, he was wholly unprepared to undertake his assignment, yet was knowingly prepared to sacrifice his life to ensure the Continental Army could obtain crucial information in a quest to turn the war’s tide. After his death, hostilities continued until the 17th of October 1781, when England, the Goliath of a superior force finally surrendered. And during the war, the Articles of Confederation (AOCs) became the nation’s governing foundation. But the true genius of those who were “for a time like this” ultimately designed and corrected government after the war fostering the adoption of the Constitution as the law of the land:
A strong sense of the value and blessings of Union induced the people, at a very early period, to institute a Federal Government to preserve and perpetuate it. They formed it almost as soon as they had a political existence; nay, at a time when their habitations were in flames, when many of their citizens were bleeding, and when the progress of hostility and desolation left little room for those calm and mature inquiries and reflections which must ever precede the formation of a wise and well-balanced government for a free people. (Federalist 2)
To course correct the haste created in war, another hard-fought battle ensued as two sides wanted different directions for the nation. The AOCs were failing, while Anti-Federalist/Federalist emerged; those against and those for the Constitution. The result, a government meant for posterity to protect the sacrifices of those who perished then, and to always be respectful of our forebears who brought it into existence. Although today, most Americans, even those who lead, lack any respect, or in-depth knowledge of our past, our government, our framing documents, and the sacrifices for us, their posterity, a nation of greatness. And if history bears understanding, even Churchill believed, knowing Europe could not have won World War II unless the “greatness of America partook.”
So, in my youth, I was raised believing America, the nation, was great, a bastion of freedom. The flag being the symbol of respect, honor, pride. Except, it has become a symbol of oppression, the fomentation of hatred expressed by those who’ve run and been elected to office, supposedly to protect and defend the Constitution. And yes, my brain is unable to put the pieces together. I know the country has flaws, and made mistakes, as nothing’s perfect, but I wonder. How much longer can the nation stand, while those who sacrificed life for country; was the cost worth the price. I suggest, if we are here for our time, can WE THE PEOPLE uphold the tenets of what others died to preserve, or should we replace everything with something else, like some want to do with our Constitution, recognizing: Then fear and dread of them came upon all the people who said: “There is no truth or justice among them; they violated the agreement and the oath that they swore.” (1 Maccabees 7:18)
They say ignorance is bliss. Only, a simple warning is required: Until it isn’t. Sadly, if we don’t learn and understand, old will become new again. So, with the upcoming holiday and while I write, our street is awash in flags by those proud of country. And while partaking in 4th of July festivities, ask yourself; Could I be a Nathan Hale? He surrendered life so we wouldn’t have to. But could you? Although, before you answer, look around at our intentionally discombobulated nation and ponder: How did his life become that cheap? As based on what I see today, it’s apparently so. Then after looking around, ask yourself; Is mine? And when it comes to the Bible and the book of Esther, read the story. You might find entwined your purpose for today in the words written thousands of years ago, and also begin to understand how David actually beat Goliath.
So so good!!