In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. – Esther 8:17

Today’s Scripture Reading (August 17, 2017): Esther 8

Paulo Coelho comments in “The Alchemist,” “Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.” Fear is something that must be defeated. And because of that, there is an inherent weakness in the politics of fear. Fear might be able to motivate people in a particular direction for a short time. But the reality is that all through that time the people we are motivating will be plotting the defeat of their fear.

Yet, fear is a tool that is often employed by individuals who want to drive us in a particular direction. Politicians use fear to grab hold of votes and motivate people to give to their campaigns. Religion uses fear in the same way. You must believe the way that I do because if you don’t then the evil that is all around you will come crashing down on your life. You must give your money because together we can hold off the attack of the darkness. But in the end, we begin to resent the things that have caused us to be afraid. And we start to attempt to throw off our shackles. We need to be able to talk to our hearts.

I have no idea how this passage in Esther was intended to sound. It might have been that, for a people who came close to being eliminated and who lived in constant fear of those who held power, the idea that the ones who were trying to eliminate them began joining with them and becoming like them, was a positive circumstance. But what bothers me about the comment is the reason behind the movement. They joined the Jews because they were afraid. This was not a movement toward the Jews because they were respected or because their loving beliefs brought people of all nations toward them. People became like the Jews because they were afraid of them – and that is a circumstance that simply cannot be a long-term strategy.

Don’t try to scare me into believing like you. In the end, we will end up resenting each other. Respect me and, hopefully, we can build a lasting friendship. But fear cannot make anything that is lasting because fear has no staying power. And I have no desire of being a stranger to my heart.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Esther 9 & 10