Esther & Moses: Two Reluctant Leaders

Two leaders. Two stories. Both hesitant. Both human. Esther hides before she speaks. Moses resists before he leads. This episode explores what their journeys teach us about courage, responsibility, and stepping forward at the right moment.

Beeswax Garden
Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to inspire peace and cultivate your sacred rituals.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Every episode of Sacred Garden begins with a moment of light. I strike a match, breathe in the scent of pure beeswax, and let the flame become a quiet prayer, for clarity, for gentleness, and for comfort. I pour these candles by hand for my brand Biswax Garden. Natural, toxin-free candles to bring a touch of sacred beauty into everyday life. You can find them at biswaxgarden.shop. Together we cultivate light. Welcome back to Sacred Garden. So far this season we have told two stories of liberation, two stories of survival, two stories of salvation. One unfolded in silence, the other in thunder. And yet, at the center of both stories stands a human being who did not feel ready. Esther and Moses. Neither of them sought leadership. Neither of them woke up wanting to change history. They were both, in their own way, reluctant. Moses was raised in Pharaoh's palace. He had power, education, and privilege. But when he saw injustice, he reacted impulsively and paid the price. He fled. By the time God called him back, Moses was living quietly in Midian, tending sheep. And when God spoke to him from the burning bush, Moses resisted. Who am I? They won't believe me. I am not a man of words. Again and again Moses tried to decline the mission. Not because he didn't care, but because he felt inadequate. Esther's reluctancy was quieter. She did not argue, she did not protest. She remained silent. An orphan, a Jew, a minority in the most powerful empire of her time. She had learned how to survive by blending in, by obeying, by not standing out. When the decree against the Jews was issued, Esther hesitated. Approaching the king uninvited meant death. And perhaps, if we are honest, she had grown comfortable. Comfort is a powerful silencer. Moses feared it was not enough. Esther feared she had too much to lose. Both fears are deeply human. And in both stories God responds differently. To Moses, God speaks directly. He reassures him, he argues with him, he equips him. Words, signs, a staff, a brother. God meets Moses where he is and builds him up piece by piece. Esther receives no prophecy, no voice from heaven, no miracle. Instead, she receives a message from Mordecai. He does not tell her God will save the Jews through her. He tells her the truth. Relief will come from another place. God does not depend on any one person, but she's given a choice. Who knows if it was for a time like this that you attained royalty? Mordecai does not command her, he reminds her. Sometimes comes as instruction, and sometimes it comes as awakening. This is where the stories meet. Moses is encouraged through divine reassurance. Esther is encouraged through human words, but both are equipped. God does not always prepare us the same way. Sometimes he gives us tools, words, resources, support. And sometimes he places us exactly where we need to be long before we understand why. Esther did not become queen before the crisis. She became queen before it. And when she finally speaks, everything changes. Not because she becomes fearless, but because she chooses responsibility over safety. If I perish, I perish. Not resignation, commitment. Moses leads through action. Esther leads through presence. Both answer the call. And there is another truth here. Neither of them stood alone. Moses had Aaron. Esther had Mordecai. Liberation is never a solo act. We need people who remind us who we are when fear tries to shrink us. This episode is not just about Esther and Moses. It is about us, about the moments when we hesitate, when we tell ourselves we are not ready, not capable, not chosen. And the quiet truth is, if the moment has found you, perhaps you have already been chosen. In the next episode we will turn to Purim itself, what we are commanded to do, why joy is not optional, and why forgetting just for one day can be holy. Until next time, may we always cultivate light. I'll catch you on the next one. Ciao for now. As we close, I take a quiet breath and blow out the flame. Its warmth lingers, a reminder that light doesn't end when the candle fades. If you'd like to bring this same gentle glow into your home, you can explore my handmade biswax candles at biswaxgarden.shop. Until next time, may you always cultivate light.