IF YOU WILL NOT, ANOTHER WILL

Victor M. Eskew

 

          There is work to be done in the kingdom.  There are challenges that need to be met in the church.   There are battles to be waged by the armies of God.  There are lost souls that need to be saved in the world.  Dear readers, every Christian is called to do these things.  Each child of God must make up his mind about his Christian service.  If you will not take hold of your obligations, there is a Bible principle that says:  “If you will not, another will.” 

          The first time this principle was set forth was in the days of the Judges.  The principle found in Judges 9:8-15.  “The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.  But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by men they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, reign over us.  But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?  Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.  And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.  And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow:  and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” 

          The trees stood in need of a leader.  They asked three healthy, productive plants to rule over them:  the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine.  Each one, however, refused.  Each one believed that he had a worthy reason as to why he should not accept the position.  Finally, the trees came to the bramble.  The bramble is a rough, prickly shrug.  It does not produce useful fruit.  Its thorns can bring harm when touched.  The bramble can often spring up and bring ruin to healthy plants.  When he was asked about the position as king over the trees, he accepted it immediately.  He proved the principle that entitles this lesson.  If you will not, another will.  The problem is the other may be one less qualified.  He may be evil and harmful to the cause. There are many self-willed, evil individuals who yearn for a position of authority.  If qualified, noble, committed individuals will not step up, then wicked men will fulfill those positions.

          The second time we read about the principle of our study is in the book of Esther.  Haman had deceived the king into signing a decree that all the Jews should be destroyed.  Esther was the queen of Persia.  She had the easiest access to the king in order to attempt to thwart the destruction.  She was reluctant, however.  It had been over thirty days since the king had called her into his presence.  If she sought to meet with him, and he refused to extend the kings septre to her, she could be killed. Mordecai, her uncle, sent a message containing the concept, “If you will not, another will,” to Esther.  “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews?  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place…” (Est. 4:13-14a).  Mordecai was plain spoken.  If Esther refused to go into unto the king, “then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place.” If Esther would not, someone else would.

          For some, it is comforting to know that if they do not accept their call to serve, then there is someone who will fill in the gap they have made.  Those who fail to pull their weight, however, should not grow too satisfied that another will take their place.  They will reap the evil rewards of having refused to accept their battle station.  They will be part of those who reap the evil and the ineffectiveness of others who accepted a position when they would not.  At that time, it will be too late to reverse their decision.  The evil, the untalented, the selfish, and the violent will be in control.  Sometimes, their refusal to accept their responsibilities will bring their demise.  Mordecai told Esther that another would rise to deliver the Jews, “but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed” (Est. 4:14). 

          When there are works, positions, challenges, and efforts that need us, every Christian should respond favorably to them.  Noah did.  Abraham did.  Noah did.  Moses did.  Joshua did.  The judges did.  David did.  The prophets of old did.  Esther did.  John the Baptist did.  Elisabeth did.  Mary did.   The twelve apostles did.  Saul of Tarsus did.  Timothy and Titus did.  Philemon did.  Antipas did.  The list goes on and on. 

          It is not easy to always say, “Yes,” to God’s call.  In order to sacrifice other things for the our Lord and His cause, we must develop a purposeful mindset.  That mind set is found in these words spoken of Mordecai to Esther:  “…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” (Est. 4:14).  The very moment we are asked to do something could involve the providential hand of God wokring in our lives.  It may be our heavenly Father has brought us to this moment in order to do a monumental task.  It could be the saving of a nation.  It could be the salvation of a soul (See Acts 8:26-39).  It could be the comforting of a hurting individual (Luke 10:33-35).  It could be the strengthening of a congregation (Tit. 1:5).  While engaged in the effort, we may never come to understand the significance of the task.  However, history just might reveal that it was a pivotal moment in time.  Dear readers, when our name is called to serve, we need to respond with the words:  “Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).