The Old Testament Book of Esther describes a turning point in the story of the Jewish people held in captivity, where Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, challenges Esther, who by this time was chosen as the pagan king’s new queen. If she so chose, she could live a life of indulgence while her people suffered. Mordecai warned her of the gravity of the moment in which she found herself:
Mordecai sent back this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that you will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?”
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I am willing to die.” ~ Esther 4:13-16
The question I find I’m asking myself, as I watch the GOP candidates for president slog their way across the nation, is “Are either of them elevated for just such a time as this?”
Speaking for myself, I wonder if these men are big enough, yet humble enough, for the moment.
I believe this is the most consequential presidential election of my lifetime. The world is in the midst of a grave economic crisis, the threats of transnational terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are real for all nations and, more specifically, our nation is facing crushing debt which now exceeds our gross domestic product, and a generation of decline where our children and grandchildren will not have better lives than our own.
When we examine our history, we have had men and women who rose to the occasion, and did extraordinary things in extraordinary times. In my opinion, the convergence of so many people of exceptional vision, courage and wisdom on the American continent in the 18th century was providential, and their act of rebellion against the greatest empire of its day changed the world.
Of note, these were not “old” men, as we tend to think of them. The average age of America’s founding fathers in 1776 was 43.8 years. Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, was 33. James Madison, who would go on to become the “father of the Constitution” eleven years later, was 26.
The average age of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 was 42, and four of the most influential – Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris and Madison – were in their thirties. Granted, they had experienced greater sacrifices in service to the nation than many of today’s 30 and 40 year olds, were well educated, and had significant political experience as well, but their combination of youthful vibrancy and gravitas set America on a path to greatness.
Contrast that with the current field of presidential contenders, whose average age is 61, the youngest being former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman at 51, and the oldest being Congressman and medical doctor Ron Paul, who is 76.
I don’t want to disparage them for their age, because they all seem to be healthy and energetic. I wonder, however, if their perspective allows them to empathize with the challenges this generation faces, and the need for dramatic change, or if they are wedded to safe, incremental and ultimately small ideas that won’t work. I wonder if they have the vision to grasp the fundamental decisions we have to make on what we expect from our government and ourselves, decisions without which we cannot move forward to find solutions.
I also don’t want to denigrate their personal achievements, because all of them are accomplished men in their own right. Yet, when measured against the profile of our founders and the great American presidents who proved to be big enough for the moment, something is missing. They have plenty of ambition to be president, but what else is there?
Esther declared, “If I must die, I am willing to die,” and the men who signed the Declaration of Independence essentially signaled they were willing to die for the cause of liberty, because their names were sure to be known to the crown, and their heads would be highly prized trophies for the empire. They were also humble men who saw public service as a calling and a sacrifice and did not desire the power over their fellow citizens, nor the trappings that come with such power. They subordinated their own desires to the significance of the moment, and that made all the difference.
As this campaign progresses, I am looking for those qualities in our next president. I am looking for leadership that understands the extent of the global crisis in which we find ourselves, has the vision to know we have big decisions around which we must all coalesce, is willing to sacrifice their political career, if necessary, to make the tough choices we need, is humble enough to seek the consent of the people, and is persuasive enough to achieve consensus and general unity among us.
Our founders were up to the challenge of their times, and their character was revealed in the crucible of war and the struggle for liberty. We have to settle for the rigors of a national presidential campaign to reveal the true character of the contenders for president, but is it no less critical that someone be “elevated…for just such a time as this?”
About The Author
Ron Miller
Ron Miller of Lynchburg, Virginia is an associate dean and assistant professor of government at Liberty University, a conservative activist and commentator, and author of the book, SELLOUT: Musings from Uncle Tom's Porch. The nine-year plus veteran of the U.S. Air Force and married father of three writes columns for several online sites and print publications, and his own website, RonOnTheRight.com. Join him on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
Comment
Comment by Robert H. Woodman on February 12, 2012 at 7:30am Ron,
Very well put.
Too many of our politicians in years past have failed to understand leadership, have been unwilling (perhaps afraid?) to ask for people to sacrifice personally for larger goals for the nation, and have been consumed with pursuing elections rather than pursuing the greater common good, even if it cost them an election.
We need a LEADER who is focused, disciplined, thoughtful, courageous, and honest in both his (or her) public and private lives and in his (or her) speeches. NONE of the current crop of candidates meets these requirements.
Comment by Melissa Ortiz on January 31, 2012 at 11:53pm VERY well put!
Comment by Ronald Sorrells on January 26, 2012 at 2:50pm Right David & MUG !
Ron
Ron,
I couldn't agree more. It is why sarah Palin is the only real Presidential choice. BTY, my father-in-law's name is Robert Sorrell.
Truth be, Romney's and Obama's money is probably the same.
Still can't believe that there are those, especially in the Christain community, that think Santorum is a right choice. Don't they realize when Santorum drops out he is going to more than likely support Romney?
Comment by MUG on January 26, 2012 at 10:13am Ron. Not one of the current contenders has earned the right even to shine the shoes of Presidents Washington or Lincoln.
Comment by ANDREW SCHRAG on January 26, 2012 at 1:47am Health crisis
Diagnosis, prognosis and cure in just three (3) short paragraphs !!! If you doubt any part of what Dr. Jones says, go visit your local hospital emergency room as an observer for an hour or so some Friday or Saturday night. See how many responsible people you can send this to !!!
Pictured below is a young physician by the name of Dr. Starner Jones. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House accurately puts the blame on a "Culture Crisis" instead of a "Health Care Crisis". It's worth a quick read: Dear Mr. President: During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ring tone. While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"!
During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.
And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture", a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based on the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me." Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear. Respectfully, STARNER JONES, MD
Comment by Ronald Sorrells on January 25, 2012 at 9:57pm Comment by Jenny Neva Wolfe on January 25, 2012 at 9:35pm I have been also thinking about Sarah Palin. She's had a bunch of attacks againts her and her family and she comes out strong. I think she would be the best candidate againts Obama because she is not afraid to confront him on his policies. She knows how to deal with the attacks that the liberal media, Obama, and even the GOP dishes out againts her. I know its my own opinion, but I think she knows more how to take the bull by its horns.
Comment by Ronald Sorrells on January 25, 2012 at 9:34pm To the poll question, "Would I vote for Romney if he is the Republican nominee?"
I would rather stand on principle and send a clear message to the elites that We The People are "now" in charge of choosing our Presidents by voting for Sarah Palin (a We The People choice) as a "write in" and deal with the revolution that will come by a second Obama usurption of the Presidency of which he is not entitled to than to vote for another liberal regardless of the party flag he or she is waving.
I ask for "All" to do the same. If we (you) want to riegn in Government and reacquire the freedoms and rights that government officials have taken from us, we (you) must take a stand. Choosing the lesser of two evils is not the answer to restoring America to its greater glory. Standing on principle and voting for someone who is one of us (We The People) is the hard but right choice.
I will support Gingrich only because Sarah Palin is not running.
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