THE HEAVENLY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY:

A LOOK AT GOD’S TENDENCY TO USE

SOME VERY IMPERFECT PEOPLE

Genesis Chapters 12-22, Isaiah Chapter 6, The Book of Esther

CHARACTERS

Narrator

Assistant

Sarah – too old, somewhat skeptical

Isaiah – a man of unclean lips

Esther – young, no political experience

(The Narrator enters to the side and stands. On stage are two chairs. The Assistant comes in and sits in one of the chairs and begins shuffling papers.)

Narrator: Allow me to set the scene. We are in the business office of Creator Inc., a non-profit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life on our planet. There will be several positions opening up, and the Executive Director’s Assistant is interviewing.

Assistant: Let’s see, what are we interviewing for first? Hum, oh here it is, “Mother of Many Great Nations; job includes giving birth, childcare, faithfulness, stability.” OK, send in the applicant.

(Sarah enters)

Assistant: Please, have a seat. Sarah is it? So you are interested in the “Mother of Great Nations” position.

Sarah: Good God, no. Are you crazy? Look at me! I’m well into my nineties. I think it’s a little late for my being the Mother of anything, don’t you? My husband Abraham sent me to look for some permanent work, we’ve been wandering around in the desert for years. He’s a good man, but he can’t seem to settle down, we move from place to place, to place...

Assistant: Why all the moves?

Sarah: Well, to be perfectly honest, it’s my unique beauty and charming personality. We settle into a place and before you know it, the local king takes a liking to me, and my husband, who is a bit of a coward, always tells them I’m his sister because he’s afraid they’ll hurt him if they know he’s my husband. Anyway, this has happened at least twice. Both times the king had a dream from God letting him in on the truth and telling him not to touch me, or else. The guys freak out and, wham, we’re back out wandering in the desert.

Assistant: Oh, I see. Um, so you wouldn’t call the life you and your husband lead exactly stable?

Sarah: Hardly.

Assistant: Um, do you have children?

Sarah: I really don’t see that that is any of your business. It’s somewhat of a touchy subject…

Assistant: I’m sorry…

Sarah: I have wanted to have a baby all my life. We’ve tried…God knows we’ve tried, for years we’ve tried. And I know it’s me, not Abraham. At one point we even tried having a child with a surrogate mother. Abraham had a son with my Egyptian Handmaiden, Hagar – which just made things worse. When the baby came, he wasn’t mine. Of course not, he was hers. She ridiculed me and taunted me. Finally, I had a kind of breakdown and snapped. I told my husband he had to choose between us. He sent her and the child out into the desert to die. Now I carry that guilt as well… “Mother of Nations?” What a cruel joke – no I don’t think I’m who you are looking for…

Assistant: Could you wait her a moment?

(The Assistant gets up and goes to the side of the stage as if opening the door to another office, and stands in the doorway to have a conversation with an unseen person)

Assistant: So, you heard everything? … She’s not exactly what we’re looking for. I think you could definitely find someone better qualified … You like her? … Nothing for you is impossible? … Are you sure?

(Assistant returns to Sarah)

Assistant: My boss likes you. We’d like you to start immediately. Oh, and if it helps, our agency took care of Hagar and her son, Ishmael. They’re doing fine.

Sara: Thanks for that. If your boss thinks you can work miracles with the likes of us, I’m willing to give it a shot. Me, “Mother of Great Nations” – what a hoot.

(She exits. The Assistant sits and once again shuffles through the papers)

Assistant: Let’s see what’s next. Oh yes, here it is: “Prophet of God, God’s Mouthpiece to the People. Job includes being the voice of God calling the people back to faithfulness.” Hum, send in the applicant.

(Isaiah enters)

Assistant: Have a seat. It says here your name is Isaiah.

Isaiah: Yeah, that’s right.

Assistant: Can you tell me a little about your current employment?

Isaiah: I work in the temple, same as my old man did. It’s not much, mostly processing supplicants, getting the sacrifices ready, a lot of stupid details.

Assistant: You don’t much like your work?

Isaiah: I don’t see the point. It’s mostly bureaucratic B.S. Nobody believes any of this stuff anyway…

Assistant: Do you?

Isaiah: I don’t know – I’ve seen a lot go on in and around the temple that you wouldn’t exactly call holy – I’ve probably done my share of unholy things as well.

Assistant: You realize this job includes being the mouthpiece for God?

Isaiah: You’re kidding! I couldn’t do that! One look at me and God would zap me with lightning for even thinking about it – I’m no saint! Even my friends are pretty messed up. Look, maybe it was a mistake to even come in here…

Assistant: Could you wait here a moment…

(The Assistant walks to the door to consult with the Boss)

Assistant: I know you’re the boss, but do you really want this guy speaking for you? It sounds like he’s got a lousy reputation among the people … What? …. He’s just what you’re looking for? … You think you can make a prophet out of him? … OK, it’s your call.

(The Assistant returns to Isaiah)

Assistant: The Boss says we can take care of your guilt and blot out your sin.

Isaiah: Really? Your boss is willing to give someone like me a chance?

Assistant: Yes.

Isaiah: Well, here I am…send me.

Assistant: Right through that door.

(Isaiah leaves and the Assistant looks through the papers one last time)

Assistant: Now here’s a job where we’ll really need someone who is strong and has a lot of experience. “Protector of the Jewish people in Persia. Must have diplomatic experience and courage.” Send in the applicant.

(Esther enters)

Assistant: Are you sure you’re the applicant? Aren’t you a bit young?

Esther: I’m not sure; my Uncle Mordecai sent me.

Assistant: Have you had experience negotiating with diplomats before?

Esther: No, unless you count fending off guys who are trying to hit on me. I get that a lot.

Assistant: What’s your current employment?

Esther: I was an orphan, raised by my Uncle Mordecai. I was learning to take care of his household when the King banished his wife, Vashti, for being rebellious. The King decided he wanted a new wife, someone who wouldn’t stand up to him, someone who was just eye candy without a will of her own. I got picked from a line up because of the way I look. Now I spend most of my time sheltered away in the women’s quarters. I’m afraid that’s far from where the decisions are made in the throne room. I can’t even see the King unless he calls for me. If I went into the throne room without being summoned, I could be put to death.

Assistant: Well, we’re looking for someone with a background in negotiating. The Jewish people are in danger of being wiped out. The King, through his advisor, Haman, has ordered that every Jewish man, woman, and child be put to death. I think we need someone older with a bit more experience for this position.

Esther: I know that most people may look at me and think I’m just window dressing without a brain, but I love my uncle, I love my people, and I would be willing to risk my life for them…

Assistant: Hold on…

(The Assistant goes to the door to talk with the Boss)

Assistant: She’s cute and quite sincere, but you could really find someone better, don’t you think? … You think she’s the one? … But she has no diplomatic experience? … Well, yes, I’m sure it takes diplomacy to fend off obnoxious straight guys? … OK, I’ll tell her.

(The Assistant returns to Esther)

Assistant: The Boss says you’ve got the job; says you’ve got spunk. Congratulations, and good luck.

Esther: Thanks, I’ll need it.

(Esther exits. All the actors line up on stage).

Narrator: God needed a strong leader to deliver the people out of slavery in Egypt. Who did God choose?

Actor who played the Assistant: A quick-tempered man named Moses who had speech problems.

Narrator: God needed a brave person to help the spies enter Jericho. Who did God choose?

Actor who played Sarah: A prostitute named Rahab.

Narrator: God needed a faithful woman to care for the elderly Naomi. Who did God choose?

Actor who played Isaiah: A foreigner named Ruth.

Narrator: God needed a king for the people. Who did God choose?

Actor who played Esther: A womanizer named David.

Narrator: God needed a mother for the Messiah. Who did God choose?

Actor who played the Assistant: An unmarried peasant girl named Mary.

Narrator: God needed disciples for Jesus. Who did God choose?

Actor who played Sarah: An unruly group of mostly clueless and uneducated fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots.

Narrator: God needed a preacher to spread the word throughout the Roman Empire. Who did God choose?

Actor who played Isaiah: A man, named Paul who persecuted followers of Jesus before his conversion and spent a lot of time in jail after his conversion.

Narrator: God needs people to share the good news of love and forgiveness. God needs people to feed the hungry, liberate the oppressed, comfort the afflicted, and call the people back into right relationship with their Creator and the creation. Who does God choose?

Actor who played Esther: A church full of flawed, struggling, often insecure people.

Narrator: Couldn’t God find anyone better?

Actor who played the Assistant: That doesn’t matter.

Everyone: God chooses us.

THE END

Deepening Faith: Youth Ministry Resources and Some Miscellaneous Advice

Rev. Lizann Bassham, Front Porch Spirit Press