(Esther 1:1-22) Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Cush over 127 provinces, 2 in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa, 3 in the third year of his reign he held a banquet for all his officials and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the officials of his provinces, in his presence. 4 At that time he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.
5 When these days were finished, the king held a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were curtains of fine white and violet linen held by cords of fine purple linen on silver rings and marble columns, and couches of gold and silver on a mosaic floor of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stones. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful in proportion to the king’s bounty. 8 But the drinking was done according to the royal law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household, that he was to do as each person pleased. 9 Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the women in the palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was cheerful with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal turban in order to display her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order delivered by the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.
13 Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice 14 and were close to him, namely, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom— 15 “According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 And in the presence of the king and the other officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women so as to make their own husbands despicable in their sight, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18 And this day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will talk about it to all the king’s officials, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. 20 When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”
21 Now this word pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan proposed. 22 So he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province according to its script and to every people according to their language, that every man was to be the ruler in his own house and the one who speaks in the language of his own people.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
This is a prime example of how the world operates, and with that, we can learn by this as to what NOT to do. It was never in God's plan and it is not God's desire that men dominate over women and/or be cruel to them and/or objectify them sexually, and/or view them as trophies... As we can also see here, power can go to people's heads. And drinking too much is also a factor in one's ability to remain reasonable and maintain self-control.
We even see the queen thinking that she can get away with defying her husband, the king. Although, what we don't know is the history of their relationship. Had he done this kind of thing before? If so, what all happened when he did?
Therefore, was the queen choosing the lesser of the two evils, molestation and/or humiliation versus the consequences of disobedience - or - did she simply not want to leave her lovely little party with her girlfriends? Either way, another classic thing that people do when they expect compliance but are met with defiance, is to get angry enough to desire retaliation... to get MORE than even!!! This all comes down to self-centeredness, selfishness, lust, greed and pride, which looks for ways to manipulate and control in order to get one's own way.
What God desires of us is the complete opposite, for both men and women! Giving God the control. Putting God and His will first. Asking God to help us and guide us, allowing Him to change us from the inside out. Understanding that we are all equal. Working together as a team. Maintaining self-control. Humbly respecting (submitting to) each other. Loving, not lusting. (Only in marriage, not withholding from one's spouse, keeping sex pure and intimate.) Being gracious, generous and patient. Treating others as we want to be treated. Considering others more important than ourselves. Being considerate, compassionate and understanding. Showing love and encouragement. Serving one another, asking ourselves, what can I do for others, instead of what can they do for me.
It is amazing when all of these things are applied, in God's strength, all to His glory. As we all draw closer to the Lord in a personal relationship, the closer we will become in our relationship with other believers.
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