Text:
Esther 1:10-12; 15-19
Memory Verse:
“to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold” (Esther 1:11).
The king commanded seven eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti so the nobles and all the other men could admire her beauty – this was the continuation of the Vanity Fair. Historians say that the marriage between Ahasuerus and Vashti lasted for seven years which means that they had been married for four years before he became king. He treated the wife of his youth as one of the assets on display at the Fair. Ecclesiastes10:16&17 sheds some light on the king’s frame of mind.
Queen Vashti refused to budge. As far as she was concerned, the king’s command was childish, infantile and immature. She felt abused – used wrongly, improperly or cruelly. She refused to be put on display. This was a public disgrace. King Ahasuerus’s home and happiness collapsed – it was as if an eclipse had taken place. He would not tolerate the shame.
“What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of the king?” the king asked. “…Vashti shall come no more before the King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she” (Esther 1:19), his advisers replied.
The issue of her dismissal bordered on disobedience. Disobedience in the life of a public figure, if left unchecked, might cause chaos in the nation. In what way are we Christians disobeying God by our actions? This might not only displease God, but can hinder our breakthroughs. We need God’s wisdom in our actions.
Prayer Points:
1. O Lord, grant me wisdom for living.
2. Help me, Lord, to have a discerning mind.
