Just a girl. Vashti and Xerxes

Just a girl. Vashti and Xerxes.

Question of the day: Favorite Easter memory.

Good morning class.  Today we will look at Esther chapter 1.  Remember as we study this book together that we are looking at the overarching themes of the book.  

1. The intriguing interplay of God's providence and human behavior.
2. The self-deceptive and destructive nature of pride.
3. Identification with God's people as a defining moment in life.
4. Male and female partnership in God's providence.
5. Even when God seems completely absent, He is working for you.

READ: Esther 1

Queen Vashti Deposed

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,[a] the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush[b]: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones.7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality.8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine,he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

This chapter I think is best looked at as a good introduction to what is about to come. What are some of the things we learn about the palace, life in the palace and the King from this passage?

What was the palace like?

What would you say the culture was?

What was the decision making process like?

What was the culture like for women?

How do these questions or answers help us with a foundation for our overarching themes? 

When I think of Esther, just a girl, coming into this place, wow.  It is terrifying.  

How do our answers to these questions parallel with our world?

Is that comforting or terrifying?

This past week has been a challenging one for me.  There were moments when I felt like sin and evil were just winning!  My heart was heavy and I felt moments of a resigned exhaustion.  This story kept giving me comfort.  Why? Because I have this story. Because I have the bible!  Because I can pray! Because I have friends and family who are praying for me too! Because I am part of a church family that is seeking after God!  I am in no way in "darkness" the way Esther, and the entire kingdom was and yet... God was working in and through it all! If He did all that for His people, I can trust He is doing the same for me!

I'm HIS people!

This weekend we celebrate what our Lord did for us all on Calvary.  He did that for you and then when he ascended into heaven He said that He would be back. He would be returning.  He also said that though he was going He would also leave the Holy Spirit so that we never needed to be alone. 

So if you have had a week like me.... or a year.... or even just a moment.... 

God is with you!

God made a covenant with You!

God made a covenant with you and no matter how dark it is around you...HE is working in the midst of the darkness to fulfill his covenant.  He will return and we will be with HIM someday soon! 

Today we are spending much of the day ministering to a group of people who are without a home.  Many are there because they have mental illness or they have been unable to beat the addictions that plague them.  Others it is because they have just had a string of bad luck and lack a support system.  We will be going around and finding those who need a lunch.  Their lives are surrounded by darkness too. Perhaps quite hopeless.  It is my prayer today that they see a smile, connected to some food, and that it gives them a moment of hope. 

I am not minimizing your challenges or struggles, but I know we ALL have hope! I know no matter how Godless your surroundings seem to be, HE IS WITH YOU! Now let's take that knowledge and go and share it with those who are without a home! 

Since it is Easter weekend, I wanted to leave you with a song.  So enjoy.