The
book of Ester is the last of the history books written during the
time of the Persian rule. It was written before Nehemiah had
returned to rebuild Jerusalem, while the Jewish people were still in
exile. This short book teaches us about faith, courage and
selflessness. Esther chapter 1 begins with a royal “frat party”.
This chapter reminds me of all of the hilarious stories you read of
people doing incredibly stupid things and usually the story ends with
those famous words, “alcohol may have been involved”. We read,
“This
is what happened during the time of Xerxes… in the third year of
his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials… For a
full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom“.
The king was showing off to all of his buddies. To end the 6 month
party with a bang, he “gave
a banquet, lasting seven days“.
Here is a more clear description, “Wine
was served in goblets of gold… and the royal wine was abundant“.
It appears this was a guys-only event because “Queen
Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King
Xerxes“.
While the men were getting hammered, the king started bragging about
his wife’s beauty to the boys.
We read,
“When
King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded… 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“.
At this point the story gets interesting.
Like
most women, the queen did not think that parading in front of the
man-fest was a place she wanted to be. “Queen
Vashti refused to come“.
Unfortunately for her, most women are not married to the king.
“Then
the king became furious and burned with anger“.
The king was embarrassed in front of his buddies. I picture these
guys sitting around, poking fun of the king until he yells, “What
must be done to Queen Vashti?“.
And we read these counselors remarks, “Queen
Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all
the nobles… For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the
women, and so they will despise their husbands“.
The king is convinced they need to make a law to prevent a
recurrence. “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repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King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“.
They all concluded that passing this law would insure, “all
the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the
greatest“.
God
certainly uses this whole situation for His wonderful purposes as we
will read later. It is also important to mention how many times the
Bible teaches against getting drunk. Proverbs 20:1 warns,
“Wine
is
a mocker, Strong drink is
a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise“.
But I think the bigger point of the chapter is the Bible teaches
that marriage is a symbol of the relationship each of us can have
with Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:25 teaches, “Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for her“.
There is nothing more wonderful than experiencing unconditional,
others-centered love. In our society of mixed up roles I think women
are starving for real men that are willing to be strong emotionally
and spiritually. Ephesians 5:31 tells us the result is a bond that
is stronger than any law. “For
this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to
his wife, and the
two
shall become one flesh.”
Wherever you are at this point in your life, the place to begin is
to personally experience the forgiveness of the Savior. “These
things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that
your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than
to lay down one’s life for his friends”
(John15:10-13). First we need peace with God, then we can have peace
with others.