Now it took place in the days of Ahasuerus,
the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,in those
days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in
Susa,in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and
attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes
of his provinces being in his presence. And he displayed the riches of his royal
glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days. When these
days were completed, the king gave 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 court of the garden of the king's palace.There were hangings 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 pavement of
porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones. Drinks were served in
golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful according to
the king's bounty. The drinking was done according to the law, there was no
compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household
that he should do according to the desires of each person. Queen Vashti also
gave a banquet for the women in the palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus. On
the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded
Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs
who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the
king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the
princes, for she was beautiful. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's
command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath
burned within him. Then the king said to the wise men who understood the
times--for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law
and justice and were close to him: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres,
Marsena and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to
the king's presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom--According to
law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey the command
of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs? In the presence of the king and the
princes, Memucan said, "Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but
also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King
Ahasuerus. For the queen's conduct will
become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their
husbands by saying, King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in to
his presence, but she did not come. This day the ladies of Persia and Media who
have heard of the queen's conduct will speak in the same way to all the king's
princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 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 no longer come into the presence of King
Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more
worthy than she. When the king's edict which he will make is heard throughout
all his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their
husbands, great and small. This word pleased the king and the princes, and the
king did as Memucan proposed. 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 should be the master in his own house and the one who
speaks in the language of his own people.
Read Esther 1:1-22
Key verses – v.
18-20 This day the ladies of Persia and
Media who have heard of the queen's conduct will speak in the same way to all
the king's princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 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 no longer come into the presence of King
Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more
worthy than she. When the king's edict which he will make is heard throughout
all his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their
husbands, great and small
The king and his
drunken friends didn’t please Queen Vashti, nor did she please them. Customs
being what they were this changed the course of Hebrew history. Oh yes- women
will follow the example of their female royal leaders. The “wise” men advising
King Ahasuerus were very astute in their recommendation to the king. Verse 22
provides information as to the edict that the king sent to all his provinces. “…that each man should be the master of his
own house….” Similar teaching was given by Paul in Ephesians 5:22-25, 28-30. Paul goes beyond King Ahasuerus by
giving specific instructions for the husband on loving his wife. Love and
respect are a joint effort in a healthy marriage relationship. You can’t have
one without the other. King Ahasuerus was selfishly only concerne about getting
respect from his wife—but he certainly wasn’t showing respect for Queen Vashti.
Couldn’t his subjects see that? In that day and time women obviously even the
Queen, were considered second rate citizens or possessions. Such a sad
commentary on life before Christ. Jesus Christ had a deep respect for women, as
he often showed. Consider his example with Mary and Martha at the death of
their brother, Lazarus; and the Samaritan woman at the well. Women today often
demand respect or flaunt their disregard for the need of respect. Deep within
our hearts and soul we all seek love and respect.
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
wrote about the male’s need for respect and the female’s need for love. These
are basic human need—that cross cultural lines. Do you recognize your own need
for love and respect—and how about the needs of those around you—including your
spouse, significant other, children, grandchildren and friends? We are supposed
to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39)—so we need to start with
loving ourselves.
Lord Jesus, help us to make good decisions,
to be pleasing and loving in your sight for you are a King worthy of our
attention.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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