Sunday: Esther in Persia
Read Esther 1:2-20. What is happening here? What things about this story are hard to understand from our perspective today? (As you read, remember that a lot of details are not presented.)
The week long banquet that King Ahasuerus gave for his nobles and officials seems extravagant, even for someone at the pinnacle of political power, far beyond what most Christians could find acceptable.
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
The unrestricted consumption of alcohol (Esther 1:7-8) was to be expected on such occasions. Such banquets were not unprecedented. Records exist of ancient kings bragging about having entertained thousands of guests on special occasions. Excessive drinking in such circumstances certainly clouded the king’s judgment to the point that he ordered his wife Vashti to provide entertainment for the king’s drunken, all-male gathering. This was far beneath her dignity as a married woman and as a member of the royal family. Whatever her response, she faced the dilemma of losing status, and her courageous choice to retain self-esteem in the face of an autocratic ruler’s base desires prepares the reader to understand the power for good that a principled woman could exert, even in a male-dominated royal court.
Meanwhile, though, we have to deal with the actions of Esther. Esther 2:3 gives the impression that these women were not volunteers. The king issued the decree, and so Esther had to come. Had she refused, who knows the outcome?
Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. In what ways can we apply the principles seen in these verses to what happened with Esther? Or do they apply?
So far in the story the real heroine is Vashti, who then disappears from history. Her modesty and stand on principle opened the way for Esther. In some cases, though, principled stands don’t always lead to an obvious good. In the end, why should we take principled stands, even if we don’t know the outcome of our actions?
(21)
King Ahasuerus seemed to have regretted the folly he acted out against his former wife while in a drunken state (Esther 2:1). Yet the damage was already done. From very ancient times wine has clouded minds and led to the misery of many (Genesis 9:21; 19:31-38). Still some Christians are unconvinced of the deceitfulness of a little wine (alcohol) and its corrupting effect.
Like with jewelry there was a time when SDA’s religiously avoided coffee, but it was discovered that the Bible did not specifically bar same, and so a code of silence was encouraged if not open season for indulgence. Based on current ‘enlightenment’ wine (alcohol) could follow the same course and be declared ‘okay.’ Nevertheless can the remnant church truly testify that the ‘progressive’ moves and greater indulgence in fashion and appetite have increased godliness or godlikeness; or rather tended to something else?
Among some health and dress reform are no longer perceived as truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12), but optional ideas for each to do according to his/her pleasure (Esther 1:8). Notwithstanding the mounting evidence from science that the abuse of sugar is worse than meat eating the longtime counsel from spirit of prophecy appears forgotten in homes and church gatherings; and this while supposed ‘prayer superstars’ labor to get health correction after the fact.
High profile secular personalities appear more pumped up about certain aspects of health reform than those who should cease the health message and medical missionary work as an entering wedge and right arm of the Third Angel’s Message.
Some who dare make an effort to advance health principles are even targeted and insulted in sermons, perhaps to appease the disinterested. Overzealousness is not to be equated with being mean. In fact it is better to be caught pushing too hard than never lifting a finger for the Lord. Pray for balance if that is the real concern.
The light of spiritual counsel has not failed, but lukewarm people have. Whether on account of wine (alcohol) consumption, the ingestion of harmful substances, or excesses of diet, to knowingly violate the natural laws is to oppose the Creator and Sustainer of the laws. Jesus indicated that intemperance is a sin (John 5:14).
I second you on the fact that in many cases those trying to follow the principles of healthy eating and life style get targeted from the very same pulpits. Perhaps, this life style creates others uncomfortable and this is a way to calm their consciousness. On that, there is no much to do, just to continue testifying for the Lord, after all, the way is narrow.
Hugh, I just want to comment on your remark regarding "overzealousness." In regard to health reform, Ellen White gave specific counsel that it is better to err "on the side of the people" than to run ahead of them. Her counsel is consistent with sharing what we know in a manner that will be appreciated. If it is not appreciated, it is likely that we are doing something wrong.
You also mention that "it is better to be caught pushing too hard than never lifting a finger for the Lord." Now I'm wondering whether you are equating pushing dress reform and/or health reform as what we should do "for the Lord." I hope not.
It is our job to lift up Jesus so that people will be drawn to him. If we "push too hard" for health reform or dress reform, Jesus is eclipsed.
Health reform is meant to open heart doors so people will be ready to receive Jesus. If, instead, our efforts lead to people being offended, we are not doing what God wants us to do, and we should not fool ourselves that we are doing anything for the Lord.
When God's plan is followed, people take note and their hearts open in gratefulness. This has happened in the following major health events in North America:
4-14-14 Bridges to Health Serves Almost 3,000 People in Need.
6,192 TREATED AT FREE ADVENTIST CLINIC IN SAN ANTONIO
MORE THAN 3,000 IN SPOKANE RECEIVED FREE HEALTH CARE FROM ADVENTIST CLINIC
These events have been a blessing to both volunteers and the recipients of the health care. They have opened hearts. While we may not all be personally able to participate in such events, we can do what we can to help people around us, walking in wisdom and love.
Inge,
Thanks for your conscientious feedback. Having made reference to Ellen White would you say she pushed too hard on any of the points of concern you mentioned; and would any who is confident about the Spirit's inspiration of her writings be pushing too hard if he/she quotes her in addressing a lukewarm church?
Would health reform be limited to opening doors? Or is there another purpose for it, with opening doors an additional benefit? Is health reform relevant to heaven when there are no doors to open?
What do you understand to be involved in lifting up Jesus?
Hugh, it seems to me that you are asking all the wrong questions.
Ellen White and her status or what she did right or wrong is not up for discussion on this blog. We accept that she was a messenger of the Lord. However, quoting Ellen's writings does not raise our status to that of hers. It were better for us to follow more of her writings and quote less of them.
If we use Ellen White's writings to try to whip people into compliance with anything she wrote, we are abusing God's gift to the church, the gift of His messenger. And we are, in fact, causing people to rebel against her writings, when it is our manner of presentation that is at fault. It has often seemed to me that Ellen White's most powerful enemies are those who profess to love her writings and quote them a lot. I believe that they have made more of her writings of none effect than have her professed enemies.
Health reform is another of God's gift to His people, and if we present it in any other way, we are abusing God's gift. Thus it seems to me that if our manner of presentation arouses animosity, we are clearly not doing things right.
Lifting up Jesus means to live and speak in such a manner that people's minds will be drawn to the lovely character of Jesus. If our efforts in any line of service do not cause people to see Jesus, we may be fooling ourselves regarding the value of our service to God.
Again, I recommend to you the examples I mentioned earlier of service to the people. We can and do do this in our own church in a small way by putting on cooking schools and stress seminars. Some of our own members attend these, and both members and non-members are grateful for the classes. Preaching people into compliance from the pulpit does not work, and I believe it is directly contrary to what we should be doing. What is far more effective from the pulpit is regular expressions of gratitude for the wonderful gifts God has given, with specifics. People will be led to look to Jesus, and they will also learn to appreciate His gifts.
Any interested in doing something positive in their church can start by checking out the Health Resources on our site. Following the links leads to many more resources. (Additionally, I'll be adding more to the page, after meeting some good folks and their health ministries at the San Antonio GC session.)
It is not easy to stay for a principle in the times of adversity. But this is the way for developing a good character in front of God.
On this way, Eshter is a good case to learn how to act wisely on behalf of our community of faith. It was not about her security, rather about her nation that was endangered by a strange law. He has to be our example and a model to be followed.
I do find the auhor's perspective on today's lesson a bit disturbing. It was said that the "true heroine" in the story is Vashti. From reading Esther 1:2-20 I understand clearly that if the decree wasn't made then there would have been open disrespect to husbands and the King himself throughout Persia. Vashti disobeyed the orders of the King, who is her head, and so she cannot be praised for such an act.
It merely stated "so far" into the story. What Vashiti did opened the way for Esther to get in the story. I am proud of what Vashiti did , she didn't care of the consequences. She did not care to minimize herself and do something that she thought was certainly wrong ( which was by the way). Continue reading the story. Sometimes one defiant move makes way for good changes. Be blessed
Adrienne,
Thanks for your perspective. Remember though neither husbands nor earthly kings have absolute authority over wives or subjects. The highest obligation of all is to the Creator and His word overrules all other instructions (Acts 5:29).
Vashti was being instructed to put herself on display and commit shameful acts to please drunken men. The intoxicated state of the king and his reprehensible conduct virtually disqualified him from exercising any just headship/authority over anyone in that moment. Vashti actually spared the royal family needless embarrassment. The king probably recognized this later, but could not do much about it, having already made a decree (Esther 2:1).
Queen Vashti wasn't a proud woman, all she wants is her dignity as the queen, the King and his friends were drunk, (Esther 1:7 -10) and ordered his personal servants to bring the queen. Wearing her royal crown, the queen was a beautiful woman. King Ahasuerrus wanted to show off, because of the queens beauti, but the Queen Vashti sees it in another way of bringing down her dignity as a married woman and a queen, dancing facing dilemma, losing her status as the Queen, she took a courageous choice to retain self esteem, she 's a woman with principled. In another way, God's ways are not our ways. its gives the way in for queen Esther who God used in saving his children.so in any situation we find our selves, we should give thanks to God.
Of course she can be praised. Daniel disobeyed
His three friends disobeyed
For we must obey God rather than man, king or no king. What would you have done in Vashti's shoes? Behave like a prostitute before your husband's friends-so that when the wine wore off, he won't become laughing stock? I believe when the wine did wear off some of those same men had great respect for Vashti. They had wives too you know!
I disagree with your outrage. The counsel the king was given (in his drunken state) was that Vashti's actions will cause an uproar of women disobeying their husbands throughout the land. The reality of the situation was that the queen chose not to obey a dehumanizing order of the king, an action that probably wouldn't have done any damage to marriages around the kingdom, except that the king would have been humiliated.
Biblical marriage is a bond that is a representation of the church's redemption through the love of Christ. As you referenced in Ephesians 5:23, the husband is the head of the wife, however, in the following verses (25-29) the reciprocal is for the husband to sanctify and cleanse her [his wife], etc. In my opinion, what took place in the first chapter of Esther did not not demonstrate the makings of a happy marriage.
So back to the book of Esther, the king was wanting Vashti to parade herself in front of drunken men. As Hugh pointed out (see previous comment), it appears that the king later regretted these events concerning Vashti, which affirms that what transpired was not ideal. I do agree that Vashti should not be praised for her actions. Certainly there are better and more political ways we may think of to handle this same event while respecting her husband and keeping her dignity intact. We don't know all the reasons that led Vashti to make her decision (it sounds as if she might have been drunk at the wives' party), but perhaps we may conclude that a seven-day-drink-fest does not lead to good ideas, women should respect their husbands, husbands should keep their wives pure, and God has the power take what was intended for evil and turn it into good so that many may live (Genesis 50:20) as in the case of Esther saving her people.
I agree with what Vashti did. She had respect for herself. She should be praised for what she did. If she did the latter, everyone (in history at that time until today) would look at her wrongly. Vashti was not drunk. A drunken man has no sense or have the right sense of mind to make good choices. If your husband was with his friends and they made this suggestion while your husband were sober, how would that make you feel? Would you go around parading naked because your husband told you so?
Cheers to Vashti! You stood up for principle. Imagine a husband who is with his friends and they are all drunk and he sends for you to show you off to his drunk friends. Think about it. That is common sense. What are you thinking!
It is obvious that the king was not to himself when he made the request for Vasthi to parade herself in front of his drunken friends. What sane and loving husband would do that? She was not a Christian but obviously had morals that would not allow her to disrespect herself and her wine crazed husband. If her example of disobedience is recorded as an example of how not to act,this too was viewed by the other women, not so much as an act of rebellion but as a matter of feminine dignity and respect. She was royalty, not one of the temple prostitutes. Some would argue that God had to get her out of the way so that Esther could enter the scene and save her people... folks God has a thousand ways to get His job done and to bring glory to His name.
Adrienne, it seems to me that it would be wise not to take the words of every character in the Bible as words from the Lord. It was the heathen counselors of a heathen king who declared that if Vashti got away with preserving her dignity, all chaos would break loose in the families of he empire. This was NOT God's word on the matter.
The king had no right to ask Vashti to display her beauty in front of the drunken men. Vashti was right in refusing to comply. This has application in our relationships today. As Hugh already mentioned, husbands do not have a divine right to order their wives to do whatever they want them to do. Women's first responsibility is to God, and they can comply with their husbands' wishes only insofar as their husbands' wishes are in harmony with the will of God.
Please also read these posts that clarify the subject further:
Biblical Headship – the Highest Place Or the Lowest? (1)
Biblical Headship (2) in Marriage
She is a heroine because she did not disgrace herself for her husband who was clearly DRUNK. She had respect for herself and was courageous to do so and being courageous is a quality of a heroine or hero.
If a husband tells his wife to jump off a cliff for his entertainment, would the wife happily do so?
Vasthi Sylla- I must say we are speaking about a nation who did not fear God. When you are someone who does not fear God you do anything without any remorse or shame.
I was a non Christian in my younger days. I dressed a certain way, went some places, ate some things that are not healthy biblically.
When I became a Christian, I gradually changed my lifestyle by the help of God. Vashti was not an Israelite but Esther was one.
All along I have been told that Queen Vashti took that decision because she was proud. Now I am learning from today's lesson that, she wasn't proud but she was rather principled and was protecting her dignity. I am a bit confused. i wish I could be educated on this better.
Gerty,
See if the following from the book, Conflict and Courage page 243 helps:
"When the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded ... to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. Esther 1:10, 11.
When this command came from the king, Vashti did not carry out his orders, because she knew that wine had been freely used, and that Ahasuerus was under the influence of the intoxicating liquor. For her husband’s sake as well as her own, she decided not to leave her position at the head of the women of the court.37The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1139.
It was when the king was not himself, when his reason was dethroned by wine-drinking that he sent for the queen, that those present at his feast, men besotted by wine, might gaze on her beauty. She acted in harmony with a pure conscience.
Vashti refused to obey the king’s command, thinking that when he came to himself, he would commend her course of action. But the king had unwise advisers. They argued it would be a power given to woman that would be to her injury.38Ibid.
However high their office, men are amenable to God. The great power exercised by kings, often leads to extremes in exaltation of self. And the worthless vows made to enact laws which disregard the higher laws of God, lead to great injustice.
Occasions of indulgence such as are pictured in the first chapter of Esther, do not glorify God. But the Lord accomplishes His will through men who are nevertheless misleading others. If God did not stretch forth His restraining hand, strange presentations would be seen. But God impresses human minds to accomplish His purpose, even though the one used continues to follow wrong practices. And the Lord works out His plans through men who do not acknowledge His lessons of wisdom. In His hand is the heart of every earthly ruler, to turn whithersoever He will, as He turneth the waters of the river.39Ibid."
Should women obey the orders of their husbands as their head regardless what the orders are? Even if the orders are given in a state of drunken stupor? In this case the order was to be a source of lascivious entertainment and degrading display in front of a lustful drunken crowd of men. Even the king later when sober regretted his hasty decision.
What would have happened had Abigail obeyed the orders of her husband Nabal?
Thank you, Marcia, for bringing up the story of Abigail, the wife of Nabal, the fool, as a parallel to Vashti's non-compliance with her husband's order. (1 Samuel 25)
Abigail acted directly contrary to her husband's order NOT to give aid to David and his company. Instead, she hastily prepared a mule train ladened with provisions for David and his men. And by this act she spared not only her husband's life, but she also prevented David from shedding blood.
Abigail was a God-fearing woman, a worthy example to God-fearing women of all time. Women who recognize that their first responsibility is to God will not be afraid to act contrary to the wishes of their godless husbands. God did not design for women to obey their husbands, regardless of what their husbands demanded. Paul expressed the biblical pattern when he said that husbands were to be "heads" to their wives, as Christ is head of the church, giving His very life for His church. There is no greater service to be given than to give one's life. (See Eph 5:21-25) Husbands should not claim to be the "head" of their wives if they do not imitate the example of Christ. (See The Adventist Home, p. 117)
Also see the following for further clarification:
Biblical Headship – the Highest Place Or the Lowest? (1)
Biblical Headship (2) in Marriage
What does it mean that the drunken king ordered her "to show her beauty to the people and the officials"? Ellen White wrote, "It was when the king was not himself, when his reason was dethroned by winedrinking that he sent for the queen, that those present at his feast, men besotted by wine, might gaze on her beauty. She acted in harmony with a pure conscience." (MS 29, 1911) Since a pure conscience required her to disobey her husband, I understand that "to show her beauty" was to display what only her husband should see. If this was the situation, she acted from principle, and should be honored for her stand.
l believe Vashti as a queen, had her attendants and advisors who helped and advised in all her decision making. It then follows that her actions were not done on impulse. She could have weighed the outcome of her decision before she finally chose to disobey the king. Nothing much was said about their dialogue, but Vashti could have given her reasons why she could not entertain the king in front of an all male gathering. l would like to believe that whatever transpired between these two, God was in control, opening up a channel for the salvation of His chosen nation. Similarly in our lives there are instances which we fail to control, no matter how hard we may try and pray, we just find ourselves on the loosing side, being left with wounded emotions. On such instances we should look deeper into the circumstance, and there, we will find God on the other end writing a better and brighter opportunity for someone who really deserves it.
In our vernacular, these men were partying for seven days. They were intoxicated and the king wanted to put Vashti on show to a bunch of drunken men. She refused the king's commands. That is not pride. Despite knowing that she would be reprimanded, she stuck to her principles. Remember the society she lived in, women had to obey their husbands. So it took a lot of courage for her to deny the commands of her husband.
Interesting use of the text 1Corinthians 9:19-23, right after saying that Vashti made a principled decision against the King. I also thought she did so out of pride, in which case this text would mean that she did not become the Queen of her King and do as she was told - and is thus not the real heroine. When we get to Queen Esther's part of the story, we do see the 1 Corinthians texts to an extent, as she does not right away disclose who she is or where she is from, but becomes the Queen of Persia, in appearance, routine, and position - not standing up to the King. I am excited to read and study more about her secret mission, for in taking the Queens position she didn't show who she was publicly, but she didn't stop praying to the true God, or communicating with her family, thus she did not show who she was, but did not lose who she was either.
1). Queen Vashti is the heroine in Chapter one, a lesson for women to stand for their right, dignity and person. Men should respect women as a person and unique from men but equal before God. The Lessons in the book of Esther shows 2 opposing stands by 2 women on two totally missionary journey and objectives. Vashti as a virtuous lady in time of adversity whereas Esther was a missionary lady sort of related to 1 Corinthians 9 but more like Nehemiah a wine bearer for he King.
2). Esther is more of a missionary lady with the sole purpose of winning others on their grounds and terms whereas Vashti was more a model for women who should make a stand as to not to stoop so low to the wills and demands of a perverted unconverted husband.
3). Thus the book of Eshter is a book of two sides of a women in two totally varying opposing situations with different purpose thus we cannot compare and contrast them.
4). It is a book of two tales of two women and not to be seen as a comparative studies of women conflicts but a compelling evidence for women on what to stand for when faced with similar situation of these two wonderful heroines.
5) I conclude that this book is a book of two heroines who successfully stood for what they believe women should be and do and not as opposition as to one is wrong and one is right.
This book is a Gem and Jewel on women when faced with these two roles they play in their lives in the Holy Scriptures. It is a guide and insight on how they could be used for making the right decisions and remember we will only enter heaven in doing a few things right and not being perfectly doing all things right. This books shows God's deeper understanding and readiness to support women in their stand for what they think is the right stand and to be with them even if they might loose their influence and rights as Queen Vashti.
All women should rejoice that God is not human that he should be limited in understanding our situations and stand for what is right. THANK GOD HE IS NOT HUMAN, BUT ALL ENCOMPASSING, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY.
Even though we were not given enough information in the passage, I am however tempted to believe that Vashti intentionally disobeyed the King's orders, not out of principle, but out of sheer stubbornness. It was a practice at the time for the King's wife to come and show herself off at the orders of the King, not necessarily to entertain the men with seductive dances or otherwise as the post suggests. I am pretty sure that wasn't the first time she has been asked to do such by the King. That day, she was probably not in a good mood, or she was angry at the king for something he did to her. God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. He hardened Vashti's heart at that point so that He could achieve His aim with Esther who was to be the King's next queen
Would you mind sharing your source for this statement: "It was a practice at the time for the King's wife to come and show herself off at the orders of the King, not necessarily to entertain the men with seductive dances or otherwise as the post suggests."
And on what basis are you "pretty sure" that this wasn't the first time Vashti defied her husband's orders?
What happened to Queen Vashti? Did the king divorce her? I doubt. We need to remember that the king had a large number of women in his harem. I believe that Vashti ceased to occupy the position of queen, but probably continued to to be available to the king together with the other women at his disposal. Let's not forget that the Bible states that the king did remember Vashti after she was dethroned as queen.
Remember that the decree was that Vashti was to never again come into the presence of the King.
Esther 1 "19If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
The royalty intended to guard their role as the leader in their households – a patriarchal system where men have headship in their home. They were desiring for women to obey them. Ahasuerus was drunk when he made the request for his wife to parade her beauty. They wanted their wives to obey them because they said so. This is not God’s definition of leadership or headship in a home. Ahasuerus was not leading her to a closer walk with God. His demand was out of order. Leadership or headship in a home is spiritual just as it is in the church. The goal of male leadership in a family or church is to lead members of that group to a deeper relationship with Jesus.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
I disagree that Vashti should be praised for her actions. She disobeyed her husband and the king. It could be that she was having too much fun at her feast and didn't want to leave. The king's heart was merry with wine but he seemed very sober when discussing with his advisers how to handle the situation. Ahasuerus did not believe in God so it is safe to say that he would not lead Vashti to a closer walk with Him.
The king simply wanted his guests to see how beautiful Vashti was. He had a beautiful wife and he wanted to show her off. He didn't want her to entertain them or anything like that. He wasn't asking her to do something that would belittle her. Whether or not his request was ridiculous, the fact is he was the King and everyone, including the Queen had to obey him.
As Queen she was setting an example for the other women and if the King had not dealt with her the way he had, these women would have thought it was okay to disobey and disrespect their husbands and many marriages would have been in jeopardy.
I agree with what the king did. A Queen who disrespected the king didn't deserve to remain on the throne. She was setting a bad example for the other women in the province and that shouldn't be allowed to happen. The king would be a laughingstock because he couldn't even handle his wife. As the ruler of his kingdom, he had to put his foot down and deal with this quickly and effectively. And it worked out for the best because he found a woman far better than Vashti and crowned her as his new Queen. Esther found favour with everyone she came into contact with and the king loved her.
Peter wrote, "For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.." (1 Peter 3:5). Twice Abraham asked Sarah to lie about their relationship and both times she went along with it. Why didn't she refuse? 1 Peter 3:6 says that Sarah obeyed her husband, calling him lord. Should we condemn Sarah for lying on Abraham's behalf while we praise Vashti for refusing to go to the king?
I agree for Vashti being praised. Would you accept if your husband told you to parade around naked in front of his friends while he is SOBER?
Though lying is a sin as equal to killing, but it's easier to lie to someone (for whatever the reason) than to walk around naked in society.
Can I say my little two pieces. Looking back at the readings five years age, do people still hold the same views? When we read about ancient cultures many times we associate them with our present culture. But so many things were done differently in those cultures that were different from our present day culture. Probably that was a way of life for the kings to celebrate their feasts. Probably the women had no to little say in a male dominant world as we even see in our 2021 world in some countries. In some cultures the women cant drive, cant work outside the house, have to ask their husbands if the can dress in a particular clothing, have to ask their husbands what time to return home etc etc.
One thing I knew for sure is; humans cant turn back time neither look into the future. The Lord had everything worked our for his glory. Mordecai said...who kneweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? I see the Lord hardening Vashi heart as he hardened Pharaoh's heart.
Look at the banquet Esther organized also with wine. Esther 5:6 and the feast King Herod organized when his step daughter danced and asked for the head of John the Baptist. Mark 6:22-27. What are the similarities, what are the differences?