Book of ESTHER
Introduction
An anonymous author wrote this story which occurred during the time of Ahasuerus, known in Greek as Xerxes I, around 470 BC. He is Darius' son. Some Jews had already returned to Jerusalem, but the rest were taking care of their businesses in Persia. They were ignored and despised by the Persian natives. This story is about a woman of faith who came to save her people who were in danger because of a plot by a Haman enemy. It is the origin of the Jewish holiday is still celebrated. It's called Purim. Three themes are to be noted in this book: divine providence, human responsibility and the absurdity of evil. Esther is supposed to be the prefiguration of Christ.
VASTHI REFUSED TO BE PRESENT
Key Verse 1: 12
Proverbs 16:18 says that pride precedes one's disaster and an arrogant spirit precedes one's fall. Chapter 1 of Esther's book tells us a lot about Queen Vashti's action.
1. A King's Feast (1-8)
The King threw a great feast. The role of this feast was to manifest the King's greatness and the luxuriance of his kingdom. All the eunuchs, princes and satraps were gathered to celebrate it for 6 months. After this, the palace was opened for all the people of Suze during one week. It was really a huge national program. It was also the usual custom of the world's powers. Nevertheless, all the glory of the world is like the flower on a blade of grass that dries up and disappears (1P 1:24).
2. Pride Vasthi (9-22)
An anonymous author wrote this story which occurred during the time of Ahasuerus, known in Greek as Xerxes I, around 470 BC. He is Darius' son. Some Jews had already returned to Jerusalem, but the rest were taking care of their businesses in Persia. They were ignored and despised by the Persian natives. This story is about a woman of faith who came to save her people who were in danger because of a plot by a Haman enemy. It is the origin of the Jewish holiday is still celebrated. It's called Purim. Three themes are to be noted in this book: divine providence, human responsibility and the absurdity of evil. Esther is supposed to be the prefiguration of Christ.
VASTHI REFUSED TO BE PRESENT
Key Verse 1: 12
Proverbs 16:18 says that pride precedes one's disaster and an arrogant spirit precedes one's fall. Chapter 1 of Esther's book tells us a lot about Queen Vashti's action.
1. A King's Feast (1-8)
The King threw a great feast. The role of this feast was to manifest the King's greatness and the luxuriance of his kingdom. All the eunuchs, princes and satraps were gathered to celebrate it for 6 months. After this, the palace was opened for all the people of Suze during one week. It was really a huge national program. It was also the usual custom of the world's powers. Nevertheless, all the glory of the world is like the flower on a blade of grass that dries up and disappears (1P 1:24).
2. Pride Vasthi (9-22)
Besides the feast amongst the men, there was also a feast for the women. The princes' wives and others came to this one and gathered around the Queen. The King wanted to brag about the Queen's beauty and as a special program he called Vasthi before all. It was because of his vanity. Vasthi would have felt this and refused to go, not wanting to play like a doll. It is understandable nowadays. Moreover she was a Queen who wanted some autonomy as first lady. However, unfortunately, it is not nowadays. At that time, there was a strict protocol of the queens and even for the kings. According to the royal consultation, one of the princes Memoukin, the influence of the Queen's act on homes and women would be dangerous. God had this event in His hand and He used her mistake set up Esther's coronation of Esther. We must remember how much pride is a factor that precedes destruction. Then we must take into account the influence we have on others. Jesus says that the higher someone is, the more God will ask them to be responsible.
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