The book of Esther is a narrative on how God, through one faithful and courageous woman, saved His people. It is unique in the Old Testament. We will discuss more on why as we move along in the book.
In Ch 1, we see how the storyline unfolds. King Ahasuerus throws a six month banquet celebration for all of his management team and visiting dignitaries. Yes...six months (v.4). After which, he throws a local banquet for all the people in his immediate area (the Susa) who had been serving and present during the 6 month party. On the last day of this week long banquet, the king was "merry" with wine. (IOW: He was toasted). He had been displaying all of his wealth and possessions. Probably...since he is coming off of 6 months of partying...he had become accustomed to people telling him how cool he was. In fact, since he was running an open tab at the bar and everyone could order as they liked...I imagine he was feeling like the most popular guy around. Here is a good point:
Don't start to believe what you read about yourself in the papers. A pastor friend told me when I began my ministry that I should never read my own "press clippings." I did not know what he meant at the time...but the truth is, when people comment and compliment me on what I do and how it touches them...a man who is less than careful, might start to think it is "him" and not "HIM" who is doing the work. Maybe for you it is some other measure of success. Perhaps it is work, education, your family life. Remember, you cannot start to believe all of the nice things people say about you. You probably are not "all that." Certainly God working in you is responsible.
Anyway, Ahasuerus wanted to show off his prized possession. He sent for his wife so he could parade her in front of his drunk partygoers and let them tell him what a cool guy he continued to be. But...she (Vashti) said no. She was not going to be paraded around like somebody's property. Now truthfully, King A. loved her...but he was becoming full of himself (and wine) so he was not thinking like himself. When he was refused...he called a meeting of all of his "smart guys" to discuss what to do. They said...you have to punish her or our wives and all wives will start to backtalk their husbands and us. We don't want an epidemic! Kick her to the curb!
So, the inebriated king, acted and banned his wife from the kingdom. This was done so that all of the wives in the kingdom would fear and obey their husbands (v.20). This is the last point I want to make today.
You either "demand leadership or you inspire follow-ship." The latter is true leadership...while the former is simply exercising positional authority. If you want to have influence in the lives of people...inspire them. Whether it is your spouse, your children, or your co-workers. Live as a servant in their midst. Honor them. Treat them better than they deserve. Then, pray that God uses your actions to speak to their heart about Himself.
Proverbs 28:26 in the takeaway today: "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered." At issue here is discerning and acting upon a course of action. He who trusts in his own heart.... refers to the man who seeks counsel from within himself. He is the one who asks, "what do I think, what do I want, what will I do?" Decisions are made based on his feelings, impressions, reasoning, and personal motivations. The one who walks wisely (or with wisdom) is the one who walks with the preeminent concern, "What choice glorifies God and is in concert with His word?" That man will always come out on top.
Yes...it is difficult to make the God choice over our own "perceived" personal happiness. Still, God has told us that His way will always be best. We simply must choose if we believe God...or think we can do better on our own.
A final consideration: to follow one's own heart does not mean (in this passage) to listen to the Holy Spirit. Often, we as believers have to follow His leading because the "faith" part of our walk doesn't have a verse to point to. That is ok and good. The writer here was referring to a person who chose his own course of God's leading.
Grace,
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4 comments:
Honesty being the key of this site, I have never read Esther, however I have seen the Esther Veggie Tales and I always figured I must know all I need to know about Esther. I feel like this study is going to prove me wrong. It was an intersting read to me, I feel bad for the queen. I liked your thought about leadership, so often we have far too many leaders and not enough followers in church and in life. I have been in many a meeting where nothing got accomplished because everyone is trying to figure out who was going to be in charge. So in the end, by being a follower you may still be a leader, I like it!!! Besides, people who demand leadership rarely get it. Can't wait for more Esther.
Your thoughts on leadership are so true. Too many times we try to rush ahead of God thinking "I know exactly how this is going to go" so we tell God "I've got this one covered". How often we completely miss the mark. True leadership comes from above, it is a gift from God, not something we create from inside of us. I am looking forward to the rest of your thoughts on Esther, this is one of my favorite books.
Amanda and Karen,
Thanks ofr the posts. I appreciate the interaction.
BTW: I liked the veggie tale version of the story. One of my favorites of the series. :)
Grace,
I've always liked Esther, but then I've like Ruth too, so go figure. Don't know why, might be because they aren't quite so dry as the begats. {shrug}
Oh yes, leadership without accountability and rushing to judgment are shown here as God prepares the way for Esther.
As a slightly different take on the history, I've read that the first 180 day "party" was more of a diplomatic event for the empire to help gain Ahasuerus the support of the nobility. So lots of formal dinners, fancy clothes, court entertainment (dancing?), drinking, but he would have had to have kept a clear head for most of it. Then comes the week long party for the workers and the king's personal followers at the palace, seemingly for a job well done. He could cut loose there since he didn't have to watch his tongue and keep all the politics straight in his head.
Proverbs has several as usual, but of the four I picked, this one seems to stand out the most for me now: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. "
(Proverbs 28:4)
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