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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

While the Book of Esther holds a high place in the sacred literature of the Jews, yet it is a book that has no mention of God

Martin Luther is said to have tossed the book into the river Elbe, saying that he wished it did not exist for “it has too much of Judaism and a great deal of heathenish imagination.”

Nevertheless, the hand of God can be seen throughout the book. We call that hand the “Divine Providence of God.”

According to Jewish history, Vashti was the daughter of King Belshazzar of Babylon and the great-granddaughter of King Nebuchadnezzar, the man who destroyed the first Temple in Jerusalem. The name “Vashti” is of Persian origin and means “beautiful woman.”

According to Jewish accounts, the night her father was murdered (as predicted by the famous "writing on the wall"), there was much bloodshed and looting in the palace. Amidst the confusion, Vashti was unaware of the death of her father and ran to his quarters where she was captured by Darius the Mede.

King Darius took pity on the young Vashti and gave her to his son Ahasuerus as a wife. When Ahasuerus became king over Persia, he and Vashti ruled over 127 provinces, the entire civilized world.

The Bible does not corroborate the Jewish story of the origin of Vashti, but neither does it give us an alternative.

Ahasuerus comes from the Hebrew (Achashwerosh) which is a transliteration of his Persian name, Khshayarsha. In Greek this became Xerxes. and in Latin, Assuerus. He is known in history as Xerxes I..

Esther 1:1-4

In the third year of his reign, we see that the powerful and wealthy King Ahasuerus hosts an extravagant half-year-long celebration for his noblemen and officers, for the sole purpose of displaying his wealth and honor.

We can tell from reading this that Ahasuerus must have been a very prideful man. In fact, his pride reminds us of the sins of Nebuchadnezzar and Beltshazzar, both whom God judged for their pride. As is usually the case, we see that power and pride go hand in hand.

Esther 1:5-9

We see here that the first half-year long celebration is followed by an even more elaborate seven- day feast for all the residents of the capital city of Shushan.

We also see that this second feast is distinguished by luxurious opulence, and that the personal preferences of everyone in attendance are fully accommodated.

In modern terms the king and his followers were "partying". The king even ordered his people to do whatever they wanted. It was an “if it feels good, do it” atmosphere. (Vs 8)

According to verse 9, at the same time that the guys were partying, Vashti provided food and entertainment (though less "exuberant" than the men's) for the women of the court.

Esther 1:10-12:

Jewish tradition holds that Ahasuerus ordered Vashti to appear at the feast unclothed so that he could show off her beauty to his entire kingdom wearing nothing but the royal crown.

They hold that this was a case of Divine justice. They say that God moved Ahasuerus to call Vashti to appear naked on the Sabbath as a punishment for her tradition of forcing Jewish girls to work before her on the Sabbath stripped of their clothing.

Again, this comes from Jewish history and tradition and does not appear in the text of the Scriptures.

What we do know is that Ahasuerus’ request was a breach of custom. Eastern women lived in seclusion and such a request as he made in his drunken condition amounted to a gross insult.

Many have criticized Vashti for refusing to appear at her husband's command and say that Vashti was one of the first in the “women’s liberation movement.”

However, I want us to consider the scene that was taking place here. Not only have the king and his cronies been partying for days, drinking large quantities of wine, but they had also been doing "as each one desired." This was a wicked scene!

We can imagine men passed out on the floor, others laying in a drunken sprawl in the arms of palace courtiers. In his stupor, the king calls for the presence of his queen. He wants to parade her before his followers, to display her beauty.

Vashti was a queen in a society that prized modesty in a woman above all else. What Ahasuerus demanded was a surrender of womanly honor, and Vashti, was unwilling to comply.

Some would say that far from being the action of a rebellious woman, this was the action of a regal queen, refusing to display herself and her position to shame.

It was the habit of a Persian king to have his queen beside him at a banquet, but when he wished to get drunk, he sent his queen away and called in the wives of inferior rank–the concubines.

We can see how Vashti must have been insulted by this breach of protocol.

Esther 1:13-18:

The king became enraged at Vashti's refusal. Instead of addressing the issue with his wife, he turns to his lawyers.

The lawyers decide that Vashti's actions might go beyond the simple marital problems of the king, but might become a true national disaster!

If Vashti does not obey her husband, other women might not obey their husband's. They might, in fact, "look with contempt on their husbands".

These men feared that the noble women who heard of Vashti's refusal would suddenly rebel, not just against their husbands but against the state. This seemingly small issue between a husband and a wife, in their minds, became a threat to the relationship of other husbands and wives and also a threat to the security of the nation.

Esther 1:18-20:

In response to their perceived threat, the lawyers devise some new laws.

First, Vashti is "never again to come before" the king and her royal estate was to be given to another. The Jews believe that this meant that Vashti was given the death penalty.

According to Jewish tradition and historical accounts, when she refused his command, Ahasuerus had her beheaded at the advice of his minister Memucan (who some identify as being the same as Haman).

The text that we have does not say specifically that she was executed, nevertheless, Vashti's removal did set the stage for Esther's appointment as queen, ultimately leading to the Jewish people's salvation from Haman's threat of annihilation in the Purim story.

There was also a second part to the decree: that all women were to give honor to their husbands.

What is interesting is that a pagan king, advised by pagan lawyers made this decree, yet this principle is a New Testament principle for Christian marriages.

Although, a wife need not and should not obey her husband in what opposes God’s laws.

Ephesians 5:22–“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Colossians 3:18–“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.”

1 Peter 3:1-7

Conclusion

Vashti’s disobedience was virtually unprecedented, but Vashti’s disobedience and subsequent removal were in the Providence of God. God used this incident to bring Esther to the kingdom.

This shows us how God works through the affairs of men to bring about His will.

That’s an important thing that we also need to remember as we approach the end of time.

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