January 24, 2011

Esther 1
What do we do with this book in terms of the glory of God? The name of God or direct reference to God is never used in the Book. The Living Bible uses it once in 4:14, and that is because it is a paraphrase and not a translation. Yet, the hand of God is seen all through the book! I guess it proves that God will accomplish His purpose whether or not He directly receives the glory from humans.
Ahaseurus is another name for Xerxes. In Ezra 4:5-7 Ahasuerus is mentioned between Cyrus and Artaxerxes. So perhaps, some of the favor that Ezra and Nehemiah received from the kings of Persia may be attributed to the influence of Esther. If you have ever read the story of the 300 Spartans or seen the movie, he is Persian King against whom the Spartans fought. After defeating the Spartans, Xerxes advanced on Athens and took it. However, the Spartans valiant 3-day fight gave the Athenians time to evacuate and regroup elsewhere before Xerxes’ armies reached the city. Xerxes then committed some military blunders resulting in some Greek victories which cut off his supply lines and forced his army to return to Persia. I once read that Herodotus recorded that Xerxes retreated to find comfort in his harem. That may be a reference to the party referenced to the events here in Esther. There is no secular mention of either Esther or Vashti.
Certainly this party is probably part of a PR campaign to shore up support at home when his military campaign had gone awry. The wine was flowing freely implying that there was a great deal of debauchery going on. Vashti may not have been the only queen which Xerxes had. This may have led to Xerxes greater willingness to show off this wife’s beauty. Some have suggested that he was asking her to appear naked before his guests. That is a possibility; however, I find that a little difficult to believe. Whatever the case, his main intent was to display this wife’s beauty to all his guests. Given the context, it was a request that Vashti obviously found repugnant, given the context. She refused to obey. The king is now placed in a very precarious position. In the midst of trying to rebuild his domestic support through throwing this party, his own wife is now in public rebellion. His advisors warn him. It is no longer a family matter. It is also a matter of State. As beautiful as she is, Vashti is removed as queen in order to hold up the authority of all husbands in the Persian kingdom and to shore up support for Xerxes.
So, what do we see of the glory of God in this passage? God uses even the immorality of men to force events which will accomplish His plan. Within the book of Esther, he uses the king’s own immorality to put someone in his life who will cause him to want to protect the people of God. Outside of the book of Esther, Esther probably had a little influence over the life of Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes, the king who gave the command to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. So, when the immoral lifestyle of others begins to affect the circumstances of my life, then I can start looking for how God wants to use those circumstances as part of His plan. He has a plan, but I must join Him in it! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john