Last night we finished the book of John. I was having some difficulty between deciding what book I would study next. I was interested in Job, Lamentations, Jude and Esther. Naturally I felt drawn to Esther. I'm sure it's because she is a female, and because I do know some of what she went through. Esther was a very brave woman. Not only was she brave, but we will see throughout this short study that she was not too prideful to take orders from her uncle. She knew he was a wise man so she listened to him and because of that she saved her life, her uncles life and the lives of many others.
Esther begins with a story of King Xerxes and his wife Queen Vashti. They threw a huge party for many people. The king wanted his servants to bring out Queen Vashti so that he could show off her beauty to everyone there. She refused. It was customary during this time for the king to consult his wise men. They told him that Queen Bashti's actions could basically begin a downward spiral of all women refusing to obey their husbands so she had not only sinned against the king, but against all men! So the wise men suggested that it be decrees that Queen Vashti would never enter into the presence of Xerxes again and that he should get a new wife to replace her. This was humiliating for the Queen because she basically wasn't Going to be useful to a man, her husband, any longer. There is such a vast difference between Esther and Vashti. Esther would have humbly gone before the King. She was quiet and submissive but she knew when to speak up. We are going to see this throughout the book. when she did speak up, she spoke words that had been well thought out, well put together and words that had been prayed about. I am anxious to see how Eather presents herself to the king. As women it is hard for us to submit to our men. But if he in line with the word of God, then that's what God expects us to do.
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