Esther 1

“In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure. Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.” Esther 1:8-12 (NKJV)

King Ahasuerus knew how to throw a kegger! 180 days of partying were not enough, so he decided to top it off with a 7-day banquet featuring an open bar. On the last day of this soiree, the king decided to show off his “trophy queen.” Problem: She don’ wanna come. Headlines read “Queen Cools, King Ablaze.”  

It sounds like the plot for a great movie based on a true story. How will it end? You’ll have to keep reading. Is it relevant to our generation? Absolutely!

We don’t catch a glimpse of the Lord’s involvement until chapter 2, but that is precisely where the lesson is for us today. Even when we cannot see God, He is ever-present, accomplishing His purposes according to His will.

Some people believe that a person must be righteous in order to be used by God. That is not true, especially in today’s passage! God is not hindered by anyone or anything. Now, if you want to please God in His use of you, then you had better be pursuing His honor; but God can use you either way. In today’s chapter, God is using the worldliest of people in the midst of an utterly decadent scenario so He can position His servants where they can exert maximum influence for His kingdom. Drunken kings and obstinate queens are merely tools in God’s hand.

Perhaps God seems distant or even absent from your life. Maybe you wonder if He knows your name or cares about your personal well-being. When people feel God is absent or fail to perceive His power & authority, they tend to either lose hope or arrogantly taunt Him. Neither reaction is justified. God is ever-present, and He is almighty. In short, He is Lord, whether we believe it or not.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

The generation of Jewish people who went into Babylonian exile could very well have felt abandoned and forsaken by God. While He may have been silent, God was still at work. The Lord was orchestrating events to provide for His people’s deliverance. Feeling forsaken? Hold firm to the truth of God’s Word; cling to His promises. He is with us, He cares, and He has the power and the plan to deliver us! Wait on the Lord.

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