If you ask, “Why would I write about this?” It’s hundreds and hundreds of years old; but the war between “Fear and Faith” rages. This account will help you become brave, courageous and bold in your faith! Esther (Hadassah) today would be classified as an orphan or perhaps a foster child. Her mother and father had died. She was raised by Mordecai, her cousin. He raised her as his own daughter and kept a careful watch over her from her childhood. (Esther 2:7). Mordecai was trusted and sat in the king’s gate. In that honored position, he could get information and hear news as things developed in king Ahasuerus (Xerxes) kingdom (palace/house). Vashti was the King’s Queen before Esther became queen. It was within the King’s command to hold feasts (banquets) wherein he invited his princes and his servants in power of Persia and Media and the nobles and princes of the provinces who ranked under him. He was proud and showed his glorious riches of his kingdom for 180 days (a hundred and four score days). After that time, he made a feast to all the people (Esther 1:5) Queen Vashti also decided she would make a feast for the women in the royal house of Ahasuerus. This feast went on for seven days and on the seventh day the king was joyful and merry, along with the guests and wine was a pleasantry to partake of. Obviously. The evidence points to Vashti being tired of participating in all these “wild” parties and being shown off like a piece of artwork. Seems she was being taken for granted and nothing more than a show piece. Nowadays, she might be called a “trophy wife.” When Ahasuerus commanded his chamberlains to call in queen Vashti, she refused to obey his command. He was (wroth) and he didn’t know what to do about this rebellious queen! The chamberlains were upset too and figured they had to do something to squelch this rebellion right away. Led by Chamberlain Memucan, he said, Vashti the queen has done a very wrong thing and we have to do something about this! What if everyone hears about her disobedience? If they hear, then all the wives will go against not only the king’s commandment, but their actions will be heard throughout the empire and wives will be doing whatever they want to do with no boundaries , dishonoring their husbands! The chamberlains said the king should send forth letters declaring that every man should bear rule in his own house and the women shall give honour to their husbands both small and great and the letter should be published in everyone’s language and to every people. Vashti is replaced, virgins are gathered. Mordecai enters Esther into the “king’s beauty contest.” Beautiful young virgins (Esther 2:2) are gathered. The chamberlains cleared the way for another queen. Meanwhile, a plot is brewing where Haman (evil Haman) was conspiring to kill the whole of the Jews. He had been promoted. He decided that all the king’s servants bow and reverence him. Day after day Mordecai, a Jew, sitting in the king’s gate refused to bow. His principles and honor to God disallowed him to act subservient to Haman. The servants told on Mordecai. Haman couldn’t stand it. He got the big head. Haman’s solution to being ignored was to destroy a whole population of people, all the Jews. He knew Mordecai was a Jew. Mordecai learns of Haman’s mass murder plot and decides to tell Esther. She was now Queen and had won the “beauty contest.” The king found favor in her and chose her as the new Queen. Mordecai and believed that she could do something about Haman’s evil plot of destruction. At first she didn’t want to do it. She was very fearful. With Mordecai’s persistent convincing, he helped her build her faith. knew it was not accepted for anyone to go to the king without being called. Mordecai convinced her that she was not going to be saved from this, but she too would be destroyed. Her faith was built. She adorned herself in her royal apparel and went into the inner court. So far, she had won the “battle of faith over fear.” The king holds out to her the “Golden Scepter.” She touches it. She told the king the whole story about evil Haman and his plot. A banquet was held. Haman had concocted a convincing lie to the king; that these people were a threat and would destroy his kingdom and they must be destroyed! The king listened. Meantime, Mordecai had explained everything to Esther about Haman’s plot. Esther came to understand and her faith was increased as she saw the terrible predicament. Mordecai kept talking to her to build her faith and lessen her fear. He had convinced her to go to the king and tell him everything. The king learned that Mordecai had been the one to save the king’s life earlier. Mordecai knew in his heart that saving the Jews would come from another place (Esther 4:14) if she refused to tell all. Mordecai would not back down. He valued his people’s lives and showed great courage. Space doesn’t permit to write about the entire account. Haman had also plotted to have Mordecai hanged. He had built gallows. Everything turned on him and he was hanged on his own gallows. We see two elements playing in this account of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther. Very similar to our own every day lives. On the one hand, we see Vashti as a women’s liberator and teaching the women to account themselves more than a beautiful ornament. Her fearless role of refusing to prance before the king and all the others showed as well that in a sovereign move of God, who knows all things before they happen moved all obstacles to save and spare the Jewish people. That’s why he is Jehovah , the eternal: He who was, He who is and the One to come. On the other hand, we have Esther who proved to be a main active participant in God’s divine plan for all His people and His sovereign rule over all the affairs of mankind. Never think that God is sitting around waiting for us to be defeated and destroyed. We must be consistent and persistent reminding ourselves of this ongoing battle of faith over fear. Our Lord God Almighty is working behind the scenes to correct problems; to build up our faith and alleviate our fears! That’s why He is God! Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 4514 Crenshaw BL-323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org -articles are copyright © all rights reserved “Inquiring Minds Want To Know” www.askdrjeanetteparker.com -askdrjeanette tm [email protected] [email protected]
