Queen Vashti, Modecai, and Esther

     This week we will be examining the righteous acts of three people in the Old Testament. Queen Vashti, Mordecai, and Esther give great inspiration to help us live our own lives closer to God.

Esther Chapters 2-8

     In Esther 1 the king is throwing a party of sorts. He has all of his important people at this party and he is having a grand time indulging them anyway he can. He's showing off his riches and his possessions. They are all drinking and having a being merry. Meanwhile Queen Vashti is elsewhere with the wives and they are likely celebrating as well. Everything is great but as the night goes on the King starts to get an idea. He calls for the Queen and sends his servants to fetch her. He's already shown off his riches and belongings, now he wants to show off the Queen to these men he is entertaining, because Vashti is very beautiful.
     What Vashti does is a great example on avoiding evil. It's not just that she is tempted to do evil, the king is trying to compel her to show herself off to these men. She refuses the kings request. It's not entirely clear why she does so or if she knows the King's intent but the consequences come regardless. The king disowns her but he goes farther than that. He thinks that women will be empowered to refuse their husbands. So he passes a decree putting them in even more bondage to their husbands.

     Mordecai was a God fearing and loving man. He worshiped God and no one else just as he was commanded to do. When he would not bow to a political figure he likely knew that there would be consequences as well. Haman, the political figure,  was very angry at Mordecai and found out he was a Jew. What he did next is something that we have unfortunately seen more than once. He arranged with the king to use his Army, and subsequently plotted to slay the Jews. Mordecai was extremely upset but there was nothing he could do, which is what brings us to Esther.

   Before Mordecai offended Haman and  after Vashti was essentially fired as queen, the king needed another queen. Many maidens were brought before the King including Esther. Esther was exceedingly fair and thus was chosen to be somewhat of a servant. We learn in Esther 2 that it was some time before ( a year) before Esther was allowed to go unto the King. It took time but the King was eventually charmed and impressed enough with Esther that he made her Queen. She has quite a prestigious position for herself and is well respected. The incident with Mordecai and the Jews calls on her absolute courage.
     Mordecai is so upset about what is happening that he just has to tell Esther. Esther is a relation to Mordecai and a Jew herself.  Esther agrees that she must tell the King (who was unaware what his Army was being used for) in-spite of serious danger for herself. She knows what happened to Vashti when she contradicted the King. She knows she has to do it anyways. The respect and honor that she has earned from the King pay off and he listens. He calls off the killing of the Jews and honors Mordecai. Haman pays the ultimate price for his vanity and is hanged in the very gallows he planned to hang Mordecai in.

     These three figures all show a great example. They do what is right even though the earthly consequences may be severe. In the end Esther and Mordecai stick to what they know is right and they earn the respect of those around them. Even those who don't completely share their beliefs.

The Miracles of the Lord Through Elijah

• 1 Kings 17:1 God controls the rain.
• 1 Kings 17:2-6 The Lord directs him to a brook where He feeds and waters him.
• 1 Kings 17:8-16 The Lord provides a women to feed Elijah even though she has nothing, in return for her obedience He does not allow her food to run out.
• 1 Kings 17:17-22  Elijah pleads with the Lord to bring back the women's son who has died. The Lord heals his plea and revives the boy.
• 1 Kings 18:31-38 Elijah builds an alter and asks for a sign from God for his people. The fire of God consumes the sacrifice and gives them a sign.
• 1 Kings 18:41-45 Elijah prophecies of rain and it comes.
• 1 Kings 21:17-19; 22:34-38 Elijah prophecies of the justice that will come to King Ahab for his wicked deeds. Justice takes place as Elijah prophesied.
• 2 Kings 1:9-14 The Lord consumes 100 men and their two captains who come in search of Elijah with fire. The 3rd captain and his 50 recognize the power of the Lord and ask Elijah for mercy.

     There is so much truth in these scriptures. As we can see the Lord is both great and powerful. He garners both admiration and respect. He can bring the lost back to life, but he can just as easily take the lives of the wicked. He is a just God, and he will always demand justice. This absoluteness in the sight of God can either bless us or curse us depending on how we live our lives. I think that it's important to remember that the Lord loves his children and the things he does are ultimately always to help us, even if they may not seem that way. Elijah has a difficult job as does any prophet to care for the Lord's children and carry out his work.

1 Kings 3:9-28 and 1 Kings 4:29-30

     King Solomon's request for an understanding heart pleased the Lord because it showed the Lord that King Solomon had both humility and selflessness. He was thinking of not his personal success but his success as a servant of God and the people who he ruled over. Most people probably would have asked for wealth or women, but King Solomon asked for an understanding heart. It's no wonder it pleased the Lord.
     The Lord granted King Solomon his wish and as we see in the latter part of chapter three he is able to utilize this gift very effectively. Being able to discern the true mother of the child was a great service of love to both the mother and the child in the situation. Had he failed the child might have gone to the wrong mother and suffered the same fate of the other mother's child. In granting King Solomon's wish the Lord granted a great blessing to that mother and child.
     1 Corinthians 12:31 tells us to "covet the best gifts" or in other words seek after the things of the Lord. This is a great way to apply what King Solomon did. Just as the Lord did for the King he will grant us the righteous desires of our hearts if we humble ourselves and seek after the best things. D&C 46:8 reminds us that we must also remember why these gifts are given by the Lord. They are not for our benefit but for the benefit of the children of God. We must seek after these gifts with a sincere intent to use them for the benefit of those around us. 1 Kings 4:1-25 and 1 Samuel chapters 11-20 show us that there are always consequences to our actions and that those consequences can be long lasting. We can seek after the things of the Lord and receive ever lasting happiness or we can seek after evil and find a long difficult road that is difficult to change direction.