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.
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