• April 8, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007- Vashti, the Modest Queen
Ok, today I am going to make you work! :-) RIght now, get up and grab your Bible. Come on, just do it. Stop reading and go get your Bible. Ahem. Now that you have your Bible you will be able to follow along with me as I narrate and believe me you will enjoy this! Ok- just about everyone has heard about Esther, right? If you haven't, I will make a long story short and tell you a little about her. Esther was a Jew that was chosen to be the wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus. Nobody knew she was a Jew, and there was a wicked man named Haman who wanted to wipe the Jews off the earth. Esther risked her life to tell the king about Haman's wicked plot, and in doing so she saved the Jews from annihiliation. But before any of that happened, there was a remarkable woman named Vashti that made her way into the scriptures.
Now, open your Bible to Esther chapter 1 and I'll narrate for you as we go along. Read Esther chapter 1 and then come back. I am going to paraphrase what you just read and maybe it will be a little easier to grasp. Ok, so now you know that Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) reigned from India to Ethiopia, and had princes and nobles overseeing the progress of his 127 provinces. After reigning for 3 years, he decides to show off his power and wealth by inviting all of the aforementioned nobles and princes to the capital city, Susa, where he had his palace. For about 6 months, he takes all of these guys around displaying his riches and splendor of his kingdom. After that he throws a big week-long party for all of these guys and everyone in the city, "from the greatest to the least." (Esther 1:5, NASB). The party was held in the court of the garden at the kings's palace. Verse six describes the beautiful gardens in great detail. The king had his servants serve drinks to the guests from golden vessels and there was a surplus of wine to be had. The servers were instructed to give the guests as much drink as they wanted. Queen Vashti held a separate party for women in the king's palace. In those days, women were somewhat kept in seclusion and they were also as a general rule very, very modest. Well, on the last day of the feast, the king got drunk and commanded his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti into the men's party to display her beauty before them. In the KJV, verse 11 says "she was fair to look upon", the same verse in the NIV says that "she was lovely to look at", and in the NASB we are told "she was beautiful". I always like to compare the three versions, and in every one we get the impression that she was a very beautiful woman. As an woman of character fitting her high rank, she refused the king's command. To accept his command to show herself off in front of rowdy drunken men would be demeaning and humiliating to her, especially to a woman of her social standing. It says in verse 12 that "the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him (NASB)." Of course, you can't blame him. His wife had just defied him in the presence of his people. As a result, Vashti was removed from her position in verse 19, and she was no longer to come into the presence of of king Ahasuerus.
Now, I am not saying that is isn't important for wives to submit to their husbands, but Vashti was quite justified and right in her refusal. She counted modesty as far more important than her rank as a queen, and was not afraid to stand tall and refuse an order from the king. She could easily have been killed for such an action. If she can refuse an order from the king to act immodestly and face exile as a result, can we not also make a stand for modesty when all that is at stake is our own reputation and pride? A major theme from the last blog entry I wrote (with the quotes in it) was that the way you act can temper people's view of you. The way you dress is very important, but along with that, acting modestly is a part of the package. If you are always going around acting in a flirtatious manner, that has a tendency to be viewed as immodest. This should not, however, in any way keep you from interacting with people of the opposite gender! I know a great many girls that are very gracious, concerned for, and considerate of their brothers in Christ without acting immodestly! I also know gals that have at some point included guys as some of their best friends. I do not have a tendency to do that personally, partly because usually guys don't talk to me first. I personally wouldn't be uncomfortable having a friend-boy. In closing, I once heard a saying that will pop into my head at random times: Don't advertise something that is not for sale. You can take that as you will, but for Vashti, that meant not exhibiting herself in front of drunken men. For me that means dressing and acting modestly. For you it might mean something entirely different. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic, and if you have anything that you want me to consider putting into one of my upcoming entrides on modesty (e.g. quotes, stories, etc.) please message me or put a comment on this entry.
~Me~
Also, a very happy Easter to you. He is risen!
Comments
• April 8, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by sweetpotato
I never thought of Vashti in those terms, but that's an awesome lesson from her! I'm going to write that down...that's really cool.
Oh yeah, and I'm really liking your conversational style of writing! A lot of times devotional/nonfiction can get kind of dry and boring, but your style holds my attention.
• April 12, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by totustuus
That's really interesting...I'd never realized that about Vashti, even though I've read the story of Esther a couple of times. That's awesome that you made that connection with her and modesty!!
I'm definately linking this series on my blog. :-)
See you tomorrow, and prepare to go DOWN in the mock trial!!! The defense is SOOO going to beat you guys. ;-) Lol
<3 Sylvia
• April 12, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by chelsterbabecutiepie
I've heard from this view point before, but It was very fun to read what you had to say!
I like your blog, very uplifting! Come look at mine, and comments are always welcome!
God bless you,
Chelsea
• April 28, 2008
Queen Vashti
Posted by oneflesh
Recently I have read about Queen Vashti, and how she stood up for her rights and values, and now how you state that she was a modest woman.
Honestly, I didn't know her or what she was thinking when she refused to make an appearance before her king and his company.
What I do know is God's Word, and what He tells us as Christian women.
1) 1Corinthians 11:3 - "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ, an the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God."
2) 1Corinthians 11:9-11 - "Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man (10)For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angles. (11)Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man"
3) Ephesians 5:21-22 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (22)Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord"
4) Titus 2:3-5 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4)That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5)To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not Blasphemed.
I realize that Vashti and her King were not Christians or even Jews, but as Christian women we should be promoting God's word, and His law, and spreading His message to all women.
My suggestion is to watch the movie "One Night With The King" - The Story of Esther, and you will see in Esther the epitomy of a loving, caring wife, who is fashioned after The Lord.
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