Reading the first chapter of the book of Esther in the NET version; I learned something shocking but very common in today’s world. In chapter 1, the most pointed out lesson is how Queen Vashti refused to comply with the king’s instruction and how it eventually led to her being stripped of her title and then the search for the new queen begun.
However, as I was reading, something new stood out to me. How would a wife feel if her drunk husband commanded her to show her face so that he could show off her beauty to other equally drunk men? Is that a sign of true love? Is it respectful? Is it demeaning? Think about it. Perhaps Queen Vashti felt undermined and disrespected, not valued and decided she would not entertain that kind of treatment. Perhaps she was not exactly a rebellious wife but rather a bold and fearless woman who knew what she would tolerate and what she would not.
By no means am I trying to justify her actions but like we say, we read the Bible and the Bible reads us back. In today’s societal set up, girls, women are being empowered, not to be disrespectful but to be articulate and firm in what they believe is right. This doesn’t only apply in the work space but also in our homes/marriage. Wives out here now know not to tolerate the bare minimum from their husbands (like our mothers did) and same goes for husbands. Will the wife who stands up for herself be misjudged? She most definitely will be. That’s because wives are expected to follow their husbands like brainless beings but submission does not work like that.
The consequences of saying “no” to the king were quite heavy and brutal, from the point of view of the world. But were they exactly brutal to Queen Vashti? What if losing the crown was not the worst thing that ever happened to Queen Vashti?
Think about it, what if losing that job was not the worst thing that happened to you? Yes, your friends and family think you are done for but are you really? What if letting go of that friend was not the worst thing that could ever happen to you? Just think about it.
In this chapter, we also see an angry king who consults his officials on how to deal with his disobedient wife. The Bible, in Proverbs, associates anger with fools. It is very okay to get angry, but it is not okay to act out of anger. The wise know to first calm down before responding to what got them angry. May the Lord give us the grace to handle such moments with heavenly wisdom.
The rule was passed on in all provinces, all husbands must rule over their wives. I will just end with this for now, marriage was and is God’s idea. And therefore, we all must do marriage according to God’s standards. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” Ephesians 5:22, 25 ESV
Thank you for reading all the way down.
Remember to read the Bible for yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you. We are all going through different seasons in our lives. Queen Vashti was probably going through something at the time, but we did not get the chance to know what exactly it was. Queen Esther made a great queen, doesn’t make Vashti less than though.
Grab a copy of my Bible study journal on amazon:
Royal & Ready: A Coloring Bible Study Journal through the Book of Esther: Discover Bold Faith, Divine Purpose, and Inner Beauty through Scripture and Creative Reflection
See you next week!
Amen. Indeed we all go through seasons. Different seasons.
But I’ll forever continue to be bold and respect my husband..
I’m in a season where he’s not touching me because I raised my concerns about health due to his infidelity. Now he decided not to be intimate with me, we sleep like brother and sister.
Thank you for your comment.
It’s good that you acknowledge the season that you’re in. That way, you’re able to present it to God in a vulnerable way. May His will be done🙏🏽