My Fear

Last week we introduced Xerxes a King of kings that was a fool. Showing off his glory through a 6 month party and then throwing a 7th day part for the common folk. Where every single guest got a unique Gold cup. and You thought your grab bags were cool.

When he is really drunk he decides its a good Idea to call his queen to the party. and She doesn’t think that is such a good Idea and refuses.

Esther 1:1-22

Esther 1:10–22 LEB

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven of the eunuchs attending King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that was conveyed by the eunuchs. And the king became very angry, and his anger burned in him. And the king said to the wise men, the ones who know the times—for it was the procedure of the king before all those who knew law and rights; and those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had access to the king and sat first in the kingdom— “According to the law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she has not done the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs? And Memucan said before the king and the officials, “Not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king, but to all the officials and all of the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen will be known to all the women, causing them to look with contempt on their husbands, as they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him but she did not come!’ This day the women of nobility from Persia and Media who have heard this deed of the queen will respond the same way to all the officials of the king and there will be no end to contempt and anger. If it pleases the king, let a royal edict go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Media so that it will not be altered, that Vashti cannot come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to her neighbor who is better than she. And let the king’s decree that he will make be proclaimed in all his kingdom, because it is vast and all the women will honor their husbands, great and small.” This advice pleased the king and the officials, and the king acted according to the word of Memucan. And he sent letters to all the provinces of the king, to each province according to its own script, and to every people in their own language, that every man should be the master of his house and who speaks in the language of his people.

After Vashti refused to appear before the king, he called his royal advisers. Wise men. Yes these are the same kind of wise men that were at Jesus birth. They were astrologers followers of Zoroastrianism. A religion that has some similarities with Christianity but a lot of differences as well. These Astrologers were people who “understood the times” and were experts in Law and Justice (v13). Kings in the ancient wold were like political leaders today. They surrounded themselves with advisers.

Vashti’s act of insubordination was an extremely serious matter it deserved the attention of the king’s top counselors. And here we set up one of the fundamental themes found in the book of Ester. that is the bad advise of the “wise Men” and the good advice fo the followers of YHWH. And Establishing that Xerxes was dependent on Advisers.

When Ahasuerus asked his wise men what to do about Vashti’s disobedience on of his advisers “Memucan” said that not only did showering the king but also all the princes and all the people who are in all the provinces of the King. All women will despise their husbands in their eyes. The husbands would stop supporting Xerxes because there wives would despise them. in short the advisers entered into a state of Panic.

In verse 19 we find Memucan’s specific proposal: The king should issue a decree that “Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus.” Her “royal position” shall be given to another who is worthier than Vashti. By communicating this decree throughout the entire empire, the king would inspire “all wives” to “honor their husbands, both great and small” (v. 21).

Notice that Vashti’s sentence provided exactly what she had wanted: not to appear before the king. And although the wives might honor their husbands (even the small husbands!), they would not do so because their husbands deserved honor, but simply out of fear of punishment.

The final verses of chapter 1 recount Ahasuerus’ response: he was pleased with Memucan’s advice and acted accordingly (v. 21). So verse 22 states that he sent letters to all the provinces of his realm, using indigenous languages. In is own language because the empire spread across many a people who spoke many a language. Aramaic would have been the common language putting it in each language would stress the importance and ensure there was no misunderstanding.

My Fear

Memucan’s response to Vashti was one based on fear. Memucan imagined the worst case and said this is what we should do to prevent the worst case.

We often are like Memucan we imagine the worst-case scenario, scrambling to solve problems that will never exist and exhausting ourselves in attempt- simply because we are afraid.

Fear is a constant in our lives. Fear in its proper place is a great emotion. It keeps us from doing stupid stuff like petting the rattle snake, or sticking your hand in the fire. Fear keeps things in its correct place. Fear can be more like respect in this regard. I respect that I cannot see in the dark there for I am more careful. I respect the Idea that there are people that might want to hurt me so I travel in packs. I respect the gun because it can kill so I learn to use it properly in its proper place. But fear can overwhelm us easily. that is why YHWH through is messengers is constantly reminding us not to fear.

But we fear. We fear the loss of power, we fear others seeming better than us. we fear.

We fear that someone might do something that would hurt us so we buy the next thing. and The world will keep you in fear. Because people who are afraid spend money. you need this to keep this from happening, you need the new phone to keep your world secure. you need the new car with it’s new features to keep you safe. You need a new cup that doesn’t have this chemical in it. And I am not saying that buying new stuff is bad. I am saying that people want you afraid. And Afraid people give up control of their lives. in the name of security or in the name of revenge. They want you afraid.

Only through the free and fearless Jesus will we become free and fearless ourselves. No longer will we hide behind the foolish masks of Ahasuerus: conspicuous consumption, pride, arrogance, drunkenness, and anger. No longer will we glorify ourselves by treating others as objects. No longer will we guarantee our power by keeping others in chains. Through Christ, we will experience a contagious freedom to be shared with others. We will see people as Jesus sees them, and by His Spirit we will receive power to empower others—both women and men. (Don Williams)

Next Step

Jesus is the only way to be free. Because he breaks the chains that bind us. pride, arrogance, anger, worry, consumption. Fear binds us Jesus Frees us.

Are you afraid today. Evaluate our actions. Do they say your afraid despite your words. Maybe fear isn’t the right word. its worry, its anger. its pride

Are you afraid

Can’t let fear determinant our theology, our way of thinking. Because it leads to foolishness. Like Xerxes.