Esther 1: The Phony Power of the World Empire

Introduction

Jesus said that we are to be in the world and not of it. Furthermore, He said we are not to be citizens of this world, but of heaven. John said that the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. Paul talks about how we were once a part of the rest of mankind who are condemned in sin and followers of the Satan.

These things are all true of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. However, we find ourselves in a place that is not our eternal destination and in a culture that has growing animosity to Christianity and Christianity’s God. People everywhere assert themselves as king over their own lives and many leaders of the world’s nations think themselves to be king not only of themselves, but of the world.

Scripture tells us that there is an ancient conflicts. And in this conflict there are ultimately two sides with two opposing rulers. One is the Satan, the Devil. One is God, the triune God of the Bible. Adam and his seed by ordinary generation followed and follow Satan in rebellion. Christ and his seed by extraordinary regeneration follow God in holiness. Many world empires have done and continue to do the bidding of the serpent king. Many world empires also give an illustrative picture of folly of Satan and the whole system of peoples and cultures that follow him. We see such a portrait of phony power in our story this morning.

As we behold the world empire of Persia and King Ahasuerus, we will find an answer to the following questions: What should we do in response to the intimidating strength and impressive splendor of the world empire? What should we do when those against God, His ways, and His people seem to win and seem to be in power?

To answer this question, behold four qualities of the world empire with me.

Retelling

To get started, behold the intimidating strength of the world empire (1-3).

Ahasuerus or Xerxes, depending on what language his name is translated from, was the son of Darius (522-486) and grandson of Cyrus (539-530).

Cyrus was the first king of the Medo-Persian empire. Under him, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Empire. Darius was the one under whom Jews were allowed to begin rebuilding the temple.

Ahasuerus is the same Persian king who fought with the now popular story of the 300 hundred Spartans. He ruled from 486 to 465 BC. His reign had both great highs and terrible lows. The banquet we observe in the first chapter is during one of the great highs and likely just before one of the terrible lows.

At the time of the banquet, the king ruled an enormous region that on a modern map would roughly cover India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, northern Greece, Egypt, Libya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Northern Sudan. His reign nearly spanned the entirety of the known world except some of Greece.

As most travel was on foot or upon animal, there was no escaping the reach and power of this king. There was nowhere to hide. Would this not be an intimidating place to be for a hated Jewish minority scattered throughout the kingdom?

Ahasuerus reigned 127 provinces and sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. He gathered the Medo-Persian army, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces before him in the third year of his reign. He gathers them for a great party.

Here we have a king who rules others who rule others. He is the earthly king of earthly kings. He calls all the shots. If his reign were in the present, he would control all the world's nukes and rulers. The point is his power was unmatched by any other on earth. This is a world empire.

The party takes place in the citadel of Susa. The city of Susa was more than the citadel. The citadel is more like the kremlin in Russia or like an area that would enclose all the buildings that house the governmental branches of the USA.

That said, we have a picture of intimidating strength, maybe even invincible strength. Who could overcome such an empire? Who is the real king of the universe? Is it Ahasuerus? Is it the Devil? Is it another? In the intimidating strength of this world empire, we have a type of the entire world system that opposes God and His people.

John says we have three enemies the flesh, the world, and the Devil. The Devil is described as the prince of the power of the air and the ruler of this world. He also offered Christ the kingdoms of this world in the wilderness temptation. The sinful world system and its “ruler” are powerful. They are intimidating to those within it, and especially those who are not of it. Can such a powerful kingdom with such a powerful king be overcome? What would it take? Who would it take?

We know the answer because we can read the rest of the book, but we are left with the impression of intimidating strength in the opening scene.

You have beheld the intimidating strength of the world empire.

Similarly, behold the impressive splendor of the world empire (4-9).

Not only is this an intimidatingly strong world empire, but it is also an impressively splendorous world empire. Ahasuerus decided to show off the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for 180 days. Put differently, he had a party that lasted around six months to show off to his underlings.

He gave a shorter feast of seven days for all who were in the citadel of Susa in the court of his garden. Everyone from janitors to the generals were invited to this feast.

There were white cotton curtains, violet hangings, fine linen and purple, silver rods, marble pillars, couches of gold and silver, pavement of precious stones, marble, and pearl. This was a jaw-dropping display that only Solomon’s temple could rival. It was shining and shocking. It was meant to invoke awe, wonder, and submission to the world empire. Perhaps it even promised such pomp to those who joined the world empire.

There weren’t only visible wonders; there was strong drink, royal wine served in goblets of gold, among other vessels! The king even commanded that all be free to drink as much as he pleased. Even the freedom to drink or not drink was under the dominion of the world empire and its king. The “freedom” of the world is slavery to the one who rules it. Furthermore, the women also were able to party with Queen Vashti in the palace belonging to Ahasuerus.

The six moth party and seven day party were likely a rally for Ahasuerus’ plan to invade Greece. Such pomp, splendor, glory, and drink showed all that they were on the right side and need not fear following their king into battle.

That said, we again see this impressive splendor Persia corresponds with the impressive splendor of the corrupt world system as it stands against God and His people. The unbelieving world often offers tempting and titillating pleasures and delights. Many of these pleasures, like those in Persia, please the sight, smell, and touch. However, they dull the senses, corrupt the heart, and darken the understanding. The pleasure and delight they bring are short-lived and often followed by disaster.

Sin, the world, and the Devil talk a big game and make big promises, but they never deliver in the long run. God’s judgment always comes. God’s justice is always vindicated. God’s promise is always true. Who can provide eternal joy? Who can provide wholesome and unending delight? Who is a King that provides not vanity but eternity?

You have beheld the intimidating strength and impressive splendor of the world empire.

Now, behold the irrational smugness of the world empire (10-11).

The feasts for all people had raged for a week, and it was swiftly coming to a close. Ahasuerus had shown the pomp and power of His reign to all those present. Having become “merry with wine,” he decided to show off some more. This time He wanted to parade his most prized possession before the people, his beautiful wife, Vashti. He had more wealth, and more wine than everyone else. He also had more women than everyone else. Above all his other women, though, there was Vashti. The king desired to have her brought before all ,so that they may gawk at her and esteem him even more. She is little more than an object, a trophy. Thus, he sent seven eunuchs to go retrieve her.

The irrational smugness of the world empire, as you may expect, points to the irrational smugness of the corrupt world system. There is not much substance to the world and its desires. Moreover, people are little more than objects to be used and then discarded. Women, though not exclusively, have often been used, abused, and discarded by “strong” men. They have been seen as little more than property. Is there a King who sees them as people? Is there a kingdom of which they may be counted as citizens? Is there a ruler who displays humility and wisdom?

You have beheld the intimidating strength, impressive splendor, and irrational smugness of the world empire.

In the same way, behold the idiotic shortcomings of the world empire (12-22).

The king of the world empire might have the power to grant strong drink and show off his pomp, but he is not all-powerful. He cannot bend or change the will of his own wife. The king of 127 provinces commanded his wife to come, and she said, “no.” Imagine the awkwardness of the seven eunuchs returning and whispering the bad news to the king.

The king burned with rage. However, he lacked the wisdom to react to his wife’s refusal. He needed the advice of his seven yes men. These men, as we shall see, are not the pinnacle of wisdom or intelligence. The world empire of Persia was not run by fearsome giants but fearful dwarves. The king asked these men what might be done to Vashti according to the law.

One man, Memucan, rises to the occasion; maybe he drew the short straw. He soothes the king’s wounded pride. According to Memucan, the problematic refusal of Queen Vashti isn’t limited to the king. It is a worldwide problem. Queen Vashti has sinned against all 127 provinces. She has sinned against the whole land because of the example she set for all women. Women would be telling their husbands, “no,” all over the place. It would upset the whole social and moral order of Persia.

Memucan’s shrewd advice to solve this cosmic problem of Queen Vashti refusing to appear before the king and his boys is that the King issue an order that Queen Vashti is not allowed to appear before the King. A similar situation would be like me ordering my daughter to clean up her room, her refusing, and in response to refusal, I order her to never clean her room again. It is pure idiocy.

Furthermore, Memucan advised the King to take another wife better or more compliant than Vashti. This letter would lead to the universal submission of women to their husbands… even though the conflict between the sexes had existed from the fall until… well, it is still happening.

He wanted his wife to appear before him, but she refused. He wanted legal advice but got pragmatic suggestions. They fear that all the women will hear of Vashti’s refusal, so they send a letter to all that informs them of Vashti’s refusal. The king of this empire may have power and pomp, but he lacks prudence. All this goes over Ahasuerus’ head. He is pleased with the advice and sent the letter.

You have beheld the intimidating strength and the impressive splendor of the world empire, but as you have just beheld its irrational smugness and idiotic shortcomings, perhaps you may now see that the world empire is not as intimidating or impressive as it first appears. What is true of Persia is true the corrupt world system and Satan its ruler. They offer a lot of shiny things and fleeting pleasures, but they lack substance and true power. Is there someone whose strength is truly intimidating and whose splendor is truly impressive? Is there a King whose salvation is truly infinite?

Transition

I began our time by describing the Christian’s citizenship to heaven and his or her king Jesus in opposition to the unbeliever’s citizenship to the corrupt world system and his or her king Satan. I, also, presented the idea both in the beginning and throughout, that Persia and its king, Ahasuerus serve as an illustrative picture of both the strengths and weakness of Satan and his world empire. Now that you have beheld the intimidating strength, impressive splendor, irrational smugness, and idiotic shortcomings of the world empire, we may answer the question I posed at the beginning. What should we do in response to the intimidating strength and impressive splendor of the world empire? What should we do when those against God, His ways, and His people seem to win and seem to be in power? The answer is look to King Jesus. Here are three reasons why.

Application

First, look to King Jesus because He is strong.

Jesus is stronger than the Devil and the empire of the world. When He came near to demons, they cowered. When He spoke, they listened. When He commanded, they obeyed. The same is true of disease, nature, and even the human heart. He, through the work of the Holy Spirit, can make dead sinners into leaving saints.

Unlike Ahasuerus, Jesus doesn’t feign omnipotence. He is omnipotent. He doesn’t nearly rule the world. He completely rules over the whole universe. He subdues us to himself and squashes all His and our enemies, including the serpent. The world appears powerful and strong, but true strength is embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ. Victory, eternal life, and salvation come only to those who align themselves with King Jesus. He who overcame sin, death, and Devil in His life, death, and resurrection will vanquish them all once and for all in His second coming. If you do not look to Christ, then you belong to the world and Satan. If you belong to the world and Satan, you will suffer the same destruction and judgment that awaits them.

Christian, take heart. Jesus reigns, and He is strong. Your enemies may rage. They may make advances. However, they will not win in the end. Victory belongs to Jesus and all who belong to Him. Follow Him wherever He would have you go. Declare His strength and call everyone to look to and submit to Him.

Unbeliever, you may think yourself strong. What strength you have is fleeting. Every wicked “strong” man who has lived in the past has fallen. Every “invincible” empire has eventually come to an end. There is only one King whose strength is true and lasting. It is God and His Son Jesus Christ. You must turn from following the world empire. You must turn to the true king.

Second, look to King Jesus because He is splendorous.

Pomp and possessions of kings like Ahasuerus or Satan may seem beautiful and splendorous, but they are superficial. They do not have substance, lasting beauty, or value. Jesus, however, has true beauty. In Him, the fulness of deity dwelt. In Him, there is grace. In Him, there is love. In Him, there is justice. In Him, there is salvation.

What is more beautiful and splendorous than the one who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many? He doesn’t use and abuse His royal subjects. He saves them.

If you want to know and see beauty and splendor, then there is no better place to look, Christian or unbeliever, than the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are not the words “it is finished better” than any line written or spoken by ordinary men? Is not the resurrection of God the Son incarnate more beautiful than the rising of the sun every morning?

Christian, look to Jesus and see His dazzling splendor as the once dead and forever risen Redeemer.

Unbeliever, look to Jesus and see His inviting splendor that welcomes all sinners who come to Him for salvation. Even a sinner like you.

Third, look to King Jesus because He is sound.

King Ahasuerus may have reigned 127 provinces. He may have had “wise” men to help him make decisions, but he comes off as not sound but stupid in the story we read. Jesus is not stupid. He is sound. His judgment is always wise. His actions are always right. His rule is always good. He is more sound than the best foundation ever built by men.

He never leads any of His people astray, and His plans are never thwarted. Even when He looks defeated, His victory is always approaching. Ahasuerus and his “wise” men were outwitted by one woman. Jesus outwitted that serpent of old who led Adam and Eve to sin against their God. Jesus' ways may be deemed foolish by the ruler of this world and the corrupt world system that follows him, but Jesus is always right.

Do you need someone to lead you to wisdom? Who is better than the one described as the wisdom of God? Do you need someone to lead you to truth and life? Who better than the one who is the way, the truth, and the life? Do you need someone to lead you to salvation? Who is better than the one whose name means the salvation of the Lord? The answer is you need all these things, and there is no one better to provide them for you than King Jesus.

Christian, keep looking to Him for guidance, correction, and redemption.

Unbeliever, look to Jesus this day. He will lead you to wisdom and salvation.

Conclusion

Look to King Jesus because He is strong, splendorous, and sound. Look to Him because He, being the Son of God, became man, lived in perfect righteousness, died sacrificially on the cross, was buried, rose on the third day, ascended to and sat at God’s right hand, sent His Spirit to call, regenerate, fill, sanctify, and preserve His people, and makes continual intercession for His people. Look to Jesus because in all I just described He represented sinners like you and me. He represented every sinner looks to and comes to Him in faith.

Are you a sinner? Yes, you are. Are you worthy of condemnation? Yes, you are. Do you belong to Satan or Jesus? That is the question. Who is your king? Jesus will lead you to life everlasting. Satan will lead you to destruction.

Look to Jesus by faith. He will save you.

May God grant you such faith.