Esther: When God seems Absent (2)

The Queen’s Rebellion Esther 1:10-2:4

A King with Fragile Character

Introduction here

Cell phone on the table.

Answer the phone! Are there people on your contacts list that you probably better answer? You know that when they call, you really must answer. Why?

We have a little “code” in my family, that when I’m really busy— like right now— if you call back a second time, I’m going to answer the call.

Are there other people who, when they call, you probably won’t answer? Why?

There are neat ways to set up your settings here on the phone, so that it will be silent for certain calls, but it will always ring for others. I want to talk to you today about that “setting” in your mind. Do you have a setting in your heart that when Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, “calls” you— you are going to answer and obey with honor and loyalty. What would that take? Trust, love, experience, etc.

Today we will explore how the party to end all parties comes to a close. It’s kind of a sad ending. It doesn’t go quite like King Xerxes wants— he has one last display of his greatness to show off— He’s thrown a tremendous party. All the fixings, and trimmings, all the extravagance. Everything was going just great--- until he makes one more foolish request… He makes one more quick phone call, so to speak, to the crowning jewel of his kingdom...

Let’s open to the book of Esther.

The King is careless (v.10-11) Esther 1:11

Esther 1:11 NIV

11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at.

We move to Ahasuerus who invites his Queen to be a public spectacle to a drunken party. The language in verse 10 that his heart was merry with wine has the idea that what follows is either that he was just feeling happy— all the way to he was drunk.

Either way, the king sends for his queen to be a public spectacle at his party, while she was hosting her own.

There is debate on what it means for her to come with her royal crown.

No matter how one takes it, she was to be showed off by the king while he and his friends are probably drunk.

This was dishonorable for both of them.

This was also against Persian custom.

This put a great hardship on her.

To make her a show for him and the nobles. (That’s not what a queen was to do)

The King is easily angered (v.12) Esther 1:12

Esther 1:12 NIV

12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

The king blows up in anger, when she refuses to come at his request.

He seemingly has control over everything and everyone—127 provinces, but not his own Queen, or his own spirit (temper).

The King has control over everything except his Queen and his temper.

He is portrayed here to be quick tempered. One act of disobedience and he is seething with anger.

Historians believe he is trying to impress everyone. This doesn’t help.

The King is easily influenced (v.13-20) Esther 1:13

Esther 1:13 NIV

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times

The king seeks justice what must be done. He is making this decision drunk and driven by anger.

Memuken proposes the worst case scenario.

His advisors say what Vashti has done is not only against you but everyone in the kingdom.

Therefore we must make a statement that affects everyone in the kingdom.

All women will revolt against their husbands because of what has happened.

Edict is sent that affects everyone that husbands are to rule their homes like King X rules.

Esther 1:19–20 NIV

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

Is this logical? Because Vashti refuses the king in his drunken folly, will every woman in his kingdom rebel against her own husband? No

Will this edict provide family harmony in his kingdom? No

Let this be a lesson to us— if you are a leader, never make policy during the conflict.

King Xerxes seems to have a bit of remembrance:

Esther 2:1 ESV

1 After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her.

But the law/edict was already set. It’s in the books, and cannot be changed.

This represents one of the critical elements of the story— the elaborate drama that removes Vashti from the position of Queen, making a way for Esther to be elevated to the position.

Queen Vashti did not respect or honor the King.

As a result she lost her title, her position, and her purpose.

We can justify her actions, since we see that the King was not worthy of that honor. He was a bad leader.

This is a vivid foreshadow of what will come later for Esther. Vashti is dismissed because she won’t come when called— Esther risks being dismissed (and eventually killed) if she approaches the king when she is NOT called.

Mordecai believes God will prevail, but he says these powerful words to Esther— that she has been put in a place, at a time, for a purpose:

Esther 4:14 (NIV)

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Conclusion: We see that King Xerxes is careless, easily angered, and questionable when it comes to reasoning, and brash. We can easily see why Vashti disrespected him.

Our King Jesus is NOT careless, he is NOT easily angered or easily influenced.

Do we refuse to obey Him when he calls us— if so, we should be careful that we might be replaced.

What is the special purpose God has prepared for you— are you in that place to answer the King’s call? Will you answer?