Category Archives: Esther

Daily Bible Reading “Queen Vashti’s Fall” (Esther 1:10-22)

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Esther - Queen Vashti L2Queen Vashti’s Fall

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Esther 1:10-22. It is now day seven of the king’s feast, which he was giving for everybody in Shushan. The men had been drinking as much as they pleased of the finest royal wine for a week. I can imagine they weren’t feeling any pain, as they must have been pretty intoxicated at this point.

King Xerxes got the idea that since he had shown off all his other trappings of the kingdom he wanted to show off the queen, because she was so beautiful. He tells his seven chamberlains to go and tell Queen Vashti that he wants her to come, wearing her royal crown and show off her beauty to all the princes. At the very least he wanted her to uncover her face, which wasn’t custom at this time, but some believe he wanted her to come before them wearing nothing but the royal crown.

Queen Vashti refused to come. The king got very mad and his anger boiled up in him. Can you blame Vashti for not following the command of parading herself around in front of a room full of drunken men?

Remember, not only had she not submitted to her husband as the law commanded, but she refused the order of the king. The Scripture does say that wives should submit to their husbands, but if they want you to do something unethical, illegal or something against God, I believe you have the right to refuse.

The king was so mad that Queen Vashti refused his command he asked the wise men, which were the seven princes of Persia and Media, what they could legally do to the queen to punish her for her disobedience.

Memucan spoke up and said Vashti not only did wrong to the king, but to the princes and all the people he governed. He was afraid when all the women of the provinces heard what Vashti did they would rebel against their husbands, also. He suggested the king send out a decree saying Vashti would no longer be queen, because of her disobedience to the king and the king would choose a replacement for her. He thought this would make the other women of the region realize they had to honor, respect and submit to their husbands.

The king and princes agreed with Memucan, so they sent out a decree to everyone in the king’s provinces, in every language, saying every man should rule in his own house.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Esther 1:10-22

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;
15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20 And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22 For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

 

Things to think about:

  • Have you ever been asked to do something that was against your morals, as Queen Vashti was?
  • How did you respond?
  • Do you blame Queen Vashti for not obeying the king’s request?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture help us to see drinking too much wine can cause all kinds of trouble. Help us as wives to submit to our husbands as unto the Lord. But help us to know where the boundaries are. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

If you haven’t already read the book be sure to get your copy now! We will only be sharing a few lessons on this blog. In order to read and study the entire book you will need to get a copy.

 

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

"The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor" By: Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Esther from the Old Testament of the Bible. In the book of Esther, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. In a series of events and through fasting, prayer and God’s favor Esther was placed in a position to save the Jewish people. Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai, who told her maybe she was born for such a time as this.

God puts us all in circumstances where He can use us to further His kingdom and give Him glory, if we are willing and obedient. Esther found her purpose for life. Like Esther you were born for such a time as this.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Party of Parties” (Esther 1:1-9)

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Esther - King Xerxes of PersiaParty of Parties

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Esther 1:1-9. The Book of Esther takes place during the reign of King Ahasuerus, who historians believe was also called Xerxes. For simplicity’s sake we will call him Xerxes (Zerk-sez), because it is easier to pronounce and spell. He was king over the land located between India and Ethiopia, which included over 127 provinces around 500 BC. This is considered to be the Persian Empire, or modern-day Iran. The king’s palace was in Shushan, which is also known as Shusha.

This book starts off with a great feast which took place in the third year of King Xerxes’ reign. This was a party of parties, all the powers that be from both Persia and Media and their servants were attending the party. It was a party where Xerxes was going to entertain these dignitaries for 180 days. He wanted to show off all the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty. Can you imagine having a party that lasted 180 days? Think about the expense of such a party. How about having to feed these people for this long? Can you even imagine attending a party that lasted for 180 days? Think about it: 180 days is almost six months.

When this time had passed he made a special feast for all the people in Shushan the palace. This feast was held in the court of the garden at the king’s palace. This was a beautiful decorated garden with tapestries of white, green, and blue hung by fine linen and purple cords attached to silver rings. There were pillars of marble and the couches were gold and silver. The floor of the courtyard was made of marble which was red, blue, white, and black. It sounds absolutely beautiful. What a lovely setting for a feast.

They served the finest royal wine at this feast. Each person had his own unique golden goblets. They were allowed to drink as much wine as they wanted. The men and women were not allowed to socialize with one another back in this time and culture. So, Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal house of King Xerxes.

Basically this Scripture sets the scene for us, so we can glimpse into royal life in the king’s palace. In the next lesson we will see how the plot thickens and how Esther is brought into the story of the Book of Esther, which was named after her.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Esther 1:1-9

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;
6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

 

Things to think about:

  • What is the most elaborate party you have ever been to?
  • How long did this party last?
  • Can you imagine going to a feast at the king’s palace?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study The Book of Esther, help us to see where You fit into the picture. Help us to look at our own lives and see where You fit into our lives as well. We know You have a plan for all of us and even when we don’t know what the plan is, You are making a way for us. Help us to trust You completely. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

If you haven’t already read the book be sure to get your copy now. We will only be sharing a few lessons from the book on this blog.

 

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

"The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor" By: Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Esther from the Old Testament of the Bible. In the book of Esther, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. In a series of events and through fasting, prayer and God’s favor Esther was placed in a position to save the Jewish people. Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai, who told her maybe she was born for such a time as this.

God puts us all in circumstances where He can use us to further His kingdom and give Him glory, if we are willing and obedient. Esther found her purpose for life. Like Esther you were born for such a time as this.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life