The Book of Esther
We all have rules and regulations we have to follow in this world. We must obey the law, the boss and the principal;
these are just a few of the people who enforce the official procedures we abide by in our daily lives. But not everyone
adheres to the rules in the same way: some obey all while others obey none.
What if you are a woman, whose husband is the king, and he makes all the rules that the whole country has to follow?
What if you failed to come when called, knowing the rule is that all beckoned by the king must present themselves?
Would a virtuous wife not comply with her husband, seeing that he was the prominent public figure? After all, if you are
a person in the public eye, your actions come under a certain amount of scrutiny. Queen Vashti knew all these things, yet
still refused to come when the king beckoned. Not only did she disrespect him as her husband, but also as king. For that
action, she was dethroned, and another woman sought and made queen. (1:11-22)
How many times have we seen people around us that show no respect for authority get ‘taken down a notch’, and taught
some humility? Or are we one of those people that disrespects the standing authority? And then we have those people that
are power-hungry, and will stop at nothing-even committing murder-to achieve that power. These people do not have the
wisdom to rule, they only want to attain the highest authority and the submission of the people. (3:1-4) Do we work
with, or know, anyone like this? Is this a husband who has to have such control that every move of his family has to be
documented in some way? Is this an overprotective mother who won’t let her children do the simplest of things for fear of
them getting hurt?
Then there are the ones that recognize this hunger for power for what it is: a purely materialistic desire. But a Godly
man knows not to bow to, or worship, an earthly man, no matter what position he holds. Even if that person makes life
difficult, or threatens to kill those that won’t bow. (3:5-15) Are we able to see these people for what they truly are, and
support them in their beliefs and actions? Are we able to emulate these people and see the faith they have? The scripture
promises that God will always provide a way of escape for His people. God