The festivities continue in
our story of Ahasuerus the king and Vashti the queen as they
entertain those both small and great at their parties in the palace.
During this wonderfully decorated affair, the royal wine is being
drunk out of golden vessels, and there is no limitations upon the
drink that is offered. In chapter one and verse ten we learn what
happens when King Ahasuerus has a little too much to drink. It reads:
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,
Our
verse begins, “On the seventh day, when the heart of the king
was merry with wine,...” We remember that we were told that
this feast in the palace of Shushan lasted for seven days, and this
is the final day of the feast. With all the drinking that was
provided, now we see Ahasuerus “merry with wine” and his
heart and thinking was affected by it. There is no doubt that what is
about to happen was related directly to the wine he imbibed, and now
his mind, thinking, conscious, inclination and resolution was going
to be influenced by it. Proverbs chapter twenty and verse one says:
Wine [is] a mocker,
strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise.
In this
case the request of Ahasuerus will forever alter not only his
kingdom, but also the lives of the Israelites forever.
The
verse continues, “he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha,
and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served
in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,...” Let us notice first
the word “commanded” which means he “told, said, or uttered”
to these chamberlains who were eunuchs that served the king. We shall
look at what he told them in our next verse, but for now, let us take
a specific look into their names: Mehuman which means
Faithful; Biztha which means Booty; Harbona which means Donkey
Driver; Bigtha which means The Wine Press; Abagtha which means God
Given; Zether which means Star; and Carcus which means Severe. So
let's put this into context. Ahasurus is tipsy with wine on the
seventh day of his party, and he calls together his seven chamberlain
eunuchs and says:
“Faithful,
Booty, Donkey Driver, Wine Press, God Given, Star and Severe, I
command you...”
Now just
what he commands is going to have to wait, however, for now let us
consider once again how the Almighty God is able to use these natural
events even if they are seemingly against what we might they should
be for His eternal purposes. We should remember that each of these
chamberlains grew up, were named, had purpose and were put in
positions to serve under Ahasuerus and that God knew every one of
them. If we keep in mind that God is well aware of all the people,
festivities, actions and requests that are done and being made, and
that He is able to use them according to His plan, we will consider
the possibility that He is using the people, actions and requests in
our lives as well. What is God Almighty up to behind the scenes? Only
time will tell, and only later shall we know more.
Next time we will see Ahasuerus attempt to show off his queen, so
read ahead, and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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