King Ahasuerus or Xerxes 1
of Persia has gathered together his seven princes who know Persian
law to ask them what they should do about Queen Vashti's refusal to
the king's commandment to appear before his guests. The embarrassment
and rejection has infuriated the king, but he is subject to the
Persian law for his reaction, so he needs the counsel and advise of
these wise men. In chapter one and verse sixteen we see one of these
prince's response to the king. We read:
And Memucan
answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has 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.
The verse begins, “And Memucan
answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not
done wrong to the king only,...” Memucan or as we interpreted
in an earlier verse, “Dignified” answers the king and gives
perspective to this refusal of Queen Vashti. He insures that the
other princes and the king know that her rejection was not just one
that would affect the king alone. He said, “the queen has not
done wrong to the king only.” In other words, others were going
to be affected by her decision. The weight of this one decision would
alter the way things were perceived in the kingdom.
Memucan goes on to say, “but also
to all the princes, and to all the people that [are] in all the
provinces of the king Ahasuerus.” In
other words, Queen Vashti's decision is going to affect all of the
princes' homes as well, and not only their homes, but also “all”
the people that are in the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of
Persia. Now one might think that this appraisal of the situation was
just a bit exaggerated, but once the word got out that the queen
refused the king, it would no doubt have some adverse reactions
throughout the kingdom. Memucan said it would affect every household
in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, and for certain this would
make the reaction to Queen Vashti's decision more important.
Isn't
it a marvel how one decision whether it be the request of Ahasuerus
for Queen Vashti to appear, or the drink which led him to the merry
heart that made the request in the first place, or the partying for
seven days that brought him to such a request, can affect an entire
kingdom? Perhaps we may think about the decision of Queen Vashti to
reject the king's request and the impact that choice made? The point
is, decisions have impact, and they have impact upon others. This
decision of Vashti was deemed “wrong to all”
and yet in the coming verses we shall see how God Almighty weaves
this resolution into His master plan. Though our decisions may affect
others, they are never outside of the bounds of God to use in His
Divine tapestry within our lives.
Next time we see how Vashti's refusal would be seen throughout the
kingdom, 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” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
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download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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