“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pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes.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.”
Esther 1:19
There are two leading female characters in the book of Esther. One of them had everything, yet she did not value it. The other one had nothing, but she relied on God and He brought her honor. It was very difficult for someone to compete with Vashti, as she was very well aware of her beauty. She received so many compliments that she started to believe them all, leading her to become a puffed up, haughty, and dominant woman who even began to consider herself as more important than the king. Vashti started to compete with the king, and when he sent for her, she was so occupied with her own party that she refused to comply with her royal duties to attend to the king’s call. This situation caused Vashti to be completely disqualified from her place as a queen. Vashti’s experience remained registered in history because no one whom the King of Glory has blessed should refuse to be in His service when He solicits them.
In just one moment, the most powerful woman of the empire lost everything, and the person who came to take her place was one of the most humble and righteous women of the Jewish community that inhabited Persia. This woman was an orphan and was raised by Mordecai, who had adopted her as his own child. He instructed her not to reveal who her people were. This woman was Esther who, little by little, gained the favor of everyone around her. The Word of God says that the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and that she found favor in his eyes. Eventually, he made her the queen, and by doing so, she took Vashti’s place.
Esther realized that God had placed her in the kingdom to protect the Jewish community who lived in those territories. Esther put her life in danger when she presented herself before the king without being summoned; in other words, she could have either received death or mercy for approaching the king without his call, but thank God that she received mercy. When the emperor extended his scepter towards Esther, she understood that the battle for her people had been won. From that moment, God began to derail the malicious plan that Haman had devised against the people of God. Haman’s life ended when he was hanged on the very gallows that he had built to kill Mordecai.
For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor” (Esther 8:16). The Jews were able to rest when the edict from the king came to them just one day before their enemy attempted to kill them. That edict allowed them to defend themselves against any attack. That very day, all confusion, darkness, sadness, and mourning were dispelled.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
The following anecdote leaves us with a positive and insightful teaching. At a lunchtime meal presided by Sir Mark Young, governor of Hong Kong, one of the most distinguished ladies who attended the meal feltvexed because she was seated at the edge of the table instead of being placed near the host of the meal. Once the meal ended, she approached Sir Mark and spoke to him with dryness. “Apparently, you aren’t thoughtful to look where your guests are seated.” The illustrious governor replied, “Madam, people who are truly important aren’t interested in where they are seated, and it tends to happen that those who are really interested in having a certain place aren’t truly important.”
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“Jesus’ grace and love made me who I am – a person who serves the Lord.”
Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume Two.
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.
