We will spend 2 weeks in the book of Esther. This is a wonderful story of courage, faith and redemption. All this and God’s name is not mentioned once throughout the book. Let’s begin.
Esther 1: The King's Banquets
1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,
2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the capital,
3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him,
4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendour and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.
5 And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa, the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace.
6 There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones.
7 Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king.
8 And drinking was according to this edict: "There is no compulsion." For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.
9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.
Queen Vashti's Refusal
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 Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,
11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.
12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.
13 Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment,
14 the men next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom):
15 "According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?"
16 Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, "Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
17 For the queen's behaviour will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.'
18 This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's behaviour will say the same to all the king's officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty.
19 If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.
20 So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honour to their husbands, high and low alike."
21 This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed.
22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household and speak according to the language of his people.
Things to think about…
1. King Ahasuerus mentioned in Est 1:1,2 is the son of Artaxerxes (Ahasuerus is also known as Xerxes 1 – ruled 486- 465BC). Nehemiah was the cupbearer for Xerxes 1 and was allowed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem under his decree. It is likely Nehemiah knew Queen Vashti and the new Queen Esther and this would have been a great influence on Jerusalem’s will being rebuilt by Nehemiah. In these opening verses of Esther, Esth 1:1-9 we see abundance and freedom. This was Persia’s golden age. Sounds a lot like modern day Australia. Does wealth always mean hearts will be defiantly set against God? Often it does, but not always – consider ancient Nineveh that repented at Jonah’s preaching.
2. In Esther 1:10-21 Queen Vashti was asked to appear before the king, probably after they had had a few drinks, to admire her beauty. She didn’t want to obey, for reasons we could well understand, but this was a disgrace to defy the king. The king took counsel and made a decree that she be deposed. It seems she was a woman before her time, but she would surely have known the consequences. The Persian leaders suggest the wives would not honour their husbands if the king did not act? People often follow in the way of their leaders. This was sadly the case with ancient Israel when the priests and kings turned their hearts against the Lord. Ancient Susa would have been no different.
3. There are characters mentioned only briefly in the scriptures, yet their brief roles have had a profound effect in the turn of events that are still being felt today. Such a character is Memucan, one of the seven princes serving with King Ahasuerus, Esth 1:14. His counsel to the king as recorded in Esth 1:16-20. He was not only discerning and wise, but was also used by the Lord (the Lord’s name is not recorded at all in the book of Esther) to ultimately to used to install Esther, a Jewess, as queen and who would ultimately play a pivotal role in the deliverance of the Jewish people from annihilation.
4. There is an honour in the ancient law of the Medes and the Persians. It could not be changed once decreed, not even by the king. In the same way the Word of the Lord cannot and will not be changed, Esth 1:19 a,b, regardless of societal pressures or religious apathy. Jesus Christ is the Word. His Word is the same yesterday, today and forever, Heb 13:8. We may not always agree or understand it, but we are called to wrestle with it and proclaim it but never change it.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Andrew Otte’s ministry over the next 3 months
2. New families as they settle in
3. A Worship Coordinator.
4. One for Israel ministry.
5. Conflict zones
6. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
7. Reform and Revival over our city.
8. Finances to cover our needs
9. Pray for ministries as they start back - PlayPatch, Kids church, Creche and Kids Hope at Karalee State school.
10. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. The birth of Eva Winchester – well done Ursula and AJ
2. Return of new families and other new arrivals
3. Conversion of Ayden – pray for his discipleship journey.
4. Worship leader may be close to being called to CBC. Pray for the leadership as we confirm the position.
5. The Lord’s grace over our lives and country
6. Café, music, kids church, admin, sound and technical team every week
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Andrew Otte to begin at CBC for 3 months from the start of August.
2. PlayPatch 1-5yos, Fridays 9:30am at church starts this week
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 34. What is righteousness? A. It is God’s goodness.
