Esther for This Time # 2 – The Queen, the Refusal & the Bad Advice

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Vashti Dethroned

Queen Esther ~Refusal of Bad Advice

What can you learn from Queen Esther? Do you need more wisdom and less bad advice in your life?  Today, we will encounter the outrageous King Ahasuerus, who regrets the outcome of his bad decision based on bad advice! Join us as we discuss the true wisdom from God that does not disappoint.

The Party (Esther 1: 1-8)

Welcome to Esther for This Time: Prayer, Reversals & JOY Episode #2 based on my book Esther For Such a Time As This: Prayer, Reversals and JOY.  The Book of Esther in the Old Testament was written so that even 2500 years later, we can still relate it to our culture. We can learn so much from Queen Esther.

Today, we continue in Esther Chapter 1 with our introduction to the pompous and extravagant King Ahasuerus and the opulent six-month party he threw in the capital city of Susa (modern-day Iran) in the third year of his reign. Ancient historians suggest over 15,000 men came to the party, which lasted 187 days. Amid the grand party, the king received and followed bad advice. In the podcast today, we will cover these points.

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Vashti’s Refusal (Esther 1: 9-12)

• Queen Vashti was throwing a grand party herself for the wives of governors, nobles, and officials who came to the king’s celebration when the king called her to appear before an unruly, intoxicated horde of men to show off her beauty.
• She refused to come for reasons we might guess.
• When she refused, she did not expect the king’s boiling rage!

The Bad Advice to the King (Esther 1: 13-21)

• King Ahasuerus’ wise men, led by their spokesman Memucan, advised the king to dethrone and remove Vashti forever. Guided by his wounded pride, with no respect for his wife, the king followed this bad advice and dethroned Vashti.
• The Scriptures teach women to honor and respect their husbands and men to love their wives (Ephesians 5: 25, 3). But the king was a pagan consumed with pride and self-indulgence who did not know God’s commands or God’s ways.
• Greek Historian Herodotus records that King Ahasuerus won a great battle after this feast but later suffered a terrible loss to the Greeks during the four years that occurred between Esther Chapters One and Two.
• The King returned home from battle and likely consumed himself with even more indulgence and sensuality, only to find he missed a lasting relationship with his lovely wife.

Personal Reflection

Where do you need wisdom today? Our historical story teaches us

1. Be cautious when taking counsel from worldly advisors who stroke your ego or are motivated by a desire for power.
2. Be courageous and maintain your integrity in difficult situations.
3. Anger and violence do not demonstrate strength in a husband or a leader.

Application

1. Read Proverbs 3: 5-7, James 1: 5, and Proverbs 3:17.
2. These verses instruct us to ask God for wisdom, who promises to give it generously and ungrudgingly.
3. So, ask God to lead YOU and clear the road for YOU to follow.

Cup of JOY Women

• Consider forming a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group. Brief study guides accompany this podcast series, and you can begin anytime.  You will meet for only ten weeks and it’s free! Pray about accepting this opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by meeting with one or more friends over coffee or tea in your home or church.
• For information, email Karen or go to Cup of Joy Women.

Links

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series: WRAPyourselfinJOY.com.
• Check out more podcasts here!
• Click here to find the book Esther For Such a Time As This: Prayer, Reversals, and JOY
• Join my newest podcast  Ruth – Finding JOY in Tough Times and Trusting in God’s Goodness. 

Esther for This Time: The Ten-Part Series over the Book of Esther

• Esther for This Time #1—The Backdrop & the Party ~ Esther will show us that God never abandons us; He was faithful 2500 years ago and is faithful to you today.
• Esther for This Time #2 – The Queen, the Refusal & the Bad Advice  ~ Pursue God’s true wisdom instead of worldly counsel from those motivated by power.
• Esther for This Time #3 – The Spa & A New Queen   ~  Hear how the attractiveness of the heart wins friends and favor and see God’s providence begin unfolding quietly.
• Esther for This Time #4 – Unwavering Resolve & the First Edict   ~ Only God can deliver a people from destruction; With prayer and resolve, He can and He will.
• Esther for This Time #5 – Your Mission For Such a Time as This ~  View powerful examples of interceding for a nation in desperate times.
• Esther for This Time #6 – Pray, Wait and Discern   ~  Esther demonstrates the value of prayer, but also why it’s important to wait and discern God’s solution.
• Esther for This Time #7 – God-Designed Comedy  ~ Enjoy the change: God reverses calamity with a sense of  ~ humor.
• Esther for This Time #8 – Reversals Begin ~ God loves reversals and offers creative solutions to problems; He can make them happen for you, too.
• Esther for This Time #9 – Creative Solutions and MORE Reversals  ~ Watch the reversals unfold through prayer, and the nation’s deliverance brings a desire for conversion.
• Esther for This Time #10  –  Celebrate God’s Goodness & the Feast of Purim  ~ Join the celebration; God delivers his people from their enemies and will do the same for you.