The Defiance Of The Queen Series

The Defiance of the Queen

Esther 1: 10-22

As we consider our text today, we must do so in light of the preceding verses. King Ahasuerus had thrown a six month long party, culminating with a seven day finale. He had provided an elaborate escapade for all the princes and servants within the provinces, complete with all the flesh could desire. As the week long finale came to a close, the king made an unusual and demanding request of the queen. Her response will infuriate the king and lead to her demise as queen over the kingdom.

While the characters and events of this passage are far removed from us in time, the attitudes and expectations of many remain the same. Many today are influenced by the passions of the flesh and ignore common sense and decency in regard to their actions and decisions. While the actions of Ahasuerus were not beyond the sovereignty of God, we can in no way insinuate they were pleasing to the Lord. Our world is filled with those who live and behave much like Ahasuerus. They are determined to have their way, satisfying their desires, regardless of the cost or embarrassment to others. There is little, if any desire to please the Lord or live in light of His holiness. Most live with one goal in mind: satisfying their own desires.

Let’s examine the factors involved in this tragic situation as we consider: The Defiance of the Queen.

I. The Command of Ahasuerus (10-12) – As the drunken party comes to a close, Ahasuerus makes a controversial and undesirable request. Notice:

A. The Setting (10) – The text reveals that Ahasuerus and those around him were not in a proper frame of mind. Their state of existence had been altered by the consumption of alcohol. We must also bear in mind, this was not just one night of casual drinking. The king and those with him had been partying together for six months. During that time they had indulged the flesh and had grown accustomed to continual pleasure. This is a dangerous setting that lends itself to a disastrous end.

As we discussed last week, I have never known alcohol or other mind altering drugs to have a positive influence on individuals or society. Strong drink and intoxicating substances lead people to actions they would otherwise avoid. When one combines the effects of these substances with continual pleasure, tragedy is often the result.

B. The Summons (11) – To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. The drunken state of Ahasuerus caused him to make an unusual and degrading request. He summoned his wife, queen Vashti, to come before the princes so they might look upon her beauty. Most scholars agree that he desired her to appear unclothed before a gathering of drunk men.

Not taking into consideration moral decency, common sense would discourage such activity. What man in his right mind would want to parade his wife before others in a provocative and lustful manner? This was also contrary to the accepted customs of the day. Their society did not approve of such behavior, and yet Ahasuerus was determined to impress his guests, even at the expense of his wife’s dignity.

This is the kind of activity drunkenness and debauchery promotes. I know we don’t like to discuss it, but we live in a “sex crazed” society. Common morality and decency are no longer promoted by many in main stream society. Clearly such behavior is displeasing to the Lord.

C. The Scandal (12) – But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. We don’t know a lot about Vashti, but one must admire her determination here. Surely she was aware of the impending consequences of her refusal to obey the king’s command, and yet she chose to do the right thing regardless of his command. Her refusal infuriated the king.

We must do as Vashti and determine to maintain a godly lifestyle in the face of a depraved culture. Society promotes such immorality and scoffs at our refusal to participate, but we must seek to maintain purity before the Lord. He purchased our redemption on the cross. We have been bought with a price and no longer have the right to live as we please. We have been brought out of the life of sin and are expected to live in light of the righteousness of Christ.

Many are like Ahasuerus. He should have been ashamed and remorseful for such a sinful and demeaning request, but he wasn’t. Instead, he was angered at the queen for refusing his request. He blamed her for the situation instead of seeing the iniquity within his own heart.