09/02/2024
*LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF QUEEN VASHTI*
Who was queen Vashti?
Vashti was a queen to king Ahaserus, as narrated in the first chapter of the book of Esther. The book of Esther is a historical book written during the period of the captivity of Israel, in the days of the reign of king Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, who reigned from India to Ethiopia. Vashti was very beautiful to behold and most honored and favored of all the women in the kingdom. King Ahaserus' kingdom was very large and great. She was the leader of all the noble women in the kingdom. Vashti was in a very high position and she was much desired of the king. She was really after his heart and the love of his life. During the third year of the reign of king Ahaserus, he made a great feast lasting for about half a year. Thus, 180 days and showed the splendor, majesty and glories of his kingdom to his nobles and citizens. After this, the king made a 7 day feast for all his nobles and people at Sushan, where his palace was. Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women at the same time.
On the last day of the feast, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded seven officials to bring Vashti wearing her crown to show her beauty to the princes of his kingdom. Queen Vashti refused to come before the king, and his anger stirred up against her for disobeying him. Upon further advice from his officials, he dethroned her and gave her position to Esther. They said, "For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not" (Esther 1:17 KJV).
Although the Bible was silent about the reason of the queen's refusal to appear before the king, yet no kingdom has ever tolerated disobedience in any way. Whatever being the reason, she has no excuse in disobeying the king, who was also her very husband. The king's command must be obeyed at all cost and there were many laws binding his words. Some historians said queen Vashti failed to come because the king had wanted her to appear naked, wearing only her crown. While others say she was sick with leprosy or the laws of Persia don't permit her to come before the king at that very moment. Whatever reason she had for not attending the call of the king, she knew the consequences and chose to bear them. None can disobey the king and go scout free. You'll either be imprisoned, punished, banished or even killed for going against the words of the king, irrespective of your relationship with him or how much you love or he loves you. If an earthly king demands obedience, how much more the King of kings? How much more the King of Glory who created us? How much more the Lord of lords who died and shed His blood to save us?
Now, the life of many Christians are like that of queen Vashti. They are enjoying the favor, honor, position and the blessings of God upon their lives, yet they are not heeding to the voice of His Word and His Holy Spirit who has been sent to lead us unto all truth and to help us get prepared to meet the great King. Most Christians have failed to attend to the call of the King of kings to be separated from the world and live in absolute holiness. They have refused to appear before the King to show their beauty of holiness to the world. They have rejected the Words of their King and Husband (Isaiah 54:5), who died and suffered for them. The Bible says, "As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Heb. 3:15 NIV).
The Good Shepherd, the Great King said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28 KJV). The question here is, are you hearing the Shepherd's voice? Does He know you? Do you follow Him? Note that king Ahaserus loved Vashti yet he dethroned her and gave her position to another woman. The truth that God loves you doesn't make Him forgo His Words and the consequences of disobeying Him. He dearly loves you, but He will punish you accordingly when you fail to heed His warnings and live right with His standards. If you dearly love God, you'll keep His Words and live in holiness (John 14:15). It's time to heed His call; it's time to obey His voice and do the things which pleases Him. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice. And it is better to pay the price of obedience than the cost of disobedience!
Dearly beloved, don't end your life like Vasti, don't let disobedience dethrone you and make another take your crown while you go through the everlasting wrath of the King of kings. Procrastination is sin, obey the voice of God before complaining. Obey and act on His Word immediately you hear Him speak. Build up your relationship with Him. Keep a loving and intimate union with Him, for He dearly loves you than you can ever imagined. He shall surely reward your obedience to Him.
May we ever love our LORD JESUS, keep His Words and live for Him in Christ Jesus name. Amen.
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