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Learning from Esther 1 – Removal of Queen Vashti
Posted on February 28th, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:19-20 - “…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pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes.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. Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” -
Learning from Esther 1 – The Difference Between Vashti & Esther
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:12 – “…But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger…”The Book of Esther offers a comparison of two women, who were both wives of the Emperor Xerxes (Ahasuerus in some versions). Queen Vashti is the first and Queen Esther is second. King Xerxes ruled over the Persian Empire, the largest kingdom in the world at that time. The Bible presents his two brides to give a prophetic illustration of the unfaithful church and the faithful church. The faithful church is the bride of Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Ephesians 5:25-27). Many biblical stories contrast two women in order to give an illustration of faithful church (the bride of Christ) and the unfaithful church (institutional Christianity). Sarah and Hagar, Hannah and Peninnah, Abigail and Michal, Mary and Martha – they all teach us valuable lessons about the difference between the faithful church and the unfaithful church, from God’s perspective.
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Learning from Esther 1 – The Wise Men of Persia
Posted on February 12th, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:13-14 – “Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times and were closest to the king — Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan…”Esther 1 lists seven wise men, the closest advisors of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). They represent the Holy Spirit and his operation in the Body. Scripture teaches us about “seven spirits of God” or a “seven-fold Spirit” in Isaiah 11:2 and Revelation 1:20. The seven names correlate to the seven-fold traits of the Holy Spirit listed in Isaiah 11. These names also have specific meanings, and these help us gain a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit.
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Learning from Esther 1 – The Seven Eunuchs of Xerxes
Posted on January 22nd, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:10-11 - “On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas- to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at…”
The book of Esther is a prophetic illustration of the triumph of the faithful church, the Bride of Christ. The King represents Jesus, the King of Kings, Bridegroom of the faithful church. The first chapter lists seven eunuchs of King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes), mentioned in the verses above, as well as seven wise men (see Esther 1:14). This lesson focuses on the first group of seven.
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Learning from Esther – The Banquets of Ahasuerus (Xerxes)
Posted on January 12th, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:1-8 – “At that time King Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) reigned from his royal throne . . . and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials . . . For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa . . . Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. By the king’s command, each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished….”