Esther 1:1-9
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;
Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
The story of Esther is one of the shorter books in the Bible, but it is also one of the most beautiful. This book has always touched my heart because of the details…the historical imagery that the words are able to paint in my mind. In these first few verses we meet two people. Queen Vashti, (although briefly) and King Ahasuerus the ruler of Susa. Now this gentleman knows how to throw a party. Not just a party but an after party also, both which lasted 187 days. The king was a powerful man who ruled over many people and places. There were a lot of people to impress at this party and he did what he needed to do to make that impression.
Look at these details:
“white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance.”
Can you imagine the sight of these gardens? Can you picture how beautiful they must have been? And it didn’t stop with the king and his people; it says that the Queen was feasting as well! I can only imagine what that feast looked like; I would like to think equally as beautiful.
God always has a message to His story, often times more than one. Darlene touched on a point that I had never thought of before. How the story of the feast was a foreshadow to the feast with The King. Looking past the drunkenness and desire to impress others, we can have a peace that our King is going to care for us.
Revelation 19:7-10
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
I often like to look for the flaws in those who God has chosen to do His work. I need to be reminded that sometimes it takes a drunken king; sometimes it takes the niece of a lower palace employee to start something as beautiful as the story we are going to be reading over the next several weeks. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We need to remember this about King Ahasuerus, and remember this about ourselves. Everyone can do great things for the kingdom of God.
Every story, every lesson, and every message has a beginning. The story of Esther begins here, with a feast.
*****
Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for using stories like this to teach us. Thank You for reminding us that every story has a beginning and that it doesn’t take perfect people to help create those stories. Thank You for creating lessons within Your lessons. Lord, through this study, please open our hearts and minds; there is so much to learn from these women and from Your Word. In Jesus’ Name.
Amen
About Tonya Ellison
Tonya, I too was impressed by the description of the beauty and lavishness of the party!. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) was obviously very wealthy, and he was very generous when he threw this party. I wondered, was he so generous for self-centered pride or was it for honorable reasons? In verse 3, it says he made a feast for his princes AND for his servants. And in verse 5, he made another feast for ALL the people in Shushan, both great and small. He didn’t need to impress those of lower standing, BUT out of his generosity he chose to include EVERYONE. How like our King. Jesus, our King, calls EVERYONE to come to His banquet. He doesn’t want anyone, great or small, to miss out. Matthew 18:10-14, “…In the same way your Father in Heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Because He knows when they accept His invitation, “EVERYONE can do great things for the Kingdom of God.”
I’m praying your prayer this morning too.
Awesome picture! I did not take into account that he also included his servants and ALL the people. However he did love Esther and Vashti too I believe so he had a big heart. He just allowed bad judgment and impulsive decisions to take over. We all have those moments maybe not to his degree but thank heavens we have a Heavenly Father who forgives! Wouldn’t we all be a terrible mess without Grace!
Very good point Clella, he was a very generous man, I think it was a mix of both reasons. Pride and honor, as a king he needed to show his power, and as a leader he also needed to show his compassion. I completely agree with Erica, he allowed bad judgment to take over, which we can all relate to. I love this example of how an imperfect person can play such a major role.
I am so thankful that Christ calls all of us, big and small. 🙂
A wonderful reminder that His ways are not our ways, that He will use whoever He needs to accomplish His will. We don’t need to see or know the whole picture or purpose of His plan, we just need to trust His way is the best.
” We don’t need to see or know the whole picture or purpose of His plan, we just need to trust His way is the best”.Faith. Great point Paula! We often want to see the whole picture, see all of the details, as we’ll see as the story goes on Esther often only knew the step right in front of her and she took that step in faith knowing that God would make the next step known in the right time. 🙂
Hi Tonya, My name is Teresa Brown and I am from Albany, New York. I am so blessed to be part of this wonderful online bible study. Yes we need to thank the Lord for these beautiful stories in the Bible that touch our lives day by day. I am so excited because I am not familiar with the story of Esther!!! Thank you so much for the lovely prayer!
Hi Teresa! I’m so glad you are here with us. This is a beautiful story with a beautiful message. Every time I read it I learn something new, and I love how it applies to my life today even though it was written so long ago. This is going to be great!
I LOVE the story of Esther and thank you for your thoughts today. Your comment “sometimes it takes a drunken king caught my eye.” Many times in life I have put my Christian friends/leaders on a pedestal and then I am distraught when they let me down or sin greatly. What a great reminder thatGid can do great things through EVERY one, even those who fall.
***oops…God can do great things
“God can do great things through EVERYone” So true and so comforting!
gosh, SO much that God can teach us through this story of esther!!! thank you, tonya…i loved that you quoted from romans chapter 3 because it is all about His provision for us…we do fall short and could never accomplish it or earn it or make it happen. “22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” <3
That is one of my favorite scriptures. Often times I beat myself up for things I have done in the past. My expectation have for myself don’t really allow for error, but because I am human, error is natural. I need to remind myself that All have fallen short and that God’s grace is more than enough.
“the vessels being diverse one from another”. As the body of Christ, we are all different parts (different vessels). We have different purposes in God’s plan yet we are all accepted and we are all invited to his table. Christ (like the King according to his law) has given as the option to drink from his “wine” as much as we want. My thought today is, How much do we want…will we drink little or be drunk with the wine of the Spirit.
I didn even think of of like that. Awesomeness!
Tonya,
Thanks for reminding me of what this feast foreshadows for us. Too often I view it as history rather how it is relevant to me today. I sometimes get stuck looking at the flaws instead of the future.
Great job, Tonya! Our Pastor often reminds us that God uses us ordinary people to do extraordinary things – many of our heroes in the Bible had flaws! (Serious ones, at that!) Thanks for reminding us to see past the person – and look to what God is working through them! 🙂
I can only imagine the beauty of this feast, not only by the King, but also the Queen!! The extravagance! It amazes me that this party lasted for 187 DAYS!!! WOW!! But what amazes me the most is that God can use ANYONE! All we have to be is WILLING!! Let’s look at others God used:
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was…
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND
Lazarus was dead!
When you look at this list of people God used in BIG ways, we have NO excuse not to say “Use Me God! He can, and He will…if we allow Him!!!
LOVE your blog today hon!
Tonya, great insights into this first chapter. I am reminded of how we can read a book of the Bible over and over, but He gives us a new revelation at what seems like just the appointed time in our lives. I am not into details normally, but you showed me the importance of it when God is about to do a great work.
Thank you, Christi, for reminding us that God can use anybody! No excuses…just step out in faith. Loved the description of the Feast! – The King knew how to throw a party! Love it that we are doing the book of Esther together! <3
I think it is such a wonderful reminder and blessing that God can use us all for His will and glory.
I’m enjoying the study. Thank you.
This was great! Thank you so much of the reminder of the colorful details. God’s plans for us is wonderful!
I loved it Tonya! Thanks for the reminder that our King will for surely take care of us 🙂
How rich is our Father in Heaven, He prepares the banquet, everyone is welcome yet not all are willing to come, not all are willing to submit. But thank you for a great reminder through Esther’s life. That no matter what our situation in life if we are ready to follow God submit to His will & purpose, He will make our story, His story.