The party is over! The king is angry, the court officials are appalled, and the queen is realizing that she made a big mistake!
King Xerxes in his anger and frustration turned to his court advisors to figure out what to do considering Queen Vashti’s disobedience. Memucan, one of the advisors, might have stood up and said, “Good king, ‘no man/woman is an island!’ What the queen did affected not just you but your whole kingdom!”
It is true for us as well. What we do or don’t do has an effect on others around us. The Word exhorts us in Romans 13:5, that “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities….” And in Hebrews 13:17 it says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” We are also told in I Timothy 4:12 to “set an example for the believers…” and in I Thessalonians 1:7-8 [to be] ”a model to all the believers….”
If we don’t submit to our authorities, why should we expect others to submit? A simple example would be obeying the speed limits. To obey them is to submit to the Transportation Authority that has set those limits for our safety. If we don’t submit to that authority and don’t obey the limits, why should we expect our youth when they start driving to submit to and obey the limits? Others are watching our example and are likely to follow us–even possibly to a greater extent.
Remember the saying, “Actions speak louder than words?” Well, these are the things that Memucan was so concerned about when he said,
For this deed of the queen shall become known to all women, and so shall they despise their husbands…There will be no end of disrespect and discord. (verse 17)
He was greatly concerned that others would follow Vashti’s example to even greater extremes. Therefore, to stop that potential fallout there had to be consequences for her actions. She lost favor with the king, she lost her position of respect, and she lost those precious possessions that go along with the position. The punishment corresponded to the crime: she wouldn’t go before the king–so she was denied access to the king from that point on.
Now remembering that King Xerxes was a foreshadow of a greater King, Jesus, we need to recognize Vashti as a foreshadow of the Jewish people. Time and again the Jews refused to submit to God’s commandments. They chose to “do their own thing.” And thus they lost favor with God and were even separated from Him by exile to foreign lands. As with Vashti, the punishment corresponded to the crime.
When Jesus came, he came to be the Jews’ King. Through His example, His teachings, and His miracles, He tried to draw the Jews to Himself. Matthew 23:37 says, “I longed to gather your children together…and you were not willing”—you would not submit.
Our author, Darlene, writes, “righteousness is conformity to God’s laws,” —submitting to God’s Will and God’s Way. I think of righteousness as “being in right standing with God.” But most of us, like the Jews, like to do things our own way. Surely we are good enough. We do good deeds! Vashti thought her beauty and position were enough to sustain her! We, as Vashti did, try to define our own righteousness by our own rules. “Beauty is only skin deep,” and so is our “goodness” unless we come before God in submission and in faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22, 4:3-5).
If Vashti had come in submission before the King it would have shown everyone that she trusted him. It would have put her in “right standing” with the king. Perhaps he would have presented her with some lovely gift or a new royal robe! In Matthew 22:1-14 (the parable of the wedding banquet) many were invited to come but most refused to attend. They were doing their “own thing” and didn’t have time for the king’s banquet. Others came and accepted the wedding garment and enjoyed the party. The man in verses 11 and 12 refused to submit to the king and his offer of security and right standing (righteousness) and, like Vashti, he was forever separated from the one who wanted to save him (verse 13).
ALL of us are invited to Christ’s banquet, but only those prepared can come and stay. For us, the garment represents our covering of righteousness provided through our faith in Jesus Christ to make us acceptable in God’s presence. God wants to clothe us with His robe of righteousness. He wants us to sit with Him in His heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). Have you accepted God’s invitation? Have you submitted to Him and allowed Him to clothe you with His robe of righteousness? If not, do it today, and join the greatest banquet ever!
*****
Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord,
Today we are reminded that our submission to You, our King, makes the difference between separation from you or being welcomed into Your presence. Help us, Lord, to also remember that what we do or don’t do does affect others. Thank You, Jesus, for offering through Your shed blood Your robe of righteousness. We cannot earn it and certainly don’t deserve it, but You are offering it to us freely as we have faith in You. We submit our lives to You, and ask You to clothe us with Your robe of righteousness. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
About Clella Fox
Clella,
I love your comparison between Vashti’s disobedience and lack of trust of her husband to that of the Jewish people and us even. How often do we hesitate when we felt led to do something and hesitate. Thanks for the reminder that we are loved and that God loved His people and knew that His son Jesus would be a light for us.
Thanks, Tina! I know I have certainly hesitated too many times, and when I look back I can see I missed out on something special that God had planned for me. He does love us and has our best in mind. Jeremiah 29:11 says that He has plans for us to give hope and a future! oxox
Vashti’s refusal to come before the King probably cost her more than she ever expected to lose. She lost her royal standing and was never allowed to enter the King’s presence again. Failure to submit to God’s authority has the same consequences. While the picture of grace and favor is the most beautiful theme throughout the book of Esther one should learn a great lesson from Vashti as well.
I agree Sandy. Until I started this study I had never thought too much about Vashti and the consequences of her lack of submission to the king. This lesson has made me stop and examine myself and my responses to God more carefully.
g’morning, clella! thanks for these words…they are reproving and compelling all at the same time! i could relate where you wrote,”Surely we are good enough. We do good deeds! Vashti thought her beauty and position were enough to sustain her! We, as Vashti did, try to define our own righteousness by our own rules.” we must hold in our minds that our own SELFrighteousness is ‘as filthy rags…’ but the righteousness that comes through Jesus by faith is perfect by God’s design. He loves us so much! <3
g’morning, Coleen! These God-given words spoke to me as well. Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” I’m so thankful that the Lord wants to help us shed our filthy rags, and clothe us with His robe of righteousness, “perfect by God’s design.” Love that! Love Him!
It made me reflect that submission to God is not only in one aspect of our lives, it’s holistic submission from our physical,mental, emotional and spiritual aspect we should be in total submission to God, our king. Even doing the menial tasks like washing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, running errands, doing the laundry and etc. In our daily activities, communing, worshipping, in submission to our God, what a wonderful life!
Wow, you are so right–total submission–every area of our lives! Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” For me when I remember this verse, doing even the menial tasks becomes a form of worship to our God.
This is my battle cry everyday. Help us God:-)…thank you for sharing your gifts with us Clella. God bless everyone. God is at work! Amen!
Amen! 🙂
Way to write Clella! Great blog today. Thank you sister!
Thanks Kim! Looking forward to yours tomorrow! <3
I love the quote “beauty is only skin deep,” it reminds me so much of my dear Mother, who is now with Jesus. She told all of us time and time again that “beauty is only skin deep,” she would always say “Beauty is within the heart,” then she would say in her witty way, “what’s a beautiful dish with nothing in it?” I love an miss her so much. Also, God does give us direct instructions to obey our leaders. This mean even when we don’t like, or disagree with them. I could give a few examples, but this is not the place for a debate. Vashti shamed her husband in the eyes of the Kingdom, and she had to suffer the consequences. But, still I believe this was all part of Gods plan for what is to come in the story. Beautiful blog Clella!!
Mary, I want to remember your mother question, “What’s a beautiful dish with nothing in it?!” She’s right, of course, that beauty is found within the heart–God’s love to us and our love to Him. It’s a beautiful thing what’s happening in our hearts! 🙂
God always has a better plan than we can imagine, and He will use circumstances and people that we can’t imagine to accomplish that plan. That’s why it’s so much better for us to submit to Him, and as someone said this morning, “Let Jesus take the wheel.”
“Vashti thought her beauty and position were enough to sustain her! We, as Vashti did, try to define our own righteousness by our own rules.”
Okay, I am not trying to be argumentative here but I am struggling with this concept that we must obey regardless. I was called on the carpet on FB comments the other day because I assumed that Vashti did not go before the king because she did not wish to be paraded in front of his drunken friends. Yet to me this statement about Vashti thinking her beauty and position were enough to sustain her seems to be an assumption that she refused out of just wanting to do want she wanted to or outright defiance. I have read and reread this scripture but I do not see where it says this is the reason for her disobedience.
Please understand that I know that disobedience to God is wrong. What I’m trying to say is what was pointed out to me a couple of days ago, we actually don’t know why she refused. And yes, I believe that we should drive the speed limit, etc. What I am hearing in these posts though is that we should submit to all authority regardless of circumstances, even if it leads us down paths that God would not want us to go? Are we to just blindly go wherever or do whatever our government, our husbands, etc. say?
I’m just struggling with this total submission to any authority thing. Like I said I get the submission to God thing, but then He would never ask us to do anything that is not good for us. I can not say the same for man–king, president, or husband.
I know in the greater scheme of things that the reason for Vashti’s refusal is a non-issue. It was God’s plan. I am just struggling with whether there is a line to obedience of authority and if so where the line is.
And that Peggy is the debate that I was talking about. I too know that we are to submit to God fully. I truly do, and like you I know that He would never lead us down the wrong path. Having said that, I too struggle with submitting to an authority that is “Godless.” I’m very confused on what exactly we are suppose to do on that. Thank you for bringing this question up.
peggy, this IS not easy! but the greater responsiblities in our Christian walk never are! to me submission is so much more about where my heart is rather than walking a line of obedience. truly, i had to come to the point of acknowledging that my ultimate submission is to Jesus my Lord. after all, is that what ‘Lord’ is all about? then since Jesus is my Lord, i endeavor to keep me in submission to His words, and the commands He has given to me. i then find much less struggle with submission in any other area.
as to the question of submitting to authorities (husband, government, church, boss, etc.), we should look at what the Scriptures tell us so that we know the Lord’s will in this, right? so romans 13:1-5 is pretty clear. for example, verses 1 and 2: ‘Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.’ God IS in control. He is sovereign and over ALL. the Scriptures do not tell us that the governing authorities are righteous, or holy, or obedient to Him. and the Scriptures do not tell us to ‘like’ the governing authorities…just to be in subjection.
again i come back to submission being a heart issue not a governing of our flesh. when first married, my ‘submission’ was ALL about controlling or governing my flesh! and i failed MISerably! it took much correction and a big attitude change for me to even begin to submit to robert in a way that honored God.
please let’s continue to help one another to do things God’s way! let’s all be praying and asking God to open our eyes, to show us the difficult things from His perspective, and to help us! it is not a coincidence that we are doing this study…i thoroughly believe it is God’s plan for our lives at this time. <3
You make a very valid point here Coleen. Your FIRST submission is to God. Then your husband, gov’t, church, boss, etc.
see, ’cause, when i am submitted to God i WILL DO those things He tells me to do…i.e., submitting to husband, government, church, boss, etc. oh! and submitting one to another! let’s NOT forget that one! 😉 <3
First of all, we need to understand that God is never going to call us to do something that is hurtful to us, or demeaning, or degrading, or abusive. He LOVES us. So when HE calls us to do something, it is for our BEST interest or the BEST interest of another.
For instance, I do not believe for one minute that God calls us to submit to a man who is beating you, or making you do things that are against the law, or things that will hurt your children. If something like this is happening in your home, or in any woman’s home, she needs to seek counsel, and help immediately!! We have a right to stand up for what is RIGHT, and LEGAL.
I may get slammed for this one, but that is my true and honest belief.
You’re right, Peggy, to point out that I/we don’t really know why Vashti didn’t go before the king. Whatever the reason, it appears to have been her choice and ultimately for her, a fateful choice.
Thank you, ladies, for all this great discussion. These are worth our time, and this is a safe place to ask our questions. I won’t go back over all that has been said, but I do want to share how I view submission. Then I welcome any further discussion because this is an important topic for all of us.
I agree with Coleen that it is a heart issue, and our first submission is to God. Then we have the other authorities, what do I do with them? I look to the greatest example I know, and that is Jesus. Even before His birth, His parents submitted to the authorities and went to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Then they submitted to their higher authority, God, and went to Egypt for a period of time rather than submit to the godless government who demanded the killing of the baby boys in the area. As an adult, Jesus Himself submitted and paid taxes to the same godless government (Matthew 17-27). And in Matthew 22:15-22, in His response to the Pharisees when they tried to trap Him in His words said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” He even submitted and was arrested and crucified. The people thought He was submitting to the governing authorities but in reality He was submitting to His Father’s Will. Peter, in Acts 4:19-20, says, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you (the Sanhedrin) rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
So my base line is “What would Jesus do?” I will submit to what I can within the standards of God’s Word. If I am commanded to go against God’s Word, I must refuse because in the end I answer to God. As with most of the apostles and the thousands of martyrs today, that may mean that I die for not submitting to an earthly governing authority but I’d rather die a martyr’s death than go against God.
AMEN, and well said, Clella!!
So we do not submit with blind abandon. We submit to God through what he has told us in his Word. As we submit to him, our submission to others follow. We would never submit to authority who would ask us to deny Him or to a husband who would demand that we sin. There is a line in submission.
I agree, Sharon. There is a line in submission, and Jesus has drawn it for us. When we look to Him and follow His example we will see the line more clearly.
Thanks, Christi. 🙂
Thank you everyone. I am better able to understand the line to draw when it comes to submission. Clella, what a wonderful post this morning. I was hesitant to keep pursuing the issue because I was afraid that others would think I was just trying to argue against submission. Regretfully, I have not always submitted when I should have but I have been working on it. Just kept getting vibes that so many thought that Vashti was wrong not to submit, when we don’t know her reasons for not doing so. Felt like they were saying that we should submit regardless of circumstances. Thankfully, there is a line and the line is staying within God’s will.
Peggy Kahle, thank YOU for being ‘courageous’ enough to keep pursuing what was on your heart! I believe God led me to this fellowship of ladies so I can learn, be challenged, and grow (and fellowship as a bonus) in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. I won’t be challenged if we don’t ask some hard questions sometimes. Let’s all keep digging, keep challenging, and keep growing! <3
Peggy, I had a similar question earlier this week after reading Chapter 1. My question had to do with submission vs. accountability, specifically in the marriage relationship. I don’t have any answers on that yet, either, but my eyes and ears have been opened to receive an answer. 😉 Thank you, Clella for a wonderful post. Lots of thoughts to ponder!
You’re welcome, CG. We are first accountable to God so I pray that our eyes and ears are open to His answer. 🙂
I am reminded of how forgiving God truly is. I have been disobedient SO many times in my life and this reminds me that at any point, He could have turned his back. YET, he forgives me every time and loves me just the same…just because I have accepted His righteousness.
So true, Janet! HE WANTS us to be clothed in His righteousness even when we are not worthy. “thank You, God!”
Thank you for the timely lesson this morning, Clella. As I have read through the comments, I have a few Scripture verses that were brought to mind. Submission and rebellion are very tough topics to tackle, but very necessary in every believers heart. Our reactions to authority are examples by word and deed to the next generations and the world around us.
I found several Scripture references where we are told to respect all manner of authority. Romans 13:1-3, Ephesians 6:1-9, Colossians 3:20-24, 1 Peter 2:13-15, 2 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 18:17-20 and Hebrews 13:17. In every area of our lives we are to show submission to those with authority over us.
I also found the discussion in Acts 4:18-20 where the disciples were being forbidden from teaching about Jesus after His resurrection by the city leaders. The disciples said it was up to God to judge whether it was right or wrong for them to speak. Even in their disagreement, it would not have been ok to disrespect the authority.
God reserves the right of administering discipline and correction to those represent His authority. Romans 14:4 and 1 Chronicles 16:21-22 give us examples of this.
We were all born with a rebellious, sin nature (me more than most). It is our duty to bring our rebelliousness into submission so that we can be used by God to fulfill His purpose here on earth. How we respond to others is our direct witness of God’s presence in our lives.
There has been a lot of good discussion in this book of Esther. Keep going ladies, don’t give up.
thank you, teresa, for bringing the Scriptures before our eyes! we know and believe that we hide or treasure His Words in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him. His Words bring light to areas of our hearts and minds where we need it.
and i love the perspective to live by that you reminded us of: ‘Our reactions to authority are examples by word and deed to the next generations and the world around us.’ and ‘It is our duty to bring our rebelliousness into submission so that we can be used by God to fulfill His purpose here on earth. How we respond to others is our direct witness of God’s presence in our lives.’ praying that God will help us (as He loves to do!) with the things stirring around in our minds and our hearts…teaching us, correcting us, guiding us. for His glory! <3
Thanks Teresa. I love how our minds were both drawn to Acts 4:19-20. For me, that is a standard I always try to live by. Thank you for sharing lots of good Scripture because as you said, “Submission and rebellion are very tough subjects to tackle but very necessary…!”
God is certainly using you as a blessing today Clella! Even before your comment about “even we don’t submit to authorities…” I had written down in my journal: ” If I don’t submit to Christ, how can I expect my kids to submit to my direction and ultimately God’s?” this study is already quite convicting for me in so many ways. And I, too, am amazed how much I’m learning through Vashti’s role. I think I had skimmed over her when I studied this book before.
Megan, thank you for your comments. God convicted and taught me a lot as I was studying and writing this too. Taking the time to meditate on God’s Word sure teaches me more than when I just skim over it! 🙂
Great points you made Clella, and I am in total agreement with you submission. However, I really think the confusion and questions comes in when we are faced with people like Peggy has pointed out, particularly in a marriage situation where one spouse might be a Chrisitan and the other one not. I’ve even a Christian spouses who are controlling for their own personal selfsih gain. It presents a whole lot of study on the word submission as Christi pointed out. The old saying: “you haven’t walked in my shoes,” applies to a lot of women who are faced with teachings on “submit.” Again, that has nothing to do with your points, Clella, it is just women trying to figure this out from perhaps a marriage standpoint or relational standpoint. I’ve been there, done that, so I understand the points that are being brought up.
Martha, you are certainly correct, from a marriage or relational standpoint this subject is a tough one. I do believe God’s Word is our standard, and we have to be careful not to mix that up with some churches’ teachings or what society says. Using God’s standard, each woman must judge her own situation and learn how to be obedient to God and what He wants for her in any relationship.
Thank you for sharing today! 🙂