Vashti Dethroned

What can you learn from Queen Esther? Do you need more wisdom and less bad advice in your life?  Today, we will encounter the outrageous King Ahasuerus, who regrets the outcome of his bad decision based on bad advice! Join us as we discuss the true wisdom from God that does not disappoint.

Welcome to Esther for This Time: Prayer, Reversals & JOY Episode #2 based on my book Esther For Such a Time As This: Prayer, Reversals and JOY.  The Book of Esther in the Old Testament was written so that even 2500 years later, we can still relate it to our culture. We can learn so much from Queen Esther.

Today, we continue in Esther Chapter 1 with our introduction to the pompous and extravagant King Ahasuerus and the opulent six-month party he threw in the capital city of Susa (modern-day Iran) in the third year of his reign. Ancient historians suggest over 15,000 men came to the party, which lasted 187 days. Amid the grand party, the king received and followed bad advice. In the podcast today, we will cover these points.

• Queen Vashti was throwing a grand party herself for the wives of governors, nobles, and officials who came to the king’s celebration when the king called her to appear before an unruly, intoxicated horde of men to show off her beauty.
  
• She refused to come for reasons we might guess.
  
• When she refused, she did not expect the king’s boiling rage!
  

• King Ahasuerus’ wise men, led by their spokesman Memucan, advised the king to dethrone and remove Vashti forever. Guided by his wounded pride, with no respect for his wife, the king followed this bad advice and dethroned Vashti.
  
• The Scriptures teach women to honor and respect their husbands and men to love their wives (Ephesians 5: 25, 3). But the king was a pagan consumed with pride and self-indulgence who did not know God’s commands or God’s ways.
  
• Greek Historian Herodotus records that King Ahasuerus won a great battle after this feast but later suffered a terrible loss to the Greeks during the four years that occurred between Esther Chapters One and Two.
  
• The King returned home from battle and likely consumed himself with even more indulgence and sensuality, only to find he missed a lasting relationship with his lovely wife.
  

Where do you need wisdom today? Our historical story teaches us

1. Be cautious when taking counsel from worldly advisors who stroke your ego or are motivated by a desire for power.
   
2. Be courageous and maintain your integrity in difficult situations.
   
3. Anger and violence do not demonstrate strength in a husband or a leader.
   

1. Read Proverbs 3: 5-7, James 1: 5, and Proverbs 3:17.
   
2. These verses instruct us to ask God for wisdom, who promises to give it generously and ungrudgingly.
   
3. So, ask God to lead YOU and clear the road for YOU to follow.
   

• Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy small group study that accompanies each podcast series, especially this one: Esther for this Time: Prayer, Reversals, and JOY.  Read more on hosting a CUP of JOY Women or Cup of JOY Gathering small group.  It’s free, and I will send you the materials you need for the one-hour discussion and study. For questions, please email karen@wrapyourselfinjoy.com
  
• You can download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: WRAPyourselfinJOY.com.
  
• Check out more podcasts here!
  
• Click here to find the book Esther For Such a Time As This: Prayer, Reversals and JOY
  

The post Esther for This Time # 2 – The Queen, the Refusal & the Bad Advice appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.