Esther and Vashti

Esther and Vashti Bible Lesson

Queen Vashti in the Bible Adventure

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our Esther and Vashti Bible study taking a look into the Queen Vashti in the Bible events and how the very thought provoking Esther and Vashti in the Bible message affects your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

Esther and Vashti Bible Transfer of Power
Queen Vashti in the Bible Story

Glad you joined us back at Shushan where we've just gotten underway in our story about Esther here at Daily Bread. To refresh your memory a bit, king Ahasuerus had a celebration to show the kingdom his riches. Then he had another, smaller celebration for just the people of the palace. When he asked his queen Vashti to make an appearance, she curtly refused, so Ahasuerus divorced her and made a search for a new queen.

The cousin of Mordecai the Jew won the honor of becoming the new queen because of her loveliness. Shortly thereafter, Mordecai heard that two of the king's chamberlains were planning to murder the king, so he alerted Esther, who in turn informed the king and the report was written in the king's book of chronicles, but the king didn't know that it was Mordecai who saved his life.

That brings us to where we left off. After that, the king promoted Haman, of the children of Agag as his top prince above all the others. All the servants bowed and respected Haman because the king commanded it. However ... Mordecai didn't bow to Haman, or respect him. A Jewish man bows to none but God.

Esther and Vashti Bible Discussion
Queen Vashti in the Bible Warning

The servants of the king asked Mordecai, Why do you disobey the king's commandment? They asked him every day, and Mordecai didn't listen to them so the servants told Haman, to see if this behavior would be tolerated because Mordecai told them that he was Jewish.

When Haman saw that Mordecai didn't bow or have any reverence for him, he was infuriated. He refused to harm only Mordecai, because they showed him Mordecai's people, so Haman planned to destroy all the Jewish people in the entire kingdom of Ahasuerus.

In the first month, called Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, (Esther had been queen for about five years now) they cast the lot, called Pur, in front of Haman every day until the twelfth month, called Adar.

Esther and Vashti Bible Explanation
Queen Vashti in the Bible Saga

Time for a Daily Bread Crumb! We've talked about how the Hebrews cast lots and this was a means by which God revealed things to them. Well, the Persian word for this practice was Pur, though it wasn't divinely inspired like casting lots was for the Hebrews. They did this to find out which of the twelve months would be the "luckiest" for Haman to accomplish his destruction of the Jews.

Some also think that in addition this was some kind of game that the people played in front of, or with Haman daily to distract him from his ire until the lucky day arrived or that it was some kind of determination as to who would win the property of the more affluent Jewish families.

Then Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There's a certain people scattered abroad and diving among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom as well. Their laws are different from all people, and they don't keep the king's laws either. It's not profitable for the king to put up with them.

Esther and Vashti Bible Trruth
Queen Vashti in the Bible Events

If it pleases the king, let there be a law written that they may be destroyed, and I'll pay ten thousand talents of silver to those who are put in charge of the job, to bring it into the king's treasuries. This was because Haman knew there would be a loss of tribute with so many people perishing, so he was willing to pay it out of his own pocket.

The king thought this was a good idea, so he took his ring off his hand and gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people. The king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, and the people too. Do with them as it seems good to you.

Here's a little Daily Bread Crumb! In ancient times, the king often gave his ring to someone who he placed in a seat of honor. Joseph was given the ring of Pharaoh when he put him in charge of Egypt as well. Now, about the ring itself. You may have heard of it being called a signet ring.

Esther and Vashti Bible Message
Queen Vashti in the Bible Sign

That's because it was used instead of a signature for decrees and laws and such. The ring usually had a gem or a stone that was engraved with some kind of seal (called an intaglio) that represented official authority or authenticity, so that an impression or engraving could be made with it.

The king's secretaries were called on the thirteenth day of the first month and all that Haman suggested was commanded in writing to the king's lieutenants, governors and rulers of every people of every province, in their own language, throughout the kingdom, and sealed with the king's ring.

The letters were sent by messengers ordering to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, to all Jewish people, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey (take all their goods). This was to be done in exactly eleven months.

Esther and Vashti Bible Conclusion
Queen Vashti in the Bible Summary

A copy of the writing was published for all the people so they would be ready for that day. The messengers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace.

When we return, we'll find out what happens when Mordecai finds out about Haman's evil plan ... So be sure to return for more Daily Bread.

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