Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in

Portion For Reading Esther 1-4

Msg Chapter 1

This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush . At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

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. 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.

Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

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. But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

*When the Persian Queen Vashti was expelled by her husband because she had denied him total obedience, a search for a new queen began.

*Jewish traditions say that her refusal had nothing to do with modesty.

Queen Vashti, refused to come to the King when summoned; his second wife, Queen Esther, went to the king without summons. The similarity is striking! These are two women who took advantage of their position as wives of a prominent public figure. Their stories give us at least a slight idea what enormous responsibilities and pressures were placed upon them...

In the case of the queens Vashti and Esther, each queen was faced with a decision whether to accept or reject the role expected of her. Each woman had to face the consequences of her decision. And the outcome of Queen Vashti’s story was not at all as fortunate as Esther’s.

Unlike to the others, the festivities in Susa were open to all, great and small alike: free flowing wine served in golden goblets and much more... and all taking place without cause. It wasn’t the king’s birthday or an important military victory... it was just to show off all the splendour and richness of the king and his court.

And beside that in a seperate quarter of the winter palace, a second party was going on: Queen Vashti and the women of Susa were enjoying their own ceremonies, because women in King Ahasverus’ empire were excluded from these public festivities. But for Queen Vashti, the women of Susa had at least a small opportunity to join in the festive spirit that filled their land: the wives of noblemen and the wives of peasants were celebrating together and Queen Vashti took seriously her responsibilities to the women of the land.

Back in the courtyard, however, the mood of the men’s party had come to a feverish pitch: singing and laughter, dancing and drinking, boasting about conquering countries and women had come to the height. Leading the whole was the king. (Asked to try to describe this character, in the women’s Bible study, one woman said that she thought he must have been big in both ways – powerful as a ruler, and fat as a person, and maybe not all that self confident …but depending very much on showing power and wealth and control…). – All other women, the king boasted, paled in comparison to his wife, Queen Vashti. – And to prove his point he sent seven trusted servants to bring the queen to him immediately... What followed sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom. It was enough to sober the king: „But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command...“

Imagine the king’s humiliation!
Flanked by his friends, observed by all – friends and others – he could not afford that: public insubordination, especially from a woman. Even if that woman was the queen.Perhaps under different circumstances – in the privacy of their chambers or in a private discussion between the two of them over dinner – the king would have accepted. Perhaps…But:In front of all the men who now looked on in horror, the king had to act – and act quickly. At all costs, it must never be said that the king was hen-pecked. Imagine, if a man could not rule his own house – which meant wife and children – then surely he could not rule a whole empire.

In other words the king’s honour and ego were at stake. The private differences between a man and his wife became a public battleground with political and social consequences. In the eyes of those men the queen’s disobedience had social, political and economic consequences and dangers... Her behaviour was a threat to the created order and to national security of course.For her refusal to leave her own guests and come to her husband Vashti paid dearly.The rest of the story, we know all too well. In the end she lost her crown.

The same way we were grafted into because of there disobdience, but make sure we obey otherwise same can happened to you as Queen Vashti.

Rom 11:19-21 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Source:Christine Erb-Kanzleiter (Peacechurch.de)