IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Introduction to Esther

Key Verse: 1:20

First, King Xerxes' party (1-8). King Xerxes ruled the world. But he was a king who needed to impress others with his power, majesty and possessions. So he held a 6-month exposition of his greatness and glory for his military and political leaders. Then, he topped it off with a lavish banquet in his palace garden for all the men of Susa, from least to greatest, for one week. His lifestyle was excessively extravagant, even for a king. At the feast, wine flowed freely. When the guests and Xerxes were in high spirits, he sent for Queen Vashti. He was proud of her beauty and wanted to show her off. Yet it was inconsiderate of him to display his wife in front a party full of drunken men.

Second, Queen Vashti's mistake (9-22). Queen Vashti was having a banquet for the women. When the king sent for her, she refused to come. In her pride, Vashti forgot that she had to respect her husband. He is the king, after all. Xerxes' pride was hurt in front of the men of his kingdom and he was furious. He consulted his advisors who knew the times. They saw this as a national problem. They urged Xerxes to depose Vashti. An announcement proclaimed that all women should respect their husbands! Even a king and queen cannot live together happily without love and respect.

Prayer: Lord, pride still destroys homes and breaks relationships. Take foolish pride from my heart.

One Word: Pride goes before a fall