“보라 네 왕이 네게 임하시나니”(스가랴 9:9)

Esther Series (1)

“The King Became Furious”

Esther 1:1-22

In the book of Esther, there are eight feasts, and the key events revolve around these feasts. After Israel was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms, each was destroyed by Assyria and Babylon. Afterward, these nations were eventually conquered by the mighty Persian Empire. Following the decree of King Cyrus in 536 B.C., there were three returns from exile, and the book of Esther takes place between the first and second returns. While some of the Israelites returned to their land, others were left in Persia, and the book of Esther conveys God's message to those who remained there.

Although God's name is never mentioned in Esther, it teaches that God is always at work behind the scenes, even if unseen. Understanding this can change our perspective and transform our thoughts and hearts. Similarly, if we recognize that God is working in our lives, even when invisible, it will change how we interpret and understand our lives.

The story in Esther begins in chapter 1, verse 4, with a grand feast hosted by the king. The feast lasted for 180 days, showcasing the immense power, wealth, and riches of the Persian king, who ruled from India to Egypt. The final seven days displayed an extravagant abundance of food, decorations, and luxury for the people of the capital city. But what lies behind the king’s life and those who enjoy such feasts?

In the midst of all this, Queen Vashti also held a feast (Esther 1:9-11). The feast we should focus on is Vashti’s. The king, in his drunken state, calls for the queen to come and display her beauty, but the queen refuses, which angers the king. At that time, culture strictly separated men and women, and it was taboo for a woman to appear before drunken men. It could even be seen as immoral. Commentators suggest that Queen Vashti’s refusal was probably justified by the norms of the time. Nevertheless, the king becomes furious, and as per custom, they plot to remove her from her position.

Why did the king become so angry? Because he was the king and held power that no one could challenge. Such power becomes the reason for not accepting the expected and can make a person angry over the smallest matters. Power can justify one’s wrongs and prevent them from realizing their mistakes.

If I were a person in such a position of power, if I were in the king’s seat, I should ask myself whether I would be able to govern with mercy, grace, and goodness. In truth, if we had such power, we cannot deny that we would likely get angry over smaller things. We can see how we react when we are in a position of power and authority, such as being a superior at work or in the family. Does having more make someone a better leader?

1.God's grace is also at work in our unfulfilled desires and dreams.

Our desires are endless. Even a king who has everything becomes angry. In Mark 8:29-33, Peter rebukes Jesus when He predicts His death on the cross. Jesus tells Peter to think of things from God's perspective.

What complaints do we have about the events in our lives? Perhaps the things that have not come to pass are actually grace, and the things God did not allow are a way for us to come closer to Him. Even failures can be used by God, and what didn’t go as we planned can become a tool in His hands. God works in ways that are unseen, and His history in our lives is often invisible. I hope that, remembering that God is with us, we live each week knowing that we are living before Him and with Him.

Application Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced a situation in your life that you thought was unfair or unreasonable? What resulted from that event, and how did it impact your current situation?

2. If you’ve ever experienced God's unseen work in your life, share that experience.

3. When I was in a position of authority, what kind of person was I? "Authority" doesn't have to be something grand. It can refer to being a superior in the military, a boss at work, a parent in the family, an elder sibling, or even small everyday instances where you are in a position of power over others.

Application:

1. If you feel that God is actively involved in your current situation (in your home, workplace, finances, health, etc.), write it down and reflect on it.