To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. Est 1: 11 NKJV
The book of Ester is my favorite Old Testament book of the Bible. I’ve read it many times and am always amazed at Ester’s strength and courage. How God worked out the circumstances to preserve His people is mind-boggling. Every little detail. His love, commitment, and grace to His people always astound me even though I shouldn’t be astounded…I always am.
Now the context for the verse I highlighted today. The first ten verses of the chapter starts with King Ahasuerus who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his reign, he had a feast for all his princes and servants, nobles and princes of the provinces. In those days, feasts lasted for three months. The king showed off his kingdom and his wealth. After that, he gave another feast for all the other people great and small in the palace. His queen, Queen Vashti, gave a feast for the royal women of the palace. On the seventh day, the King ordered his seven chamberlains to bring Queen Vashti to him.
In ancient times, women were only chattels to their husbands and particularly a queen would bow to her husband’s wishes, the king. It was the way it was. It’s historical.
Something important my husband said to me when we got married was: “I’m only middle management. I have to answer to God if I treat you poorly.” This has been something that I cling to when things get rough…and it has been rough on occasion but we both knew we had a third person in our marriage to help us through the tough times. Jesus.
We could not have survived the many upheavals we’ve had if Jesus were not a part of our marriage. It’s interesting to me. My husband once said, “I don’t know how other couples make their marriage work without Jesus in it.” I believe he’s right.
What are your thoughts on making Jesus the center of your marriage?