The story begins with King Xerxes (aka Ahasuerus) throwing a lavish feast, filled with excess and pride. The king is strutting his stuff for the princes and nobles of the empire. Why? As best we know from history, he is likely building confidence and support for his planned invasion of Greece. Think May Day parade in 500 B.C. The King has his reputation for power at stake.
Ironically, his display of wealth and power is quickly transformed into an exhibition of the ultimate his weakness. He summons Queen Vashti and she refuses to appear and yield to the king’s authority. This must have raised a lot of embarrassing questions among those partying princes. You can imagine them asking, “if a man can’t rule in his own house, what hope is there he can rule an empire?”. One person who resists apparently overwhelming power can bring down an empire, so she must be dealt with, and in a hurry.
Vashti is banished. We don’t know exactly what happened to her. Some historians think she was executed. Other than that, she was simply set aside and ignored. In either case the way is paved for Esther. At first glance, God seems absent. But behind the scenes, He is already at work, setting the stage for deliverance.
There are a lot of questions in this story that only God can answer. Can He protect His people even while they are in exile? What about those covenants and promises God made to Patriarchs, and David? Are they off the table or will God somehow keep them? The apparent absence of God challenges us to act in faith even when we can’t see Him clearly. He challenges us to trust that He is there.
Takeaway for Today: Trust God to always be faithful and at work for good even when you cannot see His name.
TheoFaith 