Esther 1:1-8 — What I want, when I want it!
READ THIS: Esther 1:1-8
1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 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.
4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 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. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?
The beginning of Esther opens up with a major character in the story: King Xerxes. In case you didn’t know, there were actually many kings throughout this time period named Xerxes, so there is a lot of debate among people over who this Xerxes actually was! The original Hebrew text gives him a different name: Ahasuerus. Most people suspect him to be Xerxes I, son of Darius I, but the truth here is that these first 8 verses of Esther are less about his identity or title and more about his character!
The first thing we learn about Xerxes is that he not only had lots of material wealth, but he didn’t mind showing it off! He ruled over 100 provinces, and decides to celebrate that power and wealth by displaying it for all to see over the span of about 6 months. As if that wasn’t enough, when everything is done, he ends this display of power by hosting tons of people at his home in Susa for a week-long party. But what does that say about his character? Check out verse 8 for that answer… Xerxes says that anyone there can basically do whatever they want! Drink as much as they want, as for whatever they want, and be served whatever they want. Xerxes thought he was ruler over every single thing he could see. In his eyes, he can do whatever he wants when he wants, and that guides all he says and does! Remember that, and see if his heart changes throughout this book!
THINK ABOUT IT:
1. What’s so bad about doing whatever you want, whenever you want to? What dangers can that lifestyle bring?
2. Why is it better to let God be the ruler of our lives than let ourselves rule? What kind of ruler is God?
TRY THIS:
Whether you notice it or not, we can make a lot of decisions quickly simply because it’s something that we want to do! Today, when you are tempted to do something only because you want to, take a second to ask God if it’s the right thing to do first!
SONG OF THE WEEK:
To do what you want, whenever you want is still very much in practice today. But GOD is still in charge and He will hold us accountable!
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