The title of this series gives the next study away, doesn’t it? Captain obvious here. When I was in high school, I remember attending a church and they gave me a Bible. Inside the front cover was written, “Tiffany, you have been chosen to lead ‘for such a time as this…’” I’ve clung to those words over the years. Not entirely sure what it all meant, but I’ve certainly spent two decades being shaped into a leader from a business context.

Little did I know that 25 years after those words were penned, I’d be in Brooklyn, running a financial technology company and managing the business with a brilliant Orthodox Jew. Funny how God works.

If you’re a woman, I’m sure the book of Esther holds special meaning to you, just as the book of Ruth. Every woman desires to be seen as a queen, treated as a queen, and beloved as a queen is beloved.

Esther is a captivating book. It contains no mention of faith, God, the coming Messiah, or the Holy Spirit – yet it distinctively shows the providential hand of our King. If you're familiar with the book of Ezra, you probably know that between chapters 6 and 7 there is a 50-year hiatus. What happened during those five decades? The book of Esther! 

Matthew Henry summarizes the book of Esther well (I've bolded my comments for clarity):

"How the providence of God watched over the Jews that had returned out of captivity to their own land [referring to the 50,000 who left Babylon in the book of Ezra], and what great and kind things were done for them, we read in the two foregoing books [denoting the book of Ezra and Nehemiah]; but there were many who staid behind [those who stayed behind and were written about in the book of Esther]...These, one would think, should have been excluded the special protection of Providence, as unworthy the name of Israelites; but our God deals not with us according to our folly and weakness. We find in this book [Esther] that even those Jews who were scattered in the provinces of the heathen were taken care of…and were wonderfully preserved..."

Ah, this will be a breathtaking journey for us as we stroll the streets of Persia (modern-day Iran) and read this dramatic story! God has brought you to this crossroad "for such a time as this." 

To make this journey even more fun, I'll be in Brooklyn next week during the Purim celebration (celebrated on the evening of March 6 and the evening of March 7). The Jewish people read the book of Esther in synagogue, exchange gifts, and the kids dress up in costumes. I’m sure I’ll capture a few photos to share as my hotel is in the middle of the Hasidic Jew community.

Here we go…

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia), 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, 3 that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him— 4 when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.

• Ahasuerus was known as King Xerxes, which is how we'll refer to him throughout this study. You may remember him from your history lessons (or, like me, you didn't, and you had to Google it). Xerxes was a big deal – his father was Darius the Great and invaded Greece in 492 B.C. and then was defeated by the Greek in 490 B.C. at the Battle of Marathon. 

• At first read, it seems like Xerxes is quite the guy throwing a 180-day shindig for those around. [More than likely, it was a string of parties. One for military and political offices (v. 1-4); one for the men of Shushan (v. 5-8); and one for the ladies, thanks to Queen Vashti.] But, like most extravagant parties, there was an agenda, and this one was no different. History tells us that Xerxes was most likely conferring with his leaders about an invasion of Greece (which, as you may recall, his father tried to do and failed miserably). 

• Along with the three feasts mentioned here, at least six others are recorded in the book of Esther. Warren Wiersbe says, "It's wonderful how God can accomplish His eternal purposes through such a familiar activity as people eating and drinking!" Numerous times in the New Testament we read of how our Savior "broke bread" with others. Some of our greatest battles are won by fellowshipping with others.

5 And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. 6 There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. 7 And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. 8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man's pleasure. 9 Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

• 1 John 2:16 says, "For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world." King Xerxes knew how to appeal to each of those senses. He intended to flaunt his power and parade his wealth to break down any resistance. Satan desires to "sift us like wheat" (Luke 22:31). So we must be on our guard because the deceiver only has three plays: lust of the flesh (that which we do to bring us physical pleasure); the lust of the eyes (that which we cast our eyes upon to bring us mental pleasure); and the pride of life (desiring for others to worship us or stealing God's glory from Him).  

Gracious King, may my "heart cup" be filled moment by moment with You. Help me not to seek the praise of others or vie for the world's accolades. Instead, may I find unending joy by quietly serving the King as You instructed. 

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him. 

13 Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king's manner toward all who knew law and justice, 14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king's presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom):15 "What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?"

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: "Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen's behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.' 18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king's officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 When the king's decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small."

• Queen Vashti may have started the first women's liberation movement – at least, that's what some think. Regardless, she caused quite the kingdom stir. Here is a mighty king ready to engage in a tremendous political and empirical war – yet he could not control his own wife (or his own heart, for that matter). Funny how things go awry when our lives are not aligned with the true King. Proverbs 25:28 (ESV) provides a powerful reminder: "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." And that was King Xerxes' status: broken and defenseless.

• The purpose of this first chapter isn't to provide the historical background during the Persian Empire – it's to provide insight into how Esther became queen. Nestled in these verses are nuggets of wisdom for us to tuck into our satchels as we continue our excursion. King Xerxes' decree wasn't lousy advice: wives, honor your husbands. Wives are commanded the same in 1 Peter 3:1 and Ephesians 5:22. However, the king failed to clarify and live out the husband's role. "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body" (Ephesians 5:23). What did Christ do for us, His beloved Bride? He died in our place. Had Xerxes gotten this storyline right, he would've put his selfish pride to death, even though she rejected him. Ponder that twist for a moment. Ephesians 5:25 says for husbands to love their wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. When that deep, agape love exists, the natural overflow of a wife is to respond in honor and obedience. Wives, honor and obey. Husbands, love. Don't wait for the other person: change starts with you.

• One caveat is that Xerxes should've never been in this scenario in the first place. He was "in high spirits from wine" (1:10, NIV), and his request to have his queen show off her beauty was dishonoring and degrading to her. There are theories about why she refused – but the Biblical text doesn't go into detail, so let's not get off track. We do want to note that regardless of how it all went down, Xerxes was not a godly man, did not lead himself or his kingdom in righteous behavior, and therefore did not show love towards his queen. Our primary submission (submission = under the mission of Christ) should be to the One True King – when that is well-established, the rest will follow.

• Xerxes behavior birthed three patterns – and it's one we ought to be on guard against in our own lives: 1) He was easily influenced; 2) He made hasty decisions that were later regretted; 3) If he didn't get his own way, he became angry. (Wiesrbe)

Father, help me not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed through renewing my mind. Rule over my life and make me less, so You are more. 

21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. 22 Then he sent letters to all the king's provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.

• I'm sure Xerxes couldn't wait until the "post office" opened to get this decree out to all the provinces. Gossip always sells, and the king knew if he didn't get something out quickly, all men within the kingdom would lose reign in their household. It's an insecure counter-defense for anyone whose pride has been wounded. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). See you all next week as we continue to watch the theatrics play out! ❤️

Father God, I humble myself before You, knowing that it's at Your feet that I find my security, hope, and eternity. When I am wounded by my foolishness or this world's slander, help me to run to you, repent, and submit myself under Your mighty hand. Amen.