Today's Daily Lesson comes from Esther chapter 1 verses 10 through12:
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.
Now here's a story that needs to be read and preached more. Most churchgoers are vaguely familiar with the book of Esther and its namesake heroine who as Queen came in boldness before the King to save her people "for just such a time as this". Less familiar, however, is Esther's predecessor Vashti who in her own boldness refused to come before the King and have her beauty exploited for the sake of male entertainment. Here we have the very beginning of women's liberation and Vashti is its Rosa Parks.
Our girls need to here the Esther story more often so that it will be less vaguely remembered and so that the inspiration of strong, bold women can serve as an inspiration. Vashti ought not to be forgotten by our young girls.
And neither should she be forgotten by our young boys. We need to teach her story to them as well so that they might be challenged to think and reflect on the motive and meaning of her act of disobedience towards the king. Why did she refuse to be objectified? What does this story say about how we as a males are to view and treat women?
And, for all of us, what does this story teach us about courage and conviction? Vashti was dismissed by the king and made a pariah in the kingdom. She surely saw that coming. Yet, she was willing to pay the price. This is called agency. And it took strength and guts.
Vashti. Not a household name. But she should be.
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