We all know that when we gather together with those we know, we should want to look presentable, at least we all should. If you showed up in dirty clothes that haven't been washed for weeks, people are not going to want to be around you because you most likely will have an odor that's not pleasing to others. As I studied in chapter 1 of the book of Esther, the most important thing that stuck out to me was, in order to be acceptable to the king the Lord has for you and the Lord himself, we cannot be prideful. We have to show humility. Pride stinks and it will ruin you. It got Satan kicked out of heaven and it got Vashti removed and replaced as queen.
In a brief summary of Esther chapter 1, King Ahasuerus made a feast to all his princes and servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, to show the riches of his kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty first. Then, he made a feast to all the people present in Shushan the palace, both small and great. This feast took place outside in the king's court. Vashti took it upon herself to make a feast for the women in the Royal House instead. Then, when the king called and sent for her because he wanted to honor her and show off her beauty to everyone, she refused.
This let me know a couple of things. Firstly, the feast the king called for the people in Shushan is symbolic of when the people are being bidden to the marriage dinner by the Lord, in Matthew 22:1-10, and how we should and should not respond plus the kind of garments we should have on to be found worthy to enter into His Kingdom along with being worthy of the man God allows to find you. Secondly, Vashti was a prideful and haughty woman. She obviously thought she was too good to feast with the people of Shushan, outside in the court because lets be honest what woman doesn't want to be shown off and honored by her man! The Word said that she was a beautiful woman. So, that clearly wasn't the issue. She was just prideful and haughty. Next, the other point I took note of was, because she refused the king in front of everyone, it would have such a huge effect on the rest of the women in Shushan because of her position of prominence and influence. Anytime you have big influence, it's easy to get everyone that looks up to that person in the position to follow whatever they do, be it good or bad. A great example would be Cardi B and Meg the Stallion with that song W.A.P., even with their hairstyles. As soon as their fans saw the video, they were easily influenced to suddenly go and have the same hairstyle done on their heads. This was the case with Vashti and the other women of Shushan when it came down to their husbands. She didn't obey her husband when all he wanted to do was honor her, which probably made him feel very humiliated.
When it comes to our character in general we must always strive to be of a humble and contrite spirit whether its for ourselves, God or a man. God hates the proud. King Ahasuerus was used as an example of how God will respond to the proud, which the response is not inheriting the kingdom. (Revelations 21:8)
Here are some scriptures on pride:
Proverbs 16:5 KJV
Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 11:2 KJV
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom
Proverbs 29:3 KJV
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 16:3 KJV
Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Romans 12;16 KJV
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
*This is exactly what happened to Vashti. She didn't go to the feast, not because she couldn't, but just because she didn't want to due to her pride and haughtiness. That is where she messed up.
Here are some on meekness:
Matthew 5:5 KJV
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
1 Peter 3:4 KJV
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Galatians 5:22 KJV
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
*Meekness will promote you with man and God instead of pride.
Here are some scriptures about obeying and submitting to your husband:
Colossians 3:18 KJV
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
1 Peter 3:1 KJV
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives.
Ephesians 5:33 KJV
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
*I will touch more on submission as I go through this series of blog.
If we want to be acceptable unto the Lord and even society, we must do away with pride. It's the same thing when preparing yourself for a husband. You don't want to end up being a cast away, removed, or replaced so always do your best to behave in a manner that shows humility and if you slip up, that's okay. Don't beat yourself up about it. Just try again. Stay tuned as I go into chapter 2 and breakdown the wisdom I received as I continued my studies. Please be sure to share with someone you think will be edified from reading this. Peace and blessings!
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