Today, we begin our journey daily devotional through the Book of Esther, a unique and intriguing narrative within the Old Testament. Though its authorship is unknown, Esther is a historical book staged after Israel’s exile to Babylon, now under Persian rule. Unlike most biblical books, it doesn’t mention God’s name or take place in Israel, and it centers on a Jewish holiday not elsewhere noted in Scripture. Controversial yet compelling, the book introduces deep themes of power, obedience, and divine providence. Over the next ten days, we will explore one chapter at a time, starting today with Esther 1—a dramatic opening of royal excess and defiance. To explore faithful obedience to God, read the daily devotional on Nehemiah 13.
Esther 1 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today, we begin our study of the Book of Esther. Esther is ten chapters. Esther follows Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Esther is staged after Israel was exiled to Babylon when Persia replaced Babylon as the ruling power. The author of Esther is unknown. Its inclusion in the Bible is controversial because it does not even contain the word God or reference Him in it. It promotes a holiday not listed in the Bible. The setting is not in Jerusalem or Israel, but in pagan Persia. It is more historical than spiritual. We will take the Book of Esther one chapter a day for ten days. Please read or listen to Esther 1.
What Was the 180 Days in Esther?
What a party! What a great way to start this book, a 180-day party! That is like half a year. This king of the Medes and the Persians was about to invade Greece, so he was showing he had the power and the wealth to do it. When he had too much wine, he wanted to display the beauty of the queen. But Queen Vashti did not want to play, so she refused, embarrassing the king. Well, we cannot have women in the kingdom bucking their husbands like the queen did, so she was dethroned. Quoting verse 20 (NASB), “all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”
Why Did Queen Vashti Disobey the King?
Why did Queen Vashti refuse to come before the king? The reasons are not listed in the scriptures, but we can make up our own story. Maybe she had enough of a husband or a king who was drunk all the time and did not want to abide by his desires as he was filled with much wine. Some have even alluded that maybe he wanted her to come and dance before this party of drunk guys. For whatever reason, she refused the king’s order, which was not permissible in that day and age.
The appearance of a king who could not control the behavior of his own wife was weakening and could be copied by other women in the kingdom. Such behavior could not spread, so Queen Vashti is banished from the king’s presence and word is sent across the whole kingdom that such behavior is not to be imitated by any other woman, so “every man should be the master of his own house” (v. 22 NASB).
O, that such behavior could actually be legislated! That would be nice. Even though it is God’s design, men would actually need to be men and act like masters of their own houses, and women would have to act like wives and submit to the godly authority of their husbands. It was not so then, and it is not so today.
What Is the First Chapter of Esther About?
What an interesting way to start the Book of Esther. In 1984, from one of my very first Bible reading journals, I wrote about this passage, “Women’s obedience to husbands is what this is about. When the queen refuses to come to the king, the king protects husbands everywhere by reprimanding the queen and issuing the edict, ‘every man should be the master of his own house’” (v. 22 NASB). I wrote a goal for myself back in 1984, “My responsibility from God is to be the master of my own home.”
In 1997, when I read this passage, I wrote, “The queen disobeys the king. She won’t go see him. And men wanted women to obey, and so they de-queened her. Women still want to do their own thing and not honor or obey their husbands, so there is strife in the kingdom. Especially in the United States.” And I wrote, “The feminist movement.”
You can see, the first time I read this passage, I looked at myself and asked, “What is my role and responsibility?” My responsibility is to act like a godly man and take care of my own household. The next time I read it, I looked at it from a women’s perspective. We have a lot of women who want to do their own thing, like the queen here, and it is causing issues within homes in our country and in our Christian community. But interestingly, I wrote a final journal entry that day, “God forgive men for mistreating women. Forgive women for mistreating men.”
What Is the Book of Esther Trying to Teach Us?
Here are some take-a-ways from Esther 1:
- First, do not have a 180-day party. Wow!
- Second, do not get so drunk that your heart becomes merry and you make poor decisions like parading your wife in front of a bunch of drunks.
- Three, for us men, act like godly men. Earn the respect of women. Be the master of your own household, not by might nor by power, but by being a spiritual leader.
- Fourth, for women, honor your husband as well as you can, encouraging him to be the spiritual leader of your household, someone you can follow in your home.
The Book of Esther starts with drama. The plot thickens as we shall see tomorrow. Until then . . .
Prayer
Father, thanks for the Book of Esther. Teach me Your principles through it; what do I need to know? Though Your name does not appear in this book, we know You are going to be evident throughout it. We look forward to seeing how You work in the Book of Esther. In Jesus’ name, amen.
