Customs are different throughout the world and various cultures we live in. Now, I don't know why Queen Vashti did not want to come into King Xerxe's presence, perhaps because she didn't want to be "gawked at" by a bunch of drunken men...I really don't know.
Anyway, this is how it all happened...Gleanings from Esther 1:10-22
" Now on the 7th day of this banquet for all the people of Susa and surrounding area, King Xerxes was feeling pretty good....he had consumed much wine in the week's celebration.
He told the 7 eunuchs that attended the king, their names being Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas...to bring to him his queen, the Royal Vashti, and tell her(first mistake lol) to wear her royal crown as she enters. The king actually wanted to show off his queen to the nobles and men in attendance, for Queen Vashti was one beautiful woman!
But, to the surprise of all, when the eunuchs went and delivered this request to Queen Vashti, she refused and would not come. As a result, King Xerxes became visibly upset...in fact he was furious...burning with anger. (Lesson for men: when you drink, ignore any ideas that require your wife's participation lol).
So, the king called for his advisers and brought them together, for they were aware of all the Persian customs and their laws, and the king depended on them for their advice. (Lesson #2 for men: if you do make some request to your wife when in a drunken state...take it as a clue...don't call everyone you know and make a big deal of it...let it go!)
Now, the name of these advisers were: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan...a total of 7. These were the highest ranking princes of the Persian and Media Empire...the "Inner Circle" of the king's throne.
King Xerxes wanted to know from the advisers what he was suppose to do since this idea with Queen Vashti kind of "blew up in his face" ( why didn't someone suggest he just go and get some sleep).
So Memucan spoke up before all present: " What Queen Vashti has done has not only wronged the king, but puts us all in a very bad spot here. All of our wives will get "wind of this" before the day is even over, and we will have a mess on our hands...our wives won't listen to a word we say (men do get paranoid you know).
So, if the king would so agree, I think a hard decision has to be made....and then we need to make this Law...ASAP. I think it should read something like this: "Because of Queen Vashti's behavior toward her husband, the king, refusing his request to come into his presence as so ordered, her act of refusal leaves the king no choice but to ban her from coming into the king's presence...ever!"
On top of that, I would recommend Queen Vashti be replaced with a new queen...that will know how to conduct herself in a manner that is respectful to you o king.
Now, when this decree is made law and is distributed throughout the empire, then wives everywhere will give their husbands respect at all times, not just when they feel like it or choose to rebel and humiliate him. ( Really? Do they really think a law will change the heart of a woman?...amazing stuff guys come up with when they have had too much to drink!)
The king and all his advisers thought: "This is a good idea! It makes good sense!" So, king Xerxes followed the advice of Memucan, and sent letters throughout the empire, in various languages and dialects, simply stating the man is the master of his own household, and what he says...goes!...period! (And that was the beginning of the fall of the Persian empire...just kidding!).
Note: I am so glad as an American and especially a Christian we don't treat wives, girlfriends, or women in general in this matter. (I do know of some...even in Christian churches who have "laws" about women that would sound similar to Xerxes and his buddies).
Respect for each other and understanding where the other is coming from is what makes a relationship strong...not trying to overpower the other with dominance, removing things, or simply reacting to something you don't understand at the moment. If you are set on "getting plastered"....keep your thoughts to yourself...it will only hurt...not help!
I thank the Lord Jesus for His love for us...and how to make it work in our own daily lives!
Anyway, this is how it all happened...Gleanings from Esther 1:10-22
" Now on the 7th day of this banquet for all the people of Susa and surrounding area, King Xerxes was feeling pretty good....he had consumed much wine in the week's celebration.
He told the 7 eunuchs that attended the king, their names being Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas...to bring to him his queen, the Royal Vashti, and tell her(first mistake lol) to wear her royal crown as she enters. The king actually wanted to show off his queen to the nobles and men in attendance, for Queen Vashti was one beautiful woman!
But, to the surprise of all, when the eunuchs went and delivered this request to Queen Vashti, she refused and would not come. As a result, King Xerxes became visibly upset...in fact he was furious...burning with anger. (Lesson for men: when you drink, ignore any ideas that require your wife's participation lol).
So, the king called for his advisers and brought them together, for they were aware of all the Persian customs and their laws, and the king depended on them for their advice. (Lesson #2 for men: if you do make some request to your wife when in a drunken state...take it as a clue...don't call everyone you know and make a big deal of it...let it go!)
Now, the name of these advisers were: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan...a total of 7. These were the highest ranking princes of the Persian and Media Empire...the "Inner Circle" of the king's throne.
King Xerxes wanted to know from the advisers what he was suppose to do since this idea with Queen Vashti kind of "blew up in his face" ( why didn't someone suggest he just go and get some sleep).
So Memucan spoke up before all present: " What Queen Vashti has done has not only wronged the king, but puts us all in a very bad spot here. All of our wives will get "wind of this" before the day is even over, and we will have a mess on our hands...our wives won't listen to a word we say (men do get paranoid you know).
So, if the king would so agree, I think a hard decision has to be made....and then we need to make this Law...ASAP. I think it should read something like this: "Because of Queen Vashti's behavior toward her husband, the king, refusing his request to come into his presence as so ordered, her act of refusal leaves the king no choice but to ban her from coming into the king's presence...ever!"
On top of that, I would recommend Queen Vashti be replaced with a new queen...that will know how to conduct herself in a manner that is respectful to you o king.
Now, when this decree is made law and is distributed throughout the empire, then wives everywhere will give their husbands respect at all times, not just when they feel like it or choose to rebel and humiliate him. ( Really? Do they really think a law will change the heart of a woman?...amazing stuff guys come up with when they have had too much to drink!)
The king and all his advisers thought: "This is a good idea! It makes good sense!" So, king Xerxes followed the advice of Memucan, and sent letters throughout the empire, in various languages and dialects, simply stating the man is the master of his own household, and what he says...goes!...period! (And that was the beginning of the fall of the Persian empire...just kidding!).
Note: I am so glad as an American and especially a Christian we don't treat wives, girlfriends, or women in general in this matter. (I do know of some...even in Christian churches who have "laws" about women that would sound similar to Xerxes and his buddies).
Respect for each other and understanding where the other is coming from is what makes a relationship strong...not trying to overpower the other with dominance, removing things, or simply reacting to something you don't understand at the moment. If you are set on "getting plastered"....keep your thoughts to yourself...it will only hurt...not help!
I thank the Lord Jesus for His love for us...and how to make it work in our own daily lives!
Amen!
ReplyDelete