The Book of Esther
Chapter 1
1. This happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the same Ahasuerus who ruled over one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. 2. In those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3. in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were present, 4. while he displayed the great wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and pomp of his majesty for many days, one hundred eighty days in all.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 1 to 4)
Oh God, my Father, how nice is humility and simplicity in contrast to pride, pomp and splendour. You who has supreme and absolute power over all the earth and world, chose to be born in a manger that used to serve as a place from where animals eat, while this mortal king boasted of his wealth and power. A human who is conditioned by nature and is programmed to die and leave his inheritance to his followers who might destroy everything that he had built. How nice and important it is to invest in the kingdom of Heaven and not in the power and splendour of the World Amen.
5. When these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in the citadel of Susa, both great and small, a banquet lasting for seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 5)
For some reason that could have been either to win the sympathy or support of the people that he was governing and have a more united kingdom, or to continue boasting of his wealth or power, or a matter of genuine concern for the people's welfare, the King held the following banquet.
Oh God my Father how different are You from the kings of the earth. You are not one of pomp, majesty or power, although You deserve it more than all the kings of the earth, but one of love, kindness and humility. During the celebration of the Eucharist You offer Yourself to us, without hidden interests and agendas, may we all imitate You in the same manner and attitude of love and generosity Amen.
6. There were white cotton curtains and blue hangings tied with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones. 7. Drinks were served in golden goblets, goblets of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. 8. Drinking was by flagons, without restraint; for the king had given orders to all officials of his palace to do as each one desired. 9. Furthermore Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the palace of King Ahasuerus.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 6 to 9)
Oh God my Father when reflecting on this abundance of generosity and pomp, I cannot fail to ponder if behind the word free offer, lack of control, drink as much as one wants, drinking in goblets of gold, treatment fit for a king or queen, if there was a hidden agenda!
Many times we are offered heaven on earth, especially during times when there is a pending election. The candidates sum up a magnificent manifesto which they never intend to deliver all that they promise, for in the course of time the majority may not even remember what was promised in the original manifesto!
However You oh God my Father have always been faithful, and will always be faithful to Your promises. Since the beginning, You have always kept Your Word even if that word proclaimed blessings or even not so positive outcomes as in the case of the deluge or fire on Sodom as it was merited by the inhabitants and according to Your will.
10. On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, 11. to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was fair to behold. 12. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 10 to 12)
Oh God, my Father I pray that we learn how to respect each other's wishes instead of commanding them to do what one wishes. There are some of us, especially the breadwinners of the family who use their power as head of household and resort to financial abuse in order to get what one wants and retains the absolute control of the family and all that goes on. This is not fair oh God my Father, for we are to appreciate all that the other persons do, even if the wife works at home and the children study. We are never to use monopoly as a means of controlling the family but love.
13. Then the king consulted the sages who knew the laws (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and custom, 14. and those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and sat first in the kingdom):
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 13 to 14)
Oh God my Father at times the easy way seems to be the best way, however, this is not so. As in the case of the King it would have been better to to go and talk to the queen and sort the issue instead of referring to his lawyers in order to seek justification for the disobedience of his wife, who in truth might have been fed up of being treated as property instead of a human being Amen.
15. According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?"
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 15)
Oh God, my Father instead of seeking understanding many times we become judgmental and seek to pass judgment on a situation, rather than trying to understand the person and the situation, and the person in the situation. Oh God my Father that we may calm down and seek You before referring to the law and negative sinful action Amen.
16. Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, "Not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king, but also to all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 16)
Oh God my Father, many times we try to act on what 'Should be done' instead of what is best to be done and many people end up being hurt and even the loss of life may result. At times it would be better to refer to the book of Love that is the Good News in the Bible, instead of worldly laws and statutes which many times provide negative consequences and no positive solution for the injured party. Amen.
17. For this deed of the queen will be made known to all women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands, since they will say, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 17)
Oh God, my Father I agree that we are not to set a bad example to others because this may be imitated and a vicious pattern will be created. On the contrary, I pray that positive examples such as charity towards others especially to disadvantaged people such as elderly, people in hospitals or in prison or others who have nobody left to visit or care for them will be practised and that such practice will become like a bonfire that never burns out Amen.
18. This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's behavior will rebel against the king's officials, and there will be no end of contempt and wrath!
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 18)
Oh God my Father when we try to reach a possible solution if we have a positive attitude and complete faith in You above all we may reach a sound conclusion, however, if our attitude is negative we will keep on focusing on the negative consequences of that situation and thus inflate it by bringing it out of proportion and thus the conclusion may be totally false and disastrous Amen. May we be positive people Amen.
19. If it pleases the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be altered, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20. So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, vast as it is, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike."
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 19 to 20)
Oh God, my Father I pray that You forgive those people who are persuaded by the forces of evil to pass on negative laws such as that of divorce or separation, that bring a marriage to its end. Oh God some laws as is the one mentioned was implemented in order to influence other women to obey their husbands in fear of the consequences that were planned to befall Queen Vashti. I pray that we learn to obey You not as a consequence of fear but out of love Amen.
21. This advice pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan proposed; 22. he sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, declaring that every man should be master in his own house.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 21 to 22)
Oh God, my Father laws such as these shift the power and authority in a household on to one side and creates disharmony, where one is placed in a position of superiority over the other. Thus according to this law, women were subjects to their husbands, who were given the authority to exercise this power as masters over their household, which may lead to physical and verbal abuse of the wife and children who would end up in an inferior position. Oh God, I would like to offer this prayer for women or wives who end up abused physically and emotionally and even financially by their husbands who abuse of their role as head of household and create a state of disharmony in the family. Oh God, I also pray for husbands who end up dominated by their wives, who end up having to literally slave or worship their wives on hand and feet in fear of being whipped or trampled under their high heels or boots if they do not obey their wives. Amen.
(I strongly recommend that this link is viewed by adults and not in the presence of children)
Case of a man abused by a woman
Oh God my Father, I would like to end the first chapter of the book of Esther with the following prayer:-
Oh God, my Father this morning I would like to pray for all couples in wedlock and even out of wedlock who are going through a hard time in their relationships. I also include my own marriage which is also in a crisis. I pray oh God that You protect us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that the unity in marriage, that only You can give will be present. May our marriages become even stronger and may we all be humble enough to admit our mistakes and repent from them Amen.
5. When these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in the citadel of Susa, both great and small, a banquet lasting for seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 5)
For some reason that could have been either to win the sympathy or support of the people that he was governing and have a more united kingdom, or to continue boasting of his wealth or power, or a matter of genuine concern for the people's welfare, the King held the following banquet.
Oh God my Father how different are You from the kings of the earth. You are not one of pomp, majesty or power, although You deserve it more than all the kings of the earth, but one of love, kindness and humility. During the celebration of the Eucharist You offer Yourself to us, without hidden interests and agendas, may we all imitate You in the same manner and attitude of love and generosity Amen.
6. There were white cotton curtains and blue hangings tied with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones. 7. Drinks were served in golden goblets, goblets of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. 8. Drinking was by flagons, without restraint; for the king had given orders to all officials of his palace to do as each one desired. 9. Furthermore Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the palace of King Ahasuerus.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 6 to 9)
Oh God my Father when reflecting on this abundance of generosity and pomp, I cannot fail to ponder if behind the word free offer, lack of control, drink as much as one wants, drinking in goblets of gold, treatment fit for a king or queen, if there was a hidden agenda!
Many times we are offered heaven on earth, especially during times when there is a pending election. The candidates sum up a magnificent manifesto which they never intend to deliver all that they promise, for in the course of time the majority may not even remember what was promised in the original manifesto!
However You oh God my Father have always been faithful, and will always be faithful to Your promises. Since the beginning, You have always kept Your Word even if that word proclaimed blessings or even not so positive outcomes as in the case of the deluge or fire on Sodom as it was merited by the inhabitants and according to Your will.
10. On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, 11. to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was fair to behold. 12. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 10 to 12)
Oh God, my Father I pray that we learn how to respect each other's wishes instead of commanding them to do what one wishes. There are some of us, especially the breadwinners of the family who use their power as head of household and resort to financial abuse in order to get what one wants and retains the absolute control of the family and all that goes on. This is not fair oh God my Father, for we are to appreciate all that the other persons do, even if the wife works at home and the children study. We are never to use monopoly as a means of controlling the family but love.
13. Then the king consulted the sages who knew the laws (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and custom, 14. and those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and sat first in the kingdom):
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 13 to 14)
Oh God my Father at times the easy way seems to be the best way, however, this is not so. As in the case of the King it would have been better to to go and talk to the queen and sort the issue instead of referring to his lawyers in order to seek justification for the disobedience of his wife, who in truth might have been fed up of being treated as property instead of a human being Amen.
15. According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?"
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 15)
Oh God, my Father instead of seeking understanding many times we become judgmental and seek to pass judgment on a situation, rather than trying to understand the person and the situation, and the person in the situation. Oh God my Father that we may calm down and seek You before referring to the law and negative sinful action Amen.
16. Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, "Not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king, but also to all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 16)
Oh God my Father, many times we try to act on what 'Should be done' instead of what is best to be done and many people end up being hurt and even the loss of life may result. At times it would be better to refer to the book of Love that is the Good News in the Bible, instead of worldly laws and statutes which many times provide negative consequences and no positive solution for the injured party. Amen.
17. For this deed of the queen will be made known to all women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands, since they will say, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 17)
Oh God, my Father I agree that we are not to set a bad example to others because this may be imitated and a vicious pattern will be created. On the contrary, I pray that positive examples such as charity towards others especially to disadvantaged people such as elderly, people in hospitals or in prison or others who have nobody left to visit or care for them will be practised and that such practice will become like a bonfire that never burns out Amen.
18. This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's behavior will rebel against the king's officials, and there will be no end of contempt and wrath!
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verse 18)
Oh God my Father when we try to reach a possible solution if we have a positive attitude and complete faith in You above all we may reach a sound conclusion, however, if our attitude is negative we will keep on focusing on the negative consequences of that situation and thus inflate it by bringing it out of proportion and thus the conclusion may be totally false and disastrous Amen. May we be positive people Amen.
19. If it pleases the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be altered, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20. So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, vast as it is, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike."
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 19 to 20)
Oh God, my Father I pray that You forgive those people who are persuaded by the forces of evil to pass on negative laws such as that of divorce or separation, that bring a marriage to its end. Oh God some laws as is the one mentioned was implemented in order to influence other women to obey their husbands in fear of the consequences that were planned to befall Queen Vashti. I pray that we learn to obey You not as a consequence of fear but out of love Amen.
21. This advice pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan proposed; 22. he sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, declaring that every man should be master in his own house.
(Book of Esther Chapter 1 verses 21 to 22)
Oh God, my Father laws such as these shift the power and authority in a household on to one side and creates disharmony, where one is placed in a position of superiority over the other. Thus according to this law, women were subjects to their husbands, who were given the authority to exercise this power as masters over their household, which may lead to physical and verbal abuse of the wife and children who would end up in an inferior position. Oh God, I would like to offer this prayer for women or wives who end up abused physically and emotionally and even financially by their husbands who abuse of their role as head of household and create a state of disharmony in the family. Oh God, I also pray for husbands who end up dominated by their wives, who end up having to literally slave or worship their wives on hand and feet in fear of being whipped or trampled under their high heels or boots if they do not obey their wives. Amen.
(I strongly recommend that this link is viewed by adults and not in the presence of children)
Case of a man abused by a woman
Oh God my Father, I would like to end the first chapter of the book of Esther with the following prayer:-
Oh God, my Father this morning I would like to pray for all couples in wedlock and even out of wedlock who are going through a hard time in their relationships. I also include my own marriage which is also in a crisis. I pray oh God that You protect us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that the unity in marriage, that only You can give will be present. May our marriages become even stronger and may we all be humble enough to admit our mistakes and repent from them Amen.
Thank You, Jesus
