According to the Law
Esther 1:1-22
Esther is an eastern book and not a western book. Their customs are different then ours. The Persians are not Christians or Jews. They have their own religion and set of beliefs and standards. It is dangerous to try to apply some of their customs or try to read our customs into their history.
This was a part of a month long celebration in preparation to going into battle with the Greeks.
Because the Persian rulers believed themselves to be gods, their rules and laws had to be permanent and infallible, or else the ruler could not be a god.
They called this the “Law of the Medes and Persians”. (vs. 19)
As the celebration continues, the drinking was according to the law, meaning no one was forced to drink. It was considered improper for a subject to be inebriated in front of the king.
Vashti was entertaining all the other ladies in a separate feast meal.
Disobeying the Law vs. 8-12
Towards the end of the celebration the king desired to have Vashti brought before the princes to show off her beauty. This was not an immodest act or dance
She refused even though the king had 7 officials try to ask Vashti to come
Reaction Within the Law vs. 13-22
The king then turned to advisors and asked what did the law say concerning this situation.
They researched and tried to find a solution within their laws
Ahasuerus then made a commandant to divorce Vashti, not because he didn’t love her, but because this was their laws stated should be the reaction.
This story does not give permission for divorce, but only explains a custom of a people, and how God used it to get His will and purpose accomplished.
Everyone Has a Law to Obey
This historical account records a history of a specific people, and not our customs or the customs of the rest of the word of God.
The principle we can find here is everyone has laws or rules to obey.
Vashti had rules to obey, and she disobeyed and there were consequences.
Even the king has rules and laws to obey.
Everything we do in the Christian life is a heart matter.
There is a difference between being subject and being submitted.
Being subjected is under the authority of another
Being submitted is a matter of the heart towards the Biblical authority in your life.
Someone can obey and not be submitted.
The true test of if you are submitted or not is when you are asked to do something you do not want to do by Biblical authority “to yield without murmuring”