In Proverbs 23 God gives us a very clear description of the drunkard. In verse 31 of that passage God commands that we are not to look upon the wine when it is fermented. Just looking can draw the person to wanting to taste the poison. Many people have disregarded God’s wise counsel and have chosen to taste and indulge in alcoholic drink. Some will boast that they can handle their liquor and they know when to stop. Proverbs 20:1 tells us that the person who drinks alcohol is deceived. That includes those who think they can handle their liquor. Many religions are guilty of encouraging drunkenness because they will offer wine as an option for their communion service. Alcoholic wine is fermented. Jesus’ blood was without blemish or spot. If Jesus had sinned just once, He could not be our Saviour. He is without sin and thus He could provide the only means of salvation there is.
The book of Esther begins with the deceptive nature of alcohol and it shows the results of making laws that legitimize what God calls sin. In our text God continued to expose the foolishness and the wickedness of drunkenness. The king had been drinking now for 7 days. He was already deceived when he took the first sip. He was completely out of control now. His chamberlains were no better. We often find that a corrupt ruler has corrupt officials around them. Daniel and Mishael, Azariah, and Hananiah were an exception to the norm.
Ahashuerus’ chamberlains were ‘yes men’ who loved money and power more than morals. In verse 11 we see what the demand of the king was. His drunkenness had taken away his ability to think straight. He wanted his wife to parade herself before the people. She was already drunk as well. A man should be pleased with his wife, but she is not his showpiece. She is not there to entice and tease other men. No God-fearing man would want his wife to parade herself before others.
There are “beauty pageants” and models that parade themselves in front of audiences. Those women lack a sound moral compass. Those who sponsor those things and those who are otherwise involved with them also lack a sound moral compass.
In verse 12 we see that Vashti refused to obey the king’s command. She was out of control, but she was not going to fall for this further ungodly demand. The king, in his drunken state, did not like Vashti’s refusal. He was angry with her. The text tells us that his anger burned within him. As we see, his counsellors were of no help to him. They were his puppets and they would do his bidding.
In verse 13 we see that the king’s men were called “wise men”. They were supposed to know the times. They were to be well versed in the law and they were supposed to be able to give him wise counsel. Of course they were well versed in the corrupt laws of the Medes and the Persians, but not in the law of God. The Jews that we read of in the book of Esther took a rather sheepish approach to being Jews. They did not seem to have strong convictions like Daniel and his friends had.
In verse 14 seven of his princes were mentioned by name. Their names have been read for many generations. They are there as an example of foolish counsellors, and yet few are heeding the warnings.
In verse 15 we see that the king is seeking counsel from these puppets with regard to the queen’s refusal to come at his command. This was a great insult to the king. His pride had taken over and that, mixed with his drunkenness, was a bad mix.
The “hero” in the group, Memucan had the answer. Vashti’s actions were a bad example to all the men of the land. That was true, but not for refusing to obey her drunk husband’s command. She had been a bad example because of her leading the women in drunkenness.
In verse 17 he further stated that Vashti’s actions would be broadcast abroad. He suggested that women would become more bold and they would despise their husbands because of what Vashti had done. Godless societies do not know how to treat women. We see that in our country. Our current P.M. claims to be a feminist. He claims to want to elevate women in politics and thus encourage that others also elevate them in the business world. His feminism causes him to elevate women as long as they pander to his demands. When they do not, he gets rid of them. The book of Proverbs has many warnings about the “strange” woman. There are many strange women today who seek to draw attention to themselves and they want to lure men into indulging in their sin. There are many women who parade themselves around and then they act offended when some gullible man gives too much attention to them. It is a twisted world when God is not given His rightful place.
The fear that Memucan expressed would be true of ungodly women. Most ungodly women are not content to submit to their husbands. They might settle for a partnership, but many want the dominant role. Most husbands have no idea how to be godly husbands. Promise Keepers was dreamt up a number of years ago, supposedly to help men to be men. It was an ecumenical event that did not help men to be men. It only helped lost men to further compromise the truth and feel good about doing so.
Memucan thought he had the solution and sadly, the king also thought Memucan knew what he was talking about. Memucan suggested that the king write a royal decree that would declare that Vashti could not come before the king any longer. Not only that, but her royal estate was to be given to another that would be better than she was. What he did is counsel the king to get a divorce. Unlike our current ungodly system, in Bible times, divorce would leave the woman with nothing. It was a hard hit for the woman. With our corrupt laws, women are favoured in the divorce proceedings and the man can come away with next to nothing. Divorce is always wrong, according to God’s law.
In verse 20 Memucan further stated that all wives were to honour their husbands, whether they be in positions of authority or not. Lost people often assume they can demand that others follow their version of morality. We see that dictators often do this. Our current P.M. has tried to do this but his own wife chose to get away from him. He has not learned and still wants to control others and demand they follow his direction without question.
The king was too drunk to discern that this was extremely bad advice. Verse 21 tells us that he was pleased with what he heard. This counsel just puffed up his pride more. The king would follow this ungodly counsel.
In verse 22 we see that he sent letters to all his provinces demanding that every man should rule in his own house. God already had established this fact. The husband does not rule like a dictator. He rules with love and care for his wife. He provides for her and watches over her to protect her from the many foolish ideas out there.
As we noted already, the king had no sound moral compass and thus he could not make wise choices. He could not ‘rule’ over his own wife, yet he was going to demand that men should rule over their households. He could not demonstrate how this should be done. He had just kicked his wife out and took away her privileges and her prosperity. This would not doubt be a shock to Vashti. However, it did not cause her to grovel before the king’s feet and beg to be let back in.
There are events taking place in the book of Esther that show us the disaster of a godless lifestyle. But for God’s mercy, things would have been much worse than what is recorded. Today as well, God is merciful. Our country would be far worse off if it were not for His mercy. His people need to be bold witnesses for Him. We need to exalt His name and seek to help others to see the blessing of knowing Him.
Pastor Bartel