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• Max Romeo

  Thanks Sis Boonstra for the insight. In these last days we all will be call upon to stand for what is right in one form or the other. In today's reading it is Vashti, the queen. I pray that we will purpose in our hearts like Daniel, that when our time comes for us to stand tall with our heads high, none of us will be seen bending our knees.
  I must also report that our Gospel Campaign opening night was a blessing. We started a little late because of some glitches but God is AWESOME. He spoke through the Evangelist to our hearts last night. Keep praying my family. Thanks to all the members of the RBHW family who joined us. Please continue to support us. We go Sunday to Wednesday and Sabbaths.

• Antonio Garcia Hernandez

  Me llama la atencion en el comentario la conclusion la palabra "libre albedrio"; hoy sin duda, malinterpretando la misericordia y la gracia de DIOS, esta palabra: "libre albedrio", a dado ocasion que haya libertad religiosa; que por un lado es positiva ya que te permite creer en lo que tu verdaderamente crees. Sin embargo, esto ha dado lugar a que se edifiquen diferentes denominaciones, no solo dentro del cristianismo, sino tambien, fuera. Esto contradice totalmente a DIOS, ya que desde un principio dejo claro en sus mandamientos que él es el unico DIOS verdadero, fuera de él no hay DIOS. Saludos.

• Pardon Mwansa

  Thank you Jean. I appreciate your emphasis on seeing the great controversy in the story of Esther. What is very encouraging is the end of the controversy in this story. God triumphed. In whatever situation we may be placed in, if we trust in God fully, God will give us victory.

• Viveen McLeary

  Amen so true Pastor. God will certainly be there for His children if we really trust and obey Him. Thank God for His precious promises.

• smntim

  Amen. My prayer is that, as we share in reading the Book of Esther, the Lord will lead us to discern the great controversy theme as it is played out in the Book of Esther and in our lives. May the Lord grant each of us victory in our differing circumstances.

• Jaye_Ghee

  Amen

• ktonline35211

  The story of Vashti as wife and queen and the KING as husband is quite different from anything most westerners know about. Somewhere I read that the King was requesting that she come dressed with visual clothing allowing the public to see not only the face but the body as well along with the royal crown so that everyone who looked would be amazed. And some of this is true today even among church members. We see it every week. The men come with their wives dressed in some of the tightest clothing with plunging necklines and cupping bottoms; highest heels, bejeweled at times but at least with a large rock on the ring finger. Among those who are considered 'in the world' the revelations are even more revealing. Men putting their wives on display so other men, and some women, may ooh and aahh! SHAMEFUL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD!!!
  It is not clear what happened to Vashti, except the word says she was removed from being Queen. Do you think she suffered the fate of some of Henry VIII's wives-beheading for treason? We will never really know until the Lord comes will we? But we can see that even those who may not know the Lord as we are priviledge to know Him can be persons of moral standing. We often admire Esther and we should; but Vashti is also a women to admire and ascribe to be like in that she could not be cohersed into doing what she felt was wrong. It was a costly decision. Perhaps Xerxes was merciful and just put her back into the harrem; but that had to be most embarassing, debasing and painful. Think of what the other women must have said to her if she was returned to the house of women. Girl this and girl that and I would have this and that. I'm sure many were jealous and this was a time to gloat over here reduction in rank.
  But we should not ever be ashamed of the doing right; nor the consequences that come when we do that which is right. The saying is No good deed goes unpunished. Many a faithful wife has been put aside for someone more to their husband's liking because she has displeased him in some way or another. Although we see God's hand in this to bring Esther to the throne, it is hard to imagine being a believer and being faced with the customs under which one is forced to live. Someone in a comment below points out that Esther was to be a concubine. She was not to return to her house and she was to be at the physical disposal and pleasure of the King; doing his bidding as he desired no matter what her goals, aspirations, and desires were.
  How painful that situation must have been and we do not have a clue as to how Esther really felt in going into that environment through no choice of her own. The question has to be asked How do we as Christians respond when faced with governments that force living arrangements on us which are contrary to the expressed will of God in one way but meet the requirement in another. For example, the Bible says that we are not to be sexually active outside of marriage yet we are to submit to the secular leaders of our local governments and obey the law? Vashti had wisdom and strength. Esther had wisdom and strength. Godly women let us pray for and seek to be wise and strong in all matters through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Then when faced with overwhelming odds that we can't fight against the goliaths in our lives; God will direct the smooth stones to knock them down.

• singerchoir

  Jon Paulien pointed out that Esther was to be a concubine, that this was not just a beauty pageant, like we tell our children. I don't understand why Mordecai or Esther thought this was in God's plan to be "married" in this way?

• singerchoir

  We should honor our husbands like Sarah, calling Abraham lord. We should obey our countries laws. Our highest obedience belongs to God, we should only dishonor our husbands or countries laws as they conflict with God's law.

  1Pe 3:1 In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behaviour of their wives;
  1Pe 3:2 beholding your chaste behaviour coupled with fear.
  1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel;
  1Pe 3:4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
  1Pe 3:5 For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
  1Pe 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
  1Pe 3:7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint–heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.
  1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:
  1Pe 3:9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
  1Pe 3:10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:

• Euthel

  Thank you Jean for blog, the final paragraph. I admire Vashti, she held on to her principles. No show offs. AMEN

• Bodil Morris

  Vashti held firm to her principles and suffered the consequence. This was nobel of her. Are we willing to stand firm or will we buckle under pressure?
  This chapter also reveals the personality of the king and the tone of the government at the time of Esther. Not an easy or comfortable place to live. God's hand is truly leading Esther to navigate the secular world of the King and his government.

• Maronne

  God's last day church is His queen that He wants to use as a show piece to the world as He wanted to do with Israel. By doing so, we are displaying His character and telling the world that He is the creator of the universe, and He is to be worshipped. It must be our urgent need to let the image of God be reproduced in us moment by moment so that the world will see JESUS in us, as we live as His show pieces.

• SimplyTriniSabbie

  Question: Are we (His Bride-The Church) ready to go before our King (God of the inverse)?

• k addai apraku

  Yes we are ready to appear before our King , not in any cloth that will show our nakedness but fully clothed in His righteousness ,spotless and in His glory

• SimplyTriniSabbie

  Good morning all & thank you Siste Boonstra for ou insights. Thank God for His love towards us all. Have a great day all.

• Michelle Jack

  Good morning RBHW Family and thank you Sister Boonstra for your commentary. Praise God for His great love to us!! This story means plenty for me. God used this story some years ago to have me fast and pray and He did work wonders." when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him" Isaiah 59:19.. Sometimes we fail to realize that it is Satan, who is behind all the problems. God still working wonders.

• Jay

  God yearns to display His spotless bride before the universe. But His bride will not be a church of forced obedience. She will be a church who render willing obedience to the king because she loves the King. Until that day, let us get ready for the King of Kings is coming soon!

• SimplyTriniSabbie

  Amen.

• Michelle Jack

  Amen!!

• Jas

  O Thou Great and Mighty God who has watched over Your people from dust till dawn and dawn till dust, we humbly ask for courage to stand for what we believe in. Help us to stand on the promises of Jesus Christ, knowing that though the moment of trials could result in death, and if you do not save us at those moments, You will show Your glory when the trumpet sound. Remind us to be faithful to You who calleth us from darkness into this marvelous light. Hear our cry and defer not we pray, in Jesus sweet andholy name, amen.

• Michelle Jack

  Amen, Praise His holy name!!!

• Desiree

  Amen and amen.

• Pauline Brown

  Amen

• Mabel

  Thank you Jean for the commentary and good morning to all my family members. Taking a stand for the right is not always an easy thing, especially when it does go against egos. In order for the people of God to stand up for moral principles, there must be a willingness to stand the repercussion that will follow. Be that as it may< there are requests and expectations that will come to us that we will need to be willing to resist because they conflict with the word of God. Vashti clearly knew the implication of her refusal of the king's request and most likely was prepared to bear the consequences.
  As I commit myself to following the Almighty God, do the decisions I make daily reflect my total obedience to Him no matter the consequence? or do I seek to satisfy my own desires while justifying the decision? It is my conviction, that once I am always seeking to please God first in my life and not my own self seeking desires, then I will be bold to stand for what is right regardless of the consequences. My confidence in Almighty God will tell me that He will have my back when I represent His Character.
  Today Father, I ask You to renew my mind that I will truly seek You first, not my own self seeking desires which will impact the decisions that I will make. Lord again I ask You to give me strength of character and confidence in Your words to choose wisely, even to disobey in order to be obedient to You my King, as it is in making wise choices that I am able to represent You and be a true witness. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer in the name of my precious Savor and Friend Jesus

• Pauline Brown

  Amen Mabel and God bless

• celiagofast

  Good morning and thankyou Jean for your insight into the start of Esther today..I have always been amazed that God is not mentioned once ..and yet He is so obviosly working behind the scenes as it were ..The twists and turns in the story are fasinating reading ...and of course praise the Lord ..Gods will comes to pass at last ..Lord Jesus help me to be as faithful as Esther was ...One of my favourite sections in the bible ...may your day be truly blessed ..and also the RBHW family too ..

• Harriet

  Amen

• Pauline Brown

  Amen Celia. Although God's Name is not mentioned once, when I think of it, I remember His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. He was watching over His people!

• Eddie Armstrong

  One quick question for my brothers and sisters. Do you know of voice recognition software that could translate those speaking in one language into a microphone from the front of the church and display the translation in another language onto a screen? Surly this technology is out there.....

• Harriet

  Well just hearing about that praise God, is it a free download or it requires a credit card?

• Mabel

  I am sure it is Eddie with tech so advanced, but cant give you any info on it, cause I have not heard of such a software yet. But keep looking, I will do some research myself

• Eddie Armstrong

  Thank you Jean and your commentary this morning! I have read this story with my children (who are now grown) many times from Bible Stories on the couch before bed. This was one of their favorites.

  But, I noticed something I had not previously observed as I read Arthur S Maxwell's presentation of the story to my children years ago. Chapter 1 has elements that sadly are part of the landscape of many homes today and may be appropriate to point out after Father's day here in America. The story of Esther begins with a drunken husband and a wife who refuses to be part of his silly games of beating his chest and bragging before his friends. His embarrassment before his drinking buddies because of her "disobedience" leads to mistakes that will have long term implications for many people. Of course, because he is the king has even more impact than the average Joe. But, make no mistakes pride, drink, and a power (little or much) is a bad combination. Perhaps if the king had skipped the drinking in favor of "water and lemon" the outcome might have been different, but not likely because the seed of pride would eventually catch up with him.

  It is husbands like this that get the "press" while those who treat their wives and children in a Godly fashion are minimized. I am fortunate to have many Christian male friends who are married and family members who are husbands that respect their wives as equals and understand their roles as husbands in the light of the God's word. While we may be equals, our roles are designed to add strength and compliment the family via the God-given abilities of each member of the core family.
  As we know, a return to family values and right relationships is part of the Elijah message of Malachi. Unconverted men are incapable of making right decisions regarding family and the edification of its members. But, those who have repented of their ways and been born again, will find a heart given to them by God himself to honor and cherish his spouse and the children God gave him.

  "Neither the husband nor the wife should attempt to exercise over the other an arbitrary control. Do not try to compel each other to yield to your wishes. You can not do this and retain each other's love. Be kind, patient and forbearing, considerate and courteous. By the grace of God you can succeed in making each other happy, as in your marriage vow you promised to do." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald - 10th December 1908 - The Mutual Obligations of Husband and Wife

• Harriet

  May we be the light that will shine in those who are going through difficulties in their marriages without being judgmental by God's help

• Viveen McLeary

  Amen.

• Desiree

  Amen Bro.Eddie may the GOD of heaven ,even our SAVIOUR,help us all.

• Erpidia Mercado

  May God help me to stand up for my beliefs no matter the cost. I remember being asked if I would work on the Sabbath and responding my acceptance of the job had been I would not work on Saturday. I praise God that I was never asked again and remained at the company many years. God rewards His faithful children. Even if I were to lose the job, I know that God would still provide for He is merciful and my Provider. Have a blessed day and once again I ask for prayer for my job situation to become a full time employee.

• Max Romeo

  Stand like the brave with your face to the foe. I will be praying for you. Allow Gad to use in such a way that the company that you are working for will see you not just as an employee but as an asset. God is able and He is AWESOME.

• Gloria Mosha-Onchiri

  The same God who fought for you my Sis will give you a permanent full time employment.I was faced with a similar situation and stood my grounds I was loosing my job.I told my employers I am ready to loose it for the Sabbath I went home me and my husband we prayed and fasted that night the next day they called me and said they have agreed that I will be exempted from working on sabbath.Also where I am working now my colleagues work on Saturday.On my interview I explained my faith as a Sabbath keeper and they have agreed to give me Sabbath off.Glory to God he is able.I am praying for you.

• Ruby

  Praying my sister, for I'm in that situation before. God hands work secretly and the reward is bountiful and wonderful, if we stand firm and obedient to His laws, it took 7 years i got the reward job from Him, in 7 years journey, it was hard but in my heart I keep singing the melodies of His promises and He is truly faithful to His words. What a wonderful God we served! The story of Esther is a hope for me that in the midst of pressures His mighty hands is always present.

• Gloria Mosha-Onchiri

  Amen.

• Jean Wade

  Amen, praying for you and your job.

• Viveen McLeary

  Will pray for your job situation. God is faithful and will take care of it for you as He knows what is best. He has promised that there is no good thing that He will withhold from them that walk uprightly.

• cmunyoro

  Amen

• celiagofast

  Amen ..praying for you ...be Faithful ..God will come through for you...blessings

• charock01

  Thank you Sister Boonstra, and welcome to the forum.

  As I reflect on the chapter a few distinct lessons come at me as it relates to God, Vashti, and Esther.

  GOD

  God does not plan disaster for our lives, but He's always there to pick up the pieces and make a thing of beauty and usefulness from those negative experiences (do you know/remember the Post-it story?). Vashti's descent from the palace created the opportunity for God's people to be eventually saved from extermination.

  VASHTI

  Not a Sex Symbol

  One get's the sense that Vashti, though a beautiful woman, prided herself in being more than a mere sex symbol; not just beauty, but brains as well. It is possible that she was a woman of distinct morals as well. The invitation from the king on this trip may well have been a deja vu moment; and she knew exactly what would follow. Perhaps she had made the resolve within herself... never again.

  Taking a Moral Stance?

  Whatever the reason for Vashti's refusal to accede to the king's (her husband's) wishes she would have been naive to think that her refusal would have gone without consequences. She made the choice anyway. Christians today ought to be wiling to make choices for God, notwithstanding the consequences that may follow. If we're not willing to stand (yeah die) for something, we'll fall for anything.

  On Choosing a Spouse

  Although Vashti would have likely had no choice in becoming the king's wife, in most cultures today people have the opportunity to make those choices themselves. Lesson? Choose a spouse who is compatible with your moral leaning. Wives should choose husbands they'd be willing to submit to; husbands, wives that they can love as Christ loves the Church.

  ESTHER

  Esther may have thrown her hands up in despondency and hopelessness - after all she was in captivity. But being led by Spirit both Mordecai and herself saw good sense in giving and receiving training respectively. To what end? We shall see.

  PRAYER

  Father in Heaven, thank you for making fortunes of our "failures," for giving us morals in dense world. Lead us to select spouses and associations that complement our morals and our spiritual orientation. Then as we go through the crucibles of life, help us to learn the pertinent lessons that will prepare us for a future with the King of all kings. This we as in Jesus' name, amen.

• Viveen McLeary

  Thanks for sharing Charles. May God help us to always stand up for what is right and remain faithful to Him.

• Derek Morris

  We will not always be affirmed or rewarded in this world for being people of principle. Some will mock us. Others will persecute us. Queen Vashti had the courage to stand by her convictions, no matter what the cost. For that, she should be remembered as a person of integrity. I'm so thankful today that God is able to work out His divine purpose in spite of our broken world. Out of this messy situation, Queen Esther will arise as a deliverer of God's people. Our God is able to deliver us today when we call upon Him. I love the promise in Psalm 50:15. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you. And you shall glorify Me."

• EllenKudzayiMudyiwa

  Amen I never thought of Queen Vashti in this light always thought of her as the disobedient wife. Thanks to this forum it makes things clearer..

• Viveen McLeary

  Thanks for sharing Pastor. God is always a present help in trouble.

• Johnnycongo

  Many lessons in Scripture indeed! Are we learning? Are we applying it? Does society reflect it?

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