“But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore, the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.” ~ Esther 1:10-12
REFERENCE:
The unfolding drama in today’s text led to the divorce of this royal couple; it all started with an ill-informed and ill-timed request from a drunk king, drunk with power and wine. It shows how most quarrels start in relationships, friendships, and marriages: two wrongs. The husband started it, the wife responded, and it elicited a response from the husband, and it all went sour.
In the oriental palace, it was not suitable for women to appear where men were. That’s why the women had a separate party hall. It was certainly an error for the king to ask Vashti to come into his presence when he was drunk and in the company of several men who were likely drunk, too. When his heart was merry with wine, he wanted the queen in her royal robe and crown to show off what a beautiful woman she was to the princes.
King Ahasuerus did not do well as a decent husband who should have protected his wife and not exposed her modesty. Although it was honorable for Vashti not to be seen in the male crowd, she could have honored the husband’s request. He was the king and the final authority in the land. The laws would have been subject to him, and none could have penalized him. Yes, the king was wrong, but also, Vashti was wrong. Two wrongs met, and the end was not good.
Every broken marriage, sour relationship, or malice between friends is a product of two wrongs. The key to a successful relationship is to learn to identify a wrong done or your wrong and decide not to add to it. The cycle of wrongs began when the king got drunk. Then, he called his wife to a male gathering. Lastly, the wife dishonored her husband before his guests.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. You may feel justified to repay the person who wronged you with wrong, but it never ends well. I doubt that King Ahasuerus knew that the first bottle of drink he took beyond the ‘sober’ limit would eventually lead to his losing his dear wife (for he later regretted sending her away – Esther 2:1). Every wrong is satan’s seed planted to destroy the things that you hold dear. When you see a wrong, don’t add to it. See the option of mercy.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Proverbs 17:14, Romans 12:17-21, and Proverbs 15:1
PRAYER:
+ Dear Lord, help me always gain composure in my mental faculties and emotions. Free me from the need to get even and to make a point, to the point that I make an enemy while at it. Give me a heart of love, peace, and compassion. Please help me to be discerning enough to notice the beginning of strife and to avoid it. I will not be overcome by evil; I will overcome evil with good.
