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Saying No
October 14th, 2024
Esther 1:1-12
Vashti’s refusal to enter the presence of the king when commanded to do so is sometimes seen as a poor choice on her part. After all, even though she was queen, she was under the rule of her husband and was expected to obey.
Why didn’t she do as he asked? It’s possible that Vashti was being commanded to do something that went against her morality and/or her sense of self-preservation. The men in the room had been drinking for quite some time, and the king was “in high spirits with wine” or drunk. Some scholars believe Vashti was expected to enter the raucous room wearing nothing but her royal crown, paraded before a drunken group of men. Even if fully dressed, even if queen, this would still be a daunting task. Vashti was likely aware of the potential consequences, whether her answer was “Yes” or “No.” Yet, at a potentially heavy cost to herself, she chose “No.”
“No” can be an appropriate, even necessary answer to power. Just because we can say “Yes” doesn’t mean we have to.
Grant us, O Lord, the wisdom to know the difference.
Author: Joann Shade
