Open Heavens May 23, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezek. 28-30

VASHTI SPEAKS

MEMORIZE: "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink" (Proverbs 31:4)

READ: Esther 1:5-12

King Ahasuerus organized a feast that was celebrated for 180 days. It was geared towards making a public display of the greatness of his kingdom, glory and riches. The last one week of the period was very crucial One common commodity that was prominent at this feast was wine. The king and his lords were on a wine-drinking spree. At the peak of this drunkenness, the king made an unusual request. He asked the Queen to be brought before his lords and other guests, to exhibit her beautiful features contrary to the norm. In old Persian culture, women were excluded from public glare, more so the Queen. If the king was not drunk, he would never have allowed this show of shame because it would definitely affect his honor, and that of his wife. In that moment of insanity, he threw caution to the wind and was ready to reduce his queen to a common prostitute!

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:” (Proverbs 31:4). In vss 1-7, we are warned against taking alcohol. If you are genuinely born again, Revelations 1:6 says you are a king. You are royalty. Kings are not to be drunk or else foolish acts will result. Some Christians say, “I drink but don’t get drunk”. That is the trick Satan plays on such people to continue to take alcohol until they are destroyed. Are you a captive of the bottle? The Lord will set you free in Jesus’ name. Usually, we see one side of Vashti; her refusal to obey the king which led to her replacement as queen. Let us for once look at the other side. What kind of queen was Vashti? Was she loose, wicked and unruly? Vashti was a far more decent woman than most women today.

She was a highly principled person who stood for what she believed, not minding the consequences. What was her offense? She refused to debase herself by indecent exposure of her nakedness to the public. She refused to play the public dog before drunken revelers who had no sense of value. She refused to cast her pearls before swine. The life of Vashti condemns the lifestyle and dressing of modern women folk. Today, the spirit of Babylon has fast caught up with the church. Some so-called sisters and ministers’ wives cannot wear a decent dress that covers their nakedness. If what is meant to be covered is not exposed, they are not at rest. On the day of judgement, Vashti will condemn the life-style of most women. If decent dressing was the only criteria for Heaven, Vashti would have entered Heaven, while many professing believers will be out. Check your wardrobe, fish out every dressing that makes you a promoter of lust and destroy them.

ACTIONPOINT: Dear Heaven seeker, visit your wardrobe. Any dress that you will put on and feel ashamed or feel like covering something up while you stand face to face with your Savior Jesus Christ, is meant for the trash.