February 3 True Love

Esther 1:9-12 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.
 
KING Ahasuerus is a vain man, isn’t he? He’s everything a man shouldn’t be regarding his relationship with his wife. He’s demanding. He’s unfair. He is easily angered. Certainly he is the opposite of 1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”
    Yes, the king could control anyone he wanted to manipulate. But that didn’t mean he should behave in this demeaning way toward his wife. And further, she’s the queen of an enormous and powerful kingdom. Surely she has her political status, too.
    As we see Ahasuerus’ vanity, we are introduced to the kind of evil Esther will face as she becomes queen. There is no power on earth greater than that of King Ahasuerus. This emotional, ungrateful, angry and impulsive man will act to bring God’s people to the brink of annihilation. His actions will compromise Esther’s ethics. This fit of anger will also ultimately cause many of his subjects to be killed. Paul’s words on love give us an antidote to anger, impatience, distrust and pride. Let’s all live mindful of the Bible’s true love words as we strive to live into our Lord’s commands: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
    Does the Scripture reference surprise you? God speaks of love a book of the law? Yes, we must know the law comes to us because God is patient and kind. He is not arrogant, prideful, irritable or resentful. We must love this way, too.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, forgive me my anger. Teach me to love others in the ways you command me through your Holy Bible. In Jesus’ name, amen.