February 4 Forgive

Esther 1:15-19 “According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ 18 This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will say the same to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty. 19 If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.”
 
IT is interesting to see how these firsrt verses of Esther can be viewed as a handbook on relationships. Yesterday we saw how King Ahasuerus became enraged as his wife declined to come into his presence. He needed to put his anger aside. Such emotions would cause great harm to his wife and to many in his kingdom.
    Today we can see what happens when one makes assumptions. The “advisors” to the king are plainly self-serving men. They are sure Queen Vashti’s disobedience will be a license for all women in Persia to disobey their husbands. These men seem to be very insecure and afraid. Who said one’s disobedience would cause others to do so?
    Then notice how King Ahasuerus quickly agrees with them. He takes the hard line approach with no discussion. “Good idea! Let’s do ths evil thng!” We’ll see again in this book how the king’s advisors easily convince him to do evil. He rules a vast kingdom with the evidence of a small mind. This is a very dangerous combination. Indeed, history shows us his 20-year rule was disastrous for Persia’s army and its people.
    How do you respond to people who disagree with you and even oppose you? What the Bible says to do is to pray for them, love them and to talk with them. Many verses from Proverbs, the Psalms, Job and Ecclesiastes teach us of right living. Read also the Kingdom truths from Jesus, Peter, Jude, John and Paul. See the ways of reconciliation and peace. All of these ways begin with our own attitudes and actions. If someone has wronged us, they may not know. Instead of issuing an unforgiving, accusing mental “decree” agaisnst such a person, instead of complaining to others about the wrong done to you, instead of being a gossip and a slanderer, we are to go to them in peace to talk with them.
    If we know we have wronged others, we are to go and seek forgiveness. Remember this from 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
 
Prayer: Forgive me my sins, Father, as I forgive those who have sinned against me. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Jesus taught us to pray this, you know.)