We sometimes criticize others unfairly. We don’t know all
their circumstances, nor their motives. Only God, who is
aware of all the facts, can judge people righteously. John
Wesley told of a man ... More
Respect
Esther’s story begins 103 years after Nebuchadnezzar had taken the Jews into captivity (II Kings 25), 54 years after Jerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2) and 25 years before Ezra led the second group to Jerusalem (Ezra 7). Only Esther tells us anything about what happened to the Jews in captivity that did not return to Jerusalem after Cyrus issued his decree permitting their return. This chapter opens with King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes) of Persia showing off his riches in the capital city of Susa (vv. 1-9).
This event took place in the King’s winter palace in Shushan, which is now in Iran, 200 miles north of the Persian Gulf. Xerxes ruled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his rule, he gave a big dinner to all his officials, officers, governors and leaders of the provinces as well as the commanders of the Persian and Median armies (vv. 3-4). For 180 days he showed off his wealth and spent a lot of money to impress his guests. The eating and drinking lasted seven days in the beautiful palace gardens (v. 5). The area was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains, tied back with purple linen cords that ran through silver rings (v. 6). There were couches of Gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of marble and mother of pearl. The guests drank from gold cups, and each had a different design (v. 7). The king was generous and said, to them “Drink all you want, as they drank from gold cups, that were very extravagant and with different designs!” (v. 7). Then he told his servants to keep their cups full (v. 8). While the men were enjoying themselves, Queen Vashti gave the women a big dinner inside the royal palace (v. 9).
Application
Respect comes from mutual regard and appreciation for each other and not from legal pronouncements. I need to keep this in mind in my relationship with loved ones and co-workers.
Esther 1:1-9 (English Standard Version)
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King Xerxes Hosted a Banquet For His Officials
Esther 1:1–9
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
We sometimes criticize others unfairly. We don’t know all their circumstances, nor their motives. Only God, who is aware of all the facts, can judge people righteously. John Wesley told of a man ... More
Esther’s story begins 103 years after Nebuchadnezzar had taken the Jews into captivity (II Kings 25), 54 years after Jerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2) and 25 years before Ezra led the second group to Jerusalem (Ezra 7). Only Esther tells us anything about what happened to the Jews in captivity that did not return to Jerusalem after Cyrus issued his decree permitting their return. This chapter opens with King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes) of Persia showing off his riches in the capital city of Susa (vv. 1-9).
This event took place in the King’s winter palace in Shushan, which is now in Iran, 200 miles north of the Persian Gulf. Xerxes ruled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his rule, he gave a big dinner to all his officials, officers, governors and leaders of the provinces as well as the commanders of the Persian and Median armies (vv. 3-4). For 180 days he showed off his wealth and spent a lot of money to impress his guests. The eating and drinking lasted seven days in the beautiful palace gardens (v. 5). The area was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains, tied back with purple linen cords that ran through silver rings (v. 6). There were couches of Gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of marble and mother of pearl. The guests drank from gold cups, and each had a different design (v. 7). The king was generous and said, to them “Drink all you want, as they drank from gold cups, that were very extravagant and with different designs!” (v. 7). Then he told his servants to keep their cups full (v. 8). While the men were enjoying themselves, Queen Vashti gave the women a big dinner inside the royal palace (v. 9).
Application
Respect comes from mutual regard and appreciation for each other and not from legal pronouncements. I need to keep this in mind in my relationship with loved ones and co-workers.
Esther 1:1-9 (English Standard Version)
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View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »