An Extravagant Party

O. T. #1081  "An Extravagant Party"
Oct. 17, 2017
Esther 1

LET IT GLOW

What kind of parties have you attended? Throughout the years, I have been to a few parties held in  extravagant homes. But the difference is the attitude the owners had. They were not flaunting their possessions, but were using them as a way to share with others and meet their needs. I felt welcome and valued, not out of place. And then the opposite has been experienced as the owners bragged about their extravagant possessions. I certainly felt out of place there. Today we will read about a king which held a party in an extravagant palace. Shall we which kind of host he was?

The first three years of Ahasuerus' reign was consisted of just another king living in ordinary days, year in and year out. Ahasuerus was not the name of the king, but the title of his position, which means high father or venerable king. Xerxes the Great of Persia was the name of the one who reigned over a great empire stretching from India to Ethiopia. This kingdom was divided into 20 regions and 127 provinces ruled by governors. (Modern Pakistan and Sudan were in this area.) Persia was the largest empire ever formed through military conquest. It included the Fertile Crescent, the heartland of the world. (The city of Susa housed the king's winter palace, that is modern Iran.) Cyrus had conquered the land of the Meedes and his grandson, Xerxes, had conquered the Persians. However, Xerxes's father failed to conquer Greece.
Notice that the name of this king is mentioned at least 175 times in this book, yet God's name is not. Although this is so, God's hand is not missing.

Wiersbe describes these events as God  "standing somewhere in the shadows" ruling and overruling. He notes the evidences of God's providential workings:

1. Esther being chosen queen over all the other candidates. (2:15-18)
2. Mordecai discovering the plot to kill the king. (2:21-23)
3. The casting of lots for the day to destroy the Jews resulting in a date later in the year, giving time for Mordecai and Esther to act. (3:7-15)
4. The king's welcome to Esther after ignoring her for a month. (5:2)
5. The king's patience with Esther in permitting her to hold another banquet. (5:8)
6. The king's insomnia that brought to light Mordecai's deed of kindness. (6:1)
7. The king's apparent lapse of memory in 6:10-14, that led him to honor one of the Jews he had agreed to slay.
8. The king's deep concern for Esther's welfare, when he had a harem to choose from. (7:5)

God's sovereignty prevailed so the Jews were saved. Since King David and King Jesus were to come through the tribe of Judah, this family had to be preserved.

Are we trusting our God to preserve His Word and children?
Can we see His hand working in our life?
Is He standing in the shadows as our family lives?
Are we thanking Him for all He does?


LET IT GROW

An ordinary day became an extraordinary day. King Xerxes had a lavishing banquet, displaying his wealth and power to his delegation brought from each province. This banquet lasted a total of 180 days, which was a smorgasbord for 6 months.

Come, let us go in and observe this extravaganza. It is being held in the enclosed garden at the palace. Scriptures tell us what we see whenever we look around:

• White, green, and blue drapes hung on marble pillars by silver rings;
• Couches were made of gold and silver;
• Mosaic pavement was red, white, blue, and black costly stone lay in the courtyard;
• Gold goblets, each uniquely designed, were used for wine;
• An abundance of wine was served. (verses 6-8)

The officers attending the banquet were not compelled to drink the available wine, but did so according to every man's pleasure. (verse 8)
This king was a man of enormous wealth whose life was one of extravagance, pleasure, luxury, comfort, and ease. Seems he delighted in boasting and showing off his wealth.

We are warned of such ways in Mark 4:19, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. and having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
(1 Timothy 6:6-8)

Content, in the Greek language, gives the idea of raising a barrier, to ward off; be enough; be sufficient.

Are we content with what we have?
Are we thankful for all we have?
Do we use it for the glory of God?
If we are content, do we resist the extravagance of the world?

LET IT GO

Learn to be content.
Don't flaunt what I have, but use it to serve others and meet needs.