Esther 1: 10 On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— 11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. 12 But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger. 15 “What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?”
16 Memucan answered the king and his nobles, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire. 17 Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king. 18 Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger.

19 “So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she. 20 When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!”

21 The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan’s counsel. 22 He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.

different people view this situation different ways... we can either see vashti's disobedience.. or we can see the king's ridiculousness in his request and response...

the truth of it is.. we cannot control someone else's actions.. we can only control our own actions... we cannot make someone else do what we feel is right... even if we really are right... but our own responsibility before God is to do the right thing ourselves... I can absolutely understand her not wanting to be put on display.. especially if the truth was that she was to go wearing nothing at all but the crown... but.. if she was obedient... who would the truth of the shame and blame been upon? truly.. he would have ended up mad that everyone saw her naked.. that the other men desired her... and.. she would have been seen as submissive and beautiful to the whole nation.. instead she is remembered most for her disobedience... she had influence to upset the households of an entire nation.. all the women would be influenced by what she did.. whether right or wrong.. do we really notice how many people are watching us and possibly following in our footsteps.. and how important it is for us to do the right thing...

now truly.. I don't feel this king was right in what he wanted... he was drunk and was showing her off like she was a new car... but... what is her real responsibility biblically... my opinion is that her responsibility was to be obedient to him... he would have looked like a fool in the end for even requesting it.. and she would have came out looking like the golden woman... this one act of disobedience cost her the crown.. her family.. finances.. home... everything.. she was banished from the kingdom.. for one act of disobedience...

while I was going through what I went through with God for the past 2 years.. and I feared that He was never going to fix my situation.. meaning I would just lose my future behind it... and it was really an eye opening experience to know... really know... that God doesn't have to forgive us.. He doesn't have to fix things for us.. and if we realize that.. we probably will be far more cautious with our decisions.. at least I know it has done that for me anyways... I am SO THANKFUL that God is the God of so many many chances... I pray that God will help me to be obedient in all situations.. I pray that if someone makes bad decisions for me.. that He will come and rescue me.. and that in my obedience.. I will retain my rightful place and not be banished from the kingdom... I pray that I use my influence of others to show what a true christian woman should be.. I pray that people see Christ in me at all times..