04
Leaders LEAD
John TiltonEsther 1:10-19
On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.” Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.
So King Xerxes apparently was the marathon partier, with a celebration that went on for 6 months … wow! He apparently was in “high spirits,” for most of that time “from wine” as we read. Thus, only Queen Vashti would know the answer of why she decided not to attend the party when the King summoned her … perhaps it was because she did not think his partying and drinking exampled being the King. Perhaps she was very disappointed in the King’s lack of attributes becoming of the leader over such a vast area of127 provinces.
Perhaps she felt the King was a bad example in front of all of the invited leaders from Persia and Media – the princes, the nobles and others.
Subsequently, the edict was that Vashti was never to enter the presence of the King and her royal position would then be given to someone else.
Whatever Queen Vashti’s concerns were in not coming to the King when she was summoned, her action was a failure to example her position and role as the Queen. As Queen, she too was a leader with expectations, and she did fulfill them in her “actions” or lack of action. Therefore, the possible result as the King’s experts in the law and justice would be that:
- Here actions would become known
- That other women would respond in the same way
- There would be no end of disrespect and discord
Understandably, King Xerxes also showed a lack of good example as King and leader in his actions of partying, yet was it the Queen’s place to do what she did in not exampling the position, principles and prominence of being the Queen.
We in the same way whether it be in our lives, our family, our work and especially in ministry; when called to leadership are expected to LEAD.
The acronym represents the attributes of a leader that:
L – Leaders
E – Example – walk our talk, do what we ask others to do
A – Take Action – Be the first to act
D – Disciple – teach and equip
We’ve always heard that more is caught then taught. So true! Thus, discipleship is great, and what will enhance discipleship is example and action. For successful leader are able to LEAD.
Dear Lord, than you for reminding and prompting me to know that as a leader in my family, work, ministry and with others that I must lead through example, action and discipleship. I must walk my talk, be the first to step into the water or jump in and that my goal is not only to teach info and facts, but to disciple!
