Esther Chapter 1: The Life That Lasts Less Than a Hundred Years
Esther Chapter 1
The Life That Lasts Less Than a Hundred Years
11. The king commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, wearing her royal crown, to show off her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at.
12. But when the eunuchs conveyed the king’s command to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.
13. The king immediately consulted with experts in law and justice, as it was the custom of his kingdom to seek advice on legal and judicial matters.
◇ The Book of Esther is a dramatic narrative set during the reign of King Xerxes of the Persian Empire. It recounts the plot of Haman to exterminate the Jews and how Esther, through her marriage to the Persian king, saves her people. This act of salvation is commemorated by the Jewish people to this day in the festival of Purim.
King Xerxes hosted a grand banquet three years into his reign. He invited nobles, officials, and military leaders from all 127 provinces of his vast empire. The banquet lasted 180 days, six months, during which the king showcased the wealth, abundance, and power of his kingdom. Following this, he held a seven-day feast for all the people in the capital, without distinction of rank.
In high spirits, the king wanted to boast about the queen to his officials and the people. He ordered the queen to appear in her royal attire, but she refused to obey. Angered, the king sought advice from those knowledgeable in the law and eventually deposed the queen according to legal procedures.
For 180 days, the king flaunted his might by inviting countless guests to a splendidly decorated place and having them drink from golden goblets. This was likely an unspoken pressure to ensure their allegiance. It was a way of saying, "You know what to do."
Living teaches us without needing to be told
Both you and I, how foolish we all are
Living makes us laugh when we realize
How foolishly we live our brief lives
Life is but a brief stay, a world we briefly inhabit
Yet we live as if we will last a thousand years, not just a hard-earned hundred
This is from the song "Emptiness" by Nahuna.
It's foolishness to act arrogantly, thinking we will live forever, when living even a hundred years is difficult.
I hope to humbly enjoy and share what has been entrusted to me as a steward, to live sharing all that I have with humility.
♧ God, make us thankful for whatever we have, much or little. May we live sharing whatever we have, however much it is. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.