Bragger

I often pick on people who are quick to show all the things they have or have accomplished.  I call them a “bragger”. They seem to be saying: “Look at me and how great I am”.  I think this a huge display of pride for sure. I have learned over the years that I am very blessed. No matter how much a person accomplishes, there is someone who can top that. I have also learned that without the Lord, I can do nothing.

I started reading the book of Esther this morning and it starts out with King Xerxes showing off his wealth with a 6-month party for all the nobles and probably other rich people. He is “filthy rich” and he is showing off his riches and his power. He then has a celebration for the people who lived in the walled city of Susa, the city where he resided. This is where his braggadocios spirit gets him in trouble. Check this out….

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. (Esther 1:10-12 NLT)

I’m not sure all of the reasons Queen Vashti refused to come to the party. I suspect that this request was loaded and she was aware of it.  Whatever her reason, it costs her the position of queen and it’s surprising that she wasn’t killed for disobeying an order of the king. 

The king consults with his advisors to come up with a plan of punishment to deal with her. A couple of take-a-ways in this chapter… 1. Don’t be braggadocios with people or possessions – they are a blessing.  2. Don’t use other people to make yourself look good.  I think it’s too bad that the king didn’t have an advisor to serve him some humble pie at this banquet.  He was in power and blessed as king because God allowed him to be there. 

As usual, God is up to something. There is much more to this story as Queen Vashti’s setback is a set up for a young Jewish girl named Esther.

Pressing On!

Dwayne