Worthy Women: The Ones Who Say No

With the Worthy Conference only two months away, I’ve been thinking about what it means to live worthy. Worthy of who we are in Christ, worthy of our callings, worthy of all God has for us - not just when it’s easy, but when it costs something.

I think most of us have had to take a stand when we were being taken advantage of, or when our boundaries were being violated. This can cost us a job, or an invitation to a place we want to be, or even a relationship that matters to us. But our God is faithful to restore. It’s what He does. He can’t help it. When I think of living worthy, I think of the book of Esther.

Yes, Esther lived worthy by using her platform to step up in the face of grave danger to save God’s people from an evil plot that would have resulted in the death of thousands. But this would not have been possible without another woman - the previous queen. Queen Vashti made a decision, for whatever reason, that led to her banishment and opened the door for Esther to take her place on that platform.

This is all that we know about Vashti from Esther Chapter 1:

·        King Xerxes held a celebration that lasted six months and then culminated in another seven-day party. There were no limitations placed on drinking.

·        During these seven days, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace.

·        On the seventh day, a drunk King Xerxes sent his seven eunuchs to summon the Queen with “the royal crown on her head.” He wanted to display her to the nobles and other men, for she was a beautiful woman.

·        Queen Vashti refused to come.

·        King Xerxes and his advisors decided they could not let this go unpunished, because it would empower women all over the kingdom to stand up to their husbands.

·        Vashti was banished, and many scholars believe she was ultimately put to death.

In my own imagination, Vashti was living worthy. She inspires me just as much as Esther does. For today’s blog, I’m sharing a flash fiction story I wrote based on Queen Vashti.

We don’t know the exact events leading to Vashti’s banishment, but we do know that God has more for women than the way they were being treated at that time – even the women who were living lives of privilege.

I hope you enjoy my version of Vashti’s story, and that it pumps you up to live worthy!

Vashti

That man has been feasting and drinking for SIX MONTHS! I have been attending every dinner, every stroll around the palace, the parties, the political strategy meetings, and I have overseen the aesthetic details and the staff for all of it! FINALLY, Xerxes let me host my OWN banquet for the women, and here come those seven dimwitted eunuchs. What do they want from me now? It has been seven days without being pawed at and breathed on and summoned. I have spent seven days with these incredible women, hearing their stories. We have seen each other and found a sisterhood that I was not expecting. We are bonded. We are empowered. We are... friends. After a week like this, I just don’t think I can go back to my old life. I’m different now.

Here we go... I rise as a good Queen should. I acknowledge the King’s seven eunuchs (did he really need to send all seven?). “What brings you to my women’s banquet?”

Mehuman, cleared his throat, “Your Highness, the King has requested your presence at his banquet.”

My face flushed with humiliation and anger. I know that I shouldn’t shoot the messengers. It’s not their fault that their King is a drunk and dishonorable fool. But I want them to say it. “My presence? Whatever for?”

This time, it was Biztha that spoke up, though he could not meet my eyes. “He would like to show the officials who have arrived just this week how beautiful his Queen is.”

“Ah. And what would he have me wear to this display?”

All seven looked down or looked away. I knew it. SAY IT.

This time it was Zethar who broke the silence. “Your Highness, if you could just come with us, we...”

“No. Say it here. In front of my friends.”

With a deep sigh, Zethar looked down at the floor and said, “Just your royal crown, Queen Vashti.”

Without looking at their faces, I knew my new friends were watching me, waiting for my response. A few of them looked shocked. Their own reigns had not come to this level of humiliation - at least not publicly. I hope they never will. More of them had looks of pity. They knew this scenario all too well.

I’m so tired of this. We are so much more than a body or a beautiful face. These women have dreams and ideas, and I can see leadership and brilliance in them. If only the men would take the time and have the wisdom and decency to listen.

Still staring at Zethar, I said, “I see.” I picked up my golden goblet of wine, took a sip, sat down, and continued to eat my dinner. I needed a minute.

The women exchanged looks of confusion. The eunuchs began to fidget and whisper to each other. My thoughts were swirling. For seven days, I have gotten to lead and care for these women. We have dreamt together about what kind of Kingdom we want to see. The causes we could help as we use our platforms and our influence. We have shared our struggles and our humiliations - many just like this one right here. I don’t think I have it in me to leave this place and to step into THAT place. Not anymore.

Mehuman finally spoke up. “Queen Vashti, shall we escort you to your chambers so you can prepare?”

I chewed my last bite a little longer than I normally would have, took another sip of wine, looked directly at Mehuman, and said, “I would rather die.”

-Niki Hathorn, Worthy Content Creator