Vashti - the fear of women controlling men!

[Guest JeanMarie]

I was reading in Esther, and in the very first chapter is the story of King Ahasuerus and his Queen, Vashti. King A was giving a feast for every man within the citadel of Susa for many days. And Vashti was giving her own banquet for the women in the palace. On the 7th day, King A was *merry with wine* and ordered Queen Vashti to come in so all the men could see and marvel at her beauty. (Now, mind you, these were men who'd been drinking and living it up for at least 7 days.) Queen V refused to come in.

This angered the King, and he sent for his wise men to tell him what to do. Their main concern was that Queen Vashti was not obeying the king, and this would set a precedent amongst all other women in the citadel and kingdom to not obey their husbands, thus causing contempt and wrath.

The wise men counseled the king to order all women to give honor to their husbands, and there was great male rejoicing.

It struck me that this must have been a very BIG concern for the men, otherwise there would be no reason to include it in the narrative. Male vs female dominance at that time and place. Kinda sounds what some men are still afraid of

[aldona]

I find it really interesting how most Bible studies and commentaries automatically paint Vashti as some sort of villain, as if it was she who had done wrong and the king was the good guy.

She did what she believed was right. She refused to parade herself before a crowd of drunk men like a piece of meat. If it happened today we would be applauding her dignity and self-respect, and holding her up as a positive role model for women.

aldona

[Nan]

I agree, Aldona. There are 3 women in the Bible for whom I feel particularly sorry, Vashti is one. The others are the daughter of Jephthah in Judges, and Rizpah. If someone does not know who Rizpah was, she had an association with King Saul.

[Nan]

And JeanMarie I guess this is not the way you saw this thread going - I am happy to have it back on track. Both of the women I mentioned suffered because of the actions or words of particular men.

[Guest JeanMarie]

Actually, the posts here are exactly what I was thinking....that "we" would not put up with such commands from a man, husband or not. I thought Vashti was extremely brave. She knew she what consequences might befall her, yet she followed her own heart.

[Gail]

I agree. It's too bad that her integrity was rewarded in this life by banishment from her home

[olger]

Go to a drunken party to be viewed by lewd men? I gotta give her an A+ (for not going of course).