DAY32 Respect
Today’s Bible Reading
Esther 1:1-5,9-12
You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. - Psalm 8:5
In 1967, American vocalist Aretha Franklin topped the charts with her hit single “Respect.” The song became an inspirational anthem for the civil rights movement and for others who demanded to be treated with respect.
Long before Aretha’s hit record, Queen Vashti topped the Persian charts with her own version of “Respect.” The book of Esther begins with King Ahasuerus hosting a great celebration. In addition to displaying his wealth and power, he also wanted to showcase his wife’s beauty. So he commanded that Queen Vashti be brought before him and his guests.
If she obeyed, she would have allowed the king to degrade and disrespect her. If she refused, she risked losing her life. She refused. What courage! Vashti didn’t want to compromise her character by being reduced to a piece of property. Her desire for respect led to her banishment. We have no record that Vashti feared the Lord. But her courage shows that she understood the God-given dignity accorded to every human being.
God created us in His image and crowned us with glory and honor, having made us “a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5). Out of love and reverence for Him, let us treat ourselves and others with honor, dignity, and respect.
By Marvin Williams
Questions:
1. How many parties are mentioned here, and how long did each one last (Esther 1:4-5, 9)?
2. Why did the King summon Queen Vashti, and why did she refuse to appear before him (1:11-12)?
3. Is there any inner attitude or outer action that you have to change in order to treat others, not as objects or tools for you to use or benefit from (like how the King treated Queen Vashti), but instead as fellow human beings with dignity, honour, and respect?
Prayer:
Dear God, help me to remember that even the most difficult people I know bear Your image. Help me to resist the temptation to insult and manipulate them to get my way, and help me instead to love and honour them out of love and reverence for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.