Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Biztha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.  Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?  And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.  For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.  Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen.  Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.  If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. (Esther 1:10-19) 

Vashti was Queen to King Ahasuerus of Shushan the citadel, who publicly dishonored and humiliated him in the presence of the officials, nobles, princes and all the people by refusing to submit to his command.  It was quite obvious that King Ahasuerus was proud of the queen’s beauty for he commanded that she would come before him bearing the royal crown, and show herself to the people and princes of the land during a great feast.  However, when word was sent to her to come she openly refused and by doing so, roused the King’s anger.  This one act of “disobedience” caused her to be “Stripped of the Position” of queen, and the title was then handed over to one of humbleness, one chosen by God, a young Jewish woman from the tribe of Benjamin whose name was Esther, and the Lord used Esther in a mighty way to bring Glory to His Name.   

We all know of the story of Esther, how the Lord gave her favor in the eyes of King Ahasuerus, and Glorified Himself through her in delivering the Jews.  However, the focus of this message will not be on Esther, but on Vashti and those who are placed in leadership roles as it is important to understand how one can be stripped of the position given to them through deliberate and continual willful acts of disobedience.   

No doubt, Vashti being Queen was in a form of leadership.   Her conduct should have always been proper and setting a good example as what the people would see her do, would ultimately be imitated.  Because of her “title” her behavior would go without question and many would feel if it’s good enough for the queen to behave a certain way, then it would be good enough for them and such was the fear of the king after her rebellion to his command.  Through her rebellion, she had not only dishonored the king, but according to Memucan one of the seven princes from Persia and Media, she had dishonored the princes AND the people in all the provinces.  As queen she was subject to the king, but she denied his authoritative position through her refusal to heed to his command and consequently through her rebellious boldness, was saying (although not openly, but by action), “it doesn’t matter to me what you command, I will do as I please.  I will do things MY way.”  In doing so as others were privy to this behavior, such may have been tempted to do the same in their own households playing “follow the leader” thus bringing upon resentment, confusion, bitterness, anger, strife and division amongst themselves. 

Now, Jesus is the HEAD of the Church.  He is THE KING and the church is His queen, His bride.  He is the authoritative figure and ABOVE her, what he commands of her to do, that she must do as HIS queen.  She is NOT to attempt in any way to usurp authority over him but must be humble, meek and desirous to submit and surrender to HIS leadership setting a GOOD example to those whose eyes are always watching.  That which he commands in His word to do MUST be heeded, without question, without fear, without doubt.   

Within the church he has placed some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelist, some Pastors and some Teachers, ALL who are subject to HIS authority.  ALL MUST BE WILLING to do what He has commanded, seeking ONLY to please Him and not man.  However, we have some “Vashti’s” within the group of the five-fold Ministry who have rebelled against the commandments of the Lord and have chosen to do things their way.  For some have brought into the church FALSE doctrines, and have diminished the power of TRUE repentance in that you have taught others it is alright to continue to live in sin, as the Lord has paid the price for our sins past, present and future and according to YOUR doctrine, repentance is not necessary to receive salvation.  You teach them NOT repentance, but they’ve learned only to utter a weak and insincere “I’m sorry” (from the mouth, but not the heart) and to believe instantly they are forgiven and this practice can continue on day after day without any consequence.  You have lived your life in such a manner and have TAUGHT others to do so and for this, you shall be “Stripped of the Position” you have so arrogantly clung to, so proudly boasted and bragged about for through your conduct, your speech, your false doctrine, many have followed and many have been kept from entering into the kingdom of God.   The Lord said to Peter before he ascended into heaven “Feed My Sheep”, and he has asked you to do the same.  Yet you have given the sheep food that has entered in, and came instantly out again as NO meat of TRUTH has been given that the sheep may digest it well and GROW.  They are crying out for meat, and you’ve given them milk, and a watered down version at that.  What you’ve given them is not healthy to spiritually digest, which is why they become (after a short time of sipping from you), hungry yet again.  You shall be held accountable for every sheep that has gone astray because of your conduct and doctrine.  Wherever this applies, may the reader HEAR and REPENT and be RESTORED BACK to the position the Lord God had called you into.   

For those of leadership who thought it necessary to “peddle” the Gospel, and turn it into a money market, “get rich quick scheme” YOU surely MUST repent.  For you have fatten your pockets while the sheep has starved.  You have given them any doctrine that would be pleasing to their ears, for fear if the TRUTH is spoken, you may lose your great wealth for many would no longer “generously” give.  You have used the Gospel for ill gotten gain, suppressing the truth and feeding them lies.  You’ve told them “to give is to get”, thus many have given for the WRONG reasons and have received NOTHING!  What answer do you give them when they question you of this?  That they had NO faith to believe?  You have become wealthy through their giving and foolishly call it “a blessing from God”.  Surely, it cannot be a blessing if you are content, while your brother or sister is starving, helpless, destitute and in need.  You, being aware of such have grossly misused what has been given, and should for the GLORY of God, redistribute that great wealth BACK to the poor that NONE suffer lack!  Do you truly believe the Lord is pleased with your conduct?  I tell you he is NOT, and you to shall be “Stripped of the Position” given to you, for the Lord did not command you to SELL the Gospel, but PREACH the Gospel!  Preaching for profit is NOT a calling of the Lord, nor is anyone anointed of God who choose to do so!   Again, wherever this applies, may the reader HEAR and REPENT and be RESTORED BACK to the position the Lord God had called you into.  Your title is NOTHING without an anointing.  Store your treasures in Heaven, and cling NOT to the tangible things that ultimately shall fade away on earth.  For where your treasures LIE, there will YOUR HEART BE ALSO! 

Be not as queen Vashti, do not publicly dishonor and humiliate the Lord by refusing to submit to His commands in the presence of the people that they may behave as you.  Let your conduct be RIGHTEOUS, and GODLY, speaking the TRUTH in love in ALL things and seeking always to set a perfect example that the sheep may follow and TRULY be fed.  Remember who is in AUTHORITY over YOU and forget not that it is out of LOVE and OBEDIENCE you surrender to him, and it is BECAUSE OF THIS LOVE that you truly feed His Sheep. 

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always…….

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God