Bridge to Esther

Esther 1:12

The Real Beauty of a Woman

12. As Queen Vashti and the other women were feasting together, King Ahasuerus’ servants suddenly called for her. She was commanded to put on the royal crown, and to show herself to all the men who were feasting and drinking. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment brought to her by his chamberlains, his servants: therefore was the king very wroth, or terribly upset, and his anger burned in him because his wife dared to disobey him before all the important men of his kingdom.

Something to think about:

No doubt Vashti was a beautiful woman—and there is nothing wrong with that. God Himself makes colorful birds flitting in fields of wildflowers, the graceful doe with her soft-eyed fawn, and—most special to Him—people of every race and culture.

All of God’s gorgeous nature is ours to enjoy, but He has wisely set boundaries with people. God had given King Ahasuerus a lovely wife; but her body was only for him to enjoy. It was wrong of him to want to display his wife’s beauty to his guests.

When God created Adam and Eve, they were perfect. In their sinless condition, they walked in the Garden of Eden without clothes. But after they sinned, they felt ashamed of their nakedness and quickly sewed some clothes together. Later, God made clothes for them. Why did He need to do that? God knew that looking at the beauty of naked bodies would stir many impure thoughts in the hearts of sinful people. The Bible calls it ‘lusting.’ For very good reasons, God now forbids us to look at naked men and women except within marriage. Once you are older, you will understand this better.

Does this help you to understand why Vashti refused to come to Ahasuerus’ party? Her husband showed great disrespect for his wife. He should have protected her honor and not used his power to please himself. On the other hand, if a woman shows off the beauty of her body to anyone else besides her husband in private, she also does wrong. Therefore, Vashti was right to refuse her husband’s command.

Learn that the greatest beauty of a woman is not her body. It is who she is in her heart. God values the beauty of a humble and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). A girl or a woman with a quiet spirit doesn’t call attention to herself. She is willing to serve her father and mother and others in need of care; and later, if married, her husband and children.

Today, there are many famous, even idolized, people in the media. Don’t ever think that these glamorous movie stars and models pass God’s test of ‘beauty.’ They may have a beautiful body, but they miss the humble, quiet, serving spirit of the heart, which, in the sight of God, is of great value.

The same is true for men. Their greatness is also not in their muscles, their dashing good looks or their fast, cool cars. True greatness is found in the spirit of the heart. A boy or a man with a serving spirit uses his strength to protect weaker people. Many men misuse their power and take advantage of others for their own pleasure. That is so unlike the greatest Man on earth: the Lord Jesus Christ. He used His power to help, serve, heal, seek the lost and save sinners. He never used His power or position to please Himself. Seek His grace to make you more and more like Him.