By Olubunmi Adebayo
*As indicated yesterday, we asked if there were ways Queen Vashti could have better handled her decision in declining to dance before the king?*
*Yes, there are better ways Queen Vashti could have handled her decision. They are as follows :*
*1) ATTENTION TO PROTOCOL :*
*The protocol governing palace activities were not followed by Vashti, instead she broke it outrightly :*
*Esther 1: [13] 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:*
*The affairs of the Persian nation was strictly regulated by laws and statutes.*
*When the king sent for her to dance before his guests and officials, it was no longer a bedroom interface between a husband and his wife, but a state and official assignment. Remember, the officials of the nation were busy watching how king Ahaserus was going to treat his wife for her gross misconduct.*
*Whatever health or emotional challenge Queen Vashti may be facing at that moment, her approach in responding to the call of the King should have followed official protocols : she should have reported how she was feeling. She should have asked for permission to be excused on specific grounds of inconvenience that was verifiable.*
*Vashti should have known better : you don’t disgrace your husband publicly without creating a wrong impression.*
*2) ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS :*
*Vashti should have done better in paying attention to her environment.*
*She did not take into consideration the mood of the time as dictated by the prevalence of ALCOHOL :*
*Esther 1: [5] And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;*
*[7]And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.*
*[10] On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,*
*Vashti should know that with alcohol in the air, the mood had changed, no wonder the Word of God says :*
*Ephesians 5: [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;*
*3) BETTER MANAGEMENT OF STRESS : Vashti displayed very poor management of stress.*
*It was likely that the stress of the several days of palace entertainment and hosting of officials across the kingdom overwhelmed her :*
*Esther 1: [3] In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:*
*[4]When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, _even an hundred and fourscore days_.*
*[5]And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, _seven days_, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;*
*But Vashti shouldn’t have turned this into an act of insubordination against the king.*
*She might be going through emotional upsets no doubt, but when the king calls, his words carry power :*
*Eccl 8:[4] Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?*
*4) FAIR MANAGEMENT OF STAFF :*
*King Ahaserus had seven key Advisers, none of them spoke positively about Queen Vashti. No wonder, she lost out in the palace power play – Advisers against the Queen.*
*From generation to generation, the story of the fall of Queen Vashti is a great lesson in leadership for everyone to learn from.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
