Queen Vashti Refuses to Come When She Is Called

This meditation is based on a passage for September 17, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Esther 1:1-4,10-19

Reflection and Question: In July, at a retreat, we were asked to add some women to the list of the faithful in the beautiful ode to faith in Hebrews 11. Queen Vashti, the overlooked other woman in the Esther story, took hold in my mind. Her faithful courage continues to inspire me. She has the same faith as Moses who, in the face of the Pharaoh, “was unafraid of the king’s anger.” Neither was Queen Vashti, who defied the king’s drunken demand for her presence at his banquet. Esther took Vashti’s place as queen and we never hear of her again. How does Queen Vashti inspire your faith?

Prayer: Spirit of God, we thank You for the great cloud of witnesses whose faith inspires us to run the race set before us. We especially thank You for those who are unknown or little known like Vashti. In our day may we be like them in faith. Amen.