Lesson Seven

Queen For A Day

 

 

Introduction:

Nearly every little girl has dreams of being a queen someday---that's why they parade around with plastic tiaras on their heads and towels around their shoulders. Then they graduate to becoming high school homecoming queen "wannabe's." Here's a side thought: Have you ever been to a class reunion and seen what 20 years does to the homecoming queen.....the same damage it does to us mere mortals!!!

Now many of us are at the stage where we would be happy to be considered the queen of our household much like men want to be king of their castle. My daughter has attempted to help in this arena by giving me a stamp that says, "The Queen has spoken," which I use to put my final statement on all pieces of correspondence I send to my children! But the good news is you can be a queen in the way you conduct your life, in your relationships with others and in your walk with the Lord. The bad news is acting like a "queen" is not always a good thing. Let's briefly look at the lives of two well-known queens in the Bible and determine which you most closely align with and if you need to make some "queenly" adjustments.

I. Kings 16:30-33

I. Jezebel - the very name conjures up an evil picture. My daughter Jennifer chose this name for her black cat, and it has always been a debate in my mind as to whether the cat has subconsciously lived up to the name or it was purely a coincidence that she fit the title. Years ago one of the biggest insults you could dump on a woman was to simply say. "You....Jezebel!"

A. Water seeks its own level....Ahab and Jezebel are a perfect match. He is already on his way to being a bad boy before she hooks up with him. She brings to the marriage a hefty dowry for she was the daughter of a king. This brings to mind the story of Elizabeth of Russia who forbade any woman from wearing the same pattern as hers or to receive the newest French fashions before she did. When she died, in her wardrobe were found 15,000-16,000 dresses, some of which had never been worn. Apparently, at her instructions, these garments were left to eventually rot. Along with her riches, Jezebel also packed with her a fervent allegiance to the false god Baal. Ahab turned his back on God and began to be the perfectly obedient husband and worship Baal also.

B. (I Kings 18) - Elijah the prophet of God makes himself very unpopular with Jezebel when he defeats her 450 prophets of Baal and then proceeds to walk them down to the brook Kishon to be slaughtered.

C. (I Kings 19:2) - The Bible records only a few remarks made by Jezebel, but the ones we read are proof enough that when Jezebel spoke, you had better being wearing flame-resistant long handles!
[1]. There is no confusion on the part of Elijah as to what the queen meant in her threat as evidenced in (vs. 3). He left town!

D. (I Kings 21:1-16) - Ahab proves what a spoiled, weak-willed man he was in the coveting of Naboth's vineyard.
[1]. Vs. 7 - Jezebel gives another of her biting speeches both ridiculing her husband and also placating him.
[2]. At her word false accusers are secured and in due time poor Naboth is killed so the king can own his vineyard. But it will cost the royal couple dearly.
[3]. Elijah shows up (what guts!) to prophesy the doom of both Ahab in (vs. 19) and Jezebel in (vs. 23).
[4]. At this point Ahab realized he had pushed God to the limit and decides a time of repentance is in order (vs. 27), but there is never a hint of repentance from his queen.

E. (II Kings 9:27-37) - The very inglorious ending of a queen

[1]. Some sixteen years after Elijah's prophesy, Jezebel is still running the show even though her son is the king. Jehu is proclaimed king of Israel by the army and slays Ahaziah, the son of Jezebel and Ahab.

[2]. Now Jehu turns his sights on the wicked queen and is greeted not with fearful words but with another of Jezebel's classic insults. (vs.31)

{a}. Zimri was a traitor who lived only a week after overthrowing his master.

{b}. Jezebel may have "smelled the coffee" and realized her time was up, but she did take great care in making sure she looked good for her last scene. (vs. 30)

[3]. Jehu already had a plan in order, and at his command this wicked woman was thrown from the upper chamber where she stood. It certainly wasn't a pretty sight, but the words of Elijah came true. She really did "go to the dogs."

What can we learn from Jezebel?

[1]. It has been said that "when a woman rules, the order of nature is inverted." Ruling your husband is not God's plan and will never gain His approval.

[2]. A strong-willed nature and aggressive spirit may be admired in today's world, but we are admonished to follow the instruction of (I Pet. 3:3-4).

II. Esther

[1]. Esther gives us a far different picture of queenliness and a much better example of the gracious use of power.

{a}. She became queen almost by default although it is evident God had His hand in the entire scenario.

{b}. A Jew in secret, she gains king Ahasuerus' favor to replace the disobedient queen Vashti. She is advised strongly by her relative Mordecai to not reveal her heritage.

{c}. Her personal uniqueness is evident early on as she gained favor throughout the king's household and finally, with the king himself.

[2]. Enter the villain, Haman.

{a}. Everything seemed to be going well for both Esther and Mordecai until a man named Haman is promoted by the king to a position beyond his capabilities. Noticing Mordecai does not bow before him as ordered, he devises a plan to eliminate all the Jews of the land. (Have we heard this before?)
{b}. The king unwittingly signs the death warrant of all Jews in the land which would include his beloved queen. This is the "delegating of authority" gone amuck.
{c}. Upon hearing the edict against his people, Mordecai grieves and mourns, but then pulls himself together and sends word to Esther.

[3]. The queen has come to a crossroads where her character and courage will be tested.

{a}. (4:11) Through messengers Esther reminds him that the house rules dictate that no one is allowed to enter the king's inner chamber uninvited. The result could be a very short life span.
{b}. (vs.13-14) Mordecai's response is a classic statement that could be applied to leaders down through the centuries who find themselves at the helm of a nation in a time of great consequence.
{c}. In response, Esther asks for prayer and fasting on her behalf, and stoically states that she will give it a go and "if I perish, I perish."

[4]. (5:2-3) This queen had laid the foundation for the response she received this day. Her temperament, sweet disposition, and cooperative spirit paid huge dividends for herself and the multitude of her kinsmen.

{a}. Do not, however, be deceived by her kind exterior; underneath she was determined to "do in" the enemy of her people.

{b}. Poor Haman never knew what hit him. Not only was he soundly embarrassed by having to parade the vindicated Mordecai around on the royal horse, but there is worse to come.

{c}. At the banquet the queen has prepared, the king asks Esther just what it is she wants, (7:3) and for the SECOND time he offers half his kingdom to her. I would have jumped on that one!

{d}. Learning of Haman's diabolical scheme & that the queen would be one of the victims, the king goes out to think. As he comes back in, he finds Haman in a dubious position (vs. 8) which puts Haman in a worse position....getting his neck stretched on the gallows he built for Mordecai!

{e}. With tears flowing (that sometimes works!) Esther convinces the king to counter his previous order, giving the Jews the right to defend themselves and thus be saved from destruction.

What can we learn from Esther?

[1]. You can use difficult circumstances for the good of yourself and others. Wallowing in defeat never benefits anyone.

[2]. We are sometimes put in trying situations by God to mold and shape us into what He would have us to be. The Bible is full of such stories.

[3]. Your behavior today may have a profound effect on your life later.

Conclusion:

These two diverse queens shared several traits:

[1]. Fine minds

[2]. Boldness and courage

[3]. Leadership capabilities

[4]. Loyalty to a cause

The difference was in how those qualities were used and who the woman served.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, the British empire climbed to its zenith in power and territory. When asked by a foreign prince the secret of her country's greatness, Victoria replied, "The Bible, my lord, is the secret of our greatness.

This same queen, upon hearing a stirring sermon preached on the second coming of Christ, told a personal friend, "Oh, how I wish the Lord would come during my lifetime." When asked why she had such a desire, she replied, "Because I should so love to lay my crown at His blessed feet." Now that's a QUEEN!
 

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