How does Esther 1:21 illustrate the importance of wise counsel in decision-making? Setting the Scene in Susa King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) has hosted a lavish, six-month celebration. When Queen Vashti refuses to parade before the guests, the monarch faces a public crisis. Rather than acting rashly, he turns to the seven nobles who “had access to the king’s presence and sat first in the kingdom” (Esther 1:14). Their spokesman, Memucan, recommends removing Vashti and issuing an empire-wide decree to preserve respect for royal authority. Reading Esther 1:21 “The king and the princes were pleased with the advice, so the king did as Memucan proposed.” Notice the Key Players – The king: possesses absolute power yet seeks input – The princes: influential advisers representing the empire’s elite – Memucan: articulates a solution and its political rationale – The people: millions whose daily lives will be shaped by the decree What This Moment Teaches About Counsel – Consultation precedes decision. Even a sovereign ruler pauses to ask, “What should be done?” – Agreement among advisers brings clarity. “The king and the princes were pleased…”—unity replaces confusion. – Counsel magnifies impact. One conversation determines policy for 127 provinces. – The quality of counsel matters. Memucan’s advice solves the king’s immediate dilemma, yet its fairness and long-term wisdom remain debatable; Scripture invites us to weigh counsel against God’s standards, not merely human expedience. Three Principles for Us Today 1. Seek counsel before acting. – Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” 2. Choose counselors who fear God. – Psalm 1:1 warns against “the counsel of the wicked.” 3. Measure every suggestion by Scripture. – Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for testing teaching “against the Scriptures.” Echoes Across Scripture – Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 24:6: “Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.” – James 1:5: “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Putting Wisdom Into Practice – Pray first; ask the Lord for insight. – Gather godly, informed voices—people who know Scripture and understand the situation. – Listen humbly; resist the urge to defend preconceived plans. – Compare every recommendation with biblical truth. – Decide promptly once clarity comes, trusting God to honor obedience. Esther 1:21 reminds us that decisions rarely occur in a vacuum. Wise counsel—sought, weighed, and aligned with God’s Word—guards us from impulsive mistakes and positions us to act with confidence and integrity. |
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