Esther (2)—Drinks in Abundance - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

The king made a feast lasting seven days … They served drinks … in abundance, according to the generosity of the king … The drinking was not compulsory … they should do according to each man’s pleasure … On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded …

It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
Esther 1:5–10 NKJV; Proverbs 31:4–5 NKJV

Esther (2)—Drinks in Abundance
Just as among celebrities and high-ranking people in present day society, drinking plays an important role in life in the book of Esther. In chapter 1, King Ahasuerus first makes a feast 180 days long for the important people of his empire. Following this, he makes another seven-day feast outside his palace for all the men in Shushan the citadel. His wife Vashti does similarly for the women. Even the costly decorations are described for us. But by the end of the chapter, a royal marriage has been broken.

Whatever else may have been served at these feasts, the drinking and its results are emphasized in this book. In today’s sinful world many kinds of drugs are misused also, with results that are sad, heartrending, and often catastrophic and even fatal.

Wine in Scripture was a common table beverage and as a drink-offering formed an integral part of many sacrifices. Thus Judges 9:13 speaks of wine cheering God and man. In John 2 our Lord made a large quantity of wine at a wedding he attended at Cana.

However, beginning in Genesis 9 with Noah’s drunkenness, and in chapter 19 with Lot’s incest, Scripture warns many times against overindulgence in alcoholic beverages, especially on part of any in positions of authority and responsibility. When God’s priests were on duty, they were forbidden to drink wine or intoxicating drink. We do well to take these warnings and teachings to heart.

-- Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.