Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Parable of the Guests (Luke 14:7-14) (02/29/24)
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TITLE: The Blessings of Humility | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lakella Davenport
03/07/24 -
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The parable of the guests reminds me of Esther’s humility when she was a guest in the king’s palace, when king Ahasuerus was in search of a new queen to replace, the former queen Vashti. She was also humble in hiding her identity, her nationality, as a Jew until the appropriate time. Esther didn’t desire anything from “Hegai, the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women,” but what he appointed. The other virgins in consideration for the royal crown, desired and received other things besides that which the chamberlain had appointed unto them. “Then thus came every maiden unto the king: whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house,” (Esther 2:13). “Now when the turn of Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing, but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all that looked upon her. So, Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign,” (Esther 2: 15-16).
And the king loved Esther above all the other virgins who were bidden to the king’s palace when he was in search of a new queen. “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti,” (Esther 2:17). Esther when she was bidden took the least number of things. She didn’t ask for fancy clothes or expensive jewels or lavish footwear. She took what was already appointed for her to receive. She did this contrary to all the other virgins who were bidden. This was a sign of great humility on Esther’s behalf. As a result of her humility, king Ahasuerus loved her more than the other virgins. “But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted,” (Luke 14: 10-11).
This parable also reminds me of the humility of another great woman in the Bible, Ruth. Ruth asked to glean in Boaz’s field. They were harvesting barley at the time (Ruth 1:22, Ruth 2: 6-7). Boaz had heard of the humility that Ruth had shown toward her mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 2:11). She had not asked to glean with his maidens, but because of her humility, Boaz commanded Ruth to glean next to his maidens (Ruth 2: 8-9). “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: for have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn, (Ruth 2: 8-9). “And when she was risen up to glean Boaz commanded his young men, saying, let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not,” (Ruth 2: 15-16). Boaz was also following God’s law concerning letting the poor glean the field to take what is left over after harvest. The poor people could not pay Boaz back for his generosity. “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just,” (Luke 14:14). Boaz was blessed by God for he was wealthy. “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz,” (Ruth 2:1).
Like Ruth and Esther, we must embrace a spirit of humility for God will exalt us in due time.
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