The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CONTROL (02/18/21)
Exercising Control: An Element of the Wise

Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)-He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, without walls.
Proverbs 29:11-(KJV) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Proverbs 12:23-(KJV) A prudent man concealeth knowledge:

In the bible, there are a number of stories about losing control and keeping control over one’s people, status, mouth and feelings. The first book of Samuel has some great examples of exercising and losing control. In first Samuel chapter seven, Samuel had been judging Israel all the days of his life (I Samuel 7:15). After Samuel had become old, he appointed his sons to take on his duties as judges over Israel. However, his sons were wicked and didn’t follow the commands of the Lord and the elders of Israel were upset and wanted Samuel to appoint a King to rule over them and the people of Israel (I Samuel 8: 1-6). The elders and the Jewish people didn’t understand that God was their King. They didn’t need a King to rule over them so they would remember to reverence and obey God. All they needed was God himself to rule over them. However, they wanted to be like all the other nations who had Kings. They didn’t realize that God had chosen them and set them apart from the other nations who served not their God. God’s people were weak in faith toward God. God’s people felt like they lacked self-control in staying committed to God and following his commands and statues especially his command to not worship idol gods. God wanted to be their King. God was already their King but they were too blind spiritually to see it. God in turn appeased the people’s request for a King. God let go of some of his control over the people by letting them have a King rule over them. God felt as if the people rejected him as their King. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee for they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them (I Samuel 8:7). With a King, they would be losing control over their sons, their daughters, their fields of land, their vineyards, their servants and goodliest young men, asses and sheep (I Samuel 8: 11-17). God chose Saul to reign as King over his people (I Samuel 9:17).

Likewise, the book of Esther contains more than one example of losing and keeping control over one’s status and mouth. In the book of Esther, The King, King Ahasuerus, the King over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, made a feast for all the people present in Shushan, the palace (Esther 1:5). Vashti, the Queen refused to submit to the authority or control of King Ahasuerus, when he asked that she be presented before the people of Shushan palace to show off her beauty. Her behavior was not that of a virtuous woman. According to Proverbs 12:4-A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. She disobeyed her King. The Queen in her disobedience had made a feast also for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus. Vashti refused to come before the King and the people, the wise men and the seven princes of Persia and Media. The prince, Memucan, let the King know that Vashti must be punished because her behavior is a role model for all the behavior of all the ladies in the kingdom. If they let Vashti get away with disobeying and dishonoring the King; then the other ladies in the kingdom will follow her bad example and shall despise their husbands also. The princes decided that she should be removed from the throne and be replaced by another that is better than she (Esther 1: 10-19). She would be replaced by Hadassah or Esther, a beautiful Jewish maiden. In becoming Queen, Esther exercised self-control over her mouth and feelings by not telling King Ahasuerus that she was a Jew. Because she didn’t’ show her heritage or kindred she was highly favored by the King above all the fair maidens in the land. By concealing knowledge of her heritage until the right time; she saved her people, the Jews, from genocide by evil Haman (Esther chapters 3-10 KJV).
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 382 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/28/21
Lovely reminders of Biblical scriptures along with a good message.
Thank you.
Blessings~
Lois Maina
03/01/21
Just a thought: What made Queen Vashti refuse to appear before the King?
Would it have been different if Esther gave her identity after being chosen to be a queen?
Otherwise the article is well presented.