Queen Vashti: A Contemporary Model for Christian Morality in Africa

In this paper, King Artaxerxes’ action against Queen Vashti (Esther 1:1-2:1-18) is examined, and moral and ethical lessons for contemporary Christian morality are drawn. One can describe the decision of the King as contemptible, despicable, barbaric, and a violation of Queen Vashti’s self-value and dignity. A further challenge can be thrown to the popular notion, which seems to suggest that Queen Vashti was disobedient, arrogant, and not submissive. Contrary to the traditional popular derogatory assessment of Queen Vashti’s rejection of the King’s demand, it is argued that she is a contemporary model for Christian Morality. Rhetorical criticism and historical narrative criticism were used for the study. An analysis of the moral and ethical factors that underpinned Queen Vashti’s rejection of the King’s demand and found that she demonstrated high moral and ethical values worth emulating was conducted in the study. It is, therefore, recommended that Christian women emulate Queen Vashti and maintain high moral and ethical values in society. Keywords: King Artaxerxes, Esther, Vashti, Gender.