To Display or Not to Display?

Alan Jones

They both were women. They both were royalty. They both were fair to look upon. They both were called upon to display themselves before reveling men on feast days. But, that's where the similarities end.

One woman refused to display herself and lost her position as queen.

The other danced and “pleased” the king, causing him to cut off the head of a righteous man. One woman has served through the centuries as an example of purity and modesty; the other as an example of lasciviousness.

Queen Vashti, wife of the Persian King Ahasuerus, was commanded to show off her beauty in front of the nobles and princes of the Medo-Persian Empire--all of which were drunken. She refused to come and was deposed from her throne (Esther 1:9-12, 19).

The daughter of Herodias danced before King Herod, his lords, the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee. Herod was so “pleased” with her lasciviousness, he swore that she could have anything she wanted, up to half the kingdom. After a conference with her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod reluctantly and sorrowfully kept his oath (Mark 6:21-29).

Today, all women have the same choice - to display or not to display.

“Daughters of Herodias” are all around us in the world - especially now that it's summertime. More than tans are being flashed. Bodies are being placed on public display. Where are the “Vashti's”? Surely they can be found among those professing to be God's children. But, alas, so many times, this is not the case!

Christians, both women and men, should dress “modestly, with shamefacedness and sobriety” (1 Timothy 2:9). Ask yourself just one question, “If in a pinch, with no time to change clothes, would I be ashamed to wear the clothes that I wear in other public places to worship services?” If the answer is yes - soul searching is in order.

To display or not to display? To be a “Vashti” or a “Daughter of Herodias”? Only YOU can decide!