Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes - Day 01
Day 01 - Monday, June 24
Read Esther 1 & 2
Highlight
Esther is a great place to begin our study of dark horses, because she is certainly an unlikely heroine. We learn in these first two chapters that Esther and her cousin Mordecai, who has stepped in as her adoptive father after the death of her parents, are Jewish captives of the Persian empire. They have survived a traumatic war in which they, along with many others, are snatched from their homeland in Israel and taken to the Persian capital of Susa (which exists today in modern-day Iran). Esther is an orphan, a slave, and a woman. The low status of women alone in the Persian Empire is highlighted in this part of the story when Queen Vashti dares to defy King Xerxes and he immediately issues a decree throughout all of the Persian Empire reinforcing the status of men and their absolute power in their homes and community.
God is not mentioned explicitly in the book of Esther at all, however, even from the very beginning of her story we see His hand at work in her life. Through slightly duplicitous circumstances Esther finds herself in a place of power and influence that should never have been possible for her.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Esther 1 & 2
Highlight
Esther is a great place to begin our study of dark horses, because she is certainly an unlikely heroine. We learn in these first two chapters that Esther and her cousin Mordecai, who has stepped in as her adoptive father after the death of her parents, are Jewish captives of the Persian empire. They have survived a traumatic war in which they, along with many others, are snatched from their homeland in Israel and taken to the Persian capital of Susa (which exists today in modern-day Iran). Esther is an orphan, a slave, and a woman. The low status of women alone in the Persian Empire is highlighted in this part of the story when Queen Vashti dares to defy King Xerxes and he immediately issues a decree throughout all of the Persian Empire reinforcing the status of men and their absolute power in their homes and community.
God is not mentioned explicitly in the book of Esther at all, however, even from the very beginning of her story we see His hand at work in her life. Through slightly duplicitous circumstances Esther finds herself in a place of power and influence that should never have been possible for her.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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