Posts with the category “dark-horses-overlooked-heroes”

Highlight Here again we see the favor Joseph often receives from others. Three positive moments of “finding favor in his eyes” are with the Lord (v. 2), Potiphar (v. 4), and the prison warden (v. 21). Each of these positive favors bring Joseph success, influence, and power. All things that build his character and his reputation.  Read More

Highlight In the opening of Joseph’s story we see the author highlighting two themes that will carry throughout his story. The first theme is that Joseph is often favored. It sounds odd because choosing favorites is a sticky business. But Joseph’s father “loved Joseph more than any of his other sons'' (v. 3), and this is brought up repeatedly throughout the narrative. Later in the week, we will also read that he finds favor in others' eyes, some that are beneficial and others that are not.  Read More

A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog. Throughout Scripture we see God choose unlikely people to become His primary tool to impact the outcomes of seismic events in Israel’s history, and in turn the history of our world. Social outcasts, economically disadvantaged, struggling with disability or illness, lacking influence or even agency to make change in their own lives, much less in the lives of their community or nation.  Read More

Highlight We end this week on the most well-known story of Daniel. Under King Darius, Daniel rises again to a position of great authority, provoking jealousy among other officials and ending with him in the lions’ den.  Read More

Highlight In Daniel 5, we see the fall of Babylon under King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son. When Daniel is called in to read the writing on the wall he’s now near ninety and it’s clear from his interaction with Belshazzar that his time of influence in the Babylonian Kingdom has passed with Nebuchadnezzar.  Read More

Highlight Daniel 4 recounts another dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, which Daniel interprets. The dream predicts the king's downfall due to his pride and subsequent restoration after he acknowledges God's sovereignty  Read More

Here we find the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar erects a massive golden statue and commands everyone to worship it. The three friends refuse, declaring their unwavering faith in God, even under the threat of death.  Read More

Highlight The book of Daniel begins with the story of four young men—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who are taken captive from Judah to Babylon. We know from the account that these four were chosen for specific reasons.   Read More

A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog.  Read More

Highlight The people gather to hear the Word of God, and as it is read and explained, they are moved to tears and repentance. The Israelites, removed by generations from the law given by God to their ancestors, are suddenly struck by its meaning afresh. That feels familiar. How often do we read Scripture as if it was written for someone else?  Read More

Highlight Despite the schemes of external enemies who attempt to intimidate and distract Nehamiah from his work, he remains focused and completes the wall in fifty-two days. It’s important to note that just because Nehemiah is working in the name of the Lord, he is not protected from the pressures and persecution of the broken world around him.  Read More

Highlight Despite his good intentions, Nehemiah faced significant external opposition from surrounding enemies who sought to intimidate and stop the work of rebuilding the walls. Even still, he remained steadfast and encouraged the people to trust in God. In addition to the outside pressure and ridicule, Nehemiah has internal issues as well, addressing injustices within the community and ensuring that the poor were not exploited  Read More

Highlight Nehemiah approaches the king with a request to go to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. Approaching the king was risky, he could have faced severe consequences if the king had not been favorable, even death for his audacity. Nehemiah admits his fear, but his compassion for his people compels him to step out in faith.  Read More

Highlight Nehemiah's story is part of a larger narrative of the return of the Israelites from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah, along with Ezra, chronicles the efforts to restore the community and the city, emphasizing themes of renewal, repentance, and God's faithfulness  Read More

Welcome to Week Two of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan! This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name  Read More

Highlight We end our story of Esther with perhaps more questions than answers and we’re left to wrestle with the moral ambiguity of Esther and Mordecai’s actions in response to their new found power. The very violence that they feared they exact on their own enemies. And of course throughout the story we see both Mordecai and Esther engage in morally questionable behavior.  Read More

Highlight The faith of Mordecai and Esther has changed the fate of an entire nation in captivity. The Jews are given the freedom to be autonomous, not just protected by the King and his empire, but free to defend themselves against evil. Their dignity is restored. Their identity is so changed that where there was grief and mourning there is now rejoicing and victory. Sound familiar?  Read More

Highlight And so it begins. The tides are starting to turn in a dramatic way. Who could have seen this coming, certainly not Haman! God is on the move on Esther and Mordecai’s behalf. He responds to the prayers and fasting and saves both their lives in seemingly miraculous ways by working in the heart of King Xerxes.  Read More

Read Esther 3 & 4 Highlight In contrast to Esther and Mordecai and their lack of position or power, we are introduced to Haman who has been given almost absolute power by King Xerxes. We also learn something vitally important about Mordecai and Esther. Although they have experienced extreme trauma, loss and grief, they are still faithfully serving God  Read More

Read Esther 1 & 2 Highlight Esther is a great place to begin our study of dark horses, because she is certainly an unlikely heroine.  Read More

Welcome to Week One of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name.  Read More