The Esther Challenge - Day 1

Hi Woman of God

Happy New Week! I am so excited to be starting our Esther challenge today.

Esther is a unique book in the Bible because it never directly mentions God, yet His divine orchestration is evident throughout. The story reveals how He positions people and events to fulfil His will, even in the most unlikely circumstances. The Book of Esther also reveals so much wisdom on godly femininity, identity and character as a woman of God.

I know that God is going to speak directly to us in amazing ways, giving us life changing revelations as we commit to His word over the next 10 days.

Below are my study notes for today's chapter using the S.O.A.P method. I can’t wait to hear some of yours and how you found day 1. Feel free to tag me in your stories on IG throughout this challenge @creatortochi.

Let’s dive in!

SCRIPTURE

Esther Chapter 1 (the chapter as a whole)

OBSERVATION

Chapter 1 introduces us to King Ahasuerus (also known as King Xerxes), a powerful but impulsive ruler who throws a lavish party to show off his wealth and authority. In his drunken state (after many days of drinking), he demands Queen Vashti to appear before the guests to showcase her beauty. She refuses to come, which angers the king. Seeking advice from his officials, the king is persuaded to punish Vashti by removing her from her position as queen to prevent other women from following her example. This sets the stage for Esther’s rise to the throne, as the new queen.

In modern terms, the events that take place in chapter 1 would be like a CEO throwing a massive celebration and demanding his beautiful wife to entertain the board members, and when she refuses, getting so angry that you divorce her to save face in front of your board members and prove a point. This truly reveals the pride and fragile ego of the king and his men, as well as how disposable and interchangeable women were at this time - even as a queen.

APPLICATION

This chapter highlights the power of wisdom in a woman’s actions:

• Contrasting Vashti vs. Esther - Vashti stood her ground but did so in a way that cost her position. Whether you think her actions were justified or not, she would have known that her defiance of the king’s call for her would have embarrassed him publicly at an event he had set up to glorify himself. This would have been perceived as a great level of disrespect and a heavy blow to his fragile ego. Meanwhile, Esther, later in the story, learns how to navigate the king’s ego, using patience, wisdom, and timing to her advantage - surrendering her own pride for a greater cause. Both of these women were certainly strong but in different ways and unto different ends. It is not enough to be in positions of authority; we must also understand how to handle the authority wisely - whether in marriage, leadership, or influence. This determines whether doors open or close. My application of this wisdom is to pray and seek to ensure that my authority and positions of influence be always rooted in Christ, so that I can make decisions not based on pride, ego, overconfidence, or selfish gain, but on the leadings of God.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom of this chapter, to recognise the requirement for wisdom when navigating relationships and influence with patience, grace, and discernment. Keep my heart free from pride and selfish ambition, and help me walk in alignment with Your will. Open the right doors, and guide my steps according to Your plans, in Jesus name. Amen! 🩷

See you tomorrow for Day 2 sis ✨

With my love

Tochi

P.s. if you want to learn everything I do when studying the Bible to receive understanding and revelation, this will help.