The Esther Challenge - Day 2

Hi Woman of God

It’s wonderful to hear how the Esther challenge is already off to a wonderful start for you ladies. I hope you can feel my excitement as we go through this book, it is truly a treasure chest of wisdom. I pray that we uncover all the golden nuggets of wisdom that God wants to teach us during this time.

Below is my SOAP for today’s chapter. Let’s jump straight in.

SCRIPTURE

Esther Chapter 2 (the chapter as a whole)

OBSERVATION

At the start of this chapter (verses 1-4), King Ahasuerus has calmed down from his anger in chapter 1 and seems to be even reconsidering his decision about Vashti. In this moment, his heart has softened against her and if he had received counsel in her favour, she might have been reinstated as queen, and the story of Esther would never have happened (at least not as we know it). However, once again, his advisors give counsel against Vashti and suggest finding a new queen. This reveals two key truths:

1. God orchestrates events for His purposes. Even in decisions made by men, God is working behind the scenes.

2. Counsel can be for or against you. May the counsel concerning us always work in our favour, in Jesus’ name!

In verse 9, we see that Esther finds great favour with Hegai, the custodian of the beautiful women that have been brought to see the king. Verse 7 describes her as not only beautiful but also lovely, which suggests she had a warm personality, good character and a radiating spirit. She wasn’t just physically attractive - her inner beauty was clear, making her stand out.

Additionally, Esther was a woman of wise counsel. In this chapter alone, she heeds and obeys advice from two key figures:

• Mordecai (verse 10) - She listens when he advises her to keep her identity a secret.

• Hegai (verse 15) - She follows his instructions on what to take when meeting the king, trusting his expertise.

While God’s favour and her natural charm played a role, it’s important to note that Esther’s obedience was a major reason for her success. Hegai had inside knowledge of what the king liked, and Esther followed his counsel completely, without missing a detail. Her humility and willingness to learn positioned her for elevation.

APPLICATION

1. Seek wise counsel. Before making major decisions, identify people with experience and wisdom in that area and seek their advice. Do not rely solely on your own understanding.

2. Pray for divine positioning. Ask God to place you in the right situations and among the right people, just as He positioned Esther in the king’s palace.

3. Develop inner beauty. Work on your character, kindness, and attitude. True favour is not just about outward appearance but also about the way you treat others.

4. Obey godly instructions. When you receive wise guidance, follow through completely, even when it doesn’t immediately make sense.

5. Be mindful of the counsel you receive. Not all advice is good advice. Pray for discernment to know which counsel aligns with God’s plan for your life.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for always working behind the scenes for our good according to Romans 8:28. Surround me with wise counsel that leads me toward my calling. Help me to be a woman of wisdom, warmth, and obedience, recognising that favour comes not just from external factors, but from my character and willingness to follow sound guidance. Align me with the right people, position me for elevation, and give me discernment to know which counsel is aligned with Your will for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen! 🩷

See you tomorrow for Day 3 sister ✨

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.