SOAP’ing Esther– What were they thinking?

I’m reading and SOAPing my way through Esther. Today I am sharing my SOAP response to chapter six.  If you’re looking for a devotional guide or Bible reading plan, I’d love for you to join me. Here’s what stood out to me today:

Scripture: Esther 6:11

So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

Observation:

Haman had plans to suggest Mordecai be hanged that day in response to Mordecai’s unwillingness to bow down to Haman and others. Instead, Haman ends up driving Mordecai around town, telling everyone that the king delights in him.

Application:

I don’t think either man was happy with the ride around town.

From what else we’ve read, I get the impression Mordecai was humble and probably didn’t welcome or like the attention from the king in this way. Instead he seems to be the type of man who is comfortable in just serving God and doing what is right and not in need of worldly recognition. He had to have been baffled as to what was happening.

Haman, on the other hand, had to be stewing the whole time, and also a bit perplexed.

This chapter certainly points to a big change of events.

Prayer:

Lord, I’m not sure just what you want me to take away from this passage, but it is definitely a critical part to Esther’s story and signals a big change coming. Please guide me in living the life you have set out for me. Help me to see the clues you have set in place and listen to your nudging so I can live  as you intend for me to live. Help me to live honestly and with the right intentions.

Are you reading alongside me? If so, what grabbed you in today’s passage?  What do you think was running through each of their heads during this? Please tell me in the comments… 

If you’d like to join me, tomorrow I will be sharing my SOAP response to chapter seven of Esther.

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Wondering what SOAP is? Click over to read What is SOAP?