Update : 19th June 2012
- Husbands - your purpose in marriage is not to meet all the need of your spouse! - Wives - your purpose in marriage is not to meet all the needs of your spouse! - Doing so is idolatry! Anyway, no one is able to do that! The purpose in Marriage is ... Watch the video! CC Sng The little secret : Father - loves my mother! |
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ADAM
Adam was the first man on earth, and for a short time he lived alone. He arrived on the planet with no childhood, no parents, no family and no friends. Perhaps Adam's loneliness moved God to quickly present him with a companion, Eve. Before God created Eve, he had given Adam the Garden of Eden. It was his to enjoy, but he also had the full responsibility of taking care of it. Adam knew that one tree was off-limits, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Adam would have taught Eve the rules of the garden. Even though she knew it was forbidden to eat the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, when Satan tempted her, Eve was deceived. When she offered the fruit to Adam, the fate of the world was on his shoulders. As they ate the fruit in that one act of rebellion, man's independence and disobedience separated him from God.
But God already had a plan in place to deal with man's sin. The Bible is the story of God's plan for man. Adam is "our" beginning, and we are all his descendants.
Adam's Accomplishments:God chose Adam to name the animals, making him the first zoologist. He was also the first landscaper and horticulturist, responsible to work the garden and care for the plants. He was the first man, the father of humankind. He was the only man without a mother and a father.Adam's Strengths:Adam was made in the image of God and shared a close relationship with his Creator.Adam's Weaknesses:We see that Adam avoided his God-given responsibility. He blamed Eve and made excuses for himself when he committed a sin. He hid from God in shame, rather than facing his error and admitting the truth.Life Lessons:We see from Adam's life that God wants us to freely choose to follow and obey him out of love. We also learn that nothing we do is hidden from God. Likewise, it does not benefit us to blame others for our own failings. We must accept personal responsibility.Hometown:Adam began his life in the Garden of Eden but was later expelled by God.
Referenced in the Bible:Genesis 1:26-5:5; 1 Chronicles 1:1; Luke 3:38; Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; 1 Timothy 2:13-14.
Occupation:Gardener, farmer, grounds keeper.
Family Tree:Wife - Eve
Sons - Cain, Abel, Seth and many more children.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (NIV)
Adam was the first man on earth, and for a short time he lived alone. He arrived on the planet with no childhood, no parents, no family and no friends. Perhaps Adam's loneliness moved God to quickly present him with a companion, Eve. Before God created Eve, he had given Adam the Garden of Eden. It was his to enjoy, but he also had the full responsibility of taking care of it. Adam knew that one tree was off-limits, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Adam would have taught Eve the rules of the garden. Even though she knew it was forbidden to eat the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, when Satan tempted her, Eve was deceived. When she offered the fruit to Adam, the fate of the world was on his shoulders. As they ate the fruit in that one act of rebellion, man's independence and disobedience separated him from God.
But God already had a plan in place to deal with man's sin. The Bible is the story of God's plan for man. Adam is "our" beginning, and we are all his descendants.
Adam's Accomplishments:God chose Adam to name the animals, making him the first zoologist. He was also the first landscaper and horticulturist, responsible to work the garden and care for the plants. He was the first man, the father of humankind. He was the only man without a mother and a father.Adam's Strengths:Adam was made in the image of God and shared a close relationship with his Creator.Adam's Weaknesses:We see that Adam avoided his God-given responsibility. He blamed Eve and made excuses for himself when he committed a sin. He hid from God in shame, rather than facing his error and admitting the truth.Life Lessons:We see from Adam's life that God wants us to freely choose to follow and obey him out of love. We also learn that nothing we do is hidden from God. Likewise, it does not benefit us to blame others for our own failings. We must accept personal responsibility.Hometown:Adam began his life in the Garden of Eden but was later expelled by God.
Referenced in the Bible:Genesis 1:26-5:5; 1 Chronicles 1:1; Luke 3:38; Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; 1 Timothy 2:13-14.
Occupation:Gardener, farmer, grounds keeper.
Family Tree:Wife - Eve
Sons - Cain, Abel, Seth and many more children.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (NIV)
NOAH
In a world taken over by evil, violence and corruption, Noah was arighteous man. However, Noah wasn't just a righteous man, he was the only follower of God left on the earth. The Bible says he was blameless among the people of his time. It also says he walked with God. Living in a society saturated with sin and rebellion against God, Noah was the only man alive that pleased God. It's hard to imagine such unwavering faithfulness in the midst of such godlessness. Over and over again, in the account of Noah's life we read, "Noah did everything just as God commanded." His life of 950 years, exemplified obedience.
Since the wickedness of man had covered the earth like a flood, God decided to start over again with Noah and his family. Giving very specific instructions, the Lord told Noah to build an ark in preparation for a catastrophic flood that would destroy every living thing on earth. You can read a Bible story summary of Noah's Ark and the Flood here. The ark-building project took longer than the average lifespan today, yet Noah diligently accepted his calling and never wavered from it. Appropriately mentioned in thebook of Hebrews "Hall of Faith," Noah was truly a hero of the Christian faith.
Noah's Accomplishments:When we meet Noah, we learn that he is the one and only follower of God remaining in his generation. He goes on to become the second father of the human race. As an architectural engineer and shipbuilder, he put together an amazing structure, the likes of which had never before been built. With the project length spanning 120 years, it was quite a notable achievement. Noah's greatest accomplishment, however, was his faithful commitment to obey and walk with God all the days of his life.
Noah's Strengths:Noah was a righteous man. He was blameless among the people of his time. This does not mean Noah was perfect or sinless, but he loved God with his whole heart and was fully committed to obedience. Noah's life revealed qualities of patience and persistence, and his faithfulness to God did not depend on anyone else. His faith was singular and unshakable in a completely faithless society.
Noah's Weaknesses:Noah had a weakness for wine. In Genesis 9, the Bible tells of Noah's only recorded sin. He became drunk and passed out in his tent, making himself an embarrassment to his sons.
Life Lessons:We learn from Noah that it is possible to remain faithful and pleasing to God even in the midst of a corrupt and sinful generation. Surely it wasn't easy for Noah, but he found favor in God's eyes because of his remarkable obedience. God blessed and saved Noah, just as he will faithfully bless and protect those of us who follow and obey him today. Our call to obedience is not a short-term, one-time call. Like Noah, our obedience must be lived out over a lifetime of faithful commitment. Those who persevere will finish the race.
The story of Noah's drunken transgression reminds us that even the most godly people have weaknesses and can fall prey to temptation and sin. Our sins not only affect us, but they have a negative influence on those around us, especially our family members.
Hometown:The Bible doesn't say how far from Eden Noah and his family had settled. It does say that after the flood, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, located in present-day Turkey.
Referenced in the Bible:Genesis 5-10; 1 Chronicles 1:3-4; Isaiah 54:9; Ezekiel 14:14; Matthew 24:37-38; Luke 3:36 and 17:26; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5.
Occupation:Shipbuilder, farmer, and preacher.
Family Tree:Father - Lamech
Sons - Shem, Ham and Japheth
Grandfather - Methuselah
Key Verses: Genesis 6:22
In a world taken over by evil, violence and corruption, Noah was arighteous man. However, Noah wasn't just a righteous man, he was the only follower of God left on the earth. The Bible says he was blameless among the people of his time. It also says he walked with God. Living in a society saturated with sin and rebellion against God, Noah was the only man alive that pleased God. It's hard to imagine such unwavering faithfulness in the midst of such godlessness. Over and over again, in the account of Noah's life we read, "Noah did everything just as God commanded." His life of 950 years, exemplified obedience.
Since the wickedness of man had covered the earth like a flood, God decided to start over again with Noah and his family. Giving very specific instructions, the Lord told Noah to build an ark in preparation for a catastrophic flood that would destroy every living thing on earth. You can read a Bible story summary of Noah's Ark and the Flood here. The ark-building project took longer than the average lifespan today, yet Noah diligently accepted his calling and never wavered from it. Appropriately mentioned in thebook of Hebrews "Hall of Faith," Noah was truly a hero of the Christian faith.
Noah's Accomplishments:When we meet Noah, we learn that he is the one and only follower of God remaining in his generation. He goes on to become the second father of the human race. As an architectural engineer and shipbuilder, he put together an amazing structure, the likes of which had never before been built. With the project length spanning 120 years, it was quite a notable achievement. Noah's greatest accomplishment, however, was his faithful commitment to obey and walk with God all the days of his life.
Noah's Strengths:Noah was a righteous man. He was blameless among the people of his time. This does not mean Noah was perfect or sinless, but he loved God with his whole heart and was fully committed to obedience. Noah's life revealed qualities of patience and persistence, and his faithfulness to God did not depend on anyone else. His faith was singular and unshakable in a completely faithless society.
Noah's Weaknesses:Noah had a weakness for wine. In Genesis 9, the Bible tells of Noah's only recorded sin. He became drunk and passed out in his tent, making himself an embarrassment to his sons.
Life Lessons:We learn from Noah that it is possible to remain faithful and pleasing to God even in the midst of a corrupt and sinful generation. Surely it wasn't easy for Noah, but he found favor in God's eyes because of his remarkable obedience. God blessed and saved Noah, just as he will faithfully bless and protect those of us who follow and obey him today. Our call to obedience is not a short-term, one-time call. Like Noah, our obedience must be lived out over a lifetime of faithful commitment. Those who persevere will finish the race.
The story of Noah's drunken transgression reminds us that even the most godly people have weaknesses and can fall prey to temptation and sin. Our sins not only affect us, but they have a negative influence on those around us, especially our family members.
Hometown:The Bible doesn't say how far from Eden Noah and his family had settled. It does say that after the flood, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, located in present-day Turkey.
Referenced in the Bible:Genesis 5-10; 1 Chronicles 1:3-4; Isaiah 54:9; Ezekiel 14:14; Matthew 24:37-38; Luke 3:36 and 17:26; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5.
Occupation:Shipbuilder, farmer, and preacher.
Family Tree:Father - Lamech
Sons - Shem, Ham and Japheth
Grandfather - Methuselah
Key Verses: Genesis 6:22
ABRAHAM
Abraham, the founding father of the Jewish nation of Israel, was a man of great faith and obedience to the will of God. His name in Hebrew means "father of a multitude." Originally called Abram, or "exalted father," the Lord changed his name to Abraham as a symbol of the covenant promise to multiply his descendants into a great nation that God would call his own.
Prior to this, God had already visited Abraham when he was 75, promising to bless him and make his offspring into an abundant nation of people. All Abraham had to do was obey God and do what God told him to do.
This marked the beginning of the covenant God established with Abraham. It was also Abraham's first test from God, since he and his wife Sarai (later changed to Sarah) were still without children. Abraham demonstrated remarkable faith and trust, immediately leaving his home and his clan the moment God called him to the unknown territory of Canaan.
Accompanied by his wife and nephew Lot, Abraham prospered as a rancher and shepherd, as he made his new home surrounded by pagans in the Promised Land of Canaan. Still childless, however, Abraham's faith wavered in subsequent times of testing.
When famine struck, rather than waiting on God for provision, he packed up and took his family to Egypt.
Once there, and fearing for his life, he lied about his beautiful wife's identity, claiming she was his unmarried sister. Pharaoh, finding Sarah desirable, took her from Abraham in exchange for generous gifts, to which Abraham raised no objections. You see, as a brother, Abraham would be honored by Pharaoh, but as a husband, his life would have been in danger. Once again, Abraham lost faith in God's protection and provision. Abraham's foolish deception backfired, and God kept his covenant promise intact.
The Lord inflicted disease on Pharaoh and his family, revealing to him that Sarah must be returned to Abraham untouched.
More years passed during which Abraham and Sarah questioned God's promise. At one point, they decided to take matters into their own hands. At Sarah's encouragement, Abraham slept with Hagar, his wife's Egyptian maidservant. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, but he was not the promised son. God returned to Abraham when he was 99 to remind him of the promise and reinforce his covenant with Abraham. A year later,Isaac was born.
God brought more tests to Abraham, including a second incident when Abraham lied about Sarah's identity, this time to King Abimelech. But Abraham underwent the biggest testing of his faith when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, the promised heir, in Genesis 22: "Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you."
This time Abraham obeyed, fully prepared to slay his son, while fully trusting God to either resurrect Isaac from the dead, or provide a substitutionary sacrifice. At the last minute, God intervened and provided the necessary ram.
The death of Isaac would have contradicted every promise God had made to Abraham, so his willingness to perform the ultimate sacrifice of killing his son is probably the most strikingly dramatic example of faith and trust in God found in the entire Bible.
Abraham's Accomplishments:Abraham is the great patriarch of Israel, and to New Testament believers, "He is the father of us all (Romans 4:16)." The faith of Abraham pleased God.
God visited Abraham on several unique occasions. The Lord spoke to him numerous times, once in a vision and once in the form of three visitors. Scholars believe that the mysterious "King of Peace" or "King of Righteousness," Melchizedek, who blessed Abram and to whom Abram gave a tithe, may have been a theophany of Christ (a manifestation of deity).
Abraham carried out a brave rescue of Lot when his nephew was taken captive after the Battle of the Valley of Siddim.
Abraham's Strengths:God tested Abraham severely in more than one instance, and Abraham demonstrated extraordinary faith, trust and obedience to the will of God. He was well-respected and successful in his occupation. He also had courage to face a powerful enemy coalition.
Abraham's Weaknesses:Impatience, fear, and a tendency to lie under pressure were a few of Abraham's weaknesses revealed in the biblical account of his life.Life Lessons:One crucial lesson we learn from Abraham is that God can and will use us in spite of our weaknesses. God will even stand by us and rescue us from our foolish mistakes. The Lord is greatly pleased by our faith and willingness to obey him.
Like most of us, Abraham came to the full realization of God's purpose and promise only over a long period of time and a process of revelation. Thus, we learn from him that God's calling will usually come to us in stages.
Hometown:Abraham was born in the city of Ur of the Chaldeans (present day Iraq). He traveled 500 miles to Haran (now southeast Turkey) with his family and stayed there until his father's death. When God called Abraham, he moved 400 miles south to the land of Canaan and lived there most of the rest of his days.
Referenced in the Bible:Genesis 11-25; Exodus 2:24; Acts 7:2-8; Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 2, 6, 7, 11.
Occupation:As head of a semi-nomadic clan of herdsmen, Abraham became a successful and prosperous rancher and shepherd, raising livestock and farming the land.
Family Tree:Father: Terah (A direct descendant of Noah through his son Shem.)
Brothers: Nahor and Haran
Wife: Sarah
Sons: Ishmael and Isaac
Nephew: Lot
Key Verses:Genesis 15:6
And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. (NLT)
Hebrews 11:8-12
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. (NLT)
Abraham, the founding father of the Jewish nation of Israel, was a man of great faith and obedience to the will of God. His name in Hebrew means "father of a multitude." Originally called Abram, or "exalted father," the Lord changed his name to Abraham as a symbol of the covenant promise to multiply his descendants into a great nation that God would call his own.
Prior to this, God had already visited Abraham when he was 75, promising to bless him and make his offspring into an abundant nation of people. All Abraham had to do was obey God and do what God told him to do.
This marked the beginning of the covenant God established with Abraham. It was also Abraham's first test from God, since he and his wife Sarai (later changed to Sarah) were still without children. Abraham demonstrated remarkable faith and trust, immediately leaving his home and his clan the moment God called him to the unknown territory of Canaan.
Accompanied by his wife and nephew Lot, Abraham prospered as a rancher and shepherd, as he made his new home surrounded by pagans in the Promised Land of Canaan. Still childless, however, Abraham's faith wavered in subsequent times of testing.
When famine struck, rather than waiting on God for provision, he packed up and took his family to Egypt.
Once there, and fearing for his life, he lied about his beautiful wife's identity, claiming she was his unmarried sister. Pharaoh, finding Sarah desirable, took her from Abraham in exchange for generous gifts, to which Abraham raised no objections. You see, as a brother, Abraham would be honored by Pharaoh, but as a husband, his life would have been in danger. Once again, Abraham lost faith in God's protection and provision. Abraham's foolish deception backfired, and God kept his covenant promise intact.
The Lord inflicted disease on Pharaoh and his family, revealing to him that Sarah must be returned to Abraham untouched.
More years passed during which Abraham and Sarah questioned God's promise. At one point, they decided to take matters into their own hands. At Sarah's encouragement, Abraham slept with Hagar, his wife's Egyptian maidservant. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, but he was not the promised son. God returned to Abraham when he was 99 to remind him of the promise and reinforce his covenant with Abraham. A year later,Isaac was born.
God brought more tests to Abraham, including a second incident when Abraham lied about Sarah's identity, this time to King Abimelech. But Abraham underwent the biggest testing of his faith when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, the promised heir, in Genesis 22: "Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you."
This time Abraham obeyed, fully prepared to slay his son, while fully trusting God to either resurrect Isaac from the dead, or provide a substitutionary sacrifice. At the last minute, God intervened and provided the necessary ram.
The death of Isaac would have contradicted every promise God had made to Abraham, so his willingness to perform the ultimate sacrifice of killing his son is probably the most strikingly dramatic example of faith and trust in God found in the entire Bible.
Abraham's Accomplishments:Abraham is the great patriarch of Israel, and to New Testament believers, "He is the father of us all (Romans 4:16)." The faith of Abraham pleased God.
God visited Abraham on several unique occasions. The Lord spoke to him numerous times, once in a vision and once in the form of three visitors. Scholars believe that the mysterious "King of Peace" or "King of Righteousness," Melchizedek, who blessed Abram and to whom Abram gave a tithe, may have been a theophany of Christ (a manifestation of deity).
Abraham carried out a brave rescue of Lot when his nephew was taken captive after the Battle of the Valley of Siddim.
Abraham's Strengths:God tested Abraham severely in more than one instance, and Abraham demonstrated extraordinary faith, trust and obedience to the will of God. He was well-respected and successful in his occupation. He also had courage to face a powerful enemy coalition.
Abraham's Weaknesses:Impatience, fear, and a tendency to lie under pressure were a few of Abraham's weaknesses revealed in the biblical account of his life.Life Lessons:One crucial lesson we learn from Abraham is that God can and will use us in spite of our weaknesses. God will even stand by us and rescue us from our foolish mistakes. The Lord is greatly pleased by our faith and willingness to obey him.
Like most of us, Abraham came to the full realization of God's purpose and promise only over a long period of time and a process of revelation. Thus, we learn from him that God's calling will usually come to us in stages.
Hometown:Abraham was born in the city of Ur of the Chaldeans (present day Iraq). He traveled 500 miles to Haran (now southeast Turkey) with his family and stayed there until his father's death. When God called Abraham, he moved 400 miles south to the land of Canaan and lived there most of the rest of his days.
Referenced in the Bible:Genesis 11-25; Exodus 2:24; Acts 7:2-8; Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 2, 6, 7, 11.
Occupation:As head of a semi-nomadic clan of herdsmen, Abraham became a successful and prosperous rancher and shepherd, raising livestock and farming the land.
Family Tree:Father: Terah (A direct descendant of Noah through his son Shem.)
Brothers: Nahor and Haran
Wife: Sarah
Sons: Ishmael and Isaac
Nephew: Lot
Key Verses:Genesis 15:6
And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. (NLT)
Hebrews 11:8-12
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. (NLT)
ISAAC
Isaac was a miracle child, born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age as the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation.
Three heavenly beings visited Abraham and told him in a year he would have a son. It seemed impossible because Sarah was 90 years old and Abraham was 100! Sarah, who was eavesdropping, laughed at the prophecy, but God heard her. She denied laughing.
God told Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 18:13-14, NIV)
Of course, the prophecy came true. Abraham obeyed God, naming the baby Isaac, which means "he laughs."
When Isaac was a youth, God ordered Abraham to take this beloved son to a mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham sadly obeyed, but at the last moment, an angel stopped his hand, with the knife raised in it, telling him not to harm the boy. It was a test of Abraham's faith, and he passed. For his part, Isaac willingly became the sacrifice because of his faith in his father and in God.
Later, Isaac married Rebekah, but they found she was barren, just as Sarah had been. As a good husband, Isaac prayed for his wife, and God opened Rebekah's womb. She gave birth to twins: Esau and Jacob.
Isaac favored Esau, a burly hunter and outdoorsman, while Rebekah favored Jacob, the more sensitive, thoughtful of the two. That was an unwise move for a father to take. Isaac should have worked to love both boys equally.
Isaac's Accomplishments:Isaac obeyed God and followed his commands. He was a loyal husband to Rebekah.
He became a patriarch of the Jewish nation, fathering Jacob and Esau. Jacob's 12 sons would go on to lead the 12 tribes of Israel.
Isaac's Strengths:Isaac was faithful to God. He never forgot how God saved him from death and provided a ram to be sacrificed in his place. He watched and learned from his father Abraham, one of the most faithful men of the Bible.
In an era when polygamy was accepted, Isaac took only one wife, Rebekah. He loved her deeply all his life.
Isaac's Weaknesses:To avoid death by the Philistines, Isaac lied and said Rebekah was his sister instead of his wife. His father had said the same thing about Sarah to the Egyptians.
As a father, Isaac favored Esau over Jacob. This unfairness caused a serious split in their family.
Life Lessons:God answers prayer. He heard Isaac's prayer for Rebekah and allowed her to conceive. God hears our prayers too and gives us what is best for us.
Trusting God is wiser than lying. We are often tempted to lie to protect ourselves, but it almost always results in bad consequences. God is worthy of our trust.
Parents should not favor one child over another. The division and hurt this causes can result in irreparable harm. Every child has unique gifts that should be encouraged.
Isaac's near-sacrifice can be compared to God's sacrifice of his only son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world. Abraham believed that even if he sacrificed Isaac, God would raise his son from the dead: He (Abraham) said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." (Genesis 22:5, NIV)
Hometown:The Negev, in south Palestine, in the area of Kadesh and Shur.
Referenced in the Bible:Isaac's story is told in Genesis chapters 17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, and 35. Throughout the rest of the Bible, God is often referred to as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Occupation:Successful farmer, cattle and sheep owner.
Family Tree:Father - Abraham
Mother - Sarah
Wife - Rebekah
Sons - Esau, Jacob
Half-Brother - Ishmael
Key Verses:Genesis 17:19
Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him." (NIV)
Genesis 22:9-12
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."(NIV)
Galatians 4:28
Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. (NIV)
Isaac was a miracle child, born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age as the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation.
Three heavenly beings visited Abraham and told him in a year he would have a son. It seemed impossible because Sarah was 90 years old and Abraham was 100! Sarah, who was eavesdropping, laughed at the prophecy, but God heard her. She denied laughing.
God told Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 18:13-14, NIV)
Of course, the prophecy came true. Abraham obeyed God, naming the baby Isaac, which means "he laughs."
When Isaac was a youth, God ordered Abraham to take this beloved son to a mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham sadly obeyed, but at the last moment, an angel stopped his hand, with the knife raised in it, telling him not to harm the boy. It was a test of Abraham's faith, and he passed. For his part, Isaac willingly became the sacrifice because of his faith in his father and in God.
Later, Isaac married Rebekah, but they found she was barren, just as Sarah had been. As a good husband, Isaac prayed for his wife, and God opened Rebekah's womb. She gave birth to twins: Esau and Jacob.
Isaac favored Esau, a burly hunter and outdoorsman, while Rebekah favored Jacob, the more sensitive, thoughtful of the two. That was an unwise move for a father to take. Isaac should have worked to love both boys equally.
Isaac's Accomplishments:Isaac obeyed God and followed his commands. He was a loyal husband to Rebekah.
He became a patriarch of the Jewish nation, fathering Jacob and Esau. Jacob's 12 sons would go on to lead the 12 tribes of Israel.
Isaac's Strengths:Isaac was faithful to God. He never forgot how God saved him from death and provided a ram to be sacrificed in his place. He watched and learned from his father Abraham, one of the most faithful men of the Bible.
In an era when polygamy was accepted, Isaac took only one wife, Rebekah. He loved her deeply all his life.
Isaac's Weaknesses:To avoid death by the Philistines, Isaac lied and said Rebekah was his sister instead of his wife. His father had said the same thing about Sarah to the Egyptians.
As a father, Isaac favored Esau over Jacob. This unfairness caused a serious split in their family.
Life Lessons:God answers prayer. He heard Isaac's prayer for Rebekah and allowed her to conceive. God hears our prayers too and gives us what is best for us.
Trusting God is wiser than lying. We are often tempted to lie to protect ourselves, but it almost always results in bad consequences. God is worthy of our trust.
Parents should not favor one child over another. The division and hurt this causes can result in irreparable harm. Every child has unique gifts that should be encouraged.
Isaac's near-sacrifice can be compared to God's sacrifice of his only son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world. Abraham believed that even if he sacrificed Isaac, God would raise his son from the dead: He (Abraham) said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." (Genesis 22:5, NIV)
Hometown:The Negev, in south Palestine, in the area of Kadesh and Shur.
Referenced in the Bible:Isaac's story is told in Genesis chapters 17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, and 35. Throughout the rest of the Bible, God is often referred to as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Occupation:Successful farmer, cattle and sheep owner.
Family Tree:Father - Abraham
Mother - Sarah
Wife - Rebekah
Sons - Esau, Jacob
Half-Brother - Ishmael
Key Verses:Genesis 17:19
Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him." (NIV)
Genesis 22:9-12
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."(NIV)
Galatians 4:28
Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. (NIV)
JACOB
Jacob was one of the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, but at times he was also a schemer, liar, and manipulator.
God established his covenant with Jacob's grandfather, Abraham. The blessings continued through Jacob's father, Isaac, then to Jacob and his descendants. Jacob's sons became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.
The younger of twins, Jacob was born holding on to his brother Esau's heel. His name means "he grasps the heel" or "he deceives." Jacob lived up to his name. He and his motherRebekah cheated Esau out of his birthright and blessing. Later in Jacob's life, God renamed him Israel, which means "he struggles with God."
In fact, Jacob struggled with God his entire life, as many of us do. As he matured in faith, Jacob depended on God more and more. But the turning point for Jacob came after a dramatic, all-night wrestling match with God. In the end the Lord touched Jacob's hip and he was a broken man, but also a new man. From that day forward, Jacob was called Israel. And for the rest of his life he walked with a limp, demonstrating his dependence on the Lord. Jacob finally learned to give up control to God.
Jacob's story teaches us how an imperfect person can be greatly blessed by God--not because of who he or she is, but because of who God is.
Jacob's Accomplishments:Jacob in the Bible account, fathered 12 sons, who became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. One of them was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament.
His name is frequently associated with God in the Bible: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Jacob persevered in his love for Rachel. He proved to be a hard worker.
Jacob's Strengths:Jacob was clever. Sometimes this trait worked for him and sometimes it backfired on him.
He used both his mind and strength to build his wealth and family.
Jacob's Weaknesses:Sometimes Jacob made his own rules, deceiving others for selfish gain. He did not trust God to work things out.
Even though God revealed himself to Jacob in the Bible, Jacob took a long time to become a true servant of the Lord.
He favored Joseph over his other sons, leading to jealousy and strife within his family.
Life Lessons:The sooner we trust God in life, the longer we will benefit from his blessings. When we fight God, we are in a losing battle.
We often worry about missing the will of God for our life, but God works with our mistakes and bad decisions. His plans cannot be upset.
Hometown:Canaan.
Referenced in the Bible:Jacob's story is found in Genesis chapters 25-37, 42, 45-49. His name is mentioned throughout the Bible in connection with God: "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Occupation:Shepherd, prosperous owner of sheep and cattle.
Family Tree:Father: Isaac
Mother: Rebekah
Brother: Esau
Grandfather: Abraham
Wives: Leah, Rachel
Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali
Daughter: Dinah
Key Verses:Genesis 28:12-15
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)
Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." (NIV)
Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." (NIV)
Jacob was one of the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, but at times he was also a schemer, liar, and manipulator.
God established his covenant with Jacob's grandfather, Abraham. The blessings continued through Jacob's father, Isaac, then to Jacob and his descendants. Jacob's sons became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.
The younger of twins, Jacob was born holding on to his brother Esau's heel. His name means "he grasps the heel" or "he deceives." Jacob lived up to his name. He and his motherRebekah cheated Esau out of his birthright and blessing. Later in Jacob's life, God renamed him Israel, which means "he struggles with God."
In fact, Jacob struggled with God his entire life, as many of us do. As he matured in faith, Jacob depended on God more and more. But the turning point for Jacob came after a dramatic, all-night wrestling match with God. In the end the Lord touched Jacob's hip and he was a broken man, but also a new man. From that day forward, Jacob was called Israel. And for the rest of his life he walked with a limp, demonstrating his dependence on the Lord. Jacob finally learned to give up control to God.
Jacob's story teaches us how an imperfect person can be greatly blessed by God--not because of who he or she is, but because of who God is.
Jacob's Accomplishments:Jacob in the Bible account, fathered 12 sons, who became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. One of them was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament.
His name is frequently associated with God in the Bible: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Jacob persevered in his love for Rachel. He proved to be a hard worker.
Jacob's Strengths:Jacob was clever. Sometimes this trait worked for him and sometimes it backfired on him.
He used both his mind and strength to build his wealth and family.
Jacob's Weaknesses:Sometimes Jacob made his own rules, deceiving others for selfish gain. He did not trust God to work things out.
Even though God revealed himself to Jacob in the Bible, Jacob took a long time to become a true servant of the Lord.
He favored Joseph over his other sons, leading to jealousy and strife within his family.
Life Lessons:The sooner we trust God in life, the longer we will benefit from his blessings. When we fight God, we are in a losing battle.
We often worry about missing the will of God for our life, but God works with our mistakes and bad decisions. His plans cannot be upset.
Hometown:Canaan.
Referenced in the Bible:Jacob's story is found in Genesis chapters 25-37, 42, 45-49. His name is mentioned throughout the Bible in connection with God: "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Occupation:Shepherd, prosperous owner of sheep and cattle.
Family Tree:Father: Isaac
Mother: Rebekah
Brother: Esau
Grandfather: Abraham
Wives: Leah, Rachel
Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali
Daughter: Dinah
Key Verses:Genesis 28:12-15
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)
Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." (NIV)
Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." (NIV)
MOSES
Moses stands as the dominant figure of the Old Testament. God chose Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt and mediate his covenant with them. Moses handed down the Ten Commandments, then completed his mission by bringing the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land. Although Moses was inadequate for these monumental tasks, God worked mightily through him, supporting Moses every step of the way.
Moses' Accomplishments:Moses helped free the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at that time.
He led this huge mass of unruly refugees through the desert, kept order, and brought them to the border of their future home in Canaan.
Moses received the Ten Commandments from God and delivered them to the people.
Under divine inspiration, he authored the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch: Genesis,Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Moses' Strengths:Moses obeyed God's orders despite personal danger and overwhelming odds. God worked tremendous miracles through him.
Moses had great faith in God, even when no one else did. He was on such intimate terms with God that God talked with him regularly.
Moses' Weaknesses:Moses disobeyed God at Meribah, striking a rock twice with his staff when God had told him just to speak to it to produce water. Because Moses did not trust God in that instance, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land.
Life Lessons:God supplies the power when he asks us to do things that seem impossible. Even in everyday life, a heart surrendered to God can be an irresistible tool.
Sometimes we need to delegate. When Moses took his father-in-law's advice and delegated some of his responsibilities to others, things worked much better.
You don't need to be a spiritual giant like Moses to have an intimate relationship with God. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, every believer has a personal connection to God the Father.
As hard as we try, we cannot keep the Law perfectly. The Law shows us how sinful we are, butGod's plan of salvation was to send his Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. The Ten Commandments are a guide for right living, but keeping the Law cannot save us.
Hometown:Moses was born of Hebrew slaves in Egypt, perhaps in the land of Goshen.
Referenced in the Bible:Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Malachi, Matthew 8:4, 17:3-4, 19:7-8, 22:24, 23:2; Mark 1:44, 7:10, 9:4-5, 10:3-5, 12:19, 12:26; Luke 2:22, 5:14, 9:30-33, 16:29-31, 20:28, 20:37, 24:27, 24:44; John 1:17, 1:45, 3:14, 5:45-46, 6:32, 7:19-23; 8:5, 9:28-29; Acts 3:22, 6:11-14, 7:20-44, 13:39, 15:1-5, 21, 21:21, 26:22, 28:23:Romans 5:14, 9:15, 10:5, 19; 1 Corinthians 9:9, 10:2; 2 Corinthians 3:7-13, 15; 2 Timothy 3:8; Hebrews 3:2-5, 16, 7:14, 8:5, 9:19, 10:28, 11:23-29; Jude 1:9; Revelation 15:3.
Occupation:Prince of Egypt, shepherd, prophet, lawgiver, covenant mediator, national leader.
Family Tree:Father: Amram
Mother: Jochebed
Brother: Aaron
Sister: Miriam
Wife: Zipporah
Sons: Gershom, Eliezer
Key Verses:Exodus 3:10
So now, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. (NIV)Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (NIV)
Deuteronomy 34:5-8
And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. (NIV)
Moses stands as the dominant figure of the Old Testament. God chose Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt and mediate his covenant with them. Moses handed down the Ten Commandments, then completed his mission by bringing the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land. Although Moses was inadequate for these monumental tasks, God worked mightily through him, supporting Moses every step of the way.
Moses' Accomplishments:Moses helped free the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at that time.
He led this huge mass of unruly refugees through the desert, kept order, and brought them to the border of their future home in Canaan.
Moses received the Ten Commandments from God and delivered them to the people.
Under divine inspiration, he authored the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch: Genesis,Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Moses' Strengths:Moses obeyed God's orders despite personal danger and overwhelming odds. God worked tremendous miracles through him.
Moses had great faith in God, even when no one else did. He was on such intimate terms with God that God talked with him regularly.
Moses' Weaknesses:Moses disobeyed God at Meribah, striking a rock twice with his staff when God had told him just to speak to it to produce water. Because Moses did not trust God in that instance, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land.
Life Lessons:God supplies the power when he asks us to do things that seem impossible. Even in everyday life, a heart surrendered to God can be an irresistible tool.
Sometimes we need to delegate. When Moses took his father-in-law's advice and delegated some of his responsibilities to others, things worked much better.
You don't need to be a spiritual giant like Moses to have an intimate relationship with God. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, every believer has a personal connection to God the Father.
As hard as we try, we cannot keep the Law perfectly. The Law shows us how sinful we are, butGod's plan of salvation was to send his Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. The Ten Commandments are a guide for right living, but keeping the Law cannot save us.
Hometown:Moses was born of Hebrew slaves in Egypt, perhaps in the land of Goshen.
Referenced in the Bible:Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Malachi, Matthew 8:4, 17:3-4, 19:7-8, 22:24, 23:2; Mark 1:44, 7:10, 9:4-5, 10:3-5, 12:19, 12:26; Luke 2:22, 5:14, 9:30-33, 16:29-31, 20:28, 20:37, 24:27, 24:44; John 1:17, 1:45, 3:14, 5:45-46, 6:32, 7:19-23; 8:5, 9:28-29; Acts 3:22, 6:11-14, 7:20-44, 13:39, 15:1-5, 21, 21:21, 26:22, 28:23:Romans 5:14, 9:15, 10:5, 19; 1 Corinthians 9:9, 10:2; 2 Corinthians 3:7-13, 15; 2 Timothy 3:8; Hebrews 3:2-5, 16, 7:14, 8:5, 9:19, 10:28, 11:23-29; Jude 1:9; Revelation 15:3.
Occupation:Prince of Egypt, shepherd, prophet, lawgiver, covenant mediator, national leader.
Family Tree:Father: Amram
Mother: Jochebed
Brother: Aaron
Sister: Miriam
Wife: Zipporah
Sons: Gershom, Eliezer
Key Verses:Exodus 3:10
So now, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. (NIV)Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (NIV)
Deuteronomy 34:5-8
And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. (NIV)
DAVID
King David was a man of contrasts. He was singlemindedly committed to God, yet guilty of some of the most serious sinsrecorded in the Old Testament.
David lived a frustrating life, first in the shadow of his brothers, then constantly on the run from vengeful King Saul. Even after he became king of Israel, David was engaged in almost constant warfare to defend the kingdom. King David was a great military conqueror, but he could not conquer himself. He allowed one night of lust with Bathsheba, and it had disastrous consequences in his life.
Although King David fathered Solomon, one of Israel's greatest kings, he was also the father of Absalom, whose rebellion brought bloodshed and grief.
King David's life was a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. He left us an example of passionate love of God and dozens of psalms, some of the most touching, beautiful poetry ever written.
King David's Accomplishments:David killed Goliath, champion of the Philistines, when David was only a youth and Goliath a giant and veteran warrior. David was victorious because he trusted in God for the victory, not himself.
He killed many of Israel's enemies in battle.
Despite several opportunities, David refused to kill King Saul, God's first anointed king, who was pursuing David out of mad jealousy.
He became friends, like brothers, with Saul's son Jonathan, setting a model of friendship that everyone can learn from.
King David is included in the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews 11.
David was an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Jesus was often called "Son of David."
God called David a man after his own heart.
King David's Strengths:David was courageous and strong in battle, trusting in God for protection.
He was loyal to Saul, despite Saul's crazed pursuit of him.
David loved God deeply throughout his entire life.
King David's Weaknesses:King David committed adultery with Bathsheba. He then tried to cover up her pregnancy, and when he failed with that, he had her husband Uriah the Hittite killed.
He took a census of the people, willfully violating God's command not to do that.
King David was sometimes lax, or absent as a father, not disciplining his children when they needed it.
Life Lessons:Honest self-examination is necessary to recognize our own sin, then we must repent of it. We may try to fool ourselves or others, but we cannot hide our sin from God.
God always offers forgiveness for our sins, but we cannot escape the consequences.
God highly values our faith in him. Despite life's ups and downs, God is ever-present to give us comfort and help.
Hometown:Bethlehem, City of David in Jerusalem.
Referenced in the Bible:King David's story runs from 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2. David wrote much of the book of Psalms and is also mentioned in Matthew 1:1, 6, 22, 43-45; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22; Romans1:3; and Hebrews 11:32.
Occupation:Shepherd, warrior, king of Israel.
Family Tree:Father - Jesse
Brothers - Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, four unnamed others.
Wives - Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba.
Sons - Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.
Daughter - Tamar
Key Verses:1 Samuel 16:7
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (NIV)
1 Samuel 17:50
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. (NIV)
1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. (NIV)
2 Samuel 16:12-13
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die." (NIV)
Psalm 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV)
Psalm 132:1-5
King David was a man of contrasts. He was singlemindedly committed to God, yet guilty of some of the most serious sinsrecorded in the Old Testament.
David lived a frustrating life, first in the shadow of his brothers, then constantly on the run from vengeful King Saul. Even after he became king of Israel, David was engaged in almost constant warfare to defend the kingdom. King David was a great military conqueror, but he could not conquer himself. He allowed one night of lust with Bathsheba, and it had disastrous consequences in his life.
Although King David fathered Solomon, one of Israel's greatest kings, he was also the father of Absalom, whose rebellion brought bloodshed and grief.
King David's life was a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. He left us an example of passionate love of God and dozens of psalms, some of the most touching, beautiful poetry ever written.
King David's Accomplishments:David killed Goliath, champion of the Philistines, when David was only a youth and Goliath a giant and veteran warrior. David was victorious because he trusted in God for the victory, not himself.
He killed many of Israel's enemies in battle.
Despite several opportunities, David refused to kill King Saul, God's first anointed king, who was pursuing David out of mad jealousy.
He became friends, like brothers, with Saul's son Jonathan, setting a model of friendship that everyone can learn from.
King David is included in the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews 11.
David was an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Jesus was often called "Son of David."
God called David a man after his own heart.
King David's Strengths:David was courageous and strong in battle, trusting in God for protection.
He was loyal to Saul, despite Saul's crazed pursuit of him.
David loved God deeply throughout his entire life.
King David's Weaknesses:King David committed adultery with Bathsheba. He then tried to cover up her pregnancy, and when he failed with that, he had her husband Uriah the Hittite killed.
He took a census of the people, willfully violating God's command not to do that.
King David was sometimes lax, or absent as a father, not disciplining his children when they needed it.
Life Lessons:Honest self-examination is necessary to recognize our own sin, then we must repent of it. We may try to fool ourselves or others, but we cannot hide our sin from God.
God always offers forgiveness for our sins, but we cannot escape the consequences.
God highly values our faith in him. Despite life's ups and downs, God is ever-present to give us comfort and help.
Hometown:Bethlehem, City of David in Jerusalem.
Referenced in the Bible:King David's story runs from 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2. David wrote much of the book of Psalms and is also mentioned in Matthew 1:1, 6, 22, 43-45; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22; Romans1:3; and Hebrews 11:32.
Occupation:Shepherd, warrior, king of Israel.
Family Tree:Father - Jesse
Brothers - Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, four unnamed others.
Wives - Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba.
Sons - Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.
Daughter - Tamar
Key Verses:1 Samuel 16:7
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (NIV)
1 Samuel 17:50
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. (NIV)
1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. (NIV)
2 Samuel 16:12-13
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die." (NIV)
Psalm 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV)
Psalm 132:1-5
JOSEPH
God chose Joseph to be the earthly father of Jesus. The Bible tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, that Joseph was a righteous man. His actions toward Mary, his fiance, revealed he was a kind and sensitive man. When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, he had every right to feel disgraced. He knew the child was not his own, and Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a grave social stigma. Joseph not only had the right to divorce Mary, under Jewish law she could be put to death by stoning.
Although Joseph's initial reaction was to break the engagement, the appropriate thing for a righteous man to do, he treated Mary with extreme kindness. He did not want to cause her further shame, so he decided to act quietly. But God sent an angel to Joseph to verify Mary's story and reassure him that his marriage to her was God's will. Joseph willingly obeyed God, in spite of the public humiliation he would face. Perhaps this noble quality made him God's choice for the Messiah's earthly father.The Bible does not reveal much detail about Joseph's role as father to Jesus Christ, but we know from Matthew, chapter one, that he was an excellent earthly example of integrity and righteousness. Joseph is last mentioned in Scripture when Jesus was 12 years old. We know that he passed on the carpentry trade to his son and raised him in the Jewish traditions and spiritual observances.Joseph's Accomplishments:Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus, the man entrusted to raise the Son of God. Joseph was also a carpenter, or skilled craftsman. He obeyed God in the face of severe humiliation. He did the right thing before God, in the right manner.Joseph's Strengths:Joseph was a man of strong conviction who lived out his beliefs in his actions. He was described in the Bible as a righteous man. Even when personally wronged, he had the quality of being sensitive to someone else's shame. He responded to God in obedience and he practiced self-control. Joseph is a wonderful biblical examples of integrity and godly character.Life Lessons:God honored Joseph's integrity by entrusting him with a great responsibility. It is not easy to entrust your children to someone else. Imagine God looking down to choose a man to raise his own son? Joseph had God's trust.Mercy always triumphs. Joseph could have acted severely toward Mary's apparent indiscretion, but he chose to offer love and mercy, even when he thought he had been wronged.
Walking in obedience to God may result in humiliation and disgrace before men. When we obey God, even in the face of adversity and public shame, he leads and guides us.
Hometown:Nazareth in Galilee.Referenced in the Bible:Matthew 1:16-2:23; Luke 1:22-2:52.
Occupation:Carpenter, Craftsman.
Family Tree:Wife - Mary
Children - Jesus, James, Joses, Judas, Simon and daughters
The ancestors of Joseph are listed in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-37.
Key Verses:
God chose Joseph to be the earthly father of Jesus. The Bible tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, that Joseph was a righteous man. His actions toward Mary, his fiance, revealed he was a kind and sensitive man. When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, he had every right to feel disgraced. He knew the child was not his own, and Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a grave social stigma. Joseph not only had the right to divorce Mary, under Jewish law she could be put to death by stoning.
Although Joseph's initial reaction was to break the engagement, the appropriate thing for a righteous man to do, he treated Mary with extreme kindness. He did not want to cause her further shame, so he decided to act quietly. But God sent an angel to Joseph to verify Mary's story and reassure him that his marriage to her was God's will. Joseph willingly obeyed God, in spite of the public humiliation he would face. Perhaps this noble quality made him God's choice for the Messiah's earthly father.The Bible does not reveal much detail about Joseph's role as father to Jesus Christ, but we know from Matthew, chapter one, that he was an excellent earthly example of integrity and righteousness. Joseph is last mentioned in Scripture when Jesus was 12 years old. We know that he passed on the carpentry trade to his son and raised him in the Jewish traditions and spiritual observances.Joseph's Accomplishments:Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus, the man entrusted to raise the Son of God. Joseph was also a carpenter, or skilled craftsman. He obeyed God in the face of severe humiliation. He did the right thing before God, in the right manner.Joseph's Strengths:Joseph was a man of strong conviction who lived out his beliefs in his actions. He was described in the Bible as a righteous man. Even when personally wronged, he had the quality of being sensitive to someone else's shame. He responded to God in obedience and he practiced self-control. Joseph is a wonderful biblical examples of integrity and godly character.Life Lessons:God honored Joseph's integrity by entrusting him with a great responsibility. It is not easy to entrust your children to someone else. Imagine God looking down to choose a man to raise his own son? Joseph had God's trust.Mercy always triumphs. Joseph could have acted severely toward Mary's apparent indiscretion, but he chose to offer love and mercy, even when he thought he had been wronged.
Walking in obedience to God may result in humiliation and disgrace before men. When we obey God, even in the face of adversity and public shame, he leads and guides us.
Hometown:Nazareth in Galilee.Referenced in the Bible:Matthew 1:16-2:23; Luke 1:22-2:52.
Occupation:Carpenter, Craftsman.
Family Tree:Wife - Mary
Children - Jesus, James, Joses, Judas, Simon and daughters
The ancestors of Joseph are listed in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-37.
Key Verses:
- Matthew 1:19-20
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
- Luke 2:39-40
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (NIV)
GOD the Father
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, which also includes his Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Christians believe there is one God who exists in three Persons. This mystery of the faith cannot be understood by the human mind but is a key doctrine of Christianity. While the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, several episodes include the simultaneous appearance of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, such as the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16-17).
We find many names for God in the Bible. Jesus urged us to think of God as our loving father and went a step further by calling him Abba, an Aramaic word roughly translated as "Daddy," to show us how intimate our relationship with him is.
God the Father is the perfect example for all earthly fathers. He is holy, just and fair, but his most outstanding quality is love: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8,NIV)
God's love motivates everything he does. Through his covenant with Abraham, he chose the Jews as his people, then nurtured and protected them, despite their frequent disobedience. In his greatest act of love, God the Father sent his only Son to be the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all humanity, Jews and Gentiles alike.
The Bible is God's love letter to the world, divinely inspired by him and written by more than 40 human authors. In it, God gives his Ten Commandments for righteous living, instructions onhow to pray and obey him, and shows how to join him in heaven when we die, by believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Accomplishments of God the Father:God the Father created the universe and everything in it. He is a big God but at the same time is a personal God who knows each person's every need. Jesus said God knows us so well he has numbered every hair on each person's head.
God set a plan in place to save humanity from itself. Left to ourselves, we would spend eternity in hell because of our sin. God graciously sent Jesus to die in our place, so that when we choose him, we can choose God and heaven.
God the Father's plan for salvation is lovingly based on his grace, not on human works. Only Jesus' righteousness is acceptable to God the Father. Repenting of sin and accepting Christ as Savior makes us justified, or righteous, in God's eyes.
God the Father has triumphed over Satan. Despite Satan's evil influence in the world, he is a defeated foe. God's final victory is certain.
Strengths of God the Father:God the Father is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere).
He is absolute holiness. No darkness exists within him.
God is just yet merciful. He gave humans the gift of free will, by not forcing anyone to follow him. Anyone who rejects God's offer of forgiveness of sins is responsible for the consequences of their decision.
God cares. He intervenes in the lives of people. He answers prayer and reveals himself through his Word (the Bible), circumstances, and people.
God is sovereign. He is in complete control, no matter what is happening in the world. His ultimate plan always overrules humankind.
Life Lessons:A human lifetime is not long enough to learn about God, but the Bible is the best place to start. While the Word itself never changes, God miraculously teaches us something new about him every time we read it.
Simple observation shows that people who do not have God are lost, both figuratively and literally. They have only themselves to rely on in times of trouble, and will have only themselves--not God and his blessings--in eternity.
God the Father can be known only through faith, not reason. Unbelievers demand physical proof. Jesus Christ supplied that proof, by fulfilling prophecy, healing the sick, raising the dead, and rising from death himself, but most people in his own time would not believe their own eyes.
Hometown:God has always existed. His very name, Yahweh, means "I AM", indicating that he always has been and always will be. The Bible does not reveal what he was doing before he created the universe, but it does say that God is in heaven, with Jesus sitting at his right hand.
Referenced in the Bible:The entire Bible is the story of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God's plan for salvation. Despite being written thousands of years ago, the Bible is always relevant to our lives because God is always relevant to our lives.
Occupation:God the Father is the Supreme Being, Creator and Sustainer, deserving of human worship andobedience. In the First Commandment, God warns us not to put anyone or anything above him.
Family Tree:First Person of the Trinity - God the Father
Second Person of the Trinity - Jesus Christ
Third Person of the Trinity - Holy Spirit
Key Verses:Genesis 1:31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (NIV)
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (NIV)
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)
John 14:8-11
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." (NIV)
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, which also includes his Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Christians believe there is one God who exists in three Persons. This mystery of the faith cannot be understood by the human mind but is a key doctrine of Christianity. While the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, several episodes include the simultaneous appearance of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, such as the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16-17).
We find many names for God in the Bible. Jesus urged us to think of God as our loving father and went a step further by calling him Abba, an Aramaic word roughly translated as "Daddy," to show us how intimate our relationship with him is.
God the Father is the perfect example for all earthly fathers. He is holy, just and fair, but his most outstanding quality is love: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8,NIV)
God's love motivates everything he does. Through his covenant with Abraham, he chose the Jews as his people, then nurtured and protected them, despite their frequent disobedience. In his greatest act of love, God the Father sent his only Son to be the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all humanity, Jews and Gentiles alike.
The Bible is God's love letter to the world, divinely inspired by him and written by more than 40 human authors. In it, God gives his Ten Commandments for righteous living, instructions onhow to pray and obey him, and shows how to join him in heaven when we die, by believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Accomplishments of God the Father:God the Father created the universe and everything in it. He is a big God but at the same time is a personal God who knows each person's every need. Jesus said God knows us so well he has numbered every hair on each person's head.
God set a plan in place to save humanity from itself. Left to ourselves, we would spend eternity in hell because of our sin. God graciously sent Jesus to die in our place, so that when we choose him, we can choose God and heaven.
God the Father's plan for salvation is lovingly based on his grace, not on human works. Only Jesus' righteousness is acceptable to God the Father. Repenting of sin and accepting Christ as Savior makes us justified, or righteous, in God's eyes.
God the Father has triumphed over Satan. Despite Satan's evil influence in the world, he is a defeated foe. God's final victory is certain.
Strengths of God the Father:God the Father is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere).
He is absolute holiness. No darkness exists within him.
God is just yet merciful. He gave humans the gift of free will, by not forcing anyone to follow him. Anyone who rejects God's offer of forgiveness of sins is responsible for the consequences of their decision.
God cares. He intervenes in the lives of people. He answers prayer and reveals himself through his Word (the Bible), circumstances, and people.
God is sovereign. He is in complete control, no matter what is happening in the world. His ultimate plan always overrules humankind.
Life Lessons:A human lifetime is not long enough to learn about God, but the Bible is the best place to start. While the Word itself never changes, God miraculously teaches us something new about him every time we read it.
Simple observation shows that people who do not have God are lost, both figuratively and literally. They have only themselves to rely on in times of trouble, and will have only themselves--not God and his blessings--in eternity.
God the Father can be known only through faith, not reason. Unbelievers demand physical proof. Jesus Christ supplied that proof, by fulfilling prophecy, healing the sick, raising the dead, and rising from death himself, but most people in his own time would not believe their own eyes.
Hometown:God has always existed. His very name, Yahweh, means "I AM", indicating that he always has been and always will be. The Bible does not reveal what he was doing before he created the universe, but it does say that God is in heaven, with Jesus sitting at his right hand.
Referenced in the Bible:The entire Bible is the story of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God's plan for salvation. Despite being written thousands of years ago, the Bible is always relevant to our lives because God is always relevant to our lives.
Occupation:God the Father is the Supreme Being, Creator and Sustainer, deserving of human worship andobedience. In the First Commandment, God warns us not to put anyone or anything above him.
Family Tree:First Person of the Trinity - God the Father
Second Person of the Trinity - Jesus Christ
Third Person of the Trinity - Holy Spirit
Key Verses:Genesis 1:31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (NIV)
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (NIV)
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)
John 14:8-11
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." (NIV)
The Father in the Prodigal Son - Luke 15
The Prodigal Son
11 And He said, “A man had two sons.
12 “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.
13 “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
14 “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
15 “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’
20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.
27 “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’
28 “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
29 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yetyou have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
The Prodigal Son
11 And He said, “A man had two sons.
12 “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.
13 “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
14 “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
15 “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’
20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.
27 “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’
28 “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
29 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yetyou have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
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