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Lesser known characters :: Uzziah

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On October 20, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

2 Chronicles 26 records the story of king Uzziah. The life and death of Uzziah is a classic warning to all, regarding the lure of success and a testament to the adage, “pride cometh before a fall.” It is a story that began well but sadly ended otherwise.

Uzziah, the son of Amaziah and Jecoliah (from Jerusalem) was appointed to be king over Judah, when he was merely sixteen years old and he reigned for fifty-two years (2 Chronicles 26:3). The Bible says that he did right in the sight of the LORD and as long as he sought the LORD, the Lord made him prosper (2 Chronicles 26:4-5). Under the blessings of God, Uzziah became a very powerful king. He warred against the Philistines and the Arabs and won, breaking down enemy walls and building his own defensive walls in their territories (2 Chronicles 26:6-7). In order to appease him, the Ammonites, who were his enemies, sent him gifts and the fame of his strength spread far and wide, even as far as Egypt (2 Chronicles 26:8). On the non-military front, he dug many wells, loved husbandry, built vineyards and amassed a lot of cattle in the foothills as well as the plains, meaning that he was prosperous (2 Chronicles 26:10). Strategically, he erected towers for military advantage and invented devices that could fire ammunition (arrows and stones) from these towers. He had an army of 2600 mighty men from his own family under whom he led an army of 307500 soldiers, training them in the arts of war (2 Chronicles 26:12-15).

The Bible says that he was marvelously helped (meaning that God gave him success), until he was strong (powerful and prosperous) and when he became strong, his power and prosperity led to his pride, and his heart was lifted up (in pride) to destruction (downfall) (2 Chronicles 26:16). He entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense, which was an activity that was reserved only for the consecrated priests of God. Azariah, the priest with eighty other priests who were valiant men, went in after him and confronted him of his sin. This made Uzziah angry and while he was still angry, a skin disease (leprosy) broke out on his forehead and he was evicted out of the temple. He did not resist because, he himself desired to leave the temple, as he had been smitten by the LORD. Until the day of his death, Uzziah remained a leper and died a leper (2 Chronicles 26:16-23) and was succeeded by his son, Jotham, to reign.

What can we learn from Uzziah?

First, we learn that success comes from the LORD, but the secret to success is not attributed to our own doing, but in our seeking; in our seeking of the LORD. As long as Uzziah sought the LORD, the LORD made him successful. Jesus said, “But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and ALL these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).
Second, we can erect defensive walls and offensive towers on the outside, but if we don’t raise walls and towers against pride within ourselves, we do not have a strategic advantage in spiritual warfare. We must wear the armor of God to fight against the schemes of the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Third, we can do things that bring us food (cattle/meat) and drink (wells and vineyards), but unless we are grafted in the True Vine (Jesus Christ), we live fruitless and futile lives (John 15:1-5).
Fourth, it is said, that pride cometh before a fall, but before pride cometh power and prosperity. So when we are marvelously (miraculously) blessed by God, and we become powerful and prosperous, we must watch and pray so that we do not fall into the temptation (Matthew 26:14) of getting proud (as did Lucifer in the heavens (Ezekiel 28:2,15) or Uzziah on earth) and lift our hearts to destruction. From the point of pride, the only way is down.
Fifth, just as it is important to start out well, it is equally important to finish well, as well. Uzziah started out whole and ended up unclean.
Sixth, ironically, Uzziah in Hebrew means “God is my strength”, but toward the end of his life, Uzziah failed to live by his name.

Let us be like Uzziah in seeking the Lord, and let us not be like Uzziah in lifting our hearts in pride.

2 Chronicles 26:1-23 (KJV)
1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

Lesser known characters :: Uriah

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On October 19, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

2 Samuel 11 and 12 records the story of king David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite and many a times, we hear of this account from king David’s perspective. Often told as the Sin of David that displeased the Lord (1 Samuel 11:27), seldom do we see this account from the perspective of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Uriah was a soldier in king David’s army, fighting against the Ammonites along with Joab, when he had his wife stolen from him by the very king for whom he fought. And when king David learns that Bathsheba was with child, in an attempt to cover his sin, he summons Uriah from the battlelines and attempts to have Uriah lie with Bathsheba. When Uriah refuses to do so by stating that he could not go to his own family to rest and relax with pleasure (eat, drink and lie), when God’s ark, his people (Israel and Judah) are in tents and the servants of the Lord (soldiers in the army) are in open fields. To this, David invites Uriah for drinks and food and gets him drunk hoping that Uriah would go to his wife, but even under the influence, Uriah remained focused and did not go to his house, but instead slept at the door of the king’s house, with the servants of the Lord. Realizing that his plans were failing, David plots to have Uriah murdered and commands Joab to have Uriah placed in the battle, where the fighting is fiercest, where only valiant men (2 Samuel 11:16) are placed and to pull back from him, when the battle is in full swing. Joab obliges and Uriah, the Hittite, the husband of Bathsheba is murdered.

What can we learn from Uriah?
Uriah, the Hittite, was a principled man, with his priorities set right as we can learn from his response. He put God first (referring to the ark of the Lord in tents). Then he put God’s people (Israel and Judah in tents) next, following which he thought about the soldiers in king David’s army, whom he refers to as servants of the Lord. Interesting to note, that to be a soldier in the army of God is to be a servant of the Lord. In other words, our responsibilities to God, the Lord and Master (John 13:13-14), is to adorn the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and fight for Him. Only after God, God’s people, God’s servants, does Uriah even think about himself and his family. Even under the influence, Uriah had a clear mind regarding his principles and priorities. To the point of death, Uriah remained faithful and died amongst valiant men. Uriah means “God is my Light” and in light there is no darkness. It is recorded that what David did, displeased the Lord, and I wish that it had been recorded, that what Uriah did, pleased the Lord.

Can we be like Uriah, a faithful and valiant man/woman of principles and priorities, in whom God and his people and his work (as servants and soldiers) comes first, before our personal needs?

2 Samuel 11:1-27 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
20 And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

Lesser known characters :: Shiphra and Puah

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On October 18, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When the king of Egypt gave the edict to kill the male child of the Hebrews, to the Hebrews midwives, they feared God instead and did not follow the edict. One of the midwife’s name was Shiphrah and the other was Puah (Exodus 1:15). For their faithfulness in fearing God, God dealt well with the midwives.

What can we learn from Shiphra and Puah?
When earthly rulers give us commands to obey that contradict the requirements of God, like Shiphra and Puah and the other unnamed midwives, we must fear God and follow him, instead of heeding to the commands of man. God, being faithful, would deal well with those who deal well with others, as he did with the midwives.

Exodus 1:15-22 (KJV)
15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?
19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

Lesser known characters :: Sergius Paulus

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On October 17, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When Barnabas and Saul (who also is called Paul) come to the island of Paphos, there are confronted by a sorcerer and false prophet whose name was Barjesus, also known as Elymas. This false prophet was with Sergius Paulus, the deputy of that country, but the Bible says that Sergius Paulus was a prudent man and he called for Barnabas and Saul, from whom he could hear the word of God. Elymas the sorcerer however withstood them and sought to turn away the deputy from faith that comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Paul tells Elymas that for his opposition to righteousness and his perversion of God’s right ways, he will be blind for a season and Elymas turns blind. Upon seeing this Sergius Paulus, is astonished and believes.

What can we learn from Sergius Paulus?
Even though Sergius Paulus had Elymas the sorcerer with him, he was wise to call for Barnabas and Saul and when he saw the sovereignty of God in blinding the sorcerer that wanted to blind Sergius Paulus from the faith,  Sergius Paulus believed. Like Sergius Paulus, we must be prudent as well and seek to hear the word of God.

Acts 13: 6-12 (KJV)
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Lesser known characters :: Rhoda

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On October 14, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Peter was imprisoned by Herod but miraculously an angel of the Lord came to him and rescued him from prison. Upon his rescue, Peter comes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had gathered to pray. As Peter knocked at the door, the one who answered him was a girl named Rhoda and when she heard Peter’s voice, she recognized that it was him and with gladness, she ran and told how Peter was standing outside. In her gladness, she did not open the door. Those praying inside said unto her that she was mad, but she insisted that it was Peter. Peter continued to knock and when they opened the door, they were astonished to see that what Rhoda was telling them was indeed true.

What can we learn from Rhoda?
Rhoda heard Peter’s voice and recognized him. She did not have to see that it was Peter but believed without seeing that their prayers was miraculously answered. Jesus said, blessed are they that believe without seeing (John 20:29) and behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, let him open the door and I will come in and dine with him and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Let us also be like Rhoda, believing without seeing for in doing so, we are counted as blessed, and if we hear Jesus knock at the door of our heart, let us harden not our hearts but let us open it, so that he can come in and commune with us.

Acts 12:12-16 (KJV)
12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

Lesser known characters :: Phebe

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On October 13, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When Apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Romans, he starts out by referring to Phebe as a sister and commends her as a servant of the church. Phebe supposedly is one of the first female deacons in the Church that was at Cenchrea. Apostle Paul then requests that the Romans receive her as they do saints, and assist her in whatever means, because she was a succourer of many, including Paul himself. To be succourer is to help someone in times of distress and need (Romans 16:1-2).

What can we learn from Phebe?

Phebe was a sister, a servant (of the Church), a saint, and a succourer.
Like Phebe, can we treat others as our own (brothers and sisters), treat ourselves as servants of the Church of God, be sanctified by believing in Jesus Christ to be his saints and an aide by sharing our faith with those who are in distress under the bondage of the devil and in need of a Savior.

Romans 16:1-2 (KJV)
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Lesser known characters :: Phinehas (son of Eleazar)

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On October 12, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Numbers 25 in the Bible records the story of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the high Priest who was the son of Aaron, Moses’ brother. Phinehas is known to be a man who was zealous for the Lord. When the Israelites dwelt in the land of Shittim, they start to indulge in sexual immoralities with the Moabite women, who lured and deceived the Israelites to draw away from God and turn to the worship of Baal. For this, a plague broke out among the Israelites as the Lord asked Moses to have all the men who were adulterous in following Baal, to be put to death. Amidst the grief for the loss, in the presence of the congregation of Israel, one of the Israelites, Zimri, the son of Salu, who was a leader (prince) of the chief house of Simeon, openly and blatantly brought into his tent, Cozbi a Midianite women. Phinehas, could take this atrocity no longer and he took a javelin in his hand, entered the tent of Zimri and killed both Zimri and Cozbi, by impaling them. The plague of death of the Israelites was stopped. The number of people who died that day was twenty four thousand. Because of Phinehas’ act, the Lord told Moses, that the zealous act of Phinehas turned away the jealousy of God and stopped his wrath on the Israelites (Numbers 25:11). The Lord also promises a covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood, stating that there will be always someone from the house of Phinehas, to serve him, because Phinehas was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel (Numbers 25:13). The Psalmist reiterates the act of Phinehas in Psalm 106:28-31 and states that the act of Phinehas was credited to him as righteousness.

What can we learn from Phinehas?

Holiness and wickedness cannot commune and when sin is openly tolerated and indulged with, we must be zealous like Phinehas and act. Our actions to stand up for God can turn his wrath away from his people. Phinehas impaled those who were sinful and made atonement, but our sin had Jesus impaled on the Cross, who made the atonement for all sin. The covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood was promised to Phinehas by God and God made that possible though his Son Jesus Christ, who like Phinehas was zealous to do the will of God the Father, and turn God’s jealously and wrath, away from us sinners. Phinehas emulated the atoning work of Jesus to stay God’s wrath from his people. Can we be like Phinehas?

Numbers 25:1-18 (KJV)
1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor’s sake.

Psalm 106:28-31 (KJV)
28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.

Lesser known characters :: Peninnah

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On October 11, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Peninnah was one of the wives of Elkanah. Elkanah’s other wife was Hannah. The Bible says that Peninnah was a mother of many children, but the Lord had shut the womb of Hannah and so Hannah remained childless (1 Samuel 1:2,4-5). Instead of treating Hannah with kindness for her emptiness, Peninnah regarded Hannah, her rival, and provoked her about her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:6). Not only did she do this once, but she did this year after year, so much so that Hannah sorely grieved in her soul to the point that she did not eat (1 Samuel 1:7).

What can we learn from Peninnah?

Many times, we act like Peninnah as well, when God blesses us. We scorn those in need and those who are empty and pridefully provoke them through our thoughts, words and deeds. Let us remember, that besides this mention of Peninnah in a negative light, there is nothing mentioned about Peninnah or of her sons and daughters, but when Hannah cried out to the Lord and the Lord heard her plea, Hannah the childless, turns out to be the mother of Samuel, who is one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Let us not be like Peninnah.

1 Samuel 1:1-7 (KJV)
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Lesser known characters :: Orpah

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On October 10, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

If I was to ask you, if you have heard about the Biblical Ruth, it is likely that you would say yes. In fact, an entire book in the Bible is named Ruth after this character. But if I was to ask you, if you have heard about the Orpah, mentioned in the Bible, it is likely that most of us would not answer that question affirmatively. Who was Orpah?

Orpah is from the land of Moab, and the daughter in law of Naomi and sister in law of Ruth (Ruth 1:15). When the sons of Naomi, and the husbands of Orpah and Ruth died, Naomi tells each of her daughters in law to return to their mother’s house and prays that the LORD’s blessings be on them (Ruth 1:8). To this both Orpah and Ruth respond that they will stay with Naomi and return to Judah, to Naomi’s people (Ruth 1:10). Naomi insists that her daughters in law go back to their own families, and unlike Ruth, who remained loyal to her kin and her word, Orpah, kisses her mother in law and returns to her own people (Ruth 1:14-15). Orpah did not only return back to her own people, but sadly she returns back to her Moabites gods (Ruth 1:15).

What can we learn from Orpah?

Orpah, the sister in law of Ruth, in her words, vowed to stay with Naomi and to return to the land of her husband, the son of Naomi. But later she decides to leave Naomi and backslides to her kin and gods. Jesus asked, which of the two sons did the will of the father, the first who refused to go to his father’s vineyard to work but later repented and went or the one who promised to go and work in the father’s vineyard and went not? It was the first (Matthew 21:28-31). Orpah promised to go with her mother in law but went not like the second son who did not do what his father willed. Imagine for a moment, if Orpah had had the same response as that of Ruth, that she would go where Naomi would go, and stay where Naomi stayed, and that Naomi’s people will be her people and that Naomi’s God would be her God as well and that only death may separate them. If Orpah had done so, I wonder if the book of Ruth would be named Orpah and Ruth.

Many a times, we act like Orpah as well, promising to do what God the Father wills for us, but then failing to do so. We backslide to our sin and to the false gods in our lives. Let us be more like Ruth and not like Orpah, true to our word and never failing to do what God the Father has willed for us.

Ruth 1:3-17 (KJV)
3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Lesser known characters :: Nathanael

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On October 7, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Ask any one to name some of the twelve disciples, chosen by Jesus, and it is likely that you were hear of Matthew, Luke, John, Peter (also called Simon), Andrew, James, Philip, and even Judas. Seldom would you hear Bartholomew or Nathanael. In fact, scholars assume that Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person, because Matthew, Mark and Luke refer to Bartholomew and makes no mention of Nathanael, while John lists Nathanael and not Bartholomew in the disciples list. In stead of getting caught up with, “WHO Nathanael was”, it is more important for us to understand “WHAT Nathanael was?”

When Philip finds Nathanael, Philip tells Nathanael that Jesus is the person of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write. This means that Nathanael must be a person who would have studied the law and familiarized himself with the writings of the coming Messiah. Philip asks Nathanael to “Come and See” the Christ.  We then learn, that Nathanael is coming to Jesus, when Jesus looks at him and says of him, Behold an Israelite, in whom is no guile (deception) (John 1:47). Nathanael questions Jesus, “since when do you know me” to which Jesus responded by saying that “even before Philip called you, when you sat under the fig tree, I saw you.” (John 1:48). Nathanael responds by addressing Jesus as Rabbi and then believes and expresses that Jesus indeed was the Son of God and the king of Israel.

What can we learn from Nathanael?
Can Jesus say of you and me, that we are without any guile (deception); that we don’t live a double standard or a hypocritical lifestyle? WHO we are is not important, but WHAT (kind of person) we are is what matters to Jesus. Like Nathanael, do we read about Jesus in his word/law and when asked to come and see, are we going to come forward to see Jesus as Nathanael did. The fig tree figuratively represents human efforts for righteousness.  Adam and Eve had sown themselves coverings of fig leaves to hid their shame, that resulted from their disobedience in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:7). Jesus cursed the fig tree that was fruitless (Mark 11:20), implying that those who are not grafted and remain in the vine (in Christ) cannot bear fruit and subject to the curse of being eternally separated from God, fit for nothing, but withered and dried up to be cut and thrown into the fire (John 15:4; Mark 11:21). Jesus saw Nathanael under the cloak of human righteousness and when Jesus reveals this to him, Nathanael believes and responds that Jesus is indeed the Son of God (Spiritual King of kings) and the King of Israel (earthly king) (John 1:49). Can we be like Nathanael, believing in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God in deed and not rely on our human efforts to assure Salvation, for we can be saved, only by grace through faith alone and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

John 1:43-51 (KJV)
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

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