The Man Behind the Woman Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. Esther 10:3 The book of Esther is masterfully written with plot twists, …
Jonathan
Always Loyal A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) The word loyalty is rooted in the medieval feudal system. Those who faithfully fulfilled their legal obligations to their feudal lord were considered leal which evolved into loyal. Allegiance, fealty, and fidelity also originated during this time—words that describe …
Judah
Like a Lion You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations …
Caleb
A Patient Man Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart . . . Wait for the Lord, and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land. Psalm 37:4, 34 Have you been waiting a long time for God to fulfill a promise? Caleb waited forty-five years. When the twelve …
Bezalel
The Master’s Craftsman Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut …
Young Joshua
Trained to Lead The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. … Transfer some of your authority to him, so the whole community of Israel will obey him.” Numbers 27:18, 20 (NLT) “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho … and the walls came tumbling down.” Maybe, like many, …
Hur and Aaron
Two Kinds of Warriors When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. … So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Exodus 17:12-13 Have you ever participated …
Miriam
Selected to Support The Lord says, “I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.” Micah 6:4 In a pivotal moment of human history, a young female slave approached a princess and offered to find a nurse for the Hebrew baby boy the royal …
Jethro
Don’t Handle It Alone “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you… You must be the people’s representative before …
Nathan
A Friend Indeed Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:5-6 American author Elbert Hubbard first defined a friend as “someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” God blessed King David with two such friends. During David’s youth, King Saul’s son Jonathan befriended him …