Great Bible Men and Women

MOSES

Mediator of the old covenant -- received the Law of God and took it to the people of Israel; brought the needs and sins of Israel to the Lord in prayer. God spent Moses' life preparing him for this calling. Moses came the poor means, but was spared from death and raised in the courts of the Pharaoh. But it was the weak and helpless he always came to the aid for: like the killing the Egyptian that had killed one Moses' own (Hebrew); saving the daughters of Jethro out shepherding their flock. And he was meek.

JOSHUA

Led newly formed nation of Israel into the Promised Land against a people more sophisticated militarily and greater manpower than Israel. God reminds Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua had confidence. He could conquer Canaan because he had experience and confidence, more importantly, in the Lord. Though he had experience, it was God's faithfulness to the Word of God by giving Joshua the ability to lead the people, seeing that Joshua was on the Lord's side. This is what is most important.

DEBORAH

God raised Deborah up to rescue His people from their enemies. The difference this time was he used a female. Her time was the time of the Judges when Israel was not united as a nation, but existed as a loose confederation of tribes. At times, the Lord would endow a leader or judge with His Holy Spirit, to rally the Israelites together to defeat a foe. Who was oppressing Israel at the time of Deborah? Jabin, king of Canaan, for 20 years. And so Deborah rallied the people against Jabin. The mightiest general in the region was defeated by an "ordinary" housewife. God uses the ordinary.

ESTHER

Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia, helped deliver her people during the reign of King Ahasuerus. Through this she had to overcome the fear of what may happen to her. The king of Persia needed a new queen after his queen, Vashti, refused to dance before his friends at his feast. Esther won the king's favor and became queen. The book of Esther does not mention the name of God. Esther's fear was whether to come to the rescue of her cousin Mordecai, who was refusing to bow to one of the king's advisors, Haman, and risk the Jews being wiped out. Initially Esther didn't get involved, but realizing she needed to do something to stay alive she went before the king.

INFLUENTIAL NEW TESTAMENT WOMEN

The Lord's mother gave birth to the Messiah and helped raise Jesus to honor the Father. Mary and Martha, two sisters, and friends of Jesus. Jesus always treated women with respect which was not the norm at this time. Women were the first witnesses to His resurrection.