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BIBLE ably by his wife Ahinoam, including his heir Jonathan, two sons by his concubine Rizpah and of two daughters Merab and Michal. His home was at Gibeah, three miles north of Jerusalem. Best known as the first king of the Jewish nation. His disobedience resulted in the Lord’s appointment of David to the throne. After the rejection of the sons and potential successors of the high priest Samuel as corrupt people, the nation’s historical necessity requested God for a king. Though God was not particularly thrilled with this idea, He permitted the establishment of the monarchy. The providential circumstances connected with Saul’s

Saul’s was a tragic figure whose leadership collapsed in failure because of jealously, disloyalty and insecurity.

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S Saul, Israel’s first king

aul’s was a tragic figure whose leadership collapsed in failure because of jealously, disloyalty and insecurity. His leadership emerged in a transitional period between the end of an old order of tribal leadership through the Judges and the birth of a new order of leadership, Israel under the monarchy of kings. His reign, pivotal time in Biblical history, is dated approximately from 1010 B.C. Saul means “asked (of God)”, was the son of Kish, a prominent Benjamite. He was the father of several sons presum-



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election as king appears in three different traditions. In the first, Saul is looking for his father’s lost she-asses where at Ramah he meets Samuel, who anoints him secretly. In the second, Saul is hidden among the baggage at Mizpah when Samuel casts lot in public to choose the king. In the third, Saul’s kingship was firmly established upon his victory at Jabesh-Gilead against Ammonites, after which he was proclaimed king at Gilgal. In the beginning, Saul was humble and adhering to God’s directives. Later, he began to love himself more. Following initial successes against Ammonites, Saul soon began making a series of very seri-

BIBLE ous blunders. He offered the sacrifices himself, that was to be performed only by the high priest Samuel. He kept some of the livestock of the Amalekites for himself, when told to destroy utterly. He set up a monument in honor of himself at Carmel. These incidents of rebellion showed that Saul preferred running the kingdom his own way, ignoring God. It was this foolish and presumptuous disobedience to God that transferred his kingship to his successor. Samuel gave a sign to recognize the future king, who would cut a piece from Saul’s mantle. Saul’s behavior then further degenerated from unwise to outright insane. He became paranoid, a cruel oppressor of his own friends; including ordering his military forces to go without food until they had defeated the enemy; and attempting to have his own victorious son Jonathan executed for disregarding the foolish order, not to eat anything until the batter was over. Saul’s continued bizarre behavior and disregard of God’s instructions. Saul remained king until the time needed for the youthful David to prepare and mature. It was during this period that David distinguished himself against Goliath and Philistines. This achievement plunged him into King Saul’s military campaigns; into marriage relationship with his second daughter, Michael. Being a member of Saul’s household, David became a very close friend of Saul’s son Jonathan, who clearly understood David as his father’s successor. Saul became jealous at the sight of David’s military success and popularity with the people and resulted in attempting to murder him at different times. His anger became intense knowing the deep intimacy between Jonathan and David, which led to throw his spear even at Jonathan. Finally David became a fugitive from the king and took refuge in Philistine territory. There was another failure in judgment and obedience to God, as Saul consulted the witch of Endor to know what will

happen with his war against Philistines. The witch summoned back to earth the dead prophet Samuel, who predicted Saul’s killing along with his sons during the battle. Thus, on the very next day, Saul went with his three sons to the war and all were struck down. No man in the Bible had so many chances thrust upon him to make a success of life, and no one ever missed so much as Saul. He not only missed great opportunities, he deliberately abused them. He is a classical example of disobedience in Israel’s history. The downgrade of his life is the old familiar story of pride, egotism and the abuse of power leading to fatal consequences of ending his reign and ruining his life. This shows, disobedience ultimately results in the loss of God’s purposes in our lives and set us slipper slope downwards.

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Saul betrayed his real character of self will, impatience, and the spirit of disobedience. He obeyed so far and so long only as obedience did not require crossing of his self will. He continued to be disobedient by doing things according to his whims and fancies. In the battle against Amalekites, he obeyed partially and kept the nice bits, the best of the livestock and the king. When confronted by Samuel, Saul told a lie that he obeyed God’s command; further excused the livestock for sacrificial offering and put the blame on the people. Saul obeyed God with some exceptions and decided to do in his own way. His partial obedience was complete disobedience of God’s words. He thought he knew better than God, yet he was lost out by God. Don bosco march 2009



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When confronted of his disobedience, Saul blamed on the people. This is an age old problem of ‘passing the buck’, or ‘I am never to blame attitude’. This is an easy way to shirk one’s responsibility. Often disobedience has its roots in the fear of man. It makes one to obey people’s voice than God’s. Due to social pressure, Saul was afraid of losing friends, or not being popular; more concerned about his social status or looking good before people. He regarded man’s favor more than God’s displeasure. In conclusion, may we say that one should never fall into the trap of Saul who neglected the portion of God’s law he did not want to do; blamed the people for his sin; and feared the people more than God.

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BIBLE

arah, daughter of Haran, wife and half-sister of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Her story begins after her marriage with the patriarch. Right from her birth she was known as Sarai, later by the divine command she received the name Sarah. Sarai means “princess” and true to the name she was exceptionally beautiful. She was the first Matriarch who built up the Jewish nation. Sarah’s double relationship with Abraham helped them on two occasions to protect and safe-guard their life. The first was at the time of their wanderings from Canaan to Egypt. Sarah, though above 60 years, traditionally an elderly woman, was too old to bear children, yet her natural beauty attracted even the na-

with most unusual wounds on their bodies. Pharaoh then realised this as punishment from God and in a dream he was told that Sarah was Abraham’s wife. He then sought forgiveness from both, and sent them off with honour and many valuable gifts. Pharaoh’s daughter Hagar saw the miracle, which God performed for the sake of Sarah, to save her from the hands of the Egyptian king. She readily left her royal home to become a maidservant to Sarah. Sarah treated Hagar with respect and consideration. When God delayed the promised seed by Sarah, she implored Abraham to have a child with Hagar. Thus she hoped to bring up Hagar’s children and merit God’s blessing. When

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Sarah: Princess of beauty Sarah’s hope began to be fulfilled, it brought her unexpected suffering. For, as soon as Hagar realized she was to have a child, she began to assume an air of superiority and looked down upon her mistress. At this stage, Sarah made it clear of Hagar’s role as maid. Hagar was unable to accept her servant-hood, and so fled into the wilderness. There, an angel told her to return to Sarah for the sake of the child. When Ishmael was born, Abraham thought him to be his heir that God had promised.

tional leaders. Being aware of the low morality of the Egyptians and knowing their readiness to kill a man to take his wife, Abraham and Sarah decided to say that they were brother and sister. Impressed by her beauty the Egyptians praised Sarah to the King Pharaoh of Egypt, and the result was her transfer to the royal palace. Immediately, Pharaoh and his entire household were struck 10

God’s promise of Abraham’s heir through Sarah was kept pending. For the second time, Sarah is exposed, through the cowardice of her husband, to dishonor and ruin. Abimelech, king of Gerar, desired to associate by marriage with Abraham, sends for Sarah, whom he knows only as Abraham’s sister. But the divine promise is not altered, by persistent human weakness and sin. God reveals to Abimelech in a dream, the true state of the case and Sarah is restored to her husband with security. Don bosco june 2008

Sarah, at 90 years old, remained barren until when they get a visit of three men who were angels and one of them promised of Sarah’s pregnancy. Sarah gave birth to Isaac. She paid great attention to Isaac’s upbringing and realized that wild natured 13-year-old Ishmael was not a suitable companion for Isaac. And so, she insisted Abraham to send away Hagar and Ishmael. When Abraham was reluctant to do so, God instructed him to do, as Sarah desired. At age of 127, when she hears the news of the sacrifice of her son, she is torn between her unmovable faith in God and her firm motherly instincts and she dies. At her death, Abraham bought a buryingplace for the family in the cave of Machpelah. She is the first to be interred in the common resting place of the fathers and mothers of the future Israel. In the merit of Sarah, God blessed Abraham with wealth and with all other blessings. The greatest blessing was the long life of companionship with Sarah that shared his hope in God, his faith in the promises, and his power to become God’s agent for achieving what was humanly impossible. Both were equal in doing charity and in spreading Godliness. Both had an unyielding fanatic faith in God; As long as Sarah lived, a “cloud of glory” hovered over her tent, and her home was full of blessing. Her motherly affection won Isaac that none could comfort him after her death. Sarah by her character was quiet and soft-spoken. With her beauty she was ever submissive and loyal to her husband. Thus she was a princess of gentleness and meekness. She has always been a great inspiration for all Jewish daughters and mothers, everywhere and for all times.

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BIBLE

oses is one of the most commanding and memorable characters of the Bible. A great Hebrew national Hero, Leader, Author, Poet, Lawgiver, Deliverer and Prophet. He not only gave the law, but gave the history of his people and of the world right from the beginning. He played a key role in the Exodus. He received twice The Ten Commandments from God, because he smashed the first set when he discovered the Golden calf worship by the Israelites at

and had two children Gershom and Eliezer. He then took over the family shepherding business. In Sinai, he spent the second 40 years of his life, learning how to raise his family in the wilderness. The turning point in Moses life began when God appeared to him in the unconsumed burning bush at Mount Horeb and gave him the Exodus mission. God also revealed His name as “I am who am”; that he is the ‘God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob”. Moses was commissioned to return to

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Moses: An Abandoned Hero the foot of Mount Sinai. He was directed by God to build The Tabernacle, the moveable temple and The Ark of the Covenant. He is also the first writer of scripture, the author of The Pentateuch, the first 5 Books of the Bible. The story of Moses is covered in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. He is mentioned 80 times in the New Testament, usually as a lawgiver. He is also seen as the prophet who points the way to Jesus. Moses, along with Elijah appeared in the Transfiguration with Jesus. Moses was the third child of Amran and Jochebed from the tribe of Levi, and the younger brother of Miriam and Aaron. At his birth, the Israelites experienced severe oppression in Egypt and the King ordered to kill all male Hebrew infants by drowning. Moses’ mother and sister concealed him for three months and when no longer possible to hide, they put him in a waterproof basket and set it adrift in the Nile River. The Pharaoh’s daughter found the basket and adopted the infant. She significantly named him as Moses, because “I drew him out of the water”. Miriam mediated to Pharaoh’s daughter to make her mother nurse the baby in the royal palace. He spent first 40 years of his life, in the palace of Pharaoh, being educated in “all the wisdom of the Egyptians” and learning how to govern. In the Sinai wilderness, he met a Midianite priest named Jethro; married one of his daughters, Zipporah 10

He was directed by God to build the Tabernacle, the moveable temple and The Ark of the Covenant. He is also the first writer of scripture, the author of The Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Bible. Egypt and lead His chosen Israelites out of bondage. But Moses expressed doubts and reluctance. God promised to demonstrate His power and requested to take Aaron as his mouthpiece. And Only after a series of ten divinely ordained plague punishments and at the death of the first-born son of every Egyptian, did Pharaoh set them free. Don bosco july 2008

At God’s command, he parted the Red Sea, to allow an escape route on dry ground for the Israelites from the Egyptian army. Due to disobedience, grumbling, and lack of trust in God, the Israelites were forced to wander in the desert for 40 years, where Moses served as the leader of the rebellious people and a prophet who received and delivered the Law to Israel. Since he struck the stone twice, he lost his faith. And so, he was allowed to see the Promised Land but not to enter. He went up to Mount Nebo, which over looks Canaan and died at the age of 120. Moses’ character was many-sided: His refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and his choice to suffer affliction with the people of God shows his great love for his brethren. His attempt to be excused from the leadership of his people proves that he was a man of humbleness of mind. His address to the people at the Red Sea shows that he was a man of extraordinary faith. His sitting to hear all the complaints of Israel proves that he possessed great perseverance. His acceptance of the advice of his father-in-law in reference to govern people establishes the fact that he was progressive. His conduct at Mount Sinai in the destruction of the golden calf and its worshippers proves that he was aggressive. His fervent petition to the Lord to spare Israel even when God promised, on their destruction, proves his utter unselfishness. His refusal to rebuke Eldad and Medad for prophesying proves that he was free from envy. His prayer to the Lord to forgive his sister Miriam proves that he was meek and forgiving. His conduct in suppressing the rebellion inaugurated by Korah establishes the fact that he was a man of extraordinary courage. Moses was the great deliverer, the one God used to bring Israel out of slavery; he remains an “abandoned hero” because he led the people to the Promised Land but he himself did not reach there.

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A

aron is remembered for the miraculous blossoming and almonds of his rod, as he was empowered by God to turn it into a serpent before Pharaoh’s eyes. As the high priest, he was the founder and ancestor of the Israelite priesthood. He was the eldest son of Jochebed and Amram of the tribe of Levi, brother of Miriam and Moses. He was three years older than Moses. Because Moses stuttered, Aaron served as a spokesman before the Pharaoh and the Israelites towards their freedom. In Hebrew his name meant: exalted; high mountain; mountain of strength. The Bible does not say anything about Aaron’s birth, his early life, or his upbringing. It states that he

when the Levites, by order of Moses, killed about 3,000 of the idol worshipers. Although Aaron did not take any part in the construction of the portable sanctuary, God ordered Moses to consecrate him and his sons as official priests. During the consecration ceremonies, Aaron and his sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, officiated at Moses’ side; while two of his sons, Nadab and Abihu, died when they burned forbidden incense before the Lord, a tragic loss that Aaron bore in silent resignation. And once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was allowed to go into the Sacred Sanctuary, the holiest part of the Tent of Testimony, bringing his offering.

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Aaron: The First Israelite High Priest married Elisheba the daughter of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, by whom he had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. After Aaron his son Eleazar succeeded as High Priest. In the book of Hebrews, Aaron is seen as the imperfect priest when contrasted with the perfect priesthood of Jesus.

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At Meribah when the people complained of no water, God then ordered Moses to speak to the rock, and Moses hit it twice. Since Moses and Aaron had not carried out God’s command exactly as they were expected to, God reproved and told that they would not live to see the Promised Land. Like Moses and Miriam, Aaron was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. God used Moses to prepare Aaron to face his death on Mount Hor. Aaron died at the age of 123. The Israelites did not believe his death until a strange vision in which they saw Aaron lying peacefully in a cave, a candle burning by his bedside. For forty years Aaron remained in Egypt to share the hardships of his people, while Moses fled into the wilderness. He knew every Israelite families and was very much influential among them. And so Aaron was bold enough to introduce Moses to their assembled elders and declared to them God’s divine commission with persuasive power. He was also a great lover of peace, who brought love and harmony among people and in many homes. Because of this the entire people of Israel mourned his death for thirty days.

In the Bible, Aaron was first mentioned by God when Moses declined the hazardous Exodus mission imposed upon him. God then told Moses that Aaron would be his mouthpiece. Aaron’s eloquent speeches to Pharaoh were reinforced by the miracles that he performed with his walking stick. After the march out of Egypt, Aaron was no longer a central figure. In the Wilderness, at the first battle of the Israelites against the Amalekites, with Hur Aaron supported Moses’ wearied hands held upward to ensure victory. Again later with Hur, Aaron acted as deputy for Moses when he climbed Mount Sinai to receive the two stone tablets of the Law. During Moses’ prolonged absence, Aaron yielded to the pressure of the people and made with their jewelry a tangible god of golden calf that became a cause of apostasy. Despite this he was neither punished nor disqualified from the priesthood. The people, on the other hand, were harshly punished

the congregation were equally holy. The earth split open and swallowed Korah and his followers. To demonstrate the special status of Aaron’s priesthood and the Levites, Moses placed a stick from each of the tribes in the Tent of Testimony and left them there overnight; the following day, the stick representing the tribe of Levi, which had Aaron’s name inscribed on it, was the only one sprouting blossoms and almonds.

The Bible records an incident of friction between the brothers when Aaron sided with their sister, Miriam, against Moses’ supremacy, using as a pretext Moses’ Ethiopian wife. God punished Miriam with leprosy but again Aaron was not punished. Aaron and Moses were the target of a serious revolt led by their cousin, the Levite Korah, who claimed that all the members of Don bosco SEPTEMBER 2008

Aaron remained always as faithful ‘Mouthpiece’ of Moses. In all his interviews with Pharaoh stood by Moses. In the battle against Amalek, Aaron and Hur supported Moses hands to prevail Israel. He also stood as a model and prototype of the Jewish High Priest. Because God forgave his envoious questioning against Moses supremacy and his instability in making idolatroy cult of worship. And upheld him of his priesthood by blossoming him rod and allowing him to enter into the Holy of Holies on the great Day of Atonement.

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BIBLE

J

oshua, the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim, was an Israelite leader who succeeded Moses. He was born in Egypt during the Israelite enslavement and about the time when Moses fled to Midian. Joshua shared in all the events of the Exodus and accompanied Moses to perform his important public and spiritual functions. He was one of the twelve spies dispatched to explore the land of Canaan; it was then Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua. He was the first general of the Hebrew nation and as military commander he led the battle against Amalekites. His name signifies, “Yahweh is deliverance or salvation”. In bringing the Israelites

the Ten Commandments. As one of the twelve representatives, only Joshua and Caleb returned with an encouraging positive report to proceed; the other ten incurred divine wrath and punishment, for dissuading the people to enter the Promised Land. Under God’s direction at the age of eighty-two, Moses invested Joshua in a public and solemn manner as his successor. The first step under Joshua’s leadership in conquest of Canaan was sending two spies. In Jericho the spies were helped by Rahab. On their return, they reported the prospects of an easy victory and conquest through Jordan. As the Israelites came to the Jordan River, the waters parted

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Joshua: First Jewish Conqueror

and piled up into a wall, as they did for Moses at the Red Sea. The people camped in Gilgal on the west of Jordan.

into Canaan, in his wars and battles, in the distribution of the land among the tribes, from the miraculous crossing of Jordan and incredible crumbling of the walls of the fortified city of Jericho, his life and work was an embodiment of his name and an extraordinary personality. Joshua was first mentioned in the Bible as the dedicated minister of Moses. He accompanied him to Mt.Sinai to receive

The first major battle was in Jericho, a city surrounded by a thick wall on all sides. At God’s command the Israelites encircled the city with the Holy Ark for a week whereupon the walls crashed and fell. Then they completely destroyed every living thing and the city, except of Rahab and her family. Although God forbade them to take any of the spoils, Achan disobeyed and hid some garments and silver in his tent. This aroused God’s anger, due to which they were defeated and 36 of them were killed, until the crime was discovered and the culprit was stoned to death. Next through clever tactics, Joshua defeated and destroyed Ai by fire and captured Bethel. The Israelites faced a Southern alliance of the Amorite kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon and Joshua defeated them by causing the Sun to stand still at Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon. Again he faced the gigantic army of northern Canaanite king, Jabin of Hazor, whom he defeated at the waters of Merom. Thus in seven years of continuous wars, six Don bosco october 2008

nations and 31 kings were conquered. Next Joshua partitioned the land among the 12 tribes of Israel as dictated by Yahweh. The tabernacle was moved from Gilgal to Shiloh, the new spiritual centre of Israel for many years. In a closing assembly of the Israelites at Shechem, Joshua delivered his parting admonition, as Moses did before his death, reviewing their own wonderful history, and of the promises and claims of God, and exhorting them to study Torah and obey its precepts. As a memorial of the renewed covenant between God and His people, he set up a great stone under an oak in the sacred precinct of Yahweh. After a leadership of twenty-eight years, at the age of one hundred and ten, Joshua departed this life. His followers laid the knives he used in circumcising the Israelites into his grave, and over it erected a testimonial pillar of the great wonder of the sun standing still and was interred in his home town in Timnath-Serah on Mt. Ephraim. Joshua was one of the greatest leaders of his time. He followed in the footsteps of his captain Moses. Joshua demonstrated himself to be a man of faith, vision, courage, loyalty, obedience, prayer and dedication to God and his holy Word. He remained a loyal leader and a mighty warrior as he constantly lived to fulfill the perfect will of God. He was a man of purpose, direction and decision. He set goals before him and never wavered in meeting them. He continually leaned on the mighty arm of God and overcame every obstacle with His power. His experiences taught him, that believers are not alone in their struggles of this world. And so, in his final address to the Israelites he reminded them of their wonderful history, of the many miracles, and of the precious promises of God. He exhorted them to love the Lord, serve Him only, and remain separated from the world and idols.

Victor Antonyraj sdb [email protected]

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