OT Character Study

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses
Old Testament Character Studies

Copyright ©2007 Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX
Packet by Ricky Allegretto, Jamey Bryant, Blake Jennings, Julie Jennings, John Jordan, Stan Mathew, Marty Scott,
Jared Shoemaker, Aerin Toussaint, Sarah Wolfskill, 2007
Graphic design by Ricky Allegretto, 2007
All artwork in the packet was drawn by Rembrandt, except the cover which was drawn by Da Vinci
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,

© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman
Foundation, used by permission.
This document may be reproduced and distributed freely, but you

may not charge a fee greater than your manufacturing costs. No section of this document may be modified without the writ-
ten consent of Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX.
Table of Contents
01 Introduction ……………………………………………………………….05
02 Abraham: By F
aith …………………………………………………….….09
03 Moses: True Humility …………..……………………………………...…….13
04 Hannah: Willing to Sacrifice ……………...…………………..……….…….17
05 David: A Life of Submission ………………..…………………..…….….….21
06 Josiah: Zealous for God …………………………...………………….…….25
07 Daniel: Living With Integrity …………………..……….……….…..…….29
08 Esther: Confident in Her Call …………………………..……….………..33
09 Nehemiah: Leading Steadfastly ………...…….……...…….……………….37
3
Introduction
The gospel is so beautiful in its simplicity. When we make the decision to believe in Christ for forgiveness of sins
and eternal life, we are immediately transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of life, we are instantly adopted
into God’s family and made into a new creation.
But what’s next? Why aren’t we immediately taken up to be with our Lord in heaven? What is the purpose of our
lives as believers while we are still here on this earth? What does the gospel mean for our daily lives? These are life defining
questions for the believer. To answer those questions we can look to passages of Scripture from both the Old Testament...
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,: and let them rule over the
fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creeps on the earth.’ God created man in His Own image, in the image of God He created Him;
male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and
fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every
living thing that moves on the earth. - Genesis 1:26-28
...and the New Testament...
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have
come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the
ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting
their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
So God has set us aside as His ambassadors to all men while we remain here on this earth, in fact one of His pur-
poses in saving us is that we might glorify Him by doing His good works. In other words through us men should be able to
get a little glimpse of heaven right here on earth. This is a lofty and noble purpose in life.
You might be saying to yourself, “That sounds wonderful, but I don’t feel like my life looks anything like heaven on
earth. How do I fulfill that purpose for my life practically?”
That is what we want to look at in this study. Believers grow in maturity through the power of God’s Word, the
leading of His Spirit, and the influence of His people. Through this study we want to dig into His Word and specifically look
at the lives of faithful men and women who have gone before us who can help us to see practically what it looks like to walk
by faith and wholeheartedly pursue the Lord. These men and women were by no means perfect, as you will clearly see, but
they lived by faith over the long haul and had their eyes set on the lord and His promises to them. And it is because of their
faith, as we see in Hebrews chapter 11, that these men and women are considered to be a cloud of witnesses to us. So as we
do this study may our prayer continually be that their witness would encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus and walk by faith
until the day of Christ.
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encum-
brance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- Hebrews 12:1-2
5
History and Setting
This study specifically looks at men and women in the Old Testament. For many the Old Testament is hard to under-
stand, and the stories and characters seem very foreign to our experience. Yet we will see that even in their day, men and
women appropriated God’s salvation through faith in His promises, just as we do. A brief summary of the times in which
these men and women lived will greatly benefit our study:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He also created man and woman in His own image, perfect
and innocent, and placed them over all the earth. God created them to represent Himself and to use them to advance His king-
dom. As a part of representing His image, He gave man his own will to choose to love and obey the Lord or to disobey and
spurn Him. Tempted by the devil in the form of the serpent, man eventually sinned against the command of God and broke
his perfect fellowship with Him, bringing physical and spiritual death. Although man’s sin greatly grieved the heart of God, it
did not cancel out God’s love for man nor did it derail God’s sovereign kingdom purposes. Immediately after man sinned,
God gave him hope, promising that He would one day provide a Redeemer and King and defeating Satan and his kingdom.
“And I will put enmity between you & the woman, & between your seed & her seed; he shall bruise you on
the head, & you shall bruise him on the heel.” – Genesis 3:15
After a time God, in His own sovereign will, chose one man and his descendants through whom to reveal Himself to
all men. He was the one from whom the hoped for Redeemer and King would come. That man was Abraham.
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, & from your relatives & from your father’s
house, to the land which I will show you; & I will make you a great nation & I will bless you, & make your
name great; & so you shall be a blessing; & I shall bless those that bless you, & the one who curses you I
will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” – Genesis 12:1-3
After Abraham’s descendants came out of their slavery in the land of Egypt, the Lord made them into a nation, the
nation of Israel, and gave them the Law. The Law was a revelation of God’s holiness and regulated how the Israelites should
live and worship as His believing people. Obeying it allowed the believing Israelite to have fellowship with God, to receive
His blessings, and to reveal Him to all the nations, while disobedience brought God’s punishment. Most importantly, how-
ever, the Law allowed Israel to see their need for a Redeemer and King.
“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice & keep My covenant, then you shall be my own possession
among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; & you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests & a holy na-
tion.”- Exodus 19:5-6
But as time wore on, Israel forgot their God, following the example of the pagan nations around them. Eventually,
they even rejected God as their King, asking for a man to rule them instead. God gave them over to their evil desires, but in
His grace He gave them a godly king to govern them, a man after His own heart, David. At that time God made a promise to
David, the promise of a Descendant who would rule over Israel forever in righteousness as the hoped for Redeemer and King.
“Your house & your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”
– 2 Samuel 7:16
6
History and Setting
After David, the kings of Israel began to turn away from the Lord, and the nation once again turned away with them.
Because of this the Lord divided the kingdom and eventually allowed them to be defeated by the Assyrians and Babylonians.
But the Lord had not abandoned His people. He was, in fact, disciplining them in order to bring them back to Himself and to
continue to fulfill His kingdom purposes through them. Through His prophets, He continued to call His people to repentance
and to point them to the future time when He would deliver them by sending their hoped for Redeemer and King. It was at
that time that He promised He would one day replace the Law with a new covenant. The Law was unable to justify the peo-
ple, bring them to maturity, or permanently cleanse their consciences. Also, the nation was unable to fulfill the obedience that
the Law required, not having the resources to obey in their own flesh, because of their sin nature. So if the people were to
receive the blessings of God, then there would have to be another way. And in His great mercy God provided this new way in
the promise of the New Covenant.
“Behold the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel & with the house of Judah…I will put My law within them & on their heart I will write it; & I will be
their God & they shall be My people…I will forgive their iniquity, & their sin I will remember no more.”
– Jeremiah 31:31-34
After being dispossessed from their land and led into captivity, Israel repented and was allowed by the Lord to return to their
land and rebuild the temple. But they were still under foreign rule. The people’s hearts again turned away from the Lord, and
the glory of the Lord passed out of the temple. Israel was plagued with violence and war until eventually the Romans con-
quered Jerusalem. Herod the Great gained the favor of Rome and was appointed the King of the Jews. At this point it had
been 400 years since Israel had heard the voice of the Lord, and the people were desperately looking for the advent, or com-
ing, of their long hoped for Redeemer and King, who would deliver them from their enemies as well as their own wicked-
ness...
7
History and Setting
8
Abraham: By F
aith
“Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as
He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age,
at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name
of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. Now Abraham
was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.”
Genesis 21:1-3,5
Tears streamed down his dust-covered face as he cradled his crying infant
son for the first time. How could something so important, so long anticipated, so
life-changing be so very small? Abraham had awaited the birth of this promised
child for most of his one-hundred year life. After decades of hopeless infertility,
praying in desperation to mute pagan gods, Abraham had heard the strong, clear
voice of the Lord God speak to him some twenty-five years earlier, calling him to
boldly leave his relatives and his homeland and settle in the far-off land of Canaan
(Gen 12:1). Yet it was not the call that rung in Abraham’s ears on this joyous day,
it was the gracious promises that followed, as the Lord declared that He would
bless Abraham with land, with honor, with peaceful security, and most impor-
tantly, with numerous descendents (Gen 12:2-3).
This day was long in the making. During the intervening two-and-a-half
decades between that promise and this joyous day, God had patiently cared for and
blessed Abraham, and Abraham had gradually learned to trust and obey the Lord.
Even when Abraham had disobeyed, the Lord forgave, restored, and graciously
blessed him. Yet in all the good of those years, Abraham and his wife, Sarah had
never been free of the anxiety and pain that only an infertile couple can know. Her
body, long past child-bearing age, grew weary from years of unfulfilled hope. The
Lord’s gracious promises, a source of such joy at first, seemed ever more unattain-
able as time passed.
Yet on this most perfect day all memory of pain and despair vanished as
the elderly couple wept over their newborn Isaac. God had fulfilled the most im-
portant part of His promise. In inexpressible gratefulness, Abraham contemplated
living out the rest of his days full of the peace and joyful satisfaction that had al-
ways alluded him. Surely now, with hope fulfilled, Abraham and Sarah could set-
tle down to the blessed family life they had always longed for…
9
Discus
Why does God sometimes choose to give us the good things we pray for? Why does He sometimes choose not to?
Reflect
When was the last time you thanked the Lord for specific blessings He has graciously given you? Do you thank Him often?
Why or why not?
Important Background: Abraham is without doubt one of the most important figures in all of the Bible. The promises made in
Genesis 12 were formalized by God into a covenant (a formal, binding agreement) in Genesis 15 and 17, and the covenant
was eternally sealed at the end of chapter 22, which you are about to read. This “Abrahamic Covenant” promises to bless
Abraham and his descendents with [1] the lands marked out in Gen 15:18 (much of the modern-day Middle East), [2] security
and victory over any enemy, [3] prosperity, and [4] numerous offspring. Furthermore, it promises that through his descen-
dents, God will bring blessing to the entire world. Sadly, however, the rest of the Old Testament reveals that Abraham’s de-
scendents through Isaac, the Jewish people, usually chose to rebel against the Lord rather than be His obedient agents of
blessing to the world. As a result, the nation again and again experienced God’s severe judgment, even being exiled from the
land for many years. As the New Testament dawns a new figure is introduced, a descendent of Abraham who will finally, per-
fectly obey the Lord and through whom the Lord will bless the whole world. That descendent, the God-man Jesus Christ, is
Abraham’s ultimate descendent! He obeyed God the Father even when it cost Him His own life. And as a result, He will one
day return in glory to claim His nation, His land, and His victorious rule over the entire world in final fulfillment of the Abra-
hamic Covenant.
It is helpful to have this big picture in mind as you read the following passage. Remember how important Isaac is. First, he is
the son Abraham has waited at least 80 years for. In the ancient world, infertility was almost as feared as death, for it meant
the end of one’s family lineage. So it’s impossible to overestimate how much this child meant to the elderly Abraham. Second,
Isaac is the promised child of the covenant. Abraham knew that through him all of the covenant blessings would be fulfilled.
The entire nation of Israel, even Jesus’ own mother, Mary, descended from this one child. Keep these facts in mind as you
read the amazing events of chapter 22…
Read
Read Genesis 22:1-18. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is
most effective for you.
1
Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2He
said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt
offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and
took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the
place of which God had told him. 4On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5Abraham said
to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”
6
Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the
two of them walked on together. 7Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8Abraham said, “God will provide
10
for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. 9Then they came to the place of
which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the
altar, on top of the wood. 10Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11But the angel of the Lord called
to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against
the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from
Me.” 13Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abra-
ham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14Abraham called the name of that
place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” 15Then the angel of the
Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have
done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your
seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.
18
“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Think &Answer
1. Why did God choose to give these amazing promises to this particular man (see Gen 18:17-19)? Did Abraham somehow
merit these promises (see Josh 24:2)?
2. Look back at vv3-10. How would you describe Abraham’s obedience? List out a few adjectives that characterize his re-
sponse to God’s command.
3. List out as many reasons as you can think of for why God’s command would have been shocking and unexpected to Abra-
ham.
4. How did Abraham obey such a difficult command? Look up Hebrews 11:17-19 for a helpful clue.
5. In view of Abraham’s example, how does obedience relate to faith?
Look up what Paul and James have to say about this question in Romans 4:1-5 and James 2:20-24. How do you reconcile
what at first may seem to be conflicting views in these two passages?
11
Grow/Change
1. Though we can turn to many passages of scripture to find out what God commands of us, Jesus Himself gave us one of
the most helpful lists in Matthew chapters 5-7. Take a few minutes to read Matthew 5:21-7:5. Of these commands, which
do you find the most difficult to obey? Why?
2. Write a brief plan of action for how you can begin to become the person you want to be this week. Answer the questions:
What changes can I make? What is the first step? When will I do this? Who will hold me accountable to accomplish
this?
Remember
“Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His
ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
- Deuteronomy 10:12
Extras
1. Compare Abraham’s response in this chapter with his less-than-stellar example in Genesis 20. How are his choices dif-
ferent in the two chapters? Why do you think he acted so differently in chapter 22?
2. How does Abraham’s obedience in chapter 22 effect the covenant promises? Did fulfillment of the promises depend on
his obedience in this test? After he obeyed, were the promises certain to be fulfilled?
3. How do you reconcile these gracious promises to Abraham and his descendents with the actual sad history of the nation
of Israel? Why have they so often experienced God’s judgment rather than His blessing?
4. Read back over James 2:14-26. Summarize James’ point in this section.
According to James, what is the result of having faith but not following it with obedience?
12
Moses: True Humility
No prophet (other than Christ Himself) has risen in Israel like Moses,
whom God knew face-to-face. Never since has there been anything like the signs
and miracle-wonders that God sent him to do in Egypt, to Pharaoh, to all his ser-
vants, and to all his land — nothing to compare with the might power and all the
great and terrible things Moses did as every eye in Israel watched.
- Deuteronomy 34:10-12 (italics added)
On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the
whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is
between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses
and Aaron there in the wilderness, saying, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort
in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought
us out into this wilderness to starve us to death!”
God said to Moses, “I’m going to rain bread down from the skies for you,
and the people will go out and gather each day’s ration. I’m going to test them to
see if they’ll live according to my teaching or not, and on the sixth day, when they
prepare what they have gathered, it will turn out to be twice as much as their daily
ration.”
Moses and Aaron told the People of Israel, “This evening you will know
that it is God who brought you out of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the
Glory of God. He has listened to your complaints against Him. You haven’t been
complaining against us, you know, but against God.” Moses said, “Since it will be
God who gives you meat for your meal in the evening and your fill of bread in the
morning, it’s God who will have listened to your complaints against him. Who are
we in all this? You haven’t been complaining to us—you’ve been complaining to
God!” Moses instructed Aaron: “Tell the whole company of Israel: ‘Come near to
God. He’s heard your complaints.’ ”
When Aaron gave out the instructions to the whole company of Israel,
they turned to face the wilderness. And there it was: the Glory of God visible in
the Cloud. God spoke to Moses, “I’ve listened to the complaints of the Israelites.
Now tell them: ‘At dusk you will eat meat and at dawn you’ll eat your fill of
bread; and you’ll realize that I am God, your God.’ ”
That evening quail flew in and covered the camp and in the morning
there was a layer of dew all over the camp. When the layer of dew had lifted, there
on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground.
The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They
had no idea what it was. So Moses told them, “It’s the bread God has given you to
eat.”`
- Exodus 15:1-16
13
Discus
God has used Moses time and time again to communicate His love, patience, grace, justice, and plan for them. How would
you feel if you were Moses in this situation? What would you have said to the Israelites in this moment?
Reflect
We all have positive character qualities, personality traits, or accomplishments that we are proud of? Do you ever use any of
these to your advantage or do you ‘lord’ them over others?
Important Background: In Numbers 10:11, we find the Israelites leaving Mt Sinai on the twentieth day of the second month,
the second year following the Exodus. They are marching toward Kadesh-Barnea, where the spies will scope out the land that
has been promised them by God. Here, despite the many ways God has so graciously provided for them in their journey, we
once again find the nation grumbling against Moses and the Lord.
Read
Read Numbers 11. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is most
effective for you.
1
Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was
kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2The people therefore cried
out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord and the fire died out. 3So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of
the Lord burned among them. 4The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said,
“Who will give us meat to eat? 5“We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the
leeks and the onions and the garlic, 6but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.” 7Now the
manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. 8The people would go about and gather it and grind it be-
tween two millstones or beat it in the mortar, and boil it in the pot and make cakes with it; and its taste was as the taste of cakes
baked with oil. 9When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it. 10Now Moses heard the people weeping
throughout their families, each man at the doorway of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, and Moses was dis-
pleased. 11So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight,
that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? 12“Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth,
that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fa-
thers’? 13“Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat that we may eat!’ 14“I
alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. 15“So if You are going to deal thus with me, please
kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.” 16The Lord therefore said to Moses,
“Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring
them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17“Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I
will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that
you will not bear it all alone. 18“Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in
the ears of the Lord, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will
give you meat and you shall eat. 19‘You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, 20but a
whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the Lord who is among
14
you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ” 21But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are
600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’ 22“Should flocks and herds be
slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for
them?” 23The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.”
24
So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. Also, he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and sta-
tioned them around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him
and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. 26But
two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them
(now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. 27So a young
man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of
Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all
the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” 30Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the
elders of Israel. 31Now there went forth a wind from the Lord and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp,
about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface
of the ground. 32The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten
homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. 33While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was
chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. 34So the name
of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy. 35From Kibroth-hattaavah the
people set out for Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.
Think &Answer
1. How does Moses exhibit humility in the above passage (give examples)? Does Moses exhibit weakness or strength?
2. Compare the complaints of the people (vv.1-9) with Moses’ complaint (vv.10-15). Was it wrong for Moses to complain to
God in this way? Why or why not?
3. How does the New Testament describe humility (Eph 4:2; Phil 2:3-4; 2 Cor 3:5; 1 Pet 5:6-7)? Write a definition of humil-
ity in your own words. How does the example of Moses fit this definition? .
Is humility a sign of weakness or a sign of strength? Use examples from the life of Moses (from Num 11 or elsewhere) to
defend your answer.
4. How does the Lord respond to Moses’ cry for help in carrying the burdens of the people? How could this potentially have
caused jealousy in Moses? What is his attitude, instead, toward the Lord’s empowerment of the others (vv.25-29)?
5. Now read Numbers 12. How is this passage similar to Numbers 11:25-29? What was the sin of Aaron and Miriam? What
is the Lord’s response to their sin? What is Moses’ response? What does this section teach us about Moses’ walk with the
Lord in relation to his character?
15
Grow/Change
1. How does not casting your cares on the Lord affect your ability to serve Him and others (1Pet 5:6-7; Phil 2:3-4)?
Have you ever experienced a situation when you were carrying a burden that seemed too heavy to bear? How did you
respond? What was the result? What would you have done differently, if anything, and how could that have changed the
result?
Are you carrying any burdens right now? What will you choose to do with these burdens?
this?
Remember
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace
to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper
time.”
- 1 Peter 5:5-6
Extras
Read Acts 7:20-28; Ex 3:9-12; Ex 4:1-17; Ex 16:1-15; Ex 17:1-7; Num 20:1-13; Deut 8:2-3, 16-18.
1. What important things do you observe about Moses from these passages? What were some of his strengths / weaknesses?
Did he always show humility (compare Ex 17 with Num 20)? What sin was he punished for? How does this illustrate 1
Peter 5:5?
2. How do these passages relate to our study of Moses? For what reason did the Lord use the trials in the wilderness (Deut
8)? Why do you think He chose Moses as their leader (1 Pet 5:2-3; Num 12:3)?
3. In what ways do you relate to Moses? Are there any principles that you see in his life that you could apply in your own?
16
Hannah: Willing to Sacrifice
There is a powerful miracle in the conception and birth of a child. Only a
mother can understand the depth of intimacy and tenderness felt towards a tiny
human life that develops within a woman’s body. Others can only see the physical
ramifications of pregnancy but a mother feels the child, hears it, and knows it well
before the first glance. Human life is a powerful thing, a gift of life given by the
Giver of life. Mothers have the unique privilege of bringing the new life into the
world.
When the experience of bringing new life into the world is impossible
through infertility, a woman may feel disgraced and separate from other women.
Only a woman whose womb has been closed experiences the sharp emotions of
sorrow and longing at the sight of other mothers holding and cuddling their chil-
dren. The only solace for such a grieving heart is the hope that maybe, just maybe,
God would be gracious to give and to do what is far beyond human ability.
In the Hebrew culture women found their identity in their ability to bear
and raise children. There were not many opportunities outside of the home for
women to develop careers or be independent which made bearing and raising chil-
dren their most important ambition. Hannah of the Old Testament was a woman
who lived with the reality of infertility and an overwhelming desire to conceive.
Hannah had to live with the daily reminders of her own infertility as she watched
her husband’s second wife bear and raise children. How could she endure the
shame and disgrace of an unfruitful womb?
One night she ran, weeping and crying out to the Lord, asking for a mira-
cle, asking for a child. Her humility and zeal became evident when she promised
to give her child to the Lord’s work if only the Lord would allow her to conceive.
She would sacrifice all the joy and pride of possessing a son for the lesser gift of
bearing that son. Her transparent love for the Lord and her immense faith in His
ability to work miracles is a challenging example. The Lord chose to honor her
request and He used her to bear a son, Samuel, through whom He would do
mighty things for the people of Israel. God uses our desperate occasions to bring
about His resolute will and to teach us the value of self-sacrifice.
17
Discus
Have you ever been faced with a hopeless situation? What was the outcome? How did the Lord show Himself mighty on your
behalf?
Reflect
What aspects of your life do you treasure?
Important Background: For a woman in ancient times, bearing a son to perpetuate her husband’s line was the ultimate joy
and accomplishment. The Psalmist says, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like
arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of
the.” (Psalm 127:3-5a) In contrast, “Barrenness in ancient times was the ultimate tragedy for a married woman, since her
husband’s hopes and dreams depended on her providing him with a son to perpetuate his name and inherit his es-
tate.”(Gaebelein)
Read
Read 1 Samuel 1. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is most
effective for you.
1
Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son
of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2He had two wives: the name of one was Han-
nah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3Now this man would go up
from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas,
were priests to the Lord there. 4When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to
all her sons and her daughters; 5but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed
her womb. 6Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7It happened
year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat. 8Then
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not
better to you than ten sons?” 9Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat
by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11She made a vow
and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget
Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor
shall never come on his head.” 12Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her
mouth. 13As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought
she was drunk. 14Then Eli said to her, “How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.” 15But Hannah
replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my
soul before the Lord. 16“Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great
18
concern and provocation.” 17Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you
have asked of Him.” 18She said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her
face was no longer sad. 19Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house
in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20It came about in due time, after
Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the
Lord.” 21Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22But
Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may
appear before the Lord and stay there forever.” 23Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Remain until
you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned
him. 24Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of
wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young. 25Then they slaughtered the bull, and
brought the boy to Eli. 26She said, “Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, pray-
ing to the Lord. 27“For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28“So I have also dedi-
cated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
Think &Answer
1. What is significant in the way Hannah addresses the Lord?
2. In what ways does Hannah display her willingness to sacrifice of herself? What are some examples of Hannah’s sacrifi-
cial and humble spirit?
3. Define sacrifice, using Mark 12:38-44 and Hebrews 13:15-16.
4. Hannah admits that her previous requests have been made out of her “great concern and provocation.” What is different
about her attitude when Eli finds her in the temple?
5. Read Hebrews 11:17-19 and John 12:3-8. Consider these two examples of sacrifice. What similarities do you see in the
lives of Abraham, Mary, and Hannah?
19
Grow/Change
1. Have you ever willingly given something up because you knew it would help you draw closer to God?
Think about your routine during the past week. Is there anything in your life (eg: time, energy, opportunities, money)
that you could sacrifice to God for his glory?
this?
Remember
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleas-
ing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship”
- Romans 12:1
Extras
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11 & 18-21, 3:19-4:1.
1. What important things do you observe about Hannah from these passages?
2. What is Hannah’s reaction to giving up her son, Samuel?
How does Hannah respond to God’s faithfulness?
3. In what way do you identify with Hannah?
20
David: A Life of Submission
“And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There
remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said
to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” So
he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a hand-
some appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the
Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.”
1 Samuel 16:11-13
As he entered the gate at the head of the army he was very much taken
aback. It was like a feast day; the atmosphere was ecstatic. Never before had he
felt so much energy or seen so much rejoicing among the people.
“Pretty incredible, huh?” Jonathan leaned over and said excitedly.
Continuing into the city he began to listen to the songs of the women. He
started turning red as he realized what they were singing:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”
He stole a glance over at the king and saw that he wasn’t the only one
changing colors. But something told him that Saul wasn’t reddening from embar-
rassment.
Why shouldn’t the people praise him, though? Wasn’t he the one who
initiated the events that led to this emotional outpour? He was the Giantkiller after
all. And not only that, but since then he had been leading Saul’s armies to victory
at every turn. It was his heroics and military prowess that was keeping their sons
and brothers alive. Everything that was happening seemed to confirm what the
Prophet had said when he anointed David. The mantle of leadership was passing
from Saul and coming upon him instead.
A lamb bleated in the distance breaking his train of thought. In that mo-
ment he realized what he had been thinking and was appalled. He quickly offered
up a prayer of repentance to the LORD.
“O LORD, I am nothing. It is only in Your sovereignty that You have
anointed me. It was You who plucked me from the pastures and have put me in
charge of armies of men twice my age. And, if You will it, it will be You who
gives me the throne. I have not done any of this. But You, You have shown
Yourself to be powerful. It is You who has proven to all of the earth that there is a
God in Israel. Forgive me for my pride and presumption. Teach me to wait on
You and to see You as You are.”
21
Discus
If you were David in this situation what are some of the things that you would be feeling? What if you were King Saul?
Reflect
What are some areas in your life or things that you have accomplished that you take great pride in?
Important Background: From this time on Saul became more and more jealous until finally David was forced to flee from the
king as he repeatedly tried to take David’s life. David hid in caves in the desert with a band of fugitives as Saul continued to
pursue him to take his life.
Read
Read 1 Samuel 24. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is most
effective for you.
1
Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.”
2
Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the
Wild Goats. 3He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David
and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. 4The men of David said to him, “Behold, this is the day of which the
Lord said to you, ‘Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’ ”
Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly. 5It came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him
because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe. 6So he said to his men, “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do
this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7David per-
suaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on his
way. 8Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul
looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 9David said to Saul, “Why do you listen
to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’? 10“Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had
given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch
out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11“Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my
hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my
hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it. 12“May the Lord judge between
you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. 13“As the proverb of the ancients
says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you. 14“After whom has the king of Israel
22
Come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? 15“The Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and
me; and may He see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.” 16When David had finished speaking these words to
Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17He said to David, “You are more
righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you. 18“You have declared today that you
have done good to me, that the Lord delivered me into your hand and yet you did not kill me. 19“For if a man finds his enemy,
will he let him go away safely? May the Lord therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
20
“Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. 21“So now
swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from my fa-
ther’s household.” 22David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Think &Answer
1. What examples of submission do you see from David in this passage?
2. Compare David’s attitude with that of his men. What differences are there?
3. Define submission, but first read 1 Peter 2-3:17 to help you with your answer.
4. What caused Saul to weep and then to eventually go home? What principles can be learned about the power of submis-
sion from his reaction?
5. Turn and read 1 Samuel 18:10-11. Would David have been justified in killing Saul after such an attack? Why or why
not?
Now read 2 Samuel 1:1-2:7. What is David’s reaction to Saul’s death? What does his response tell us about killing the
Lord’s anointed? What does this passage demonstrate about his faith in God?
23
Grow/Change
1. Think of a time when you dealt with an unfair situation (maybe with a roommate or a professor or at work or with fam-
ily). What was your initial reaction?
What action did you end up taking? What was the result?
Looking back on the situation and on your attitude in it, do you think you honored the Lord? What would you have done
differently?
this?
Remember
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant,
and being made in the likeness of men.”
- Philippians 2:5-7
Extras
Read 2 Sam 7:1-29; 2 Sam 11:1-12:23, Ps 51; 2 Sam 24:1-25.
1. What important things do you observe about David from these passages? What were some of his strengths? What were
some of his weaknesses?
2. How do these passages relate to our study of David?
3. In what way do you relate to David? Are there any principles that you see in his life that you could apply in yours?
24
Josiah: Zealous for God
Can we say that there is a perfect form of jealousy? The world typically
calls it fear of abandonment or the perceived threat of losing a valued relationship
to a rival. According to the band The Killers, jealousy is an uncontrollable urge to
possess something that was lost, like the love of a girl. We face these urges off
and on throughout life based on our experiences and interpersonal relationships.
Such feelings are normal, a part of our human nature. In fact we can trace the
flaw all the way back to the Original Sin of Adam in the garden. But if this is the
case, is it okay to say that God, who is perfect and holy, can also be jealous?
Wait, wait, wait...God feel jealous!?! Wouldn’t saying such a thing be taking
things a little bit too far, flirting with blasphemy even? Don’t people get struck by
lightning for just thinking things less serious than that?
(Don’t worry, keep reading!)
Exodus 20:5 says, “for I the LORD your God am a jealous God.” Here
God Himself declares His jealousy to His people in the second of the Ten Com-
mandments. So how could God possibly be jealous of anything or anyone? The
LORD owns everything, it was all created by Him, and yet still He says that He is
jealous. The answer is found in what was just previously stated in the first and
second commandments. Before His declaration of His jealousy, Yahweh charges
the people not to have any gods before Him in the first commandment, and then in
the second He commands them not to carve any images or bow down in worship
to any created things. So the one thing that we have been created to offer God and
the one thing that He is extremely jealous for is our worship. If all of creation is
truly for God’s glory and worship, it makes sense that God jealously seeking His
glory is not an evil thing but the purest of all pursuits.
So when God’s people redirected their worship to created things and
carved images to bow down to, just like all the other nations around them, they
incurred the jealous wrath of God. He disciplined them with the purpose that they
might come back to Him and renew their promise to love and serve Him only.
Today, just as in Old Testament times, the mark of a true disciple is jeal-
ousy for God’s name, also known as zeal. When Jesus ravaged the temple court
because the money changers and merchants were desecrating His Father’s house,
He was acting zealously for the name of God. His removal of enterprises intent on
human gain in order to restore the enterprise of worshipping God was the ultimate
act of worship. This is the same example that we see when we look at the life of a
certain young king of Judah named Josiah. He was a man who used his position
and influence to zealously advance God’s name.
25
Discus
How would you define zeal? Describe a time that you felt zealous for the reputation of God and/or His people?
Reflect
When is it most difficult for me to be zealous for the LORD? What factors contribute to this?
Important Background: Josiah was the first of the last five kings of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, before its capture and de-
struction by Babylon in 586 B.C. Josiah reigned a total of 31 years starting at a surprising age of eight years old. Josiah’s
grandfather, King Manasseh, was Israel’s longest reigning ruler (55 years) and was notably the most evil of any king before
and after him turning the people of Israel from Yahweh to demonic worship and human sacrifice. Since the time of King Saul
the nation of Israel was simply unfaithful to God’s covenant and fell into the evils of idolatry.
Read
Read 2 Chronicles 34. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is
most effective for you.
1
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2He did right in the sight of the Lord,
and walked in the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. 3For in the eighth year of his reign while
he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of
the high places, the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images. 4They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and
the incense altars that were high above them he chopped down; also the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images he broke
in pieces and ground to powder and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5Then he burned the bones of the
priests on their altars and purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6In the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, even as far as Naphtali, in their
surrounding ruins, 7he also tore down the altars and beat the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and chopped down all the
incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. 8Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had
purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah an official of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz
the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. 9They came to Hilkiah the high priest and delivered the money that was brought
into the house of God, which the Levites, the doorkeepers, had collected from Manasseh and Ephraim, and from all the remnant of
Israel, and from all Judah and Benjamin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10Then they gave it into the hands of the workmen who had
the oversight of the house of the Lord, and the workmen who were working in the house of the Lord used it to restore and repair the
house. 11They in turn gave it to the carpenters and to the builders to buy quarried stone and timber for couplings and to make beams
for the houses which the kings of Judah had let go to ruin. 12The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise:
Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all
who were skillful with musical instruments. 13They were also over the burden bearers, and supervised all the workmen from job to
job; and some of the Levites were scribes and officials and gatekeepers. 14When they were bringing out the money which had been
brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. 15Hilkiah responded and
said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.
16
Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported further word to the king, saying, “Everything that was entrusted to your
servants they are doing. 17“They have also emptied out the money which was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it
26
into the hands of the supervisors and the workmen.” 18Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a
book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 19When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. 20Then
the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant,
saying, 21“Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book which has
been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord which is poured out on us because our fathers have not observed the word of the Lord, to
do according to all that is written in this book.” 22So Hilkiah and those whom the king had told went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife
of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and
they spoke to her regarding this. 23She said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, 24thus
says the Lord, “Behold, I am bringing evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the curses written in the book which they have
read in the presence of the king of Judah. 25“Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might
provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place and it shall not be
quenched.” ’ 26“But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus you will say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of
Israel regarding the words which you have heard, 27“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you
heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and
wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord. 28“Behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you shall be gathered to
your grave in peace, so your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.” ’ ” And they brought
back word to the king. 29Then the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30The king went up to the house of the
Lord and all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites and all the people, from the greatest to the least;
and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord. 31Then the king stood
in his place and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His
statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant written in this book. 32Moreover, he made all who
were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand with him. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the
God of their fathers. 33Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the sons of Israel, and made all who were
present in Israel to serve the Lord their God. Throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following the Lord God of their fathers.
Think &Answer
1. What examples of zeal do you see in King Josiah’s life?
2. List out the specific response (words or action) of Josiah to the hearing of the word of the LORD.
3. Read Colossians 3:1-10. What is the relationship between our holiness and the true worship of God?
4. What is the importance of humility as seen in the response of Josiah to the word of God?
5. Read Numbers 25:1-13. Why did the Lord call Phinehas zealous? What was restored or satisfied as a result of this act of
zeal for the LORD? How does it relate to Josiah’s story?
27
Grow/Change
1. What is the importance of worship that is God-centered? What does that look like? What does that look like in my daily
life?
How can we be zealous for the worship of God today?
2. How is the justice of God upon sin satisfied today?
How does this change the way we respond to others who do not believe in Jesus Christ or are opposed to Him?
this?
Remember
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God accept-
able worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
- Hebrews 12:28-29
Extras
Read Isa 40:18-26; Deut 4:32-40.
1. What important things do you observe about worship from these passages? about God?
2. How can we encourage others to be zealous for the worship of God?
3. What changes take place when people rightly worship God for who He is? What changes would take place if an entire
nation rightly worships Him?
4. Read 2 Kings 17:6-23. What characteristics of Israel (Northern Kingdom) brought about the exile to Assyria? What simi-
larities do you see in the description of Judah (Southern Kingdom) in 2 Chronicles 34:24-25, which was invaded 130
years later by the Babylonians?
28
Daniel: Living With Integrity
“It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain
but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that
makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us in-
tegrity.”
Sir Francis Bacon
Motivational speakers, great orators, and sages of all kinds often remark
integrity as one of the foundational building blocks of worthy character. A fifth
grader is challenged in a school assembly to do the right thing even when no one
else is looking, or a high school senior waits impatiently for the commencement
speaker to finally conclude what seems to be an extended charge to face the world
with integrity, honesty, and a litany of other virtues. However, as tiresome and
trite as most of the proverbs we are inundated with from childhood seem to be,
every person finds himself in a situation at some time where he is presented with a
choice between acting according to the principles he professes or overthrowing his
ethics in favor of convenience and comfort. From childhood on, everyone experi-
ences peer pressure or circumstances that encourage them to do something they
know is wrong from lying and cursing to stealing and killing.
When he was brought from Judah to Babylon, Daniel was in a challeng-
ing position. Daniel was told to eat the “choice food” from the table of the king
which had not been slaughtered in accordance with Mosaic law and then sacrificed
to pagan idols. To a Jew this food was unclean and it would be sin for him to eat
it. The rest of the young men from Judah whom King Nebuchadnezzar had
brought to his court seem to not have hesitated to eat the unclean food and the
pressure to do the same must have been great. He had two choices: maintain the
commandments of the Lord even though there was the possibility of negative con-
sequences or compromise.
Compromise is dangerous because it can be habit forming. It can begin
with a small area of principle that is not too serious, but then it multiplies. There
will be more compromises in small matters, and then a compromise in an impor-
tant matter, and finally complete surrender. In Daniel Chapter One, Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are presented with what seems to be a small com-
promise for benign reasons. Had Daniel compromised in chapter one it quite pos-
sibly could have lead to the complete surrender of his obedience to God and wor-
shiping an idol in chapter three. Instead, Daniel was a man who had the integrity
to resist compromising his values and beliefs in any matter small or large, and he
became a powerful influence for the glory of God.
29
Discus
What does integrity look like culturally? What does it look like Biblically? What are the similarities and differences?
Reflect
What are some challenges that you have faced where being a person of integrity seemed like it might cause problems for not
only yourself but others?
Important Background: “Daniel was born in a royal family in Judah under the reign of Josiah (640-609 B.C.). He witnessed
the decline of the Assyrian and Egyptian world powers with Babylon becoming the dominant global force. Daniel would have
been alive at the tragic death of Josiah at the hands of Pharaoh Neco II in 609 B.C. After the battle of Carchemish (605 B.C.)
where Babylon defeated a remnant of the Assyrian army and the Egyptians, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon moved quickly
to secure his new territory of Judah. He forced submission of the king Jehoiakim of Judah and took captives from the royal
family and many of the temple vessels back to Babylon. Daniel was one of those captives taken to Babylon in this first depor-
tation. Daniel served 70 years under four foreign rulers. His ministry was to the royal court in Babylon.” - Dr. Oberholtzer
Daniel sets a trend by deciding to hold to God’s standard of integrity in this situation and proving to be an example
for all those around him.
Read
Read Daniel 1:1-21. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is most
effective for you.
1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
2
The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought
them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3Then the king or-
dered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the
nobles, 4youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed
with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach
them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and
from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter
the king’s personal service. 6Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7Then the
commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shad-
rach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego. 8But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the
king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he
might not defile himself. 9Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 10and
the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink;
for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me
forfeit my head to the king.” 11But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12“Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat
30
and water to drink. 13“Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating
the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14So he listened to them in this matter and tested
them for ten days. 15At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been
eating the king’s choice food. 16So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and
kept giving them vegetables. 17As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature
and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. 18Then at the end of the days which the king had specified
for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and
out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. 20As
for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the
magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.
Think &Answer
1. In what ways did Daniel hold to God’s standard of integrity?
2. What were some of the pressures to compromise that Daniel faced?
3. What is integrity? Think of some other people from the Bible who either kept their integrity in hard situations or gave in
and compromised. (e.g. Gen 20:1-12; Job 2:1-10; Matt 26:69-75; Acts 4:1-20)
4. In Daniel’s case, what might have been the consequences of compromising his integrity?
5. Read 1 Peter 2:13-17. Do Daniel’s actions contradict this New Testament command? Why or why not?
At what time, if any, would a person be able to disobey to authority with integrity?
31
Grow/Change
1. What were some recent situations in your life where you were faced with making a decision between doing what con-
formed to God’s standard of integrity and that which did not?
What repercussions would you have faced for disobeying God? What benefits did you receive for obeying?
Are there any areas in your life where you think you are not conforming to God’s standard of integrity?
this?
Remember
“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and
works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”
- Psalm 15:1-2
Extras
Read 1 Samuel 1; Daniel 6; Acts 5:1-11.
1. How do the people in these passages show integrity? Can you think of any other examples of people in the Bible who
demonstrate integrity?
2. Can you think of any modern day examples of integrity?
3. What similar characteristics to the people you’ve listed do you see in yourself? In what areas can you be more like them?
32
Esther: Confidence in Her Call
The Promise: Genesis 12:1-3
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from
your relatives, and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you;
and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name
great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the
one who curses you I will curse. and in you all the families of the earth shall be
blessed.”
The Exile: 2 Chronicles 36:15-21
And the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and
again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His
dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His
words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His
people, until there was no remedy. Therefore He brought up against them the king
of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their
sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He
gave them all into his hand. And all the articles of the house of God, great and
small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king
and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon. Then they burned the house of
God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its fortified buildings
with fire, and destroyed all its valuable articles. And those who had escaped
from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to
his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia…
The Queen: Esther 2:8, 17
So it came about when the command and decree of the king were heard
and many young ladies were gathered to Susa the capital into the custody of
Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king's palace… And the king loved Esther
more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than
all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen...
The Plan: Esther 3:8-9, 13
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people [the
Jews] scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your
kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not
observe the king's laws, so it is not in the king's interest to let them remain. If it is
pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed… And letters were
sent by couriers to all the king's provinces to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all
the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day…
33
Discus
What are some examples of recent events that are hard to reconcile with God’s sovereignty and absolute control?
Reflect
Are there any areas of your own life that are difficult to entrust to the Lord?
Important Background: God had promised to the nation of Israel, His chosen people, that he would protect them and make
them into a great nation. After a line of evil kings and years of captivity, a faithful remnant remained and continued to trust
that the Lord’s promises would be fulfilled. Esther is the Jewish queen of Gentile Persia at this crucial point, when her peo-
ple are up against what seems to be an impossible situation – complete genocide.
Read
Read Esther 4:4-17. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is most
effective for you.
4
Then Esther’s maidens and her eunuchs came and told her, and the queen writhed in great anguish. And she sent garments to
clothe Mordecai that he might remove his sackcloth from him, but he did not accept them. 5Then Esther summoned Hathach
from the king’s eunuchs, whom the king had appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was
and why it was. 6So Hathach went out to Mordecai to the city square in front of the king’s gate. 7Mordecai told him all that
had happened to him, and the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruc-
tion of the Jews. 8He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict which had been issued in Susa for their destruction, that he
might show Esther and inform her, and to order her to go in to the king to implore his favor and to plead with him for her peo-
ple. 9Hathach came back and related Mordecai’s words to Esther. 10Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to
Mordecai: 11“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to
the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him
the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days.” 12They re-
lated Esther’s words to Mordecai. 13Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace
can escape any more than all the Jews. 14“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews
from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for
such a time as this?” 15Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16
“Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and
fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will
17
go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther
had commanded him.
34
Think &Answer
1. What is Esther’s response to hearing the news?
2. What decision does Esther face, and what are the potential consequences of each choice?
3. Use 2 Cor 3:4-5 to help you come up with your own definition of “confidence.”
4. As Esther faces her doom, of what truth does Mordecai remind her (v 14)? How does this perspective help give her cour-
age to proceed?
5. How do God’s sovereignty and His promises motivate our own obedience? (See Phil 2:12-13, Rom 8:28-30, and Eph
2:10)
35
Grow/Change
1. Knowing the sovereignty of God and his promises gives us confidence to walk in his paths, because we can be certain
that he will fulfill his purposes. List out some areas of your life (whether large or small) that you know the Lord is call-
ing you to be obedient, and then spend some time seeking scripture that gives you confidence to proceed.
Example:
The Lord is calling me to share my faith I can have confidence in doing this as I am reminded
with those around me, particularly my that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to
family. everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16) and God’s word
“shall not return to [Him] empty, without accomplish-
ing what [He] desire[s]” (Isa 55:11)
this?
Remember
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.”
- Ephesians 6:10
Extras
Read Esther 4:15-17; 5:1-5; 7:1-10.
1. Looking at the story at a whole, what are some adjectives you would use to describe the methods that Esther employed to
save her people?
2. The book of Esther is unique in that is has no explicit reference to God; however, in it we see an example of a woman
who walked in confidence and was instrumental in the salvation of the nation of Israel. How do you think Esther knew
what to do to save her people when she didn’t have personal instructions from God or a prophet?
3. We too are called to follow the Lord without personal, audible instruction from Him. But He has still given us ample
means to accomplish the tasks He has set before us through his word, the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. Spend some
time this week reflecting on how you can gain strength, wisdom and discernment to walk in obedience to the Lord.
36
Nehemiah: Leading Steadfastly
The worst, most unenviable position in the history of leadership could
very well belong to those who have led the nation of Israel. The nation’s storied
history of infighting, complaining, discord, idolatry, and betrayal begins with
Moses and continues in their rejection of Christ as their liberating King. Even in
present-day Israel, to sign yourself up as the nation’s leader would guarantee years
of delicate conflict resolution followed by heaps of political scrutiny.
I imagine leading the nation of Israel would be much like volunteering to
lead the cast of MTV’s Laguna Beach on a 12-mile hike through the Rocky Moun-
tains. There would be plenty of whining, endless crying, and all kinds of backbit-
ing as you attempted to give orders. No matter the time or the situation, Israel’s
government office isn’t exactly the first place you would want to drop off your
résumé after graduation.
When Nehemiah, however, rallies a disjointed nation together to rebuild
Jerusalem’s walls, we ought to take notice. The sheer impossibility of the task at
hand for Nehemiah should cause us to jump out of our seats in amazement! Dur-
ing the final days of exile Nehemiah receives the king’s blessing to return home,
gather his people to build the wall, and complete the task in six months despite
stern opposition.
If you have ever experienced the woes of leadership by having your char-
acter criticized or decisions scrutinized, pay careful attention. Observe how Nehe-
miah whips the despondent Israelites into shape under the mighty hand of God,
reorienting their focus so they might rediscover what it means to be God’s chosen
people.
37
Discus
Based on whatever knowledge you have of Israel’s history, what are some of the difficulties previous leaders have faced when
directing the nation?
Reflect
What do you find most difficult about leading people? Furthermore, how have you made it hard for your leaders in the past
as they guided you?
Important Background: Referred to as the “footstool” of God’s feet, Jerusalem has been the prized gem for the nation of Is-
rael since David’s reign over the kingdom. The Israelites had been in exile for hundreds of years before they were allowed to
return to the holy city. The success or failure of Nehemiah’s mission in Jerusalem would determine whether the Jews could
recover from exile and continue worshiping as a united nation.
Read
Read Nehemiah 4. Underline any key ideas that you see. Feel free to work outside of the packet or in whatever way is most
effective for you.
1
Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and
mocked the Jews. 2He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble
Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive
the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” 3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what
they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” 4Hear, O our God, how we are despised!
Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. 5Do not forgive their iniquity and
let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders. 6So we built the wall and the whole wall
was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Am-
monites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed,
they were very angry. 8All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it.
9
But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 10Thus in Judah it was said,
“The strength of the burden bearers is failing, Yet there is much rubbish; And we ourselves are unable To rebuild the wall.”
11
Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12When the
Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”
13
then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in fami-
lies with their swords, spears and bows. 14When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the
people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your
daughters, your wives and your houses.” 15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their
plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work
38
while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of
Judah. 17Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and
the other holding a weapon. 18As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood
near me. 19I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on
the wall far from one another. 20“At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for
us.” 21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22At that time I also said
to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a
laborer by day.” 23So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our
clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.
Think &Answer
1. Which qualities of leadership does Nehemiah display as he leads his people to build the wall in the face of opposition?
2. Nehemiah’s primary opponents, Sanballat and Tobiah, pulled out all of the stops in order to stand in the way of Nehe-
miah. What tactics did they use in attempting to dissuade Nehemiah from the work he had been called to do?
3. What do you notice about Nehemiah’s reaction to opposition in vv. 4-6 and 16-23? How else is steadfastness defined in
the New Testament (see 2 Tim 2:1-4 and 1 Cor 15:58)?
4. Why were Sanballat and Tobiah so angry with Nehemiah and the Jews?
5. The success of others can sometimes cause us to be jealous or envious, both of which ultimately foster anger. Why is it
that when others are successful, we can become bitter or angry? What was the ultimate result of Sanballat and Tobiah’s
envy and anger towards the Jews (see Neh 13:1-3, 28)?
What do other passages in Scripture tell us about envy (see Prov 27:4, 1 Cor 13:4, Tts 3:3)?
39
Grow/Change
1. How do you typically react when you, your family, or your ministry is threatened by someone wishing you harm?
2. Write up a plan of action, or a battle plan, for how you can defend yourself, your relationships, and your ministry from
Satan’s schemes. Answer these questions: What areas of my life has God entrusted to me to build and defend? Where
does Satan know I am weak or what are the weakest parts of my wall? How can I practically build and defend the rela-
tionships or ministry God has given to me? Who will hold me accountable to this?
Remember
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be
able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
- Ephesians 6:10-11
Extras
Read Neh 2 and Eph 4:25-32.
1. What significant leadership qualities does Nehemiah display in this passage? How do you see God using him to prepare
for the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls?
2. Which character qualities did Nehemiah retain in chapter 4 that you see in chapter 2? Did he remain determined in his
purpose?
3. Building and protecting community is no small task. How can we learn from Nehemiah and practice Paul’s prescriptions
in Ephesians 4?
40
My Notes...
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My Notes...
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My Notes...
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My Notes...
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So Great a Cloud of Witnesses

Old Testament Character Studies

Graphic design by Ricky Allegretto, 2007

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,

This document may be reproduced and distributed freely, but you

03 Moses: True Humility …………..……………………………………...…….13

04 Hannah: Willing to Sacrifice ……………...…………………..……….…….17

05 David: A Life of Submission ………………..…………………..…….….….21

06 Josiah: Zealous for God …………………………...………………….…….25

07 Daniel: Living With Integrity …………………..……….……….…..…….29

08 Esther: Confident in Her Call …………………………..……….………..33

09 Nehemiah: Leading Steadfastly ………...…….……...…….……………….37

...and the New Testament...

5. In view of Abraham’s example, how does obedience relate to faith?

3. Define sacrifice, using Mark 12:38-44 and Hebrews 13:15-16.

2. What is Hannah’s reaction to giving up her son, Samuel?

How does Hannah respond to God’s faithfulness?

3. In what way do you identify with Hannah?

2. How do these passages relate to our study of David?

How can we be zealous for the worship of God today?

2. How is the justice of God upon sin satisfied today?

2. How can we encourage others to be zealous for the worship of God?

2. What were some of the pressures to compromise that Daniel faced?

2. Can you think of any modern day examples of integrity?

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