Christopher D. Hudson - Fascinating People of the Bible

2009 by Barbour Publishing

Print ISBN 978-1-60260-454-4

eBook Editions:
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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Cover image: National Galley, London Art Resource, NY

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
H EBREWS 12:1 NRSV

B ible studies and Sunday school classes can fill our minds with many important facts. Through them we learn names of cities, recount historical events, and memorize favorite verses. And though every bit of Bible knowledge we learn can be worthwhile, sometimes we forget one of the most basic characteristics of the Bible: that its a book about people.

Though these men and women lived thousands of years before us, we share a similar human journey. Together we enjoy the pleasures of life and learn to look to God when faced with devastating pain. Along with them, we experience the excitement of young love, the challenges of raising a family, and the complexities of trying to live for God in a fallen world.

Though were separated by the years, were joined by a common human spirit, and we serve a God who spans the ages. As we live in our modern communities, we have the opportunity to learn from those who have gone before usboth from the good and the bad.

Because it is our conviction that we have something to learn from every person in the Bible, weve placed the following profiles in random order rather than organizing them using a prescribed theme or program. (If youre looking for someone in particular, an alphabetical index can be found in the back of this book.) We pray that as you read the stories of these lives, you will find your own life changed as well.

Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests
Aaron and Aarons sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
E XODUS 28:1 ESV

I ts not what you know, but who you know can only get you so far. In the end, you will still be held responsible for your own actions.

As Aarons firstborn son, Nadab witnessed the plagues in Egypt, saw Gods people delivered through the Red Sea, and enjoyed the daily manna delivered to the Hebrew camp (Exodus 16). He tasted the waters of Marah and Elim (Exodus 15), saw water flow from a rock (Exodus 17), and probably saw for himself the tablets containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). Being the son of Aaron and the nephew of Moses, Nadab certainly had a front-row seat from which to witness Gods miraculous show of power.

N ADAB

First Son of Aaron

Nadab also became one of Israels first priestsa position that he qualified for because he descended from Aaron. He represented the peoples sacrifices and concerns to God and helped care for the holy objects of worship. Because of his position, he was allowed to approach God on Mt. Sinai along with seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1, 9).

But pedigree and position did not spare Nadab and his brother from Gods judgment when they made an offering to God that did not meet His holy standards. Nadab and his brother were instantly killed, providing the people with a powerful reminder that Gods holiness is not to be taken lightly by anyone.

S PIRITUAL I NSIGHT

A commitment to Christian service can sometimes fizzle into complacency. While you might begin a ministry with the greatest of intentions, the constant repetitive tasks of the work may cause you to lose sight of its impact or holiness before God. Pray for a fresh and reverent perspective as you continue to serve in the ways God has appointed for you.

But Moses hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
E XODUS 17:12 ESV

A cts of heroism may come disguised as fairly simple gestures.

While Joshua and his army wielded their swords and shields against the Amalekites, the true heroes that day observed the fight from the top of a nearby hill. The Bible records that Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed a hill in the vicinity of the conflict in order to watch Israel fight at Rephidim. With the battle raging below, Moses raised his hands in prayer to God. As long as Moses kept his hands raised, Israel secured the upper hand in the battle. But when Moses grew tired and lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win the battle.

H UR

The Hero from Behind the Scenes

Hur became a military hero that day by faithfully doing the simplest of tasks: helping Moses raise his tired arms. After finding a rock for Moses to sit on, Aaron stood on one side of Moses and Hur on the other. Together they held his arms up until the sun set. Because of Hurs unpretentious contribution, the Israelites crushed the enemy army.

In addition to his place in this story, Hur is also noted as serving as a leader to the people. When Moses went to Mount Sinai, he left Aaron and Hur behind as his representatives to handle disputes and conflicts that might arise while he was gone (Exodus 24:14).

R ELATED I NFORMATION

Descendants of Esau, the Amalekites lived near the desert region of Paranwhich lies along the southern border of the Promised Land. In addition to the battle involving Hur, the Amalekites skirmished with Israel during the time of the judges (Judges 8). They remained Israels enemies until King David finally soundly defeated them (1 Samuel 15, 27, 30; 2 Samuel 8).