Inclusion
Moses
Moses was brought up by Pharoah’s daughter in the court of Pharaoh. But when he failed to help his people (the Israelites), he was forced to became an exile in the land of Midian for 40 years. On his return to Egypt, he released the people of Israel from slavery after God sent 10 plagues on the land. They escaped across the Red Sea which drowned the pursuing Egyptian soldiers. At Mount Sinai Moses gave them the 10 Commandments and then led them in the wilderness for 40 years to the Promised Land.
Rahab
Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho, on the borders of the Dead Sea. She heard news about how the Israelites had escaped from Egypt and were living in the desert. When 2 Israelite spies took refuge in her house, she helped them escape and extracted a promise that she would be safe when they returned to sack the city. The red cord in her window meant that all her family would be safe when the walls fell down. She married the chief man in Judah called Salmon and had a son called Boaz. She is praised for her faith in Hebrews chapter 11.
Ruth
Elimelech and his wife Naomi, were from Bethlehem. They went to live in the land of Moab with their 2 sons Mahlon and Chilion. Chilion married Ruth a Moabitess. Unfortunately, Elimelech and his two sons died, so Naomi decided to return to her family home in Bethlehem. Ruth pleaded with her mother-in-law to let her go with her because she loved her and wanted to worship her God, even though the Israelites and Moabites hated each other. The book of Ruth tells the lovely story how Ruth married Boaz and became the grandmother of King David.
Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus was a Jewish man who collected taxes for the Romans who occupied Israel at the time of Jesus. When he heard that Jesus was coming to town, because he was a small man, he climbed a tree so he could see Jesus as he passed by. Jesus spotted him and told him to be quick and come down because he was coming to his house for a meal. Zacchaeus as amazed because he was so used to the people despising him and making him feel so unwelcome.
Mary Magdalene
Mary had been very sick, but she became one of Jesus’ most faithful followers and supporters. The Pharisees despised her because of her previous life, but she was commended by Jesus for anointing him with precious ointment. She was the first person to meet Jesus when he rose from the dead, but the 12 disciples had trouble believing her until Jesus appeared to them as well and spoke to them. Her account was true!
Cornelius
Cornelius was a Roman centurion who lived in Caesarea. In a dream, the apostle Peter was shown a vision of “unclean” animals in a sheet and was told to eat them. He was made to understand that even though the Jews believed those who were from other nations (the gentiles) were “unclean”, God was making them “clean” and acceptable. Peter was told to go to Cornelius’ house. When Peter met Cornelius and his household and started to speak to them all about Jesus the Holy Spirit came on them. Cornelius and his household were baptised and became some of the first Gentile Christians.
Aquilla and Priscilla
This couple had been expelled from Rome by Claudius because they were Jews. They met up with the apostle Paul in Corinth where they worked together as tent makers. Later they accompanied Paul to Ephesus where they were very active in preaching and teaching about Jesus. They probably returned to Rome after Claudius died, but they actively supported the other apostles as they established many churches in Greece and Asia Minor (now known as Turkey).
All these despised people have been included in God’s purpose - and so could you!
Believing God
Joseph
Joseph’s brothers hated him so much they decided to sell him as a slave. In Egypt, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams came to Pharaoh’s notice when his magicians failed to interpret two of his dreams. Joseph told him what his dreams meant and advised him about what he could do about the 7 years of famine that were coming. Pharoah made him the 2nd most important ruler in all Egypt. When his brothers came to Egypt to get food during the famine, Joseph eventually revealed himself to them as their brother and forgave them. Joseph had faith that God had sent him to Egypt to save his family from starving.
Miriam
Years after Joseph’s death, the number of the children of Israel in Egypt was increasing so rapidly that the new Pharaoh made a law that all their baby boys should be drowned in the River Nile. Miriam’s parents believed that their baby boy was special, so they hid him and then made a cradle raft for him. They floated him on the river and Miriam watched as Pharaoh’s daughter found him among the bulrushes. Pharoah’s daughter felt sorry for the bby and wanted to care for him so she adopted him giving him his name Moses. 80 years later when Pharoah and his army were drowned in the Red Sea, Miriam led the women in praising and thanking God. As sister to Moses and Aaron she was one of the leaders of Israel as they travelled in the desert for 40 years.
David
David was the youngest of the 8 sons of Jesse, he was still a boy when the priest, Samuel, declared that he would become king in Israel. David joined the royal household playing his harp to soothe King Saul when he became distressed. After killing Goliath the giant, David became a successful and wise commander in Saul’s army. Saul became jealous of David and spent years trying to kill him. But David and his men always managed to escape. David had absolute faith that Samuel’s prophecy about him would come true. Eventually David become king at the age of 30. He captured Jerusalem and reigned over Israel and Judah for 40 years.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet. He warned Israel that they would be taken into captivity by the Babylonians because of their godless ways. The people did not want to believe him so they persecuted him, put him in prison, even lowering him down a well to silence him. Some of his friends managed to pull him out. God promised Jeremiah that because of his faith and obedience he would be kept safe. When all Jeremiah’s prophecies came true and the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, God didn’t allow him to be killed and the Babylonians treated him fairly.
Nicodemus
As a leading member of the very strict sect of the pharisees, Nicodemus was afraid to be seen speaking to Jesus so he came to talk to Jesus at night. Nicodemus was puzzled by being told that he needed to be born again. In the gospel of John we see how Nicodemus’ belief in Jesus developed, as he defends Jesus’ right to be heard and then later by the way he helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus’ body in the tomb after his crucifixion.
Thomas
Thomas was one of the 12 disciples specifically chosen by Jesus. When Jesus was crucified Thomas was so upset that he could not believe the report that Jesus had been raised from the dead. When Jesus appeared to the disciples with Thomas present, Jesus insisted that Thomas should touch his wounds to convince him that it he was truly alive. Jesus said blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Ethiopian Eunuch
The apostle, Philip, was sent by God to meet up with an important official from the court of the queen of Ethiopia. He was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah 53 when Philip ran up to him and asked him if he understood what he was reading. The Ethiopian invited Philip to sit with him. Starting at that prophecy Philip told the eunuch the good news about Jesus who had been crucified and had risen from the dead. He was the saviour sent to save us from our sins. When the eunuch understood, he could not wait to be baptised in the nearest pool of water.
Do you also put your trust in God and the Lord Jesus?
Promises
Abraham
Abraham was called by God to leave his home in Ur (now part of Iraq) after being promised a blessing which included a land that God would show him and his family becoming a great nation. These things seemed hopeless at the time because Abraham lived his life as a nomad and never owned any land except for a burial plot in Hebron. As for his wife, Sarah, she continued for a long time to be childless. But Abraham had faith that what God had promised would come true and God’s promises did come true, as his descendants, the Israeli and Arab nations, are both numerous and prosperous in the Middle East today.
Rebekah
Because of her strong faith Abraham’s wife Sarah eventually did have a son when she was 99 years old - called Isaac. When Isaac was old enough to get married, Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for him. Abraham’s servant found Rebekah who was second cousin to Abraham. Rebekah agreed to go back with the servant to marry Isaac. Finally, after 20 years of marriage, Rebekah became pregnant with twins and it felt like they were fighting inside her. She asked God about it and she was told that they were twin boys, both of whom God promised would become great nations. She was told the older would serve the younger. The first born, Esau, became father to 12 Arab tribes and the other, Jacob, became the father of the 12 Israeli tribes.
Hannah and Samuel
Hannah was married to Elkanah and she too was childless. She prayed earnestly that she might have a son. If God answered her request, she promised that she would dedicate her son to serve God all his life. God heard her prayer and Hannah had a son called Samuel. Whilst he was still a small child, Hannah took Samuel to serve in the tabernacle under the care of Eli the priest. God made Samuel into a notable priest and prophet to lead His people, Israel.
Daniel
Daniel was a prince who was taken captive. He and his three friends were taken to Babylon to be trained in the ways of the Babylonians. They turned out to be the brightest captives in the king’s college. God also gave Daniel the power to interpret dreams. This enabled him to tell the king the meaning of is dream about the image made of various metals which represented different empires. We can see how the prophecy has worked out right through to our own days: The head of Gold represented King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire. The chest and arms of silver represented the Medo-Persian empire. The belly and thighs of bronze represented the Greek empire. The legs of iron represented the Roman empire. The feet of Iron and clay represent the world now. The stone which filled the whole world represents the kingdom of God which is still promised to come.
Nehemiah
After 70 years of captivity the Jews returned to their land. Years later, Nehemiah, who was a servant in the Persian court, heard that the returning Jews had been attacked and the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates burned. Nehemiah prayed fervently to God. He asked the king to let him return to Jerusalem and help organise the work of rebuilding. The King granted his request. Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem as governor over Judah. He motivated the people and working together they rebuilt the walls despite severe opposition. Nehemiah also encouraged the people in their devotion to God and obeying His laws. Thus the purpose of God was achieved, as the walls were rebuilt and the Jews were strengthened in their devotion to God.
Elisabeth
Elisabeth was another childless woman. She had been married to a priest called Zechariah for a long time. They both longed and prayed for a son. Whilst Zechariah was carrying out his duty as a priest in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him they would have a son who should be called John. His son was to be a prophet. Zechariah was made dumb when he did not believe God’s promise. Against all normal expectations, God’s word did come true and Elisabeth become pregnant in her old age. After Elisabeth had given birth, Zechariah only received his speech back when he confirmed his son’s name as John. When the child grew up, he became known as ‘John the Baptist’, the promised forerunner to the Messiah.
Stephen
After the resurrection of Jesus, when the number of Christian converts was increasing rapidly in Jerusalem, Stephen was chosen to help make sure all new believers were looked after fairly. He was also a great preacher – speaking powerfully about Jesus. The people that opposed Stephen brought him to the leaders of the Jews and produced false witnesses who accused him of speaking against the temple and against God’s law. They put him on trial. In his defence, Stephen showed how every generation of the people of Israel had resisted God’s will and the prophets that God had sent. They were still resisting God’s will and had even betrayed and murdered Jesus the promised messiah who God had sent. This enraged the Jews so much they stoned Stephen, and as he died he asked the Lord Jesus to forgive their sin. He died in faith trusting our Lord’s promise of resurrection when he returns.