Serious Saints

[Beth Turner]

Hello friends!
Welcome to "Serious Saints," a topic on saints of the Bible and the wonderful ways in which they served God faithfully. This week's saint, this being our first edition, will be the "patron saint" of this guild, Benaiah. Let's turn to the book of 2 Samuel to learn more about this serious saint.

2 Samuel 23:8-20

David's Mighty Men
8 These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, 10 but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

This is the only record we have of Benaiah and his exploits, therefore, let's examen them a little bit. Verse 20 indicates Benaiah was a common soldier from Kabzeel. However, his actions were very uncommon. Benaiah is recognized for three main conquests. Firstly, killing two very competant Moab fighters, secondly, killing a lion, and thirdly, killing a giant Egyptian.
At this time it is very evident that the Jews were having problems with the unGodly tribes attacking them from the surrounding areas. These were pagans and idol worshipers whom God gave the Jews victory over in battle. Thus it is no surprise that there be some great warriors of God around this time. This chapter is a tribute to them all, and Benaiah is one of the most Godly who made it into David's list. The reasoning for this common foot-soldier's mention and promotion to chief of the king's personal body-guard seems to be his unusual courage. In every exploit of Benaiah, it is very clear that he puts his life on the line.
We are not sure weather he killed the two Moabs at the same time, or one by one, but it is recorded that they were some of the tribe's VERY BEST fighters. Benaiah's training as a common soldier would not have been enough to allow him to beat the best. Obviously it was his courage and faith in God that allowed him victory.
Skipping to the third, this same courage allowed him to kill a large Egyptian with his own spear.
Secondly, the lion. " He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion." This verse was the beginnings and inspiration for this very guild you have decided to join. Think about it. The lion was not attacking a town or village. Benaiah was not acting in self defense. For whatever reason (probably the safety of the nearest town) Benaiah learns about this lion and sets out one snowy, freezing cold day to find a lion. He does find it, chasing it down until it runs and hides in a pit. Now, any respectable person would at this point say to themselves, "Self, climbing down, feet first, into a dark pit with a hungry lion is not the safest of ideas." However, Benaiah is resolute and risks the peril to make sure the lion is killed.
This is the perfect example for a Christian to follow. Benaiah does not run away from his fears and troubles. Instead he faces them. Not only does he face them, but he destroys them. Benaiah didn't wait for the lion to strike the village again, and then kill it, just as we as Christians should not wait for temptation to arise and then try to deal with it. Instead, he traces the problem to its root and makes sure it is gone forever. Just like Benaiah, we should seek out ways to "chase the lion," fighting our fears and problems bravely, with faith in God and knowledge of the truth of the Bible.  

[fagon]

Hello everyone! Today's Bible Saint is Abraham:

Abraham, regarded as the founding patriarch of the Israelites, is the great spiritual father of many peoples. His original name was Abram (Hebrew:"High/Exalted father/leader"). Later in life he went by the name Abraham (Hebrew:"father of many"). He was brought by God from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan where he entered into a covenant to solely recognize God as supreme universal authority. In return, Abraham will be blessed through innumerable progeny. His life is narrated in the book of Genesis (Chapters 12–25).

His father, Terah, came from Ur of the Chaldees, identified by most historians with the ancient city in southern Mesopotamia which was under the rule of the Chaldeans. Abram migrated to Haran. Thence, after a short stay, he, his wife Sarai, Lot (the son of Abram's brother Haran), and all their followers, departed for Canaan. The Lord God called Abram to go to "the land I will show you", and promised to bless him and make him (though hitherto childless) a great nation. Trusting this promise, Abram journeyed down to Shechem, and at the sacred tree (compare Gen. 25:4, Joshua 24:26, Judges 9:6) received a new promise that the land would be given unto his seed (descendants). Having built an altar to commemorate the theophany, he removed to a spot between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and called upon (i.e. invoked) the name of Yahweh (Gen. 12:1-9).

Here he dwelt for some time, until strife arose between his herdsmen and those of Lot. Abram thereupon proposed to Lot that they should separate, and allowed his nephew the first choice. Lot preferred the fertile land lying east of the Jordan River, whilst Abram, after receiving another promise from Yahweh, moved down to the oaks of Mamre in Hebron and built an altar.

In the subsequent history of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abram appears prominently in a passage where he intercedes with Yahweh on behalf of Sodom, and is promised that if ten righteous men can be found therein the city shall be preserved (18:16-33).

Driven by a famine to take refuge in Egypt (26:11, 41:57, 42:1), Abram feared lest his wife's beauty should arouse the evil designs of the Egyptians and thus endanger his own safety, and alleged that Sarai was his sister. This did not save her from the Pharaoh, who took her into the royal harem and enriched Abram with herds and servants. But when Yahweh "plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues" suspicion was aroused, and the Pharaoh rebuked the patriarch for his deceit and sent him away under an escort (12:10-13:1).

There is a parallel text describing a similar event at Gerar with the Philistine king Abimelech.

As Sarai was infertile, God's promise that Abraham's seed would inherit the land seemed incapable of fulfilment. His sole heir was his servant, who was over his household, a certain Eliezer of Damascus (15:2). Abraham is now promised as heir one of his own flesh. The passage recording the ratification of the promise is remarkably solemn (see Genesis 15).

Sarai, in accordance with custom, gave to Abram her Egyptian handmaid Hagar, who, when she found she was with child, presumed upon her position to the extent that Sarai, unable to endure the reproach of barrenness (cf. the story of Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:6), dealt harshly with her and forced her to flee (16:1-14). Hagar is promised that her descendants will be too numerous to count, and she returns. Her son Ishmael thus was Abram's firstborn (and Islamic doctrine holds that he was the rightful heir). Hagar and Ishmael were eventually driven permanently away from Abram by Sarah (chapter 21).

The name Abraham was given to Abram (and the name Sarah to Sarai) at the same time as the covenant of circumcision (chapter 17), which is practiced in Judaism to this day. At this time Abraham was promised not only many descendants, but descendants through Sarah specifically, as well as the land where he was living, which was to belong to his descendants. The covenant was to be fulfilled through Isaac, though God promised that Ishmael would become a great nation as well. The covenant of circumcision (unlike the earlier promise) was two-sided and conditional: if Abraham and his descendants fulfilled their part of the covenant, Yahweh would be their God and give them the land.

The promise of a son to Sarah made Abraham "laugh," which became the name of the son of promise, Isaac. Sarah herself "laughs" at the idea, when Yahweh appears to Abraham at Mamre (18:1-15) and, when the child is born, cries "God hath made me laugh; every one that heareth will laugh at me" (21:6).

In Genesis 18, Abraham pleads with God not to destroy Sodom, and God agrees that he would not destroy the city if there were 50 righteous people in it, or 45, or 30, 20, even 10 righteous people. (Abraham's nephew Lot had been living in Sodom.)

Some time after the birth of Isaac, Abraham was commanded by God to offer his son up as a sacrifice in the land of Moriah. Proceeding to obey, he was prevented by an angel as he was about to sacrifice his son, and slew a ram which he found on the spot. As a reward for his obedience he received another promise of a numerous seed and abundant prosperity (22). Thence he returned to Beersheba. The near sacrifice of Isaac is one of the most challenging, and perhaps ethically troublesome, parts of the Bible.

The primary interest of the narrative now turns to Isaac. To his "only son" (22:2, 12) Abraham gave all he had, and dismissed the sons of his concubines to the lands outside Palestine; they were thus regarded as less intimately related to Isaac and his descendants (25:1-6).

Sarah died at an old age, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah near Hebron, which Abraham had purchased, along with the adjoining field, from Ephron the Hittite (Genesis 23). Here Abraham himself was buried. Centuries later the tomb became a place of pilgrimage and the traditional site was later marked by an Islamic mosque.

Abraham stands out prominently as the recipient of the promises (Gen. 12:2-7, 13:14-17, 15, 17, 18:17-19, 22:17-18, 24:7). In the New Testament Abraham is mentioned prominently as a man of faith (see e.g., Hebrews 11), and the apostle Paul uses him as an example of salvation by faith (in e.g. Galatians 3).

The Orthodox view in Christianity is that the promises made to Abraham are still valid to the Jewish nation, though some remain as yet unfulfilled.

The Roman Catholic Church calls Abraham "our father in Faith," in the Eucharistic prayer called Roman Canon, recited during Mass.

Abraham is our example today of hope. Hope in the promises of God. Through his example we know that extraordinary things can and will be caused by God in the hopes of our Salvation. So when in doubt of God. Remember what God did for Abraham. wink  

[Beth Turner]

This week's serious saint is Abel. Let's read the passages about his life and death before we begin...

Genesis 4: 1-12
Cain and Abel

1 Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."


This short passage is the only account we have of Abel, the second son of Adam. He was a shepherd, a keeper of the flocks. We also can clearly see that he was a man of God. For a long time I thought the message behind this passage and the reason why Cain so enviously killed his brother was because Abel had brought the right sacrifice, a lamb, whereas Cain had only brought grains. However, if you'll read the passage again, and I've put in itallics the words I'm talking about, you'll notice that it wasn't the gift or offering, but the attitude and respect shown. Now, remember how in upcoming chapters God tells the importance of giving to God the first portion of your earnings? Giving tithe or giving to charity through the religious community was always to be done first, before anything else. Now, notice the difference then, if we take these things into consideration, between the two brothers. Cain brought his sacrifice in the course of time. But Abel brought the FIRST portions of his profeit. This, I believe, is the underlying reason as to why one was punished and one was praised for his sacrifice. Abel knew the heart and commandments of God and, wishing to obey him and show him honor, he did as humanity was commanded. He brought the first of the first and best of the best to offer to God. This passage shows Abel's devotion and marks him down in our books as a very serious saint.  

[fagon]

This week's Serious Saint is Enoch

In Hebrew, Ḥanokh (from a Hebrew root meaning "consecrate, initiate") The name of the son of Cain (Genesis 4:17, 18 ), of a nephew of Abraham (Genesis 25:4), of the first-born of Ruben (Genesis 46:9), and of the son of Jared and the father of Mathusala (Genesis 5:18 ). The last-named patriarch is the most illustrious bearer of the name.

Let us read the Genesis account of Enoch:

"Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael became the father of Methushael, and Methushael became the father of Lamech."

"Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch. Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died. Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 4:17-18; 5:18-24)

The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Bible, c. 250 BC), Ben Sira (c. 190 BC), and the Jewish Antiquities by Josephus Flavius (37/8–c. 100 AD) all state that Enoch was taken by or returned to God. The Early Church Fathers exhibit considerable interest in Enoch's transcendence of death as a paradigm for Jesus and for Christians. However, they stress that it was only with Jesus' resurrection that Enoch's ascension was consummated. In the second and third centuries, Christian writers (among them, Tertullian and Irenaeus) place particular emphasis on Enoch's bodily assumption in support of belief in physical resurrection. Some (Tertullian, Hippolytus, and Jerome) identify him as one of the two witnesses of Revelations 11:3–13 who battle and are killed by the Antichrist, are resurrected a few days later, and are taken to Heaven. Ephraem of Syria (fourth century) stresses that Enoch, like Jesus, in conquering sin and death and in regaining paradise in spirit as well as body, is the antipode of Adam.

The example of Enoch shows us that if we strive to be pure and upright before God in even the most trying times that we will be granted Heaven. It shows that God knows all our hearts. And He will take care of us. As the author of Hebrews wrote: "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5)  

[Beth Turner]

Alright! This week's Serious Saint will be Noah.
There are several chapters in Genesis (6-9, I believe) that talk about Noah, so we'll touch on the highlights and include the verses in case you'd like to study more in depth.
We first see Noah, the famous ark-builder, in Genesis 6 where he demonstrates great faith even in an unbelieving world - Gen. 6:5, 8-9.
If you've never heard of Noah before, he was an extremely Godly man living in the world which, at the time, God believed to be so full of sin that he was just going to flood the whole thing and start over. Noah and his family, however, were so faithful that he decided to spare them and the animals by having Noah build an ark or large ship to save his family and the animals from the flood. Noah tries to get his neighbors to come onto the arc with him and the animals, but only his family trusted God's words and when God closes the ark's door and the rain started, only Noah's family was spared. After the flood (which lasted 40 days and nights) the water eventually subsided and Noah and his family began humanity over again, like Adam and Eve.
Let's take a closer look at Noah's life through scripture as well. We'll start with what set him apart, his faith.
Noah exhibited great faith by preaching an unbelievable message (water will fall from the sky- something that had never happened before) - 2 Pet. 2:5. Noah displayed great faith by completing an unbelievable task (building the ark) - Gen. 6:14, 22.
· Noah's faith seen in his:
· Character - Gen. 6:9
· Conduct - Gen. 6:9 (cf. 5:24)
· Family - Gen. 6:18 (Heb. 11:7)
· Because of his faith, Noah became "an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith" (Heb. 11:7; cf. Ezek. 14:14, 20)

NOAH AND GOD'S GRACE
· Noah "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6:8 )
· God was gracious to Noah because of Noah's faith (Gen. 6:9; cf. Eph. 2:8 )
· God's grace was obtained through Noah's obedient faith(Gen. 6:22; 7:1,5)

THE FLOOD
· Purpose of the flood (Gen. 6:5-7, 11-13, 17)
· The ark of safety (Gen. 6:14-22
· Survivors of the flood (Gen. 7:7-10, 13-16; 1 Pet. 3:20)
· The source of the flood waters (Gen. 7:11)
· The waters prevailed on the earth (Gen. 7:17-24)
· The duration of the flood (Gen. 7:12-8:14)
· Exiting the ark (Gen. 8:15-19)

GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH, HIS DESCENDANTS AND ALL FLESH
Genesis 8:20-9:17
· Noah's offerings and God's acceptance (8:20-22)
· God's blessings and commands (9:1-3-7)
· God's covenant and its sign (9:8-17)

AFTER THE FLOOD
Genesis 9:18-29
· Repopulation of the earth (9:18-19)
· Noah's shame and Canaan's curse (9:20-27)

Through Noah's example we can learn many things. Firstly, God is faithful and gracious to deliver and save those who obey Him in faith. Secondly, obedience is a long-term commitment. Thirdly, God is longsuffering toward sinners. Fourthly, God will punish sinners who do not repent. And lastly, faithful men sin and need God's mercy too.  

[Chii Motosua]

This week's saint is John the Baptist, one of the greatest men of the Bible. He not only baptized countless thousands, but also baptized Jesus, his cousin. Let us read a little bit about him.

Matthew 3
1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.


Through this passage we come to see how God used John the Baptist in the times of Jesus. It was clear from the very beginning that John and Jesus were to share paths in the new way of God's grace, through Christ's death.

John's strict lifestyle and devotion set him apart from the other religious men of the community. One such example is his diet, locusts and wild honey, symbolizing his complete dependence on God to take care of all his needs. He's also one of the very first believers in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Foretelling the coming of Jesus and baptizing him into his three year journey to death.

John the Baptist was one of the most serious saints of all. His tragic beheading was brought upon by his outspokenness on behalf of Christ.  

[Chii Motosua]

David is one of the bravest men in the bible. He not only defeated Goliath, but also escaped Saul's wrath, and eventually became king, all because of God. The following is when he is fighting the giant Philistine, Goliath:

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath
1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet [a] tall. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels ; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. [c] His shield bearer went ahead of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." 11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul's time he was old and well advanced in years. 13 Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

17 Now Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah [d] of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. [e] See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance [f] from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines."

20 Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.

25 Now the Israelites had been saying, "Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel."

26 David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, "This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

28 When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

29 "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."

33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
"I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"

45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath [g] and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent.

55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is that young man?"
Abner replied, "As surely as you live, O king, I don't know."

56 The king said, "Find out whose son this young man is."

57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.

58 "Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him.
David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."

Through this passage, we come to see how God used David to not only defeat the giant and save the Israelites, but also to be an example of his faith in God.  

[Chii Motosua]

Elijah is one of the greatest prophets in the Bible. He performed many great works for God. One such work is from the following passage, 1 Kings 17:7, when he helps out the widow during the drout.

The Widow at Zarephath

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" 11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die."

13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' "

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?"

19 "Give me your son," Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?" 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this boy's life return to him!"

22 The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, "Look, your son is alive!"

24 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."

Elijah was a great messenger of God, and he was truly one of the best examples we could ever have for a relationship with God.  

[Chii Motosua]

This week's saint will be the second theif on the cross. Let's first read the account Luke gives us about this man...

Luke 23
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[e] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

38There was a written notice above him, which read neutral sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

This saint, though rarely thought of as such, was the first real example we have in the Bible of New Testament salvation after/during the crucifixion of Christ. In these few verses we find out about the life, death, and future of this man.
In life, he was a criminal. Death by crucifixion was the worst punishment a man could recieve at this time. However, through the amazing three-hour testimony Christ gave while dying on the cross right next to him, this man began to believe.
This thief saw the jeering crowds, gambling soldiers, mocking pharasees, and even the insults of the other thief on the cross next to Jesus, but the perfect example of Christ, his gentle, patient, loving and forgiving words convinced this dying man to defend Jesus though the rest of the world condemned him.
He even shouts at the other thief, trying to help him understand that this really was God's son. Yet in the end, the thief knows he can only save himself. The next few words he utters become the foundation of our path of salvation before Jesus still today.
Firstly, he admits to his crimes. He confesses that he is worthy of his crimes and his punishment is just. Lastly, he begs Jesus, not to save his physical body, but to remember his soul when Jesus ascends to his Heavenly kingdom.
This passage is very straightforward with this message of the thief on the cross with Jesus. He now sets one of the best, though least quoted examples for us today: that even though the whole world might be against us, God is always there, besides us, on that cross.  

[Chii Motosua]

This week's saint will be Jairus. His story may not be a big one, nor legendary, but is there just the same. The passage we will follow begins in Mark 5:21-24 and will jump and continue in Mark 5:35-43.

21And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

....................

35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Jairus' actions showed Jesus and the people looking, that he would humble himself before Jesus Christ, because he knew he could help, if only to heal his daughter. The fact that this powerful man would bow before Jesus revealed his great need. And then tragedy struck again, and Jairus was told that his daughter had died. However, Jesus turned to him, and told him to just believe, and to not be afraid. When Jesus entered the house, he took only his disciples, Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, and the little girl's parents, Jairus and his wife. Even as God told her to arose, and she did, he then turned to Jairus and his wife, and commanded them that no man should be told of this. Jairus, although probably not always a faithful follower, learned to trust and to believe in Jesus Christ. We should have the faith and trust today, as Jairus did.