Category: Character-(istics)

Character characteristics

Lesser known characters :: Ahimelech

On August 3, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Ahimelech was the priest at Nob during the reign of Saul. When David fled from Saul to save his life, he comes to Ahimelech the priest. Upon being questioned by Ahimelech as to why David was alone and why no man was with him, David lies to him stating that king Saul had sent him on a secret mission and that is the reason as to why he was alone and had no one else with him. Then David, in order to satisfy his hunger, asks Ahimelech for the loaves of bread that was in his place. Ahimelech, a priest and keeper of the law responds by saying that the bread that was in the house was sacred. He tells David that there was no common bread in the house and the sacred bread could be eaten by only the priests and their sons; by those who were sanctified and pure from carnal matters according to the Levitical law (Leviticus 24:5-9; 1 Samuel 21:4). David tells Ahimelech that he was carnally clean and so Ahimelech gives him the sacred bread. Later, Ahimelech also gives to David the sword of Goliath when David asked him for weapons (1 Samuel 21:1-9).

What can we learn from Ahimelech?
This act of Ahimelech giving David the sacred bread would be considered a direct contradiction to what the law prescribed. So how can a person who is supposed to uphold the law, be justified by breaking it? While on the surface, it may seem like a priest broke the very law that he was to uphold, which was to not give to anyone but to those who were priests, the sacred bread, under this act, is a hidden treasure that becomes evident upon deeper scrutiny. Jesus in fact, quoted this incident in the gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:25-28) to illustrate the understanding that Ahimelech had, which was that the law (sabbath) was made for life (man) and not life (man) for the law (sabbath). Ahimelech recognized that religious traditions and requirements were given to live a holy life, but when such requirements conflicted with the giving of life (symbolized by the bread – John 6:35), he must do that which was necessary to give life (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). Sometimes in our dedication to observe religious prescriptions, we often ignore the needy and those who need the bread of life (Jesus Christ) and this must not be the case. Additionally, we can also learn from this account that, that which was sacred was given to a common man. Jesus Christ, the sacred bread of life, is not only given to those who are religious and priestly but to the common man/woman; to the common thief, the adulterer, the murderer and to everyone.

Furthermore, in addition to giving to those in need (who are starving for being satisfied), the bread of life (Jesus Christ), we must also give them weapons (of warfare), as did Ahimelech give the sword with which David finalized the victory against Goliath. this will help them to fight against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must give them the armor of God which includes the word of God, with which Jesus (referred in Ezekiel as the second David) won the victory against Satan, the goliath of all adversaries (during his temptation). The word is the Sword of the Spirit by which the victory over temptation and the devil’s schemes is won and finalized. “It is (thus) Written.”

1 Samuel 21:1-9 (KJV)¹Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?²And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.³Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.⁴And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.⁵And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.⁶So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.⁷Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.⁸And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.
⁹ And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

Lesser known characters :: Ahimaaz

By Mano Paul

On August 2, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok the high priest who served in the time of David. When Absalom, king David’s own son rebels and revolts against his father, David’s counselor Ahithophel, switches sides and counsels Absalom on a strategy to kill king David. Absalom wants to get a second opinion on Ahithophel’s plan and consults with Hushai, the Archite, who was David’s friend. Hushai, sends word about Ahithophel plan to kill king David, through the priests Zadok and Abiathar, who send this message with their children Ahimaaz (Zadok’s son) and Jonathan (Abiathar’s son) (2 Samuel 15:24-37). Ahimaaz was known to be a sprinter, fast on his feet, and along with Jonathan, Ahimaaz brings the warning message to king David (2 Samuel 17:15-22).

Ahimaaz, was not only known to bring a warning message. Later, when Absalom is killed by Joab, he asks Joab permission to take the victory message to king David, but Joab instead purposes to send a Cushite. The Cushite bows to Joab and then starts to run to deliver the message. Ahimaaz continues to persevere and asks Joab again, permission to be the messenger of the victory news. Joab questions Ahimaaz, why do you want to be the bearer of the news that will bring you no reward (since the victory was as a result of the death of the king’s son Absalom), but Ahimaaz replies, “Come what may, I want to run.” Let me run behind the Cushite.” Joab agrees, and Ahimaaz starts to run (by the plain) and outruns the Cushite, becoming the first to be the bearer of the news of God’s vindication against the enemies of the Lord’s anointed, king David. (2 Samuel 18:19-33). David refers to Ahimaaz as a good man, who brings good tidings/news. (2 Samuel 18:27)

What can we learn from Ahimaaz?
We must be runners for God, running the race with our eyes fixed on the prize. We must adorn ourselves with the shoes fitted with readiness for that which comes from the gospel of peace, which is warning of the enemy’s attacks against God’s saints and the message of the victory against the vanquished foe, the devil, who rebelled against the Lord’s anointed, Jesus Christ. Irrespective of the outcome, come what may, we must want to run.

Can the King of kings and the Lord of lords, say of you and me, “He/she is a good person, who brings good tidings/news of mine to my people?”

2 Kings 18: 19-28 (KJV) ¹⁹ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
²⁰And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
²¹Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
²²Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
²³But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.²⁴ And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
²⁵And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
²⁶ And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
²⁷ And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
²⁸And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Ephesians 6:14-15 (KJV)
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Lesser known characters :: Ahikam

By Mano Paul

On August 1, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Ahikam which means “a brother who rises up” was the son of Shaphan, the scribe. He was one of the five, commissioned by the king of Judah, Josiah, to go an enquire of the LORD from the prophetess Huldah who lived in Jerusalem. The other four were Hilkiah the Priest, Ahikam’s father Shaphan the scribe, Asahiah the king’s servant and Achbor the son of Michaiah. (2 Kings 22: 12-15) The Bible states that these five did as they were told and took the word of the LORD back to king Josiah (2 King 22:20).

In addition to Ahikam, being known as a man, who as being part of a team, fulfilled the mission, entrusted to him by a king to get the word from the LORD (the King of kings and the Lord of lords), Ahikam is also known for the protection he offered God’s prophet, Jeremiah when king Jehoakim, the son of Josiah, an evil king who did not follow the godly ways of his father Josiah, sought to kill the prophets who prophesied against the land. The Bible states the priests and the prophets sought to kill Jeremiah, God’s prophet, when Jeremiah proclaimed the word of the LORD, that Judah would become desolate because of the wickedness of its people. They said to the princes and the people, that Jeremiah was worthy of death, because Jeremiah had prophesied against the city (Jeremiah 26:11). In fact, Jeremiah recognizes that his life was in danger and tells the princes (officials) and the people, that he was in their hands but they would be guilty of bloodshed should they choose to kill him. Some elders (officials) of the land, intervene by looking back into their history that those who brought the word of God were heeded to and not put to death, and they suggest that Jeremiah was not worthy to die. However, it seemed like the evil king, Jehoakim, did not intend to heed to their voice. Jeremiah’s life was in danger because king Jehoakim had demonstrated it, by killing another man named Urijah who had prophesied the same message (Jeremiah 26:20-23). As this unfolds, we see that Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, rises up and supports Jeremiah, so that he is not handed over to the people to be killed. This could very well be taken as a direct opposition to the edict of the king, but Ahikam, knew that he had to heed to the voice of the King of kings through the prophet Jeremiah and not the voice of the earthly king, Jehoakim.

What can we learn from Ahikam?
When we are entrusted to enquire of the LORD and bring his word, we must do so faithfully. We must take the word of the LORD to those who seek it. Also, we must rise up as brothers/sisters and supports God’s servants (apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, and preachers), sometimes risking our very life.

2 Kings 22: 11-20 (KJV)
¹¹And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
¹²And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
¹³Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
¹⁴So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
^…^{20 …}And they brought the king word again.

Jeremiah 26:24 (KJV)
²⁴ Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

Lesser known characters :: Aeneas

By Mano Paul

On July 29, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Acts 9:32-35 records of an account in which a man named Aeneas is healed of his palsy (paralysis). The account states that Peter, an apostle of Jesus, came down to the saints who lived in the city of Lydda and there he found a man named Aeneas, who had been a paralytic for eight years. The Scripture states that Peter found Aeneas and Peter told Aeneas, Jesus Christ, makes you whole, now rise up and make your bed. Aeneas does rise immediately and those in Lydda and Saron who saw Aeneas turned to the Lord.

What can we learn from Aeneas?
The name, Aeneas, which means “to praise” is of Greek and Latin in origin. But the bedridden and paralytic life of Aeneas was far from any reason for him to have to praise his Creator. From the account, we learn that it was Peter that found Aeneas, when Peter goes to the saints that dwelt in Lydda, which implies that Aeneas was either in the presence of the saints or was connected in some manner to the saints that dwelt there. Peter also explicitly qualifies that it will be not by him or by any other means, but by Jesus Christ, that Aeneas will be made whole and asks him to rise and make his bed. Aeneas had the option to doubt Peter and the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ and not do as he was told, but the Scripture states that Aeneas rose immediately which is a testament of his faith in Jesus Christ. The end result of this miracle was that all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron (two cities) saw Aeneas and turned to the Lord. The implicit and immediate faith of Aeneas brought about salvation to all in not one but two cities.

When we are asked to rise up and be made whole, can we implicitly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who can make us whole and immediately obey. Immediate obedience is praiseworthy, since by doing so, not one but two who observe us, may be saved!

Acts 9:32-35 (KJV)³² And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
³³ And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
³⁴And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
³⁵And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Lesser known characters :: Adino

By Mano Paul

On July 28, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Adino was one of David’s three chief warriors. The other two were Eleazar and Shammah. He was a chief among the captains. He once lifted his spear against eight hundred whom he slew at one time (2 Samuel 23:8). Adino was a loyal soldier of king David. Once, during harvest time, when David was in the cave at Adullam, the Philistines had their garrison in Bethlehem and pitched their troops in the valley of Rephaim (giants). David desired to drink from the well of Bethlehem. When Adino and the other two heard of the kings desire, they fought the army of the Philistines, and drew water from the well of Bethlehem and brought it back to David. David equates the water to the blood of Adino and the other two warriors and refuses to drink it because these men jeopardized their very lives for fulfilling the desire of their king. (2 Samuel 23:13-17)

What can we learn from Adino?
We must be like Adino, willing to go behind enemy lines, breaking through the troops of the enemy (the devil), even if it seems gigantic, jeopardizing our lives to fulfill the desires of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. It is the God’s desire that none perish (2 Peter 3:9). In other words, it is God’s desire that all drink the living water that flows from him, the God who made himself of no reputation and took the form of a man, born in Bethlehem, so that all may have life, life abundant and eternal.

2 Samuel 23:8, 13-17 (KJV)⁸These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.^—

13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
¹⁴ And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
¹⁵ And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
¹⁶ And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
¹⁷ And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

Lesser known characters :: Abner

By Mano Paul

On July 27, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Abner, was the uncle of king Saul (1 Samuel 14:50). He sat by the king’s side (1 Samuel 20:25). In his allegiance to the Saul, after Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1), when David is anointed king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-7), Abner makes Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth the king over Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-11) which results in a long war between the servants of David and the house of Saul (2 Samuel 3:1). During one of the wars, Abner kills one of David’s nephew, Asahel, the brother of Joab and Abishai. Abner warned Asahel twice to turn away and not pursue him, but when Asahel does not heed, Abner kills Asahel piercing him with a spear under the fifth rib. Abner grew strong in the house of Saul (2 Samuel 3:6), but when Ish-bosheth, whom Abner had made king over Israel, questioned Abner’s sexual fidelity to the house of Saul, accusing him of fault concerning Saul’s concubine Rizpah (2 Samuel 3:7), Abner was angered and sought to make a league with king David, recognizing that the Lord was with David (2 Samuel 3:9-18). He was willing to turn over the kingdom of Israel to the house of David and David agrees to be at peace with Abner, sending him away. But Joab and Abishai, hear of this truce and call Abner back to where David was and Joab takes Abner aside, when he comes, and smites him under the fifth rib and murders Abner, without David’s knowledge. At Abner’s funeral, David laments for Abner and refers to Abner as prince and a great man who had fallen in Israel (2 Samuel 3:38).
David called Abner a prince and a great man when Abner was dead and when he was alive, David had called out to Abner referring to him as a valiant man, and expressed that there was no one like Abner in Israel. But, at that point, David also stated that Abner was worthy of death. (1 Samuel 26:16). This is because, Abner, whose responsibility it was to guard the LORD’s anointed Saul was sleeping on his job and this endangered the life of Saul, since David and Abishai entered Saul’s camp and could have easily killed Saul.

What can we learn from Abner?
When we are assigned the responsibility to keep God’s anointed (people or possession), we cannot be sleeping on the job! Doing so is worthy of death.

Lesser known characters :: Abiah and Joel

By Mano Paul

On July 26, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Abiah was the second son of the prophet Samuel. His older brother was Joel. Both Abiah whose name meant “The Lord is my Father”, and his brother Joel were appointed to be judges by their father, Samuel, to succeed him, but they were both evil and walked not in the ways of the Lord. They were driven by greed for money and took bribes, perverting justice, which was not in accordance to how the judge of a just God should conduct themselves. So when Samuel, appoints his own sons, Joel and Abiah as judges over Israel, the elders of Israel gathered together to meet with Samuel at Ramah and told him that since he was old and because his sons were not following in the ways of the Lord as did their father, they would rather have a king appointed to judge and reign over them. While on the surface, this may seem like a simple and much needed request, the undertow of how serious this request was, is only evident from what God tells Samuel as a response to the request of the people for a king. God tells Samuel that the people’s request was in essence not a rejection of the judgeship of Samuel but a rejection of the kingship of the Lord (1 Samuel 8:7). God’s reign over his people was being rejected by his own people (1 Samuel 8:7). The was the start of the decline of Theocracy (reign of God) and the beginning of Monarchy (ruling by a king) in the history of the Israelites.

But what triggered this? The answer is in the Bible. Samuel’s age was no doubt a factor. He was becoming an old man in age, but more than Samuel’s age, the elders of Israel had no confidence in the ways of Samuel’s wicked sons, Joel and Abiah, which is what they express (1 Samuel 8:5). Imagine for a moment, if Abiah and Joel were followers of the way of the Lord as did their father Samuel. If this was the case, it is highly likely that the people may have continued to let the Lord reign over them through his prophets as they did so during the times of Samuel.

What can we learn from Abiah and Joel?

As parents, we must watch out for our children so that they are not far from the Lord. The warning is clear and evident, as we observe the life of Samuel, Abiah and Joel; “Even children of God’s own prophets (missionaries/pastors/preachers/teachers/evangelists etc) can be far from the Lord.”
When justice is perverted, people draw away from a just and Holy God and turn toward seeking human lordship and justice over divine.
Wickedness in us can lead to the rejection of the Lord and His kingship by the people around us.

1 Samuel 8:1-7 (KJV)¹And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
²Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.³And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.⁴ Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,⁵And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.⁶But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
⁷ And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Lesser known characters :: Abishai

By Mano Paul

On July 25, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters, Reuben

The middle name of our beloved son Reuben, is Abishai, meaning Gift of God the Father and this name was chosen from the account given of a man recorded in 2 Samuel 23, in the Bible. But who is this Abishai in the Bible?

Abishai was the nephew of king David. He was born to Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:16). David had other nephews and nieces, but it is Abishai who is called out and referred to as the one who was most honorable than even the mighty men of David (2 Samuel 23:19).

Abishai was a man of war; a military captain. Abishai avenged the death of his brother Asahel and killed Abner (2 Samuel 2:18-24; 2 Samuel 3:30). He killed 18000 Edomites in the valley of salt who warred against the king (1 Chronicles 18:12), and was made captain for having raised his spear and killing 300 men, who were enemies of David (2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20). Abishai was no doubt a man of war, but he was no ordinary man of war. He led the armies of David, courageously and valiantly, but what is interesting is that he recognized with his brother Joab, that the result of their battles were not because of their doing, but because the outcome was, as God would will for God’s own good (2 Samuel 10:10). In essence, he was engaged in battle, after submitting to the will of God.

He was given a third of David’s men (2 Samuel 18:2) and entrusted by David, the king himself, on some of David’s most personal conquests; not to lay hands on Absalom, David’s son, who revolted against his father and king (2 Samuel 18:5,12) and to pursue Sheba, the son of Belial, the son of Bichri, lest he escaped (2 Samuel 20:6). He could not stand it when someone revolted against his king, for when Shimei, the Benjamite, from the house of Saul hurled curses on king David, Abishai sought to go and kill Shimei whom he refers to as a dead dog (2 Samuel 16:5-14) and even when Shimei repents of his sin of rebellion against the king, Abishai is still fervent in avenging the LORD’s anointed king, who had been shamed (2 Samuel 19:21).

It is recorded of Abishai that he was most honorable than even the mighty men of David (2 Samuel 23:19), but his claim to fame did not come as a result of his relationship association with a king, but because of his honorable service to the king. Abishai was willing to die for his king. When king David asked, “Who will go with me, into the enemy camp (the camp of Saul)?”, it was Abishai who first responded and accompanied king David, behind enemy lines, right into the camp of Saul. There Abishai is restrained of his fervor to fight and kill for his king, because David admonishes him not to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:6-9).

What can we learn from Abishai?

We must be willing to fight for our kin and be engaged in spiritual battle, only after submitting to the Lord, for his will to be done.
We must be willing to serve the Lord, in such a manner, that God can entrust to us, the most personal of his requests; be it to protect his family or to pursue the sons of Belial.
We must be fervent in stopping anything and anyone who brings shame and dishonor against God’s people and his anointed (if it has not been allowed by God himself).
We must be willing to go behind enemy lines and be willing to die for our King of kings and Lord of lord; for Jesus Christ.

Can God say of you and me, “He/She is more honorable than any of the others soldiers in my army?”

References:

Abishai was the nephew of king David. He was born to Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:16)
Abishai slew eighteen thousand Edomites who warred against his king, in the valley of salt (1 Chronicles 18:12)
Abishai partnered with his brother Joab, and led the armies of the king against the kings enemies (Syria and Ammon), valiantly and with good courage, submitting themselves to the will of God (2 Samuel 10:10-14; 1 Chronicles 19:11-15)
Abishai was a military leader who was appointed captain of David’s mighty mighty men, for with a spear, he killed 300 men who were enemies of the king (2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20)
Abishai was the man who offered to go behind enemy lines with his uncle David into the camp of Saul and was willing to kill Saul, in his loyalty to David (1 Samuel 26:6-9)
Abishai with his brother Joab, pursued Abner and avenged the death of their brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle (2 Samuel 2:18-24; 2 Samuel 3:30)
Abishai was entrusted a third of David’s men and entrusted to deal gently and not touch Absalom (David’s son) who had revolted against king David (2 Samuel 18:2,5,12)
Abishai was the one who offered to go and kill Shimei, a Benjamite (from the side of Saul), when Shimei hurled curses on David (2 Samuel 16:5-14). Later Shimei repents and seeks David’s forgiveness, but Abishai had not forgotten Shimei sin against David (the Lord’s anointed) and wishes to seek revenge by killing Shimei (2 Samuel 19:21).
Abishai was charged by king David to pursue Sheba, the son of Bichri; a son of Belial, lest Sheba find himself fenced cities and escape them (2 Samuel 20:6)
Abishai was a man of whom it is said that he was more honorable than even the fighting mighty men of king David (2 Samuel 23:19)

Enoch’s Job Title

By Mano Paul

On July 6, 2010

In Character-(istics), Christian

The Bible records that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, walked with God until he was taken to be with the Lord (Genesis 5:24). In fact, Enoch lived 365 years in this earth and 300 of those years, he walked with God. This got me wondering as to what it really means to “walk” with God. The first synonyms of the word ‘walk’ in the Thesaurus to my surprise was “a brief travel on foot” such as a parade. 300 out of 365 years is in no way “brief” in today’s context. However, the word “walk” is also used to mean “discipline” or “profession”. In other words, Enoch did not merely parade with God, but his profession itself was to be with God. To be with God is the key. To be one with God; in other words, it is to be grafted into the vine. To be grafted is to be in agreement and not at loggerheads with God. Amos 3:3 rightfully questions “Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?” Unless we are in agreement with God, we cannot walk with him and the agreement begins with a time of reasoning. The voice of God beckons “Come NOW, let us reason (agree) together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). The shed blood of Jesus cleanses all of all sins and unrighteousness, when we believe in Him.

Though today, Enoch’s job title, as “The disciplined walker” would not seem too attractive in earthly sentiments, it has magnitude proportions in the heavenly realms. It far supersedes any earthly title we may have, be it Wife, Husband, Mother, Father, CEO, President, Director, Manager, or any other. So what is going to be your/my job title/testimony when you meet Jesus? I pray that mine be, Mano, walked with God and the epitaph on my tombstone (should I depart before the Lord’s return) be “The disciplined walker!” as was Enoch’s, whose profession was to be in agreement with God.

Genesis 5:21-24 (KJV)
²¹And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:²²And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:²³And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:²⁴And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Samson – In life and death

By Mano Paul

On March 24, 2010

In Character-(istics), Christian

The story of Samson as recorded in the book of Judges is the story of a man who was granted Herculean strength by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary human. He wrestled a lion, slew an entire army with just a donkey’s jawbone, and destroyed a whole temple of a pagan god, Dagon. His disobedience to God and lust for women led to him being blinded, taken captive and eventually death.

There is a lot we can learn from Samson, from his life and his death. He judged twenty years, and it is recorded that he publicly prayed two times; one time was to live (Judges 15:18) and the second time it was to die (Judges 16:30). When he could see, He did not see God but when he was blind, he did. In death he did more to the glory of God than in his life (Judges 16:30).

Samson, I like to call – THE STRONGEST FOOL. Brother Zack Cherian once eloquently put it that Samson was able to kill a lion on the outside but could not control the lion of lust within. But before we pass judgment on Samson, let us take stock of our own lives and recognize that many times, our own lives are driven by the lust of our eyes.

Let us divert our focus from the beautiful things of the world (which is an enemy of God) and focus our attention on Jesus, looking unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Let our prayer be that we work diligently, seeking to see God and are filled by the Power of His Holy Spirit, bringing glory to God – in life and in death, not just in one, as was Samson.

Judges 16:30 (KJV)
³⁰And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

Category: Character-(istics)

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