Studying "Bible People"
Character studies have long been a staple of Bible teaching and preaching. This is certainly a God-approved plan since the divinely inspired New Testament writers reached back into ancient times to discuss people like Abraham, Sarah, Noah, and Moses to bolster their points about faithful service to God. In consideration of this type of teaching, consider three thoughts:
- People fit into a larger narrative: While there are occasions where God explicitly states His law, there are many occasions where implementation of His law is taught through how people responded or refused to respond to His will. Paul used this method of teaching in I Corinthians 10 concerning rebellion. Using ancient Israel as an example, he admonished 1st century Christians to pay attention: “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did” (vs. 6). Always determine how Bible people fit into the larger narrative.
- Context and culture are important: One of the biggest mistakes in studying any period of history is viewing those of the past through a modern lens. Understanding the situation surrounding the person and understanding the time and culture in which the person lived is essential to fully understand the point God seeks to make. Israelites under the Law of Moses illustrate this point. While to 21st-century readers, the Law can seem primitive, it was one of the most progressive laws of the ancient world and one of the few giving rights to women and the poor. God wanted His people to illustrate to the nations how true righteousness is exercised.
- People are complicated: Categorizing people as “good or bad” is sometimes detrimental to a full understanding. Hebrews 11 illustrates this point. While this chapter is often called the “Faithful’s Hall of Fame,” most everyone discussed in this chapter had a darker moment. Noah became drunk after exiting the ark; Abraham had a child with a servant girl in a plan developed by his wife Sarah; Moses did not honor God in front of the people. God demonstrates that faithful people fall short of His glory. Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect life!
Though many humans have walked the earth, only a few are recorded in the Bible. This means they serve a purpose: they teach God’s expectations to people of later times. May each Bible student learn the rich lessons provided in these examples God has preserved for the ages.
