Why is knowing about the various characters in the Bible important?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible offers valuable insights into God's character and His plan for humanity through the various characters in the Bible from Adam and Eve in Genesis to Jonah to John in Revelation. The accounts of people in the Bible show us that God works in real people in real time. They reveal things about who God is, what He does, how He works in human history and individual lives, who we are, and how God wants us to live. Knowing about these various figures teaches us both positive and negative lessons. For example, while Adam and Eve demonstrate the importance of fellowship with God and community, they also reveal the consequences of sin. The accounts of biblical figures can also serve as examples, reminding us of God's faithfulness, showing us what it looks like to trust or distrust Him, encouraging us, and challenging us in the way we live our own lives in response to God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Beginning with the first family, Adam and Eve (Genesis 1—2), we learn important details of God’s character, His divine plan, and humanity. We learn positive and negative lessons from looking at Bible characters. For example, through Adam and Eve we learn about fellowship with God, God’s command to have dominion over the earth, and how God called us to be in community with one another. Yet the Bible also uses Adam and Eve to show us the consequences of sin.
• God saved Noah and his family from the flood because of his righteousness (Genesis 6-9). Through Noah, God made a covenant, promising never to flood the earth again.
• Known as the father of faith, Abraham received God’s promise to become the father of many nations (Genesis 12). His faith and obedience set the foundation for God’s covenant with Israel.
• Sarah, Abraham’s wife, gave birth to Isaac in her old age, fulfilling God's promise (Genesis 21). Her story highlights God's ability to fulfill promises despite human limitations.
• Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). Moses’ leadership was pivotal in the formation of Israel as a nation under God’s law.
• Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, played a key role in the Exodus and led the Israelite women in worship after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21). She is remembered as a prophetess and leader among the Israelites.
• Joshua succeeded Moses, leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and conquering Canaan (Joshua 1-6). His leadership solidified the fulfillment of God’s promise to give Israel their own land.
• Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led Israel to victory over the Canaanites (Judges 4-5). She is one of the few female leaders in the Old Testament, known for her wisdom and courage.
• Ruth, a Moabite, demonstrated loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and faith in God, eventually becoming the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 1-4). Her story showcases God’s inclusiveness and redemption.
• David was Israel’s greatest king, known for his heart after God and for uniting the nation (1 Samuel 16-2 Samuel 7). He established the royal line from which the Messiah, Jesus, would come.
• Solomon, David’s son, was known for his wisdom and building the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 3-10). His reign marked the height of Israel’s power and prosperity, though it later declined due to his turning from God.
• Esther, a Jewish queen in Persia, risked her life to save her people from genocide (Esther 4-8). Her bravery and faithfulness are celebrated in the Jewish festival of Purim.
• The account of Jonah includes many life lessons, ranging from the consequences of running from God to the many ways God can work through our lives to change those living in ways that displease the Lord. The account of Jonah also points forward to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
• There are several genealogies in the Old Testament (especially in Genesis, Numbers, 1 Chronicles, and Ezra). Each character plays a role in human history, and knowing about the various characters in the Bible provides insight into the character of God and the lives of His people.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• We can know about the life of Jesus for a perfect example of how to live (see the Gospels).
• Paul’s life is written about in the New Testament, with its ups and downs. From his life, we can see the transformation that happens when one gives his life to Christ. Although he was not perfect, we can learn from him and be challenged to say as he does, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
• First Corinthians 10:6 also notes that the sinful actions of past biblical characters are examples for how not to live: "Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did." At times, people struggle with the judgments of God recorded in Scripture. Despite seemingly harsh consequences upon people at times, these accounts instruct today's readers toward what is right and away from what is wrong.
• Hebrews 11 devotes an entire chapter to retelling the accounts of key biblical characters and lessons of faith learned from their lives. In the conclusion of the chapter the author notes that their lives and our lives are in some way connected: "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:39–40, NIV).
• Hebrews 12:1 calls us to remember that there are many witnesses to God’s faithfulness and purposes. Knowing about people in the Bible is part of how we know God. They encourage us to remain faithful: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Much can be learned from studying the various characters in the Bible. Each individual mentioned in Scripture is discussed for particular purposes important in the unfolding of God's divine plan. They were real people, just like us. By studying the lives of the Bible's characters, we can learn from both their strengths and weaknesses, developing a stronger knowledge of God's Word and a stronger walk with God in the process. As we study the lives of godly people from Scripture, we can learn how to live in order to please God. We can learn from the mistakes of both godly and ungodly Bible characters in order to avoid having the same problems in our own lives, and we can follow the good examples to grow in Christ-likeness. There are many ways to study Scripture, yet one of the most personal is the study of individual Bible characters.

UNDERSTAND

• Knowing about the various characters in the Bible allows us to understand God’s character and His plan in humanity.
• Knowing about the various characters in the Bible illuminates both positive and negative lessons for us to take to heart in our own lives.
• Knowing about the various characters in the Bible challenges us to think about how we live and the role we play in God’s story.

REFLECT

• How does knowing about the various characters in the Bible challenge you in the way you live your life?
• Which Bible characters are important to you and why? What lessons do you learn from their lives?
• Reflect on a specific biblical character whose strengths and weaknesses resonate with your own experiences. How can knowing about them guide you in your spiritual journey?

ENGAGE

• How can the various characters of the Bible provide encouragement to remain faithful to God, practically speaking?
• Why are humans much more likely to resonate with and learn from real life stories and examples?
• How do you reconcile the complexities of biblical characters, such as their flaws and virtues, with the idea of them being chosen vessels in God's divine plan?