Bible Characters

[Jerry]

This is just meant for a little bit of fellowship. What are a couple of Bible characters you can think of that were not “main Bible characters” (and by that I mean ones that you only come across once or only a few times in the Bible) that did something - usually as a result of their faith - but now it is recorded forever in God's Word as a testimony to them?

 

A friend and I were talking recently about Mary of Bethany who broke the alabaster box and anointed Jesus' head and feet with the precious ointment. She is only mentioned on three separate occasions (not counting parallel passages).

 

I don't want to take all the easy ones, but here are three that came to my mind a few minutes ago:

 

1. Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus' cross. Later some of his children get saved.
2. The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years who pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus, and was healed.
3. The Roman Centurion who believed Jesus could heal his servant from a distance.

 

Matthew 8:8-10 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

[Napsterdad]

Dorcas (a.k.a. Tabitha)

(Act 9:36-42)  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
 

[BrotherTony]

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. He advised Moses to divide up his work with others helping. This would prove to help alleviate some of the challenges that Moses was facing in his leadership of the Israelites. This allowed Moses to more efficiently lead the people without many of the lower level challenges hitting him over the head every day. Exodus 18 tells about this. 

[Jerry]

How about the boy who gave his lunch to Andrew and Jesus used it to feed the 5000 men (plus women and children).

John 6:8-9 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

[HappyChristian]

The little maid - no name given her, but she influenced Naaman who was ultimately healed and turned to the God of Israel...because of her faith.

[Napsterdad]

Shiphrah and Puah, who's faith saved unknown amounts of Hebrew boys.

And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. - Exo 1:15-20
 

[Jerry]

Those are all good examples.

Recently I was speaking with a friend about Mary of Bethany (Martha and Lazarus' sister) who broke the alabaster box of spikenard ointment over Christ's head and feet and anointed Him with her hair six days before the Passover. Three of the Gospels contain the story of this account (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:1-9; John 12:1-8). Charles Spurgeon brings out seven interesting things about what Mary did, and contrasted what she did with what the sinner/woman in Luke 7:36-50 did.

 

This sermon is worth reading and blessed me. It is #1834, To Lovers of Jesus - An Example. Most Bible programs would probably have it, especially Swordsearcher. This link will also take you to a pdf of the sermon online (so you can read it online or add it to your ebook reader if you find that easier than reading in a Bible program).

 

chs1834.pdf (spurgeongems.org)

[BrotherTony]

15 minutes ago, Jerry said:

Those are all good examples.

Recently I was speaking with a friend about Mary of Bethany (Martha and Lazarus' sister) who broke the alabaster box of spikenard ointment over Christ's head and feet and anointed Him with her hair six days before the Passover. Three of the Gospels contain the story of this account (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:1-9; John 12:1-8). Charles Spurgeon brings out seven interesting things about what Mary did, and contrasted what she did with what the sinner/woman in Luke 7:36-50 did.

 

This sermon is worth reading and blessed me. It is #1834, To Lovers of Jesus - An Example. Most Bible programs would probably have it, especially Swordsearcher. This link will also take you to a pdf of the sermon online (so you can read it online or add it to your ebook reader if you find that easier than reading in a Bible program).

 

chs1834.pdf (spurgeongems.org)

That's a good sermon. I've read it several times, but it is always worth another read. Always a lot to glean from sermons like this. Thanks for posting the link. I used to have Swordsearcher, but I think the computer I used it on is in storage. Might have to get it again.

[1Timothy115]

Ebedmelech the Ethiopian eunuch who sought and was granted Jeremiah's release from the dungeon of mire. His testimony is provided from God

6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. 7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; 8 Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying, 9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city. 10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. ~ Jeremiah 38:6-10

15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. 17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.  18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 39:15-18

[Jerry]

That's a good one. Truly, I always focus on Jeremiah's situation, but never on the person who helped him (except in a general sense).

Here is a neat study of a type found in that passage:

https://ewministries.earnestlycontending.com/sinking-in-the-mire/

[1Timothy115]

5 hours ago, Jerry said:

That's a good one. Truly, I always focus on Jeremiah's situation, but never on the person who helped him (except in a general sense).

Here is a neat study of a type found in that passage:

https://ewministries.earnestlycontending.com/sinking-in-the-mire/

I wanted to add at the end...
Ephesians 2:8   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9   Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
...another example of saving faith.

5 hours ago, Jerry said:

That's a good one. Truly, I always focus on Jeremiah's situation, but never on the person who helped him (except in a general sense).

Here is a neat study of a type found in that passage:

https://ewministries.earnestlycontending.com/sinking-in-the-mire/

Nice! Great analogy!