Samuel His name means: “The Name of God” His work: Priest, prophet, and judge, Samuel helped transform Israel from a nation led by charismatic figures called “judges” to one ruled by kings, who were to exercise their authority not as other kings did, but as men who belonged to God.Read More …

Boaz His name may mean: “In Strength” His work: He was a wealthy landowner. His character: Boaz was a capable and upright man, so touched by the loyalty and generosity of a young widow named Ruth that he responded to her with extraordinary generosity, playing the role of kinsman-redeemer forRead More …

Samson His name means: “Little Sun” His work: To deliver Israel from the Philistines. His character: Samson’s erotic attachments to foreign women eventually led to his death. A man of mythic strength, he was inwardly weak, given to anger and unfaithful to his Nazirite vows. His prayers as well asRead More …

Gideon His name means: “Hewer, Slasher, Hacker” His work: A farmer called to bring Israel back to the Lord (a task in which he partially succeeded) and to deliver God’s people from their Midianite oppressors. His character: A fearful man, living in a time when Israel had plenty to fear,Read More …

Achan His name means: “Troublemaker” His character: Achan’s greed for the spoils of war and his attempt to hide his sin led to a situation that endangered Israel’s relationship with God. By disregarding God’s command, he brought trouble and judgment on his own people. His sorrow: His disobedience resulted inRead More …

Joshua His name means: “Yahweh Is Salvation” His work: He was Moses’ aide and successor, a military commander and statesman. His character: His remarkable military successes were achieved as a result of his attitude of trust and obedience toward the God who made them all possible. His sorrow: That theRead More …

Aaron His work: Aaron was the first in the line of Israel’s hereditary priesthood. His character: Aaron’s role was primarily a passive one: to do and say whatever Moses told him to. Though he stood by Moses throughout his struggle with Pharaoh, he seemed unable to stand on his ownRead More …

Moses His name Is Associated with the Phrase “To Give Birth” His work: To lead God’s people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. His character: Moses enjoyed a depth of relationship with God that set him apart from every other figure in the Old Testament and enabled himRead More …

Judah His name means: “The Praise of the Lord” His work: A leader among his brothers, he was head of the tribe from which both King David and Jesus would come. His character: The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, he saved his brother Joseph’s life and offered to takeRead More …

Joseph His name means: “May He [the Lord] Add” His work: As governor of Egypt he saved many lives, including those of his own family, thus preserving God’s people during a time of famine. His character: Other than committing the youthful indiscretion of sharing dreams that made his brothers jealous,Read More …