Biblical Characters

Have you ever heard of Shiphrah and Puah? They’re not as well-known as Moses or Esther, but their story shows us something incredible: God can use anyone, even in the most difficult and dangerous situations, to make a difference. Sometimes, the courage to do what’s right, even when it seems small, can have a huge impact.

Shiphrah and Puah were midwives in Egypt during a dark time for the Israelites. The Israelites were living in Egypt as slaves, and their population was growing rapidly. The Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, became afraid that the Israelites were becoming too powerful. So, he came up with a cruel plan to stop them from growing: he ordered that every baby boy born to the Israelites should be killed.

Can you imagine how terrifying that must have been? Shiphrah and Puah were given the horrible task of carrying out this order. But instead of obeying Pharaoh, they made a brave decision. They feared God more than they feared Pharaoh, and they knew that taking innocent lives was wrong. So, they refused to do it.

When Pharaoh noticed that the Israelite baby boys were still being born and surviving, he called Shiphrah and Puah to question them. The midwives could have been killed for disobeying Pharaoh, but they were clever and brave. They told Pharaoh that the Israelite women were strong and gave birth before they could even arrive, which wasn’t entirely true, but it saved lives.

Because of their courage, Shiphrah and Puah were able to save countless lives. They chose to do what was right, even though it put their own lives at risk. God saw their bravery and blessed them for it. He gave them families of their own as a reward for their faithfulness.

The actions of Shiphrah and Puah might seem small—they were just two women doing their job—but they made a huge difference. By saving those baby boys, they played a part in God’s plan to rescue His people. One of those boys they saved might have even been Moses, the very man God would later use to lead the Israelites out of slavery.

Shiphrah and Puah’s story reminds us that even when we feel small or insignificant, God can use us to do great things. It’s easy to think that our actions don’t matter, especially when we’re up against something as big as injustice or fear. But Shiphrah and Puah show us that when we choose to do what’s right, no matter how small it seems, God can use our courage to make a difference.

How often do we face situations where we have to choose between what’s right and what’s easy? We might think, “What difference can I really make?” But Shiphrah and Puah show us that even the smallest acts of courage can change the course of history. God sees our bravery, and He honors it, even if no one else does.

God used Shiphrah and Puah to protect His people in a time of great danger. They didn’t have power or influence, but they had faith and courage. They knew that God values life, and they were willing to stand up for what was right, even when it wasn’t easy. Their story encourages us to be bold in our faith, to stand up for what we believe in, and to trust that God can use us, no matter how small we might feel.

So, what can we learn from Shiphrah and Puah? We learn that in God’s kingdom, even the smallest acts of courage can have a huge impact. When we choose to do what’s right, even in the face of fear, God can use us to bring about His plans. Shiphrah and Puah’s story encourages us to trust in God, to be brave, and to remember that He is always with us, no matter what we face.

In a world that often overlooks the small and the quiet, Shiphrah and Puah remind us that God values every act of faithfulness. Their story shows us that when we stand up for what’s right, we’re never standing alone—God is with us, and He can use our courage to make a difference in ways we might never expect. Just like Shiphrah and Puah, we can trust that God will use our faithfulness to bring about His good purposes.

Have you ever heard of Tychicus? He’s not one of the big names like Paul or Peter, but his story reminds us that even the smallest roles can be a big deal in God’s kingdom. Sometimes, the people working quietly behind the scenes are the ones who make the biggest difference.

Tychicus was a close companion of the Apostle Paul, someone who was always ready to serve, no matter what the task. You might not see his name plastered across the pages of the Bible, but Tychicus played a crucial role in the early church. He was a trusted friend, a faithful messenger, and someone who made sure things got done, even if he didn’t get much recognition for it.

Paul mentions Tychicus several times in his letters, often referring to him as a “dear brother” and a “faithful servant in the Lord.” That might sound simple, but think about what it really means. Paul was constantly traveling, preaching the Gospel, and planting churches, but he couldn’t do it all on his own. He needed people like Tychicus to help carry the load.

Tychicus wasn’t a preacher or a famous evangelist. Instead, he was someone who took care of the practical stuff. He delivered letters from Paul to the churches, carrying the words that would become part of the New Testament. Imagine that! Tychicus was the one who made sure these letters—like the ones to the Ephesians, Colossians, and even Philemon—got to where they needed to go. Without him, these important teachings might never have reached the people who needed to hear them.

But Tychicus didn’t just deliver letters. Paul also sent him to encourage the churches and give them updates on how things were going. He wasn’t just a mailman; he was a messenger of hope and encouragement. He would share news about Paul’s situation, reminding the believers to stay strong in their faith, even in tough times.

It would have been easy for Tychicus to feel like his work wasn’t that important. After all, he wasn’t the one writing the letters or preaching to huge crowds. But Tychicus understood something vital: in God’s kingdom, every role matters. He didn’t need to be in the spotlight to make a difference. He knew that by faithfully doing his part, he was helping to spread the Gospel and build up the church.

Tychicus’ story teaches us that God values every act of service, no matter how small it might seem. It’s easy to overlook the importance of delivering a message or offering encouragement, but God doesn’t miss it. He sees the quiet faithfulness of people like Tychicus and uses it in powerful ways.

How often do we downplay the little things we do for others? We might think, “What difference does it make if I send that encouraging text, help out behind the scenes, or show up for someone who’s struggling?” But Tychicus shows us that even the smallest acts of service can have a lasting impact. God can take our seemingly insignificant contributions and use them to bless others in ways we might never fully understand.

God used Tychicus to support Paul’s ministry in ways that were crucial, even though they might seem ordinary. Tychicus didn’t let his role define his worth. He knew that every task, no matter how small, was important when done for the Lord. His faithfulness allowed Paul to focus on his mission, knowing that someone reliable was handling the rest.

So, what can we learn from Tychicus? We learn that in God’s kingdom, there’s no such thing as an insignificant contribution. Every act of faithfulness, every moment of service, counts. Tychicus’ story encourages us to keep going, even when our work seems unnoticed or unimportant. Because in God’s eyes, nothing done for Him is ever wasted.

In a world that often celebrates the big and bold, Tychicus reminds us that sometimes, it’s the quiet, steady faithfulness that has the biggest impact. God sees every effort, and He uses it for His purposes. Tychicus might not have been a big name, but his willingness to serve made a huge difference in the early church. And just like Tychicus, we can trust that God will use our contributions—big or small—in ways we might never expect.

Have you ever heard of Jethro? He’s not as famous as Moses or Joshua, but his story shows us something really important: God can use anyone, even in ways that seem small, to make a big difference. Sometimes, the advice we give, the help we offer, or the wisdom we share can have a ripple effect far greater than we imagine.

Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law, a priest of Midian. He wasn’t an Israelite, but he had a deep respect for God and a lot of wisdom. After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, Jethro came to visit Moses in the wilderness. When he arrived, he saw something that concerned him.

Moses was trying to do everything on his own. He was the leader of a massive group of people, and they came to him with every problem, big or small. From morning until evening, Moses would sit and listen to their disputes, offering advice and making decisions. It was exhausting work, and Jethro could see that it was wearing Moses out.

Now, it would have been easy for Jethro to just keep quiet. After all, Moses was the leader chosen by God, and Jethro was just his father-in-law. But Jethro didn’t stay silent. He cared about Moses too much to let him burn out. So, he spoke up.

Jethro said to Moses, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18:17-18). He then offered a simple but brilliant solution: Moses should appoint capable men to serve as judges over smaller groups of people. They could handle the simpler cases, while Moses would only deal with the most difficult ones. This way, Moses wouldn’t be overwhelmed, and the people would still get the help they needed.

Moses listened to Jethro’s advice, and it changed everything. By delegating some of the responsibilities, Moses was able to focus on what really mattered—leading the people and hearing from God. The entire nation of Israel benefited from this wise counsel, and it all started with Jethro, a man who wasn’t afraid to speak up and offer a helping hand.

Jethro’s contribution might seem small—after all, he just gave some advice—but it had a huge impact. Without Jethro’s wisdom, Moses could have easily burned out, and the people might have suffered from the lack of leadership. Jethro’s story reminds us that sometimes, the things we consider insignificant can actually be a big deal in God’s eyes.

How many times do we overlook the small things we can do to help others? We might think, “What difference can my advice, my encouragement, or my support really make?” But Jethro shows us that God can use even the simplest acts of kindness and wisdom to bring about great change. We never know how God might use our words or actions to impact someone else’s life.

God used Jethro in a powerful way, not by giving him a grand mission or a mighty task, but by giving him the wisdom to offer help where it was needed most. And Jethro didn’t hesitate to step in. He cared enough to see what was happening, and he had the courage to speak up. His advice didn’t just help Moses; it helped the entire nation of Israel.

So, what can we learn from Jethro? We learn that in God’s kingdom, there’s no such thing as an insignificant contribution. Whether it’s a word of advice, a helping hand, or a listening ear, God can use our small acts of service to bring about big changes. Jethro’s story encourages us to be attentive, to care deeply, and to be bold enough to offer our help, even when it seems like a small thing.

In a world that often values the big and the bold, Jethro’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, it’s the quiet acts of wisdom and kindness that have the most lasting impact. God sees and values every contribution, no matter how small it might seem. And when we offer what we have, God can use it in ways we could never imagine. Just like Jethro, we can make a difference by being willing to step up and offer what we can, trusting that God will use it for His greater purpose.

Have you ever heard of Hur? He’s not a big name like Moses or David, but his story is a powerful reminder that in God’s kingdom, even the smallest actions can have a huge impact. Sometimes, it’s the people behind the scenes, doing the quiet, unnoticed work, who make the biggest difference.

Hur shows up in the Bible during a crucial moment in Israel’s history. The Israelites were in the middle of a fierce battle against the Amalekites. Moses, their leader, knew that the outcome of the battle depended on God’s help, so he climbed to the top of a hill with his brother Aaron and Hur. Moses held up his hands in prayer, and as long as his hands were raised, the Israelites were winning. But whenever Moses’ hands grew tired and started to lower, the Amalekites began to take the lead.

Moses was strong, but even he couldn’t keep his hands up forever. This is where Hur and Aaron stepped in. They saw that Moses was struggling, so they came up with a simple but brilliant solution. They found a stone for Moses to sit on, and then Aaron and Hur stood on either side of him, holding up his hands so they wouldn’t drop. Because of this, Moses was able to keep his hands raised until sunset, and the Israelites won the battle.

It might seem like what Hur did wasn’t all that important—he just held up Moses’ hands, right? But think about it: without Hur’s help, Moses wouldn’t have been able to keep praying, and the Israelites might have lost the battle. Hur’s quiet, steady support was absolutely essential to the victory.

Hur’s story teaches us that in God’s kingdom, there’s no such thing as an insignificant role. Sometimes, we might feel like what we’re doing doesn’t really matter. We might think that because we’re not in the spotlight or doing something big and impressive, our efforts don’t count. But that’s not how God sees it. In God’s eyes, every act of service, every moment of support, and every prayer counts. He sees and values the work that often goes unnoticed by others.

Hur didn’t get the glory of leading the battle, but his faithfulness made a huge difference. He was there when Moses needed him, and he didn’t hesitate to step up and do what needed to be done. Hur reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply be there for others, lending a hand when they’re tired and holding them up when they’re weak.

So, what can we learn from Hur? We learn that God values every act of faithfulness, no matter how small it might seem. We learn that in God’s kingdom, there’s no such thing as an insignificant role. Whether we’re in the spotlight or behind the scenes, God sees our efforts, and they matter to Him. Hur’s story encourages us to keep going, even when it feels like no one notices what we’re doing, because God does, and He will never forget the quiet acts of service we offer in His name.

In a world that often celebrates the big and flashy, Hur’s story reminds us that sometimes, it’s the quiet acts of faithfulness that make the biggest difference. And when we’re faithful in the little things, God uses them in ways we could never imagine. Hur might not have been a leader or a warrior, but his willingness to step up and support Moses helped lead Israel to victory. In God’s kingdom, every effort counts, and nothing is ever wasted.

Let’s talk about someone you might not have heard much about: Bezalel. His story isn’t as famous as some others, but what he did was incredibly important and shows us something amazing about how God works through ordinary people with unique skills.

Bezalel shows up in the Bible during the time when the Israelites were wandering in the desert after being freed from slavery in Egypt. God gave Moses detailed instructions to build the Tabernacle, a special place where God’s presence would dwell among His people. It was a huge project with all kinds of beautiful and intricate work to be done, and that’s where Bezalel comes in.

You see, Bezalel wasn’t a leader like Moses or a warrior like Joshua. He was an artist, a craftsman. The Bible says that God chose Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. Bezalel could work with gold, silver, and bronze. He could cut and set stones, carve wood, and create all sorts of artistic designs. God gave him the ability to take raw materials and turn them into something beautiful and meaningful.

But Bezalel wasn’t just working on any ordinary project. He was tasked with building the Tabernacle and its furnishings—things like the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, and the altar. These weren’t just pieces of furniture; they were holy objects that would be used in worship, representing God’s presence among His people.

Imagine the pressure! But Bezalel didn’t shy away from it. He used his God-given talents to create everything exactly as God had instructed. And because of his work, the Israelites had a place to worship God, a place where they could meet with Him. Bezalel’s craftsmanship wasn’t just about making things look nice; it was about helping people connect with God in a tangible way.

Bezalel’s story reminds us that God values all kinds of talents—not just the ones that are out in front for everyone to see. He shows us that our skills, no matter how ordinary they might seem, can be used for extraordinary purposes. Whether you’re good at building, painting, writing, or anything else, God can use those talents to make something beautiful that brings people closer to Him.

What can we learn from Bezalel? We learn that it’s not just the big, flashy roles that matter to God. Sometimes, it’s the quiet work behind the scenes that has the biggest impact. Bezalel’s story teaches us that when we offer our skills to God, no matter what they are, He can use them to do something incredible.

So, the next time you wonder if what you’re good at really matters, remember Bezalel. He wasn’t a famous leader or a mighty warrior, but his work was essential to the worship of God’s people. Just like him, you can use your unique gifts to serve God in ways that are just as important, even if they don’t always get the spotlight. God sees what you do, and when you do it for Him, it can make a difference that lasts far beyond what you can imagine.

Have you ever heard of Uriah the Hittite? His story isn’t as famous as some others, but it’s a powerful reminder that even when life seems unfair, staying true to what’s right is always worth it—and that God sees and rewards our faithfulness.

Uriah wasn’t originally from Israel; he was a Hittite, from a different group of people. But he chose to follow the God of Israel and became one of King David’s most loyal soldiers. Uriah was a brave warrior, fiercely dedicated to serving his king and his country. He was the kind of person who always did what was right, no matter the cost.

But here’s where things get really tough. While Uriah was away fighting in a battle, King David, the very man he was risking his life for, did something terribly wrong. David saw Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and wanted her for himself. Even though David was blessed by God in so many ways, he gave in to temptation and made a series of bad choices that would change everything.

David sent for Bathsheba, and she became pregnant. To cover up what he’d done, David tried to trick Uriah into going home to his wife, hoping everyone would think the baby was Uriah’s. But this is where Uriah’s character really shines through.

When Uriah came back from the battlefield, he refused to go home, even though it must have been so tempting. How could he enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were still out there fighting? Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” (2 Samuel 11:11). Uriah was so committed to doing what was right that he slept at the palace entrance instead of going home.

David’s plan to cover up his mistake wasn’t working, so he did something even worse. He sent Uriah back to the battlefield with a letter that would seal his fate. The letter instructed the commander to place Uriah in the most dangerous part of the battle and then pull back, leaving Uriah to face the enemy alone. The plan worked—Uriah was killed in battle, and David thought he had gotten away with his sin.

This part of the story can be really hard to understand. Why would something so unfair happen to someone who was so faithful? Uriah did everything right, but he ended up paying the ultimate price. It can feel like life is incredibly unfair sometimes, especially when bad things happen to good people. But here’s the thing—God sees everything, and He is always just.

Even though David was a man blessed by God, God didn’t let him get away with what he did. God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David, and David faced serious consequences for his actions. God may allow unfair things to happen, but He doesn’t ignore them. He is a just God, and He stands for what is right.

And as for Uriah, his story didn’t end with his death. Though he didn’t live to see it, his faithfulness, loyalty, and integrity left a lasting legacy. Uriah’s story teaches us that even when life feels incredibly unfair, staying true to what’s right is always the best choice. God sees every sacrifice, every act of loyalty, and every moment of integrity, even if no one else does. And in the end, God rewards those who are faithful to Him, even if the reward doesn’t come right away.

So, what can we learn from Uriah the Hittite? We learn that life won’t always be fair, but we can choose to stand firm in what is right. We learn that God is just, and even when it feels like no one sees or appreciates our efforts, God does. Uriah’s story is a powerful reminder that living with integrity, staying loyal to God, and doing what’s right—even when it’s hard—are the things that truly matter. And when we do that, we can trust that God, in His perfect justice, will never forget us.

Have you ever heard of Jabez? He’s a guy from the Bible who, though not as well-known as some other characters, had a big impact through a small but powerful prayer. Jabez’s story is only a few verses long, but what happens in those verses is pretty amazing. He went from being a guy whose name meant “pain” to someone who was blessed by God in incredible ways.

Jabez didn’t have an easy start. The Bible tells us that his mother named him Jabez, which means “pain,” because she gave birth to him in pain. Can you imagine going through life with a name like that? Every time someone called his name, it was like being reminded that he was a source of sorrow. But Jabez didn’t let that define him.

Instead of accepting a life of pain and sorrow, Jabez did something bold—he prayed. And this wasn’t just any prayer; it was a heartfelt plea to God, asking for His blessing. Jabez asked God to “bless him indeed,” to “enlarge his territory,” to “keep him from harm,” and to keep him free from pain. It was a big, brave prayer from someone whose life seemed marked by difficulty.

But here’s the amazing part: God answered Jabez’s prayer. He didn’t just bless Jabez a little; He blessed him a lot. Jabez asked for more than just relief from pain—he asked for a life that was bigger and better than what anyone expected. And God gave him just that.

This story might seem simple, but it’s powerful. It shows us that we don’t have to be stuck in the circumstances we’re born into. Just like Jabez, we can go to God with our deepest desires and biggest fears. We can ask Him to change our lives, to bless us, and to keep us safe.

Jabez’s prayer is a reminder that God is always ready to listen to us. No matter what name we’ve been given, no matter what pain we’ve experienced, we can reach out to God and ask for His help. And when we do, He can take our pain and turn it into something amazing.

So, what can we learn from Jabez? We learn that it’s okay to ask God for more—to ask for His blessing, for His protection, and for a life that goes beyond what we think is possible. Jabez’s story shows us that God’s love and blessing aren’t limited by our circumstances. All we need to do is have the faith to ask.

Just like Jacob wrestled with God and came away with a new name and a new purpose, Jabez prayed to God and received a life-changing blessing. Both stories remind us that no matter who we are or where we come from, God is ready to bless us beyond our wildest dreams if we just reach out to Him in faith.