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DEAF BIBLEINSTITUTE PROGRAMOld Testament Course

PEOPLE IN THE

OLD TESTAMENT

Lesson 1.2Silent Word Ministries

PO Box 889Trenton, Georgia 30752

A Free Bible Correspondence Course

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CAIN And ABEL

The First Children - Adam and Eve fell in sin and they were sent out ofthe Garden of Eden. It was sad that they could no longer walk in thebeautiful garden; but something wonderful happened to them. Adamand Eve became parents. The first children born in this world were thechildren of Adam and Eve. When the first baby in the world was born,the parents had never seen anything like it before. Eve knew that Godhad blessed them. It was wonderful to have a baby boy. They namedtheir first baby Cain. Later, another son was born. They named himAbel. Cain and Abel did not go to school but they were taught by theirparents. There was much for them to learn. Cain and Abel had to learnabout the animals. Some were kind and gentle for pets, and some weremean and wild. Adam and Eve taught them about God, the Garden ofEden, the serpent, the Devil and sin. They were taught about good andevil. Cain and Abel grew to be young men. Cain became a farmer.He liked to dig in the ground. He liked to work in the garden. Heplanted seeds in the ground, watered the ground and kept the weedsout of his garden. The plants grew and he later gathered fruit from hisgarden. Abel became a shepherd. He liked to keep sheep. Helearned how to lead them to green grass and fresh water. He learnedhow to drive away the wild animals. Abel loved the sheep and hebecame a shepherd. Cain and Abel both had sinful hearts, the same astheir father and mother (Romans 5:12). They both needed forgiveness.

A Gift to God One day Cain brought a gift to the Lord. It was some ofhis fruits. But God was not pleased with his gift. God saw thewickedness in his heart “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, andslew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own workswere evil, and his brother’s righteous” (I John 3:12). Cain was not sorryfor his sin and he was not ashamed of his wickedness. God knew theheart of Cain and God refused his gift. Abel also brought a gift to theLord. He killed a little lamb for an offering to God. God was pleasedwith Abel’s gift. God saw the heart of Abel, that his gift was offered infaith to please God “And these all, having obtained a good reportthrough faith, received not the promise” (Hebrews 11:39). God acceptedAbel’s gift and was pleased with him. Why was God pleased with thelamb? Because Adam and Eve taught both Cain and Abel that Godkilled an animal to cover their sin in the garden. In the Old Testamentan animal was killed and offered to God for sin. When God saw theblood He was satisfied and pleased with the offering. When a lamb wasoffered as a sacrifice to God it was an act of faith that one day Godwould provide a lamb to take away all sin. “The next day John seethJesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, whichtaketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Abel obeyed, but Caintried another way to please God.

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God accepted Abel but refused Cain. Cain became very angry. God toldCain that it was not too late to do right. God explained to Cain that hehad sin in his heart which made him do wrong. Cain was given anotheropportunity to obey God but Cain refused to do right.

The First Murder - Cain refused to obey God.He became very jealous of Abel. One day, whenhe and Abel were in the field, Cain did a verywicked thing. He killed his brother, Abel. Godspoke to Cain and asked,

“Where is Abel thy brother?” Cain told a verywicked lie. He said, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” God knewthat Cain had killed Abel. God punished Cain for his sin. God made hima wanderer on the earth. Cain was sent into a far country away frompeople and God. He lived a lonely life. Abel believed and obeyed God.Cain refused the ways of God. You need to trust God as Abel. Do notfollow the ways of Cain. “Woe unto them! for they have gone in theway of Cain” (Jude 11).

NOAH

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, ...And it repented the Lord that he had made man...

And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created...But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

-- Genesis 6:5-8

More than 4,000 years ago there was a man named Noah. During thedays of Noah God looked upon the earth and saw that the people werevery evil in their hearts. He saw their sin and said, “I will destroy man.”God continued to look. He saw Noah. Noah walked with God. God didnot want to destroy Noah. Noah found grace in the sight of God

The Plan of God - God decided to save Noah and his family and givemankind an opportunity to be saved from punishment. God warnedNoah that He would send a flood to cover the earth. He then told Noahto prepare for the flood and build an ark (a large boat) for safety. Godpromised that it would rain from Heaven and only the people in the arkwould be safe. This was strange because in those days there had neverbeen any rain. It had never rained. A mist or fog would cover the earthto water the land. The people did not believe that water would fall fromHeaven. Noah still obeyed God. Noah began to build a very largeboat - large enough to carry all the people who would believe God andenter into the boat. As Noah built the boat he preached righteousness.He warned the people of a coming rain. The people laughed and madefun of Noah. They thought it was silly to build a big boat on dry land. Thepeople did not believe God or Noah. The boat was very big.

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When the people saw the ark they were amazed. It was about 450 feetlong, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. As they saw the boat, Noah warnedthem of a coming flood. They would not believe that it would rain fromheaven. What was rain? What was a flood? They had never seen rainbefore, so they would not believe Noah.

The Ark Finished - Noah continued to build the ark for more than 120years. The people mocked him and laughed about rain from the sky.Finally the boat was finished. Noah pleaded with the people to comeinto the boat. The people refused. Then God told Noah to bring hisfamily into the ark. Only Noah and his family, a total of eight people,went safely into the boat. Then the people saw a strange thing happen.Animals began to march into the boat. The animals that were good forfood, such as sheep and cows and goats, went into the ark by sevens,the male and female. The animals that were not good to eat, such ashorses, dogs, cats and foxes, went in by two, the male and female. Thebirds of the air entered the ark by sevens. This was to keep enoughanimals alive to populate the earth again after the flood. The peoplewatched as the greatest zoo ever marched into the ark.

The Flood - When Noah, his family and theanimals were all safe in the boat, God left thedoor opened for a short time for others to comeinside. No one entered the ark. Finally, Godclosed the door. For the first time they sawdark clouds, saw lightning and heard thunder.The rain fell from Heaven. Then the people

stopped laughing. Noah told the truth. The rain continued for forty daysand nights. All the people outside the ark all drowned. Maybe manyprayed, but it was too late. The rain continued to fall until all were dead.Those inside the ark were safe. All outside the ark died.

ABRAHAM

A Friend of God - After the flood God began to prepare a new world.“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country...and I will make of thee a great nation... and in thee shall all familiesof the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-4). “So Abram departed, asthe Lord had spoken unto him.” The first thing God did to make theworld ready for the coming of Jesus Christ was to prepare a family forChrist to come from. God chose a good man to begin this family. Hetold this man to leave his country and his father’s family, and go to acountry that God would show him. God was going to begin a newnation and a new people and this man would be the leader. The manGod chose was Abraham. His wife’s name was Sarah. God made apromise to Abraham, “I will make of thee a great nation...in thee shallall families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3).

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Abraham Obeyed God - He lived in tents while traveling to the placeGod told him to go. God promised Abraham that Jesus Christ, God’sSon, would be one of his children’s children in the future. He did as Godtold him. He took his wife, his nephew Lot, all his servants, and all thethings that belonged to him and left his own country. He started on ajourney to a country far away.

Abraham The Father Of The Jewish Nation

Abraham traveled for a long time. Many years later he and Sarah hadtheir first son, Isaac. Isaac was promised of God. At one time Godtested Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham obeyed God. God toldAbraham not to kill his son because he passed the test (Genesis22:12). Later, Isaac married Rebekah. They had twin sons, Esau andJacob. Jacob had twelve sons. His twelve sons were called the twelvetribes of Israel (Jacob). Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation just as God had promised.

Abraham The Forefather Of Jesus Christ

Many, many years later Jesus Christ, God’s Son,was born of a Jewish woman who was in the familyof Abraham. That is why Jesus was called a “son”of Abraham. “The book of the generation of JesusChrist, the son of David, the son of Abraham...allthe generations from Abraham to David arefourteen generations... Now the birth of JesusChrist was on this wise; When as his mother Marywas espoused to Joseph, before they cametogether, she was found with child of the HolyGhost. ...Now all this was done, that it might befulfilled ...of the Lord by the prophet, saying,Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall

bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, whichbeing interpreted is, God with us... and he called his name JESUS“(Matthew 1:1-25).

The Bible gives the generations (families) of Abraham. The father inthe beginning was Abraham and then through his family Jesus Christwas born. God made the promise almost 2,000 years before Jesus wasborn. God’s promise was true. Abraham obeyed God. God blessed himand took care of him as he traveled. Abraham’s family still lives today.The Jewish Nation still continues and will continue until the Lord comes.The Jewish nation is one of the greatest proofs of the truth of the Wordof God. You need to follow the Lord as Abraham did and not worryabout the future. As God took care of Abraham and Isaac, God will alsotake care of you (I Peter 5:7).

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LOT

A Man Who Loved Wrong Things - Lot was the nephew of the famousAbraham. Abraham and Lot were both very rich. They had much cattleand many servants. They had trouble because of the many men and thecattle they kept. The men fussed and Abraham thought it would be bestto separate and live in different places. Abraham did not want trouble.He wanted to keep peace. Abraham asked Lot to decide which way hewanted to go and which land he wanted. Lot looked at all the places.He decided to move toward two wicked cities name Sodom andGomorrah. Lot made a wrong decision. He loved the wrong things. TheBible warns Christian not to love the world or the things in the world (1John 2:15). Learn a lesson from Lot, don’t love the world.

Lot Looked - Lot looked and decided what he wanted. Lot was arighteous man, but he made the wrong decision because he chose to gotoward the sinful cities. Lot looked toward these cities and thought howeasy it would be for him and his family to live near these cities. Lot onlylooked, but it was the beginning of bad sin for Lot and his family. Manytimes sin will begin with only a look. Then the look will lead to morethings that will be wrong. Lot was tempted and followed the temptation.

Lot Loved - Lot moved toward the city and finally moved into the city. Inthe city Lot changed and began to love the wrong things. Lot firstlooked and then he began to love the things of the wicked city. Hebegan to forget God. He went away from God. Lot loved money,pleasure and wicked things more than God. If you become a friend ofthe world, you become an enemy to God. “Whosoever therefore will bea friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). If you love theworld and worldly things, then you cannot love God. “Love not theworld, neither the things that are in the world” (I John 2:15). God hatessin. He saw the sin in the cities and decided to send fire from Heaven topunish the cities. The people were very wicked. The men loved menand sinned with them. The women loved women and sinned with them.This is a very wicked sin that God hates. God decided to destroy thecities but He did not forget about Lot. God sent two angels to warn Lot.

Lot Lingered - Lot lingered (waited). He did not do as the angels toldhim. Lot tried to tell his family and friends about the fire, but the peoplelaughed and mocked him. They would not believe his message. Lotcould not help the people escape from the fire. Lot lost his testimony.

Lot Lost - God destroyed the cities with fire. Lot’s wife did not obeyGod and God turned her into a statue of salt as she was leaving the city.Only Lot and his two daughters were saved from the fire. Lot lost hismoney, his testimony, his good name, his family and his friends. Don’tlose your good testimony.

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JACOB

The Beginning Of The Jewish Nation - Abraham’s son, Isaac, had towait a long time for a son of his own. Now finally, his wife Rebekah hadgiven birth to twin boys. Just imagine how excited Isaac was when helearned that he not only had one son, but two! That’s right! Twins wereborn. Soon everyone was talking about the twin boys, Esau and Jacob.They liked the story of how Jacob, who was born last, grabbed hisbrother’s foot in his tiny hand. They thought this would mean that Jacobwould become more important than his brother...and they were right“And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there weretwins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like a hairygarment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came hisbrother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name wascalled Jacob” (Genesis 25:24-26). In those days the first son bornbecame ruler to all his father’s possessions. This was called abirthright. Esau was born first so the birthright belonged to him.According to the law Esau was to be the next ruler in the place of Isaac.

Esau Sells His Birthright - The twins grew and Esau became a hunter,a man of the field. Jacob was a plain man. He didn’t like hunting. Heenjoyed staying around the home where his mother told him stories ofhis father and grandfather and of the promises God made to them.Jacob wanted to become the ruler of his father’s possessions and bethe one to receive the blessings of God. One day Esau came from thefield. He was very hungry and tired. Esau thought he might die if he didnot have something to eat. He wanted something to eat more thananything in the world! When Esau arrived home, Jacob was cookingfood. Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me, I pray thee....for I am faint.” Jacobwas very sly and he thought, “Now is the time for me to get the birthrightfrom my brother.” Jacob then told Esau he would give him food inexchange for the birthright. Esau thought about the food and then hethought about the birthright. Finally Esau decided and said, “Behold, Iam at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?”Esau sold the birthright to Jacob for some food. ”And Jacob said, Swearto me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright untoJacob... thus Esau despised (hated) his birthright” (Genesis 25: 27-34).Now Jacob was the one to receive the blessings of God. Do youremember the promises God made to Abraham, the grandfather ofJacob? God promised Abraham that He would begin a new nation withhis seed. Now Jacob was the one to begin the nation of Israel.

Jacob Tricks His Father - Many years passed and Isaac became old.His eyes were weak. He was near death and knew that it was time togive his blessings to his oldest son. He called Esau to come into histent. Isaac told Esau to bring him some meat. He told him that when hereturned he would eat and then bless him before he died.

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Esau ran to the field to kill a deer for his father. Rebekah heard theplans and told Jacob. She told Jacob that it was time for him to beblessed instead of Esau. She told him to pretend to be Esau. Jacobobeyed his mother. Jacob took meat to his father. He pretended to behis Esau. Isaac ate the food and then blessed Jacob instead of Esau.Isaac blessed Jacob to become a great leader and ruler of many. Jacobstole the blessing from Esau. Esau returned from the field and learnedof the trick. He became very angry. Esau hated Jacob and planned tokill him.

The Place Of Bethel - Return to God. Jacob was afraid of Esau andran away. As Jacob ran from Esau he became tired and stopped to rest.He rested and soon went to sleep. As he slept he dreamed of a ladderwhich reached into Heaven. He dreamed that angels were going up anddown the ladder. When he awoke he knew that God was near and hepromised God that he would be faithful and give a tenth of all hispossessions to God (Genesis 28:11-22). Jacob finally decided to returnunto God. Bethel means the place of blessings.

Jacob Seeks Help From God - Jacob traveled to Haran and lived theremany years. In Haran he married and God blessed him greatly. In thoseyears Jacob learned many things. Jacob, after many years, knew it wastime to return home but he was afraid of Esau. Jacob knew that Godwanted him to return home and become the leader of the new nation.As Jacob traveled he felt a great need to talk to God. Finally, he fell onhis knees and confessed his sins and asked God to change his life.

Jacob Becomes Israel – As Jacob prayed an angel appeared. Jacobwas tested of his faith in God. “And Jacob was left alone; and therewrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” Jacob wrestledwith the Lord. He wanted the blessings of God upon his life. The Lordsaid to Jacob, “Let me go, for the day breaketh...” Jacob answered,“I will not let thee go, except thou bless me”. The Lord said, “What isthy name.” “Jacob” he answered, almost ashamed, for the name“Jacob” means “cheater.” The Lord then said, “Thy name shall becalled no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power withGod and with men, and hast prevailed (won)” (Genesis 32:28).

Jacob Given The Name Of Israel - A new nation is born. What a greatday for Jacob! His name was changed to Israel. He had found truepower with God. God blessed him. He was a new man. The schemer,the cheat, had become a prince of God! Jacob later met Esau and theymade peace. Jacob returned home. Jacob had twelve sons who werecalled the sons of Israel, or the twelve tribes of Israel. A new nationhad been born and still exists today in the land of Israel. When you aresaved old things become new in the Lord (II Corinthians 5:17). The bestlife is following God and doing right.

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JOSEPH

A Man Of God (Study Genesis 37-50) - Joseph wasone of the twelve sons of Jacob. Jacob was thegrandson of Abraham. Joseph lived in the land ofCanaan where his father lived. When Joseph was ayoung boy, seventeen years old, the other brotherswere grown men. They were shepherds. Oftenthey had to travel looking for grass for the sheep.Sometimes Joseph went with them. Jacob lovedJoseph more than all the other children. Jacob gaveJoseph a beautiful coat of many different colors and

all the other brothers were jealous. They hated Joseph and refused tobe kind to him. One day as Joseph went to visit his brothers in the field,the brothers saw Joseph coming and they made a wicked plan. Theydecided to kill Joseph and put his body into a hole. They would tell theirfather a wild animal killed Joseph. They put him into a hole but did notkill him. They made plans and sold Joseph as a slave. The brothers toldJacob that a wild animal killed Joseph. They showed his beautifulbloody coat to Jacob. Jacob believed Joseph was dead.

Joseph in Egypt - Joseph became a slave in Egypt. He was onlyseventeen years old and Egypt was a very wicked and sinful place. Thepeople did not know about God and they worshiped idols. Joseph neverforgot about God. Joseph became a slave and lived in a fine house of arich soldier named Potiphar. Potiphar liked Joseph very much andtrusted many things to Joseph. Potiphar had a wicked wife. She fell inlove with Joseph and wanted Joseph to love her. She tried to temptJoseph to sin, but he would not. Joseph ran from her. She becameangry and lied to her husband about Joseph. Joseph did right!

Joseph In Prison - Joseph was cast into prison because of the lies ofPotiphar’s wife but God was with him. Joseph did not sin and thatpleased God. In prison, Joseph told some prisoners what would happento them in the future. They told their dreams to Joseph and he told themthe true meaning of their dreams. Joseph lived in prison for at least twoyears. Joseph was in prison but God was with him.

Joseph In The Palace - One night the king had a strange dream andwanted to know the meaning of the dream. The king called all his wisemen and they could not help him. One of the men knew about Josephand told the king a man in prison could interpret dreams. Joseph cameto the king and told him the meaning of the dream. The king was verypleased and made Joseph a ruler in Egypt. The king knew that Josephwas a good man and that God was with him. Joseph was a wise ruler.He was a man of God who kept his life clean. He refused to sin.

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Joseph And His Family - There was a time of hunger in the land ofJacob, but in Egypt where Joseph was a ruler, there was food. Jacobsent his sons to Egypt to get food. His brothers came to the ruler, notknowing it was Joseph their brother, and asked him for food. They didnot recognize Joseph because the last time they saw him was when hewas sold as a slave. He was only seventeen but now he is over thirtyyears of age. Finally, Joseph told them who he was and that he was notangry with them. The brothers began to weep. Joseph threw his armsaround them and they rejoiced. The brothers returned home andbrought Jacob to see his beloved son, Joseph. Joseph was a man ofGod who would not give up. He stayed faithful to God. It took Joseph13 years to go from the pit to the palace. Learn as Joseph that God canmake the bad things work together for good (Romans 8:28).

MOSES A Great Leader - (Exodus 2) Moses was born in an evil time. The kinghated the Jews. He had all the boy babies killed of the families of theJews. The mother of Moses was afraid the king’s soldiers would killMoses. She hid Moses in a small boat by the river’s edge and prayedthat God would take care of him. Later, the king’s daughter came to thewater to bathe. She saw the small baby Moses and took him home tothe palace with her. Moses became the adopted son of the king’sdaughter. Moses lived for 120 years and became a great leader.

First Forty Years - Moses grew up in the king’s palace as the king’sson. As he grew, he learned his true people, the Jews, were hated andused as slaves. One day Moses saw one of the kings men beating aJew. Moses’ heart was touched. Moses killed the Egyptian to help theJews. Later the king heard about Moses killing the Egyptian. The kingthen tried to kill Moses. Moses hid from the king in the desert placesand the king could not find Moses. The first forty years were hard onesfor Moses. He lived in the desert hiding from the king. Moses decidedto serve God rather than be the son of the king.

Second Forty Years - Moses married and had a family. During this timethe wicked king died in Egypt. Moses was now a shepherd, a poor manliving in the desert. Moses was taught by God to be meek and humble.Moses learned very much in the desert. While Moses was in the desertthe people of God began to pray that God would free them from Egyptand the new king. The new king was worse than the other king. He beatthe people of God and made them work very hard. Many Jews diedbecause of the evil king. The Jews prayed and asked God to free themfrom the king. God heard their prayers. God chose Moses to lead thepeople out of Egypt and free them from the Egyptians. One day asMoses walked in the desert, God came to talk to him. God spoke toMoses from a burning bush.

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God told Moses to go to the king and tell him to free the Jews. Mosesdid as God commanded. He went to the king and told him that God saidto free His people. The king did not believe God and refused to free thepeople. The king said “no” to God and refused to obey God. God wasstronger than the king and began to send trouble upon Egypt. The kinghad a very hard heart and refused to let the people free. God sent tenplagues (troubles) and the last time God killed all the first born childrenof the families in Egypt. The king was very sad because his son wasalso killed. The king bowed his head and finally agreed to free thepeople of God. This was a great day---they were free to leave Egypt.

Third Forty Years - Moses led the people from Egypt into the land of awilderness. Many times the people complained and fussed aboutwalking in the wilderness. Moses was leading them to a new landnamed Canaan. Canaan was the place God planned for His people. Itwas hard to travel in those days and many of the people became tiredand wanted to return to Egypt. Moses was a good leader and hecontinued to lead the people in the wilderness. He knew God wouldtake care of them. The wilderness was a large dry land. There was notmuch food and water in the wilderness. Moses faithfully followed theLord in the wilderness.

God Is Faithful To His People - Sometimes when the people werehungry God would send them quail to eat. Sometimes He would sendthem food from Heaven called manna. Once, after traveling all day, thepeople were tired and very thirsty. There was no water for the people todrink. The people complained and wished they were back in Egypt.They wished they had never left Egypt. They complained to Mosesbecause they had no water (Exodus 17:1-6). Moses prayed for God tohelp them. God told Moses to go to the rock in Horeb and strike it withhis rod. Moses struck the rock. The people were amazed as water camefrom the rock. It was a miracle.

Moses Disobeys God - Later, the people again had no water. The Lordtold Moses to speak to the rock this time and water would come forth.The people complained and Moses was angry with them. Moses hit therock in anger. He disobeyed God. He did not speak to the rock. Godthen told Moses, because he hit the rock, he could not go into the newland of Canaan. Moses was very disappointed. He was a good leader.He had written the first five books in the Bible, and the TenCommandments but now he had disobeyed God. God loved Moses verymuch and decided to surprise him. God told Moses to walk to the top ofa mountain named Nebo. Moses obeyed and sadly walked to the top ofthe mountain. On the mountain God showed him the land of Canaan.Moses faithfully followed God from Egypt to the wilderness for fortyyears. Moses was one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. Mosesbecame great because he served a great God.

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Moses Dies - He then died on the mountain and went to be with God“And the Lord showed him all the land... This is the land which Isware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will giveit unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, butthou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the Lorddied there in the land of Moab” (Deuteronomy 34:1-5). The peopleloved Moses very much. He was a great leader. He led the people fromEgypt, through the waters, and into the wilderness. He brought themthe Ten Commandments. Moses was one of the greatest leaders of alltimes. He was great because God used Him. Moses could have beenwealthy. “By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused tobe called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to sufferaffliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sinfor a season” (Hebrew 11:24-25). Moses lived for eternal things, notearthly things. Moses invested his life in people, not in things. Don’tlove things, but love people. Do not desire the world but look to God.Live for eternal things do not live for earthly things. Don’t love thethings in this world, but love the things of God.

JOSHUAGod’s Work Continues - Moses was dead and the people of God werewithout a leader. They were in a large desert place without food andwater. What should they do? They could not return to Egypt and theywere afraid to go forward. God’s work is not easy. Just anyone cannotbe a great leader. God chose a man named Joshua to be the newleader. Joshua loved the Lord and worshipped Him. He was a goodsoldier. He was not afraid. He believed God’s promises. The peoplewere happy to have a new leader. God’s work would not be stopped.The people promised to follow Joshua.

A River To Cross - God commanded Joshua to cross over the riverJordan and take the land of Canaan from the enemies of God. Joshuaobeyed God and called all the people together and told them that Godwould give them victory to beat the enemies. Joshua then sent twospies into the land of Jericho to see the enemies of God. The spiesreturned and gave a good report that the city could be captured. Theyreported that a woman named Rahab helped them down the wall with acord to safety. Joshua promised that Rahab would be saved. She tied itin the window (Joshua 2:9-18). Joshua knew that he must cross theriver Jordan. It was springtime and the river was overflowing. Whatcould they do? They looked at the great river and wondered how theycould get across it. Then God spoke to Joshua and said, “....This daywill I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they mayknow that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” Joshua thencommanded the people to go forward toward the great river.

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The people had great faith and when their feet touched the water agreat miracle happened! God stopped the waters and the people of Godwalked across on dry ground! God helped them cross the river.Joshua passed over into the promised land.

A Great Walled City - As they crossed the river they knew that Godwas with them. They came to their first city, Jericho. This city was verylarge and it had a great wall built around it. The wall was so high that noone could climb over it. It seemed impossible for God’s people tocapture the city. They looked at the great wall and knew they could notget into the city. What would they do? God then spoke to the leader,Joshua, and gave him a strange command. God told him to marcharound the city six times in six days...one time a day...and on theseventh day they should march round the city seven times and thenstop and blow the trumpets. What a strange command! The peoplebelieved God and marched around the city once each day. On theseventh day they marched seven times and then stopped. Everyonewaited while the priests put the trumpets to their lips and blew them veryloudly. All the people shouted. Then earth began to tremble and thewalls of the city started to crumble and then to fall. God gave them thevictory. Joshua also spared Rahab and her family as he promised.God’s work always continues. They were in a new land with a newleader. God had blessed them. Joshua continued in the place of Mosesand led the people into the promised land. God prospered Joshua andall His people as He promised. It took many years from Egypt but finallythe Jewish people are home! It took many years from Egypt to thepromise land of Canaan, but the Jewish people finally arrived home.One day all Christians will arrive in Heaven and be home at last.

SAMSON

The Strongest Man In The World (Judges 14-16) - The old Testamenttells the story of the strongest man who ever lived. He was a mannamed Samson. This man did not become strong from exercise orworking, but he received his power from God. God told Samson to makea promise to Him....that he would obey God and remember God.Samson was never to cut his hair. This would show that Samson waskeeping his promise. Samson was very strong and brave. One day, asSamson was walking alone, a lion came near him. The lion is a strong,wild animal. Samson took hold of the lion and tore him to pieces with hisbare hands. One time some enemies of God, the Philistine people, triedto fight with Samson. He picked up a bone on the ground and with thebone he killed more than a thousand men. God gave Samson his greatstrength so that Samson could deliver the children of God from theirenemies. The Philistines were afraid of Samson. One day they saw himgo into the city of Gaza. This city had large walls with big gates.

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The Philistines ran to the gates and closed them and thought they hadcaptured Samson. Samson just pulled the gates down and put themupon his shoulders and walked away. Samson carried the gates thirtymiles. The Philistines feared Samson greatly.

Samson Meets Delilah - One day Samson visited the Philistines andmet a Philistine woman with whom he fell in love. Her name wasDelilah. The Philistines told Delilah to find the secret of Samson’sstrength. They promised to give her much money if she would helpthem. She loved the money more than Samson. When she was alonewith Samson, she said to him, “.....Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thygreat strength lieth...” Samson tricked her and told her a lie about hisstrength. This made her angry. She told Samson he was making fun ofher and did not love her. Samson felt sorry for her and told her the truth.He told her about his promise to God that his hair would never be cut.Delilah told the Philistines his secret. Delilah made Samson go to sleepwith his head on her lap. When Samson was asleep she told thePhilistines to come and help her. They cut off the seven locks ofSamson’s hair. When he woke up he started to fight the Philistines, buthis strength was gone. He had broken his promise to God and hisstrength was gone. The Philistines captured Samson. They put out hiseyes and made him blind. They bound Samson with chains and madehim work in the prison house. Poor Samson! He was blind, and hisstrength was gone. One day the Philistines prepared a sacrifice for afalse god they called Dagon. They were going to have a big party. Theybrought Samson from the prison to make fun of him. They wanted tomock Samson. Poor, blind Samson stumbled along, led by a little boy.The Philistines shouted with joy. If Samson fell down, the peoplescreamed with laughter. They laughed at the man of God.

Samson Dies With The Ungodly. Thousandsof Philistines were at the party. Samson askedthe little boy to lead him to the big posts thatheld up the roof of the house. Samson’s hairwas now long again and as he stood there hewas remembering his past days of strength. Hethen prayed, “O Lord God.... strengthen me, Ipray thee, only this once.....” Samson tookhold of the two posts and started pushing them

down. He said, “....Let me die with the Philistines.....” God gave himstrength again and Samson pushed the posts down and the building fell.Samson died with the Philistines. In his death, Samson killed many ofthe enemies of God but he lost his power, his life and testimony. TheDevil wants Christians to lose their power with God. Samson loved thewrong things. He had the wrong friends. He said “yes” to temptation. AChristian will go the wrong way when he has wrong friends. When youlove the world you will become weak with God. Refuse sin!

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GIDEON

A Poor Man Used Of God! After Joshua died, the people forgot God.They started worshipping gods made from stone and wood. Because ofthis sin, God let their enemies steal from them. The people of God werehungry ... times were hard. God was punishing them to teach them avaluable lesson. When the troubles and hard times came the peopleremembered God and finally called to Him for help. “And it came topass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because ofthe Midianites” (Judges 6:7). God heard their prayers. He was lookingfor a man to lead the people. He saw a man who still worshipped Himand not the idols. He found a faithful man to serve Him.

Who, Me? One day, as Gideon was threshing wheat, an angel of theLord spoke to him, “....The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”Gideon looked up from his work. The angel told him that God hadchosen him (Gideon) to save the people from their enemies. Gideoncould not believe what he heard! He thought, “Not me, why I am anobody!” Gideon said to the angel, “....shall I save Israel? behold, myfamily is poor... I am the least in my father’s house.” Then the Lord saidunto him, “....Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite theMidianites as one man.”

Gideon’s Great Army - Gideon knew he could not win the fight, butGod could! He doubted, but then finally believed that he was chosen ofGod to help his people. Gideon was a poor man, the least in his family,but God used him. Gideon called the people together and asked for mento volunteer to be in his army. At first, every man wanted to fight for Godand 32,000 men volunteered. Gideon then told all the men who werefearful and afraid, not to volunteer. Some of the men began to thinkabout the war and they were afraid. Twenty-two thousand men decidednot to fight in Gideon’s army! Gideon had only 10,000 men left. As helooked at the small number of men, God surprised him and told himthere were still too many! God gave another test and only 300 menwere left. God told him that these 300 men would save his people.

Fighting With Trumpets, Pitchers and Torches- Gideon took his armyto fight the enemy. In the darkness he divided his three hundred meninto three groups. Each soldier was given a trumpet and a pitcher.Inside the pitcher was a light. What a strange weapon to use! Gideonsaid unto them, “Look on me, and do likewise ... as I do, so shall yedo” (Judges 7:17). Quietly Gideon and his men went down themountain and circled the large enemy camp. There were so manyenemies they could not be counted. They were as the sand of the sea.Could just three hundred men win a battle with only trumpets, pitchersand torches? In the darkness Gideon blew his trumpet. Then all 300soldiers did the same. They all make a great sound in the darkness.

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They broke the pitchers and the torch lights could be seen. They shonevery brightly in the darkness. The soldiers waved their torches andcried the victory sounds. The sleepy enemies were afraid. They ran inevery direction. They killed one another because they could not see inthe darkness. They thought their friends were their enemies. Gideonand his small army won the battle! God can use anyone. Gideon wasthe least in the family but he was greatly used of God. If God can useGideon, God can use you!

HANNAH

A Wife Without Children - This is the story of a woman who loved God.Her name was Hannah. She was a very good woman and wife. Inthose days, every wife wanted very much to be a mother and havemany children. It was a great shame for a woman not to have children.Hannah was becoming old and did not have children. Many times shewent off by herself and cried because she did not have any children (1Samuel, Chapters 1 & 2). Hannah Prays For A Son - In Bible days itwas a great blessing to give a son to your husband. It was important forthe name of the family to continue through the son. Hannah decided togo to God for help. Hannah wanted a son very much. She loved herhusband and she wanted him to be proud of her. Hannah’s heart wasbroken because she did not have a son, and she began to weep andcry. She wanted a son so very much that she could not eat. All shecould think about was having a son. Hannah’s husband loved her verymuch. He saw her weeping and said to her, “Do not weep. I love youvery much and I want you to be happy.” Hannah was very sad. Hannahmade up her mind that she would pray for a son.

Hannah Would Not Give Up - Hannah went to the Temple and prayedto God. She wept and prayed. She made a promise to God that if Godwould give her a son, she would give him back to the Lord to serve Him.Hannah continued to pray and weep for a son. Hannah cried andprayed. The people saw her weeping. They wondered why she wasweeping. The priest, Eli, told her to stop weeping and praying. Hethought she was drunk. Hannah was surprised she told him that shewas praying to God. The priest then told her to be silent. So she prayedsilently in her heart. The people did not hear her voice, but they saw herlips moving. They did not understand, but God did. Eli then angrily toldher again to stop praying. Hannah told the Eli that she was praying forGod to give her a son. Finally, Eli told her to go home and her prayerswould be answered. She was not sad any more. The Lord saw herfaithfulness and her tears. He knew her heart. God answered theprayer of Hannah. Hannah had a son and called his name “Samuel” (ISamuel 1:20). Her prayers worked!

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The name Samuel means “asked of God.” Hannah’s prayer wasanswered. Hannah Kept - When Samuel was three years old, Hannahtook him to the temple and dedicated him to God. She gave him to theLord and said, “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord” (I Samuel 2:1).Hannah prayed for a a son who changed the world.

SAMUEL(Study I Samuel, Chapter 3)

A Man Who Listened To God - Hannah kept her promise to God andwhen her son, Samuel, was three years old she gave him to the Lord.She kissed her little boy and told him good-bye, then left him to help Eli,a priest in the work of the Lord. Hannah visited her son once a year.

God Calls Samuel - Samuel as a small boy,served God, and obeyedEli in the Temple. One night, after Eli and Samuel had gone to bed,something strange happened. Samuel heard a voice calling, “Samuel,Samuel!” He jumped out of bed and went to Eli and said, “Here am I.”Eli said, “I called not, my son; lie down again.” Samuel thought thiswas very strange, he heard Eli call his name. Samuel obeyed and wassoon fast asleep. Suddenly, once again came a voice, “Samuel,Samuel.” Samuel ran to Eli again and said, “Here am I; for thou didstcall me.” Then Eli knew it must be the Lord calling Samuel. He toldSamuel to lie down again and if he heard his name called again, he wasto answer, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” The Lord thenspoke to Samuel. He talked to Samuel about important plans He had forSamuel to do for Him. How wonderful that the Lord chooses certainones to serve Him in a special way. When Samuel became a man hecontinued to listen to God. He became a prophet and a great leader.In those days there were no kings over Israel. The ruler was called ajudge. Samuel later became the judge over Israel. He was a goodjudge. (I Samuel 7:15-17). This happened because a mother prayed!

Israel Desires a King - When Samuel became old, he made his sonsjudges over Israel. The people of Israel did not want his sons to ruleover them. All the people asked Samuel to give them a king. Samuelprayed and God told him that a king would be evil and bring muchtrouble to the people. The people would not listen to Samuel, but cried,“We will have a king over us” (I Samuel 8:19). God finally told Samuelto give them a king. God spoke to Samuel again and told him to anointSaul to be the king of Israel. Samuel continued to serve God with all hisheart until he died. “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites weregathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his houseat Ramah...” (I Samuel 25:1). When Samuel died all the people weptvery much. He was a servant of God. You need to be still and listen toGod. When God speaks, don’t be too busy to listen to Him!

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