Old Testament Heroes
This man was commanded to leave his homeland and go to a land God promised to his descendants, though he never saw it himself.
Who is Abraham?
Genesis 12:1-3 – "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you.'"
At the wedding in Cana, Jesus told the servants to fill six stone jars with water. These jars were typically used for this Jewish custom.
What is ceremonial washing?
John 2:6 – "Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons."
This Old Testament book, often attributed to Solomon, explores the meaning of life and declares, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
What is Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes 1:2 – "'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'"
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
What is John 3:16?
This prophet was swallowed by a great fish and spent three days and nights in its belly before being spit out onto dry land.
Who is Jonah?
Jonah 1:17 – "Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."
This prophet anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, and heard God calling him as a child.
Who is Samuel?
1 Samuel 3:4 – "Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, 'Here I am.'"
1 Samuel 16:13 – "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him [David] in the presence of his brothers."
After feeding the 5,000 with loaves and fish, Jesus told His disciples to gather the leftovers. They filled this many baskets with the remaining food.
What are twelve baskets?
Matthew 14:20 – "And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over."
This New Testament book was written by Luke and describes the early history of the Christian church and the apostles.
What is Acts?
Acts 1:1-2 – "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen."
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
What is Psalm 23:1?
This prophet confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, challenging the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God sent fire from heaven.
Who is Elijah?
1 Kings 18:36-38 – "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench."
This Old Testament figure's wisdom was tested when two women claimed to be the mother of the same child.
Who is Solomon?
1 Kings 3:25-28 – "The king said, 'Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.' The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, 'Please, my lord, give her the living baby!'"
When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, He asked His disciples why they lacked this, showing their fear during the storm.
What is faith?
Mark 4:40 – "He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"
This book is known as a collection of wise sayings, many attributed to King Solomon.
What is Proverbs?
Scripture: Proverbs 1:1 – "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel."
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
What is Philippians 4:13?
This prophet foretold the birth of the Messiah, saying, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given."
Who is Isaiah?
Isaiah 9:6 – "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder."
This judge made a vow to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house upon his victorious return, a decision that had heartbreaking consequences.
Who is Jephthah?
Judges 11:30-31 – "And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: 'If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph... I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.'"
Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus was deeply moved and did this, showing His human emotion for His friend.
What is wept (Jesus wept)?
John 11:35 – "Jesus wept."
This Old Testament book is named after a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David.
What is Ruth?
Ruth 4:17 – "And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, 'A son has been born to Naomi.' They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David."
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
What is Isaiah 40:31?
This prophet was called by God through a vision of a burning bush that was not consumed by fire.
Who is Moses?
Exodus 3:2 – "There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up."
This king of Judah was only eight years old when he began to reign, and he later initiated a major religious reform by rediscovering the Book of the Law.
Who is Josiah?
2 Kings 22:1-2 – "Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years... He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord."
2 Kings 22:8 – "Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.'"
After healing the boy possessed by an unclean spirit, Jesus said His disciples’ failure was due to this, explaining their inability to cast out the demon.
What is their lack of faith?
Matthew 17:19-20 – "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'Because of your little faith.'"
This prophetic book contains a vision of a valley of dry bones, which God brings back to life, symbolizing the restoration of Israel.
What is Ezekiel?
Ezekiel 37:1-5 – "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones... I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
What is Romans 8:28?
This prophet had a vision of four great beasts coming out of the sea, symbolizing four kingdoms.
Who is Daniel?
Daniel 7:3 – "And four great beasts came up out of the sea, diverse one from another."