What is your favorite Bible story? [Archive]

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23rd July 2004, 11:36 AM

What is your favorite Bible story, and what have you learned from it?

I think this could be a great thread if we all participate. There are many Bible stories (I rather call them historical accounts) that can teach us so much.

I'll start the thread...

One of my all time favorite Bible stories comes from 2 Samuel 12:1-24. I'll paraphrase it for you then give something that I've learned from it.

Ok so King David had killed Uriah the hittite in order to take his wife. So David is hanging out in the throne room and in walks Nathan the prophet. Nathan relates the following story to David

"There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him." (vs 1-4)

Ok so now (and I love this part because it's just like me). David gets filled with righteous wrath and proclaims that this man will die, and repay the poor man whom he had wronged.

Directly after David's righteous rant, Nathan says to him (and oh man I would have loved to see the look on David's face at this point!), "Thou art the man. And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon."

After this Nathan declares God's judgement upon David and the house of David. There will be constant war etc. It's what David says after the proclamation of judgement that really struck me. David says, "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD."

Now there are many, many, many lessons that I've learned from this account. Perhaps the most notable is found in David's reaction. During my witnessing I once met a staunch athiest. He asked me once, "Why would a just God punish man with an infinite punishment for a finite sin?" I answered him, "My friend, you do not understand the nature of sin." Awhile after that conversation I came across this passage again in my devotional time. David's exclamation kind of shocked me. He proclaimed "I have sinned against the LORD". That's odd, I thought. Wasn't David's sin really against Uriah? Well, yes it was, and no it wasn't. You see the thing that I've learned from this story is that my sin, though it will often negatively affect those around me in this world, is ultimately a sin against God. They are after all God's rules/laws/standards that I break. In being created in the image of God when I act contrary to the nature of God, I make Him look bad. Most especially as a Christian, when I sin now, I who took on the name of Christ (i.e. Christian) take the Lord's name in vain. My sin is a sin against the LORD. There is no sin that is finite, all sin is committed against an infinite (eternal) God. If you stand before God, apart from Christ, you will be guilty of sinning against God. Your punishment will be infinite, but it does not have to be so. There is forgiveness available to every man, woman, and child. It is a gift, and though it cost someone dearly, it is free to you!

So, what's your story?

pressingon

23rd July 2004, 12:28 PM

My favorite historical account (I hate it when people talk of Bible "stories" too) is of Saul's conversion....

Maybe it's just that I feel I can relate to Paul moreso than anyone in the Bible, but I love the fact that God can (and does) turn lives completely around, allowing us to see the fallacy of our ways and the wisdom of His plan. I love how God uses us (usually the most unlikely of us, even) to affect the lives of others in eternal ways.

I guess Paul's conversion and life really just exemplify everything that's great about our God.

Razorbuck

23rd July 2004, 12:32 PM

Fantastic post! I love that passage as well.

One of the stories I love the most is from 1 Samuel 11. Saul had not long been anointed king over Israel by Samuel when the Ammonites, led by an ol' boy named Nahash laid seige to Jabeshgilead. The folks there tried to make a deal with the Ammonites, but the deal was going to cost them their right eyes and their freedom. The folks of Jabeshgilead sent messengers into all the land to seek a saviour before they cut a deal with the Ammonites. When the people in all the coasts of Israel heard what was happening to their buddies, they cried and mourned for them, but that's about all they did. When Saul heard all the crying he asked what was wrong and the people told him. Saul got a little torqued-off at the folks and cut an ox up into hunks and sent the pieces throughout Israel with a message that the people would see their own animals hacked up if they didn't rally around the king and get busy!

That got their attention! The people came "of one accord" to aid Jabeshgilead. Saul sent the messengers ahead to tell the weary, beseiged folks that help was on the way! When he got there he destroyed the Ammonites utterly! Victory!

Some of the folks said they should drag the guys among them that didn't want Saul as king in the first place out and kill them, but Saul was merciful even to these unfaithful.

Well...

Time would fail me to tell of all the lessons God has blessed me with through this wonderful account. I've seen that people make a covenant with the world and the prince of it. They allow themselves to be blinded and enslaved for a temporal comprimise. I've seen a weary, hard beset people search for something to save them from the approaching wrath. I've seen God's people cry many tears for these poor folks yet not do much in the way of real action for them. I've seen God do something a little shocking and unconventional to get His people's attention, to get them to join the battle, to get the message out that help is on the way! I've seen the Lord bring total victory in seemingly hopeless situations!

I've seen God's mercy to me...though for so long I would not get off the throne of my life so that He could rule...

What a mighty God we serve!

CrystalBrooke

23rd July 2004, 01:07 PM

i have 2...the one about the 10 virgins, the 5 wise and the 5 foolish. from that i learned to always be ready for when God comes back, bc the bible says not to take your flight in the winter, i want to be a good christian when he comes back.

my other favorite one is when Job lost everything and his wife told him to just curse God and die, but Job said "the lord giveth he taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord" i learned that no matter what we have, we need to realize that it came from God, and he can take it all away any time he wants.

Filia Mariae

23rd July 2004, 01:21 PM

Although I don't think I could pick just one, I love the account of Jesus raising Lazarus.

Here is Lazarus, been dead for four days, in the cave, wrapped up in what had to be at that point pretty smelly rags, and Jesus commands him to come out. It is such a great reminder for me that even though we were dead in our sins, Jesus wants us to be free, He commands us to rise and come out of our cave of sin.

We all have a different cave, something that enslaves us, but Jesus commands us to come out and be free in Him!:clap:

Crazy Liz

23rd July 2004, 02:21 PM

Saul got a little torqued-off at the folks and cut an ox up into hunks and sent the pieces throughout Israel with a message that the people would see their own animals hacked up if they didn't rally around the king and get busy!

Interesting. I had forgotten this story. How do you think it relates to Judges 19-20?

Crazy Liz

23rd July 2004, 03:05 PM

My favorite is the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38. One sin leads to another, and it keeps getting worse and worse until somebody repents. Only grace and mercy can stop the cycle of sin.

Kathryn13

23rd July 2004, 08:51 PM

My favorite is Ester. I love how it's such a great reminder that God is in control of every detail of our lives, including the timing of each and every incident whether we understand it or not.

Razorbuck

24th July 2004, 11:00 AM

Interesting. I had forgotten this story. How do you think it relates to Judges 19-20?
Good question. I have noted the parallels in these two passages before and wondered about how they relate.

It is interesting in the Judges passage you cite that the virgins given to the remnant of Benjamin that survived the Gibeah slaughter were from Jabesh-gilead, who did not join the war against the Benjamites. In the 1 Samuel 11 passage, it is Gibeah (through Saul) that comes to the aid of Jabesh-gilead.

There is also the oxen in The Samuel passage that are cut up and sent out as a call to wake the people up and come to the aid of the brethren at Jabesh-gilead, in contrast to Judges where the poor dead concubine's body is cut up in twelve pieces and sent out as a call to revenge the evil being done by the Benjamites in Gibeah.

I notice that the men of Israel who came against the Benjamites decided how they would act before God was consulted, the result being defeat in two battles before the Lord finally gave Israel victory. Even after the victory the people showed no mercy and wiped out the women, children and beasts in Gibeah and burned it to the ground, in contrast to Saul, who was given complete victory by God in defending his brethren, then showed mercy to the ones who did not fight or submit to his rule.

The spiritual lessons here are many, a few that are apparent to me are:

God's blessings cannot be expected in an endeavor (no matter how righteous the cause) when He is not consulted nor the prime focus of.

Victory belongs to the Lord. Even with overwhelming forces expect defeat if you leave God out of the equation.

Deal with people according to God's principles, not according to pride. If the Benjamites had given up the wicked men to Israel, the "men of valor" would not have fallen.

I won't even go into the Levite of Ephraim who gave up his concubine...

The historical significance of the contrasting roles of Jabesh-gilead and Gibeah in these passages I leave to someone more learned than myself. (meaning just about anybody...;) )

Maybe you have some insight you would like to share. It seems a fascinating study, I plan to dig deeper as time permits.

God bless.

Mary_Magdalene

24th July 2004, 01:22 PM

This one i have read a hundred times before. but last week i was doing a Precept study on Genesis. I closed my eyes and pictured this verse:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

What i saw in my mind was so beautiful. Just to think of nothing on earth at all - totally quiet.....just the Holy Spirit moving across the water..... man! God is awesome!

Like i said, it was one of those verses you read so fast usually you dont stop to imagine what God is speaking of. :bow:

crazy4Christ007

24th July 2004, 02:51 PM

good post!

LaxItUp

25th July 2004, 12:01 AM

My favorite passage is of John 4. Jesus was a radical and didn't play by the traditional rules, He looked for the hurting and those that needed Him, regardless of gender, race, or creed. It helps to remind me that I need to have the same attitude. Find the hurting, go to where they live, be knowledgeable about their lives, introduce them to the One who can take away the hurt and pain and give them the eternal peace that they need.

jcright

26th July 2004, 09:46 AM

1 Kings 18:16-40.

This is my favorite hitsorical event! This details Elijah challenging the people that worship baal. I love the fact that Elijah taunts the people when their "god" doesn't answer their requests.

theseed

26th July 2004, 06:18 PM

Here is my favorite.

2 Kings 2
23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

Crazy Liz

26th July 2004, 10:01 PM

theseed

26th July 2004, 10:15 PM

Because it is sadistically hillarious.

26th July 2004, 10:27 PM

Because it is sadistically hillarious.
ROFL

Thanks brother, I needed that!

theseed

26th July 2004, 10:40 PM

But really, my favorite story is about the guy who guy who is the only begotton son of God, and was born of a virgin, Mary and concieved by the Holy Spirit, who was crucified, dead, and buried, and on the third day rose again, and ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of The Father.

Do you know which story I am talking about?

"I heard an old, old story, about a savior who came in glory, gave his life of Calvory to save a wretch like me" (Victory in Jesus).

joyshirley

29th July 2004, 07:24 AM

Hi, everyone :wave:

I have two, one from each Testament. Hope that's cool!

In the Old Testament I love the account in Daniel 3 of the Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace. This is such a powerful example of God's faithfulness to those who love and obey Him.

In the New Testament I love the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus cut across man-made boundaries and prejudices and He expects me to do the same.

Go well! :)

Tenorvoice

30th July 2004, 08:42 PM

I to love to read the history of the accounts of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. How they stuck to their faith and they trusted in God to deliver them (in one way or another) an dhow they went against the "grain" of the day and would not bow down to the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had made. Even tho it was required of all to do so, lest they die.

Every time I read this I can not help but think of our Brothers and Sisters in the Persicuted Church that go against the demands of the powers at be. And how God uses them through their persicution to rocket the growth of the Church in those nations.

Please Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in those types of nations today:prayer: , They need it soo much Pray that God will strenghen them and to be reminded that God is with them always.

Peace

Iollain

1st August 2004, 01:14 AM

My favourite is in John 18 when they came to get Jesus. I just find it amazing that the group that came to get him all fell back on the ground. Can you imagine what is going through their heads? They were probably surprised that Jesus did not send them backwards about 50ft when they persisted. I think Jesus did this so they would see the seriousness of what they were doing and so they would let the disciples go without a fight....maybe or somethin like that.

KJVJoshua2415

24th August 2004, 03:06 AM

Mine is a Parable (sic) about the prodigal son. You see I was a prodigal son of CHRIST for the longest time. I am Honered to now be able to Glorify HIM with a clean and greatful heart.:amen: :preach: :groupray:

RED that's ME

24th August 2004, 11:52 AM

I have so many. Ruth is one of my favorite to read and study.
It is interesting though to see how Bible stories as we learned as children now take a whole new meaning when we get older to see other truths and parallels from them. :angel:

http://www.choiceshirts.com/images/A1/01/A10107C-md.jpg

Diane_Windsor

20th June 2005, 03:04 PM

This is easy. My favourite Bible story is the death and ressurection of Our Lord.

Lesson learned: I was bought at a high price.

Diane
:)

Smidlee

20th June 2005, 05:55 PM

Red, I love Ruth too but I would say the story of what I call "Jehoshaphat smelled a rat" in King Chapter 22 6-28. Jehoshaphet came to Ahab to ally with him who had 400 prophets all saying the same thing. Jehoshaphet had enough wisdom something not right when you got that many prophets slapping each other on the back with a silly smile on their face so he ask Ahab " Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him?" Arab replied "Yet Micaiah but he is a fundamentalist who never say anything good of me." Well, that's not exactly what Arab said but you get the point.

arunma

20th June 2005, 06:32 PM