Bible People

Who is your Favourite Bible Character

Something a little bit different today. Apart from God, or Jesus, or Holy Spirit – who’s your favourite character from the Bible?

I mean David was a great hero wasn’t he? Valiant as a boy, warrior king in battle, danced before the Ark of the Covenant when it was returned to Israel, singer and songwriter of some fame, bit of a ladies man. Yes, David is a contender isn’t he? Then there was Moses. Reluctant speaker and leader, one of only a very few to actually ‘see’ God, argued with Pharaoh, performed all those escape and wandering miracles, God spoke with him face to face (Num 12:8), was on the mount of transfiguration with Jesus

How about Joshua? Mighty old warrior, never promoted himself, faithful to his leaders, faithful man of God, favoured of God, leader extraordinary. Elijah perhaps? Raised the dead, routed the prophets of Baal at mount Carmel, stopped rain for three years at his word, was taken to heaven in a chariot. Elisha maybe? Thought big – asked big – double anointing, Naaman, ‘those who are with us are greater than those who are against us’,

Daniel? Visionary, never wavered nor doubted God, interpreter of dreams, lions den, fiery furnace, end-times prophecies. Peter? Church ‘founding father’ – the Rock, denied Jesus but came back to lead the early church, Pentecost speech. Paul? Opponent turned mighty proponent, letter writer, encourager, teacher, ambassador. John the Baptist? Mighty prophet and teacher, baptiser, the preface to Jesus,

What about the ladies?

Esther, queen, prophetess, saviour of the Israelites in captivity. Deborah, prophetess and judge of all Israel, warrior leader.

Every one of them a mighty man or woman of God, and every one of them a real life sized character with their good points and their flaws. So who is my personal favourite. I suppose it has to be between Elijah and Elisha. He of Mount Carmel or he of the double portion.

Elijah was fearless before kings and enemies both. He was very human. He grew tired of fleeing for his life and he fought wondrous battles for God – near enough on the same day. He outed and routed the false prophets of Baal while turning the Israelites back to the Lord. He brought down fire from heaven, then he ran for his life from Jezebel. He also knew the price Elisha would pay for being the prophet of all Israel. “Oh God, what have I done to you.” This was his remark after he threw his cloak over Elisha when he called in to be his successor. Elijah also cared for the poor as he showed when he foretold the miracle for the widow and her son at Zarephath.

Elisha had the temerity to ask for a double portion of Elijah’s anointing – but he got it. He was prophet for 60 years. He saw the Horsemen and chariots of Israel surrounding his home in Dothan when the king of Syria sent his army to capture Elisha. He heard the king, even in his bedchamber, plotting the overthrow of Israel and he warned the Israelites. Elijah had 14 miracles recorded and Elisha had 28 – the double portion !

Oh dear – which one shall I choose. On balance it has to be Elijah and if I were to ask anything, then even a portion of his anointing would be beyond my wildest dreams. Yet that is what I ask and what I pray for.

Am I prepared to pay the price? I don’t know but I’d love to find out.