Men and women of God

By: Martin Connolly | Date: 2025-11-04

Men and women of God Series – Part 1

 

Brief snapshots to encourage believers to action.

 Abraham

Abraham (Abram meaning the man from beyond [the river]), stands as a giant of faith. A non-Jew who was called a Hebrew (First in Genesis 14:13) – The name points to him being a descendent of Eber a son of Shem. He was called by God to leave the security of his home. God told him to go to a land he would show him (Genesis 12:1). Abraham shows great faith and trust in God. He did know his destination or what the future would bring (Hebrews 11:8). All he had heard was the voice of God.

He recognised it and set off into whatever future God had planned. When we read his full story, we find a man who is given great challenges. In every one of them he rises to the challenge. With one exception that resulted in the birth of Ishmael (God will hear). God promised Hagar, his mother, that he would still bless the boy (Genesis 16:11ff), even though his conception was not in line with what Abraham was told to do. Abraham was to go on to have his own son Isaac (laughter, he will laugh). The greatest of tests was in being asked to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:2). His willingness to do so, highlights a man who puts God first in everything. He went on to live a life of faith. It says in his death,

 “And Abraham expired, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:8)

The word ‘expired’ has the meaning used in some translations, ‘gave up the ghost’.

 Lessons from this life

Abraham shows us a picture of faith, endurance and trust.

In the matter of Hagar and Ishmael, we find God has planned for the mistakes that He knows we will make, although we should do everything to try and avoid them. His story shows us, that Abraham’s error led to much war and violence.

Abraham died aged 175. and the expression ‘full of years’, indicates he had lived a full life. In ‘giving up the ghost’ it shows his readiness for death.

 Would you give up your present for a future you do not know, or had planned, for God?

 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.” (Hebrews 11:8)

 Joseph

            Joseph (Yahweh has added) The root meaning is ‘to take away’. Hence Rachel’s statement, “..God has taken away my reproach.” (Genesis 30;23) That is also, as one takes away the produce from a harvest field to add to the storehouse. So appropriate in Joesph’s future!  Joseph is a man, whose life can teach us how God can bring out greatness from apparent tragedy. How true is the Scripture, “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are calledaccording to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Let us briefly look at his life. He was the first son of a true romance story of Rachel and Jacob and full brother to Benjamin. He would grow and be shown that he was chosen by God for greatness. The result was the hatred of his brothers. Threatened to be killed he was eventually saved from this by Jacob and sold as a slave to the Ishmaelites. From there he was sold to Potiphar, the Egyptian Pharoah. Then he was wrongly accused of trying to seduce Potiphar’s wife and ended up in prison. There he demonstrated the gift of God to interpret dreams which eventually led to his restoration and elevation to great authority in Egypt.  Then he was able to help his family to survive famine and settled them in Egypt.

 Lessons from this life

The ability to hear from God and to accept that calling, even in the face of mockery and derision. (The brothers’ attitudes.)

Keeping faith with God and maintaining a life of righteousness. (Fleeing from Potiphar’s wife.)

Continual trust in God and God’s favour was with him: “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (His prison experience.)

Faith in God brings him to elevation and into great authority. (He becomes second only to Pharoah in Egypt.)

    He uses God’s favour on him, to support and protect his family. Even prophesying the Exodus. (He gives them food in famine and land to live on and instructions on his burial in Israel.)

 “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his burial.” (Heb 11:22)