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ably by his wife Ahi-


noam, including his
heir Jonathan, two
sons by his concu-
bine Rizpah and of
two daughters Merab
and Michal. His home
was at Gibeah, three
miles north of Jerusalem. Best known as
the first king of the Jewish nation. His
disobedience resulted in the Lord’s ap-
pointment of David to the throne.
After the rejection of the sons and poten-
tial successors of the high priest Samuel
as corrupt people, the nation’s histori-
cal necessity requested God for a king.
Though God was not particularly thrilled
with this idea, He permitted the estab-
lishment of the monarchy. The providen-
tial circumstances connected with Saul’s

Saul’s was a tragic


figure whose
leadership collapsed
in failure because of
jealously, disloyalty
and insecurity.

Personality for Imitation - 15 election as king appears in three differ-


ent traditions. In the first, Saul is looking

S
aul’s was a tragic figure whose for his father’s lost she-asses where at

Saul, leadership collapsed in failure


because of jealously, disloyalty and
insecurity. His leadership emerged in a
Ramah he meets Samuel, who anoints
him secretly. In the second, Saul is hid-
den among the baggage at Mizpah when

Israel’s first
transitional period between the end of an Samuel casts lot in public to choose the
old order of tribal leadership through the king. In the third, Saul’s kingship was
Judges and the birth of a new order of firmly established upon his victory at

king
leadership, Israel under the monarchy of Jabesh-Gilead against Ammonites, after
kings. His reign, pivotal time in Biblical which he was proclaimed king at Gilgal.
history, is dated approximately from
In the beginning, Saul was humble and
1010 B.C.
adhering to God’s directives. Later, he
Saul means “asked (of God)”, was the began to love himself more. Following
son of Kish, a prominent Benjamite. He initial successes against Ammonites, Saul
was the father of several sons presum- soon began making a series of very seri-
 Don bosco march 2009
BIBLE

ous blunders. He offered the sacrifices happen with his war against Statement about ownership and other Particulars
himself, that was to be performed only Philistines. The witch sum- about the newspaper THE SALESIAN BULLETIN
by the high priest Samuel. He kept some moned back to earth the to be published in the first issue every year after the
of the livestock of the Amalekites for dead prophet Samuel, who last day of February.
himself, when told to destroy utterly. He predicted Saul’s killing along From IV
set up a monument in honor of himself with his sons during the bat- 1. Place of Publication : NO.45,LANDONS ROAD,
at Carmel. These incidents of rebellion tle. Thus, on the very next KILPAUK, CHENNAI-10.

showed that Saul preferred running the day, Saul went with his three 2. Periodicity of its publication : MONTHLY
kingdom his own way, ignoring God. It sons to the war and all were 3. Printer’s Name : GLORIOUS STEPHEN
was this foolish and presumptuous dis- struck down. (Whether citizen of India?) : YES
obedience to God that transferred his
No man in the Bible had so Address : NO.45,LANDONS ROAD,
kingship to his successor. Samuel gave KILPAUK, CHENNAI-10
a sign to recognize the future king, who many chances thrust upon
4. Publisher’s Name : GLORIOUS STEPHEN
would cut a piece from Saul’s mantle. him to make a success of life,
(Whether citizen of India?) : YES
and no one ever missed so
Saul’s behavior then further degener- Address : NO.45,LANDONS ROAD,
much as Saul. He not only
ated from unwise to outright insane. He KILPAUK, CHENNAI-10
missed great opportunities,
became paranoid, a cruel oppressor of 5. Editor’s Name : GLORIOUS STEPHEN
he deliberately abused them.
his own friends; including ordering his (Whether citizen of India?) : YES
He is a classical example of
military forces to go without food until Address : NO.45,LANDONS ROAD,
disobedience in Israel’s his-
they had defeated the enemy; and at- KILPAUK, CHENNAI-10.
tory. The downgrade of his
tempting to have his own victorious son 6. Names and addresses : THE SOUTH INDIA SALESIAN
life is the old familiar story of individuals who own the
Jonathan executed for disregarding the SOCIETY NO.45, LANDON
of pride, egotism and the newspaper and partners or share ROAD, KILPAUK,
foolish order, not to eat anything until CHENNAI 600 010
abuse of power leading to holders holding more than one
the batter was over. Saul’s continued
fatal consequences of end- per cent of the total capital.
bizarre behavior and disregard of God’s
ing his reign and ruining his I, GLORIOUS STEPHEN hereby declare that the particulars given
instructions. above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
life. This shows, disobedi-
Saul remained king until the time needed ence ultimately results in the Publisher
for the youthful David to prepare and ma- loss of God’s purposes in our Dated: 28th February 2009.

ture. It was during this period that David lives and set us slipper slope
distinguished himself against Goliath and When confronted of his disobedience,
downwards.
Philistines. This achievement plunged Saul blamed on the people. This is an
him into King Saul’s military campaigns; Saul betrayed his real character of self age old problem of ‘passing the buck’,
into marriage relationship with his sec- will, impatience, and the spirit of disobe- or ‘I am never to blame attitude’. This
ond daughter, Michael. Being a member dience. He obeyed so far and so long is an easy way to shirk one’s responsibil-
of Saul’s household, David became a only as obedience did not require cross- ity. Often disobedience has its roots in
very close friend of Saul’s son Jonathan, ing of his self will. He continued to be the fear of man. It makes one to obey
who clearly understood David as his fa- disobedient by doing things according people’s voice than God’s. Due to so-
ther’s successor. Saul became jealous at to his whims and fancies. In the battle cial pressure, Saul was afraid of losing
the sight of David’s military success and against Amalekites, he obeyed partially friends, or not being popular; more con-
popularity with the people and resulted and kept the nice bits, the best of the cerned about his social status or looking
in attempting to murder him at different livestock and the king. When confronted good before people. He regarded man’s
times. His anger became intense know- by Samuel, Saul told a lie that he obeyed favor more than God’s displeasure.
ing the deep intimacy between Jonathan God’s command; further excused the In conclusion, may we say that one
and David, which led to throw his spear livestock for sacrificial offering and put should never fall into the trap of Saul
even at Jonathan. Finally David became a the blame on the people. Saul obeyed who neglected the portion of God’s
fugitive from the king and took refuge in God with some exceptions and decided law he did not want to do; blamed the
Philistine territory. to do in his own way. His partial obe- people for his sin; and feared the people
There was another failure in judgment dience was complete disobedience of more than God.
and obedience to God, as Saul consult- God’s words. He thought he knew better Victor Antonyraj sdb
ed the witch of Endor to know what will than God, yet he was lost out by God. victoraraj@yahoo.com
Don bosco march 2009 
BIBLE

S
arah, daughter of Haran, wife and with most unusual wounds on their bod- Sarah, at 90 years
half-sister of Abraham and mother ies. Pharaoh then realised this as punish- old, remained barren
of Isaac. Her story begins after her ment from God and in a dream he was until when they get a
marriage with the patriarch. Right from told that Sarah was Abraham’s wife. He visit of three men
her birth she was known as Sarai, later then sought forgiveness from both, and who were angels and
by the divine command she received the sent them off with honour and many one of them promised
name Sarah. Sarai means “princess” and valuable gifts. of Sarah’s pregnancy.
true to the name she was exceptionally Sarah gave birth to Isaac. She paid great
Pharaoh’s daughter Hagar saw the
beautiful. She was the first Matriarch attention to Isaac’s upbringing and
miracle, which God performed for the
who built up the Jewish nation. realized that wild natured 13-year-old
sake of Sarah, to save her from the hands
Sarah’s double relationship with Abra- of the Egyptian king. She readily left her Ishmael was not a suitable companion
ham helped them on two occasions to royal home to become a maidservant to for Isaac. And so, she insisted Abraham
protect and safe-guard their life. The Sarah. Sarah treated Hagar with respect to send away Hagar and Ishmael. When
first was at the time of their wanderings and consideration. When God delayed Abraham was reluctant to do so, God
from Canaan to Egypt. Sarah, though the promised seed by Sarah, she implored instructed him to do, as Sarah desired.
above 60 years, traditionally an elderly Abraham to have a child with Hagar. At age of 127, when she hears the news
woman, was too old to bear children, yet Thus she hoped to bring up Hagar’s of the sacrifice of her son, she is torn
her natural beauty attracted even the na- children and merit God’s blessing. When between her unmovable faith in God and
her firm motherly instincts and she dies.
Personality for Imitation - 6 At her death, Abraham bought a burying-

Sarah: Princess of beauty


place for the family in the cave of
Machpelah. She is the first to be interred
in the common resting place of the fathers
and mothers of the future Israel.
Sarah’s hope began to be fulfilled, it In the merit of Sarah, God blessed
brought her unexpected suffering. For, Abraham with wealth and with all other
as soon as Hagar realized she was to blessings. The greatest blessing was the
have a child, she began to assume an air long life of companionship with Sarah
of superiority and looked down upon that shared his hope in God, his faith in
her mistress. At this stage, Sarah made it the promises, and his power to become
clear of Hagar’s role as maid. Hagar was God’s agent for achieving what was
unable to accept her servant-hood, and humanly impossible. Both were equal in
so fled into the wilderness. There, an doing charity and in spreading Godliness.
angel told her to return to Sarah for the Both had an unyielding fanatic faith in
sake of the child. When Ishmael was born, God; As long as Sarah lived, a “cloud of
Abraham thought him to be his heir that glory” hovered over her tent, and her
God had promised. home was full of blessing. Her motherly
affection won Isaac that none could
God’s promise of Abraham’s heir through
comfort him after her death.
Sarah was kept pending. For the second
time, Sarah is exposed, through the Sarah by her character was quiet and
tional leaders. Being aware of the low cowardice of her husband, to dishonor soft-spoken. With her beauty she was
morality of the Egyptians and knowing and ruin. Abimelech, king of Gerar, ever submissive and loyal to her husband.
their readiness to kill a man to take his desired to associate by marriage with Thus she was a princess of gentleness
wife, Abraham and Sarah decided to say Abraham, sends for Sarah, whom he and meekness. She has always been
that they were brother and sister. Im- knows only as Abraham’s sister. But the a great inspiration for all Jewish
pressed by her beauty the Egyptians divine promise is not altered, by daughters and mothers, everywhere and
praised Sarah to the King Pharaoh of persistent human weakness and sin. God for all times.
Egypt, and the result was her transfer to reveals to Abimelech in a dream, the
the royal palace. Immediately, Pharaoh true state of the case and Sarah is Victor Antonyraj sdb
and his entire household were struck restored to her husband with security. victoraraj@yahoo.com
10 Don bosco june 2008
BIBLE

M
oses is one of the most and had two children Gershom and Eliezer. At God’s command,
commanding and memorable He then took over the family shepherding he parted the Red Sea,
characters of the Bible. A great business. In Sinai, he spent the second 40 to allow an escape
Hebrew national Hero, Leader, Author, years of his life, learning how to raise his route on dry ground
Poet, Lawgiver, Deliverer and Prophet. family in the wilderness. for the Israelites from
He not only gave the law, but gave the The turning point in Moses life began when the Egyptian army.
history of his people and of the world right God appeared to him in the unconsumed Due to disobedience,
from the beginning. He played a key role burning bush at Mount Horeb and gave grumbling, and lack of
in the Exodus. He received twice The Ten him the Exodus mission. God also revealed trust in God, the Israelites were forced to
Commandments from God, because he His name as “I am who am”; that he is the wander in the desert for 40 years, where
smashed the first set when he discovered ‘God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob”. Moses served as the leader of the rebellious
the Golden calf worship by the Israelites at Moses was commissioned to return to people and a prophet who received and
delivered the Law to Israel.
Personality for Imitation - 7 Since he struck the stone twice, he lost

Moses: An Abandoned Hero


the foot of Mount Sinai. He was directed by
his faith. And so, he was allowed to see
the Promised Land but not to enter. He
went up to Mount Nebo, which over looks
Canaan and died at the age of 120.
God to build The Tabernacle, the moveable Moses’ character was many-sided: His
temple and The Ark of the Covenant. He is refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh’s
also the first writer of scripture, the author daughter and his choice to suffer affliction
of The Pentateuch, the first 5 Books of the with the people of God shows his great love
Bible. The story of Moses is covered in for his brethren. His attempt to be excused
the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, from the leadership of his people proves
and Deuteronomy. He is mentioned 80 that he was a man of humbleness of mind.
times in the New Testament, usually as a His address to the people at the Red Sea
lawgiver. He is also seen as the prophet shows that he was a man of extraordinary
who points the way to Jesus. Moses, along faith. His sitting to hear all the complaints
with Elijah appeared in the Transfiguration of Israel proves that he possessed great
with Jesus. perseverance. His acceptance of the
Moses was the third child of Amran and advice of his father-in-law in reference to
Jochebed from the tribe of Levi, and the govern people establishes the fact that he
younger brother of Miriam and Aaron. At was progressive. His conduct at Mount Sinai
his birth, the Israelites experienced severe in the destruction of the golden calf and its
oppression in Egypt and the King ordered He was directed by God to worshippers proves that he was aggressive. His
to kill all male Hebrew infants by drowning. build the Tabernacle, the fervent petition to the Lord to spare Israel even
Moses’ mother and sister concealed him for moveable temple and The when God promised, on their destruction,
three months and when no longer possible proves his utter unselfishness. His refusal to
Ark of the Covenant. He rebuke Eldad and Medad for prophesying
to hide, they put him in a waterproof
basket and set it adrift in the Nile River. is also the first writer of proves that he was free from envy. His prayer
The Pharaoh’s daughter found the basket scripture, the author of The to the Lord to forgive his sister Miriam proves
and adopted the infant. She significantly Pentateuch, the first five that he was meek and forgiving. His conduct
named him as Moses, because “I drew in suppressing the rebellion inaugurated by
him out of the water”. Miriam mediated
Books of the Bible. Korah establishes the fact that he was a man
to Pharaoh’s daughter to make her mother Egypt and lead His chosen Israelites out of of extraordinary courage.
nurse the baby in the royal palace. bondage. But Moses expressed doubts and Moses was the great deliverer, the one
He spent first 40 years of his life, in the reluctance. God promised to demonstrate God used to bring Israel out of slavery; he
palace of Pharaoh, being educated in “all His power and requested to take Aaron as remains an “abandoned hero” because he
the wisdom of the Egyptians” and learning his mouthpiece. And Only after a series of led the people to the Promised Land but he
how to govern. In the Sinai wilderness, ten divinely ordained plague punishments himself did not reach there.
he met a Midianite priest named Jethro; and at the death of the first-born son of every Victor Antonyraj sdb
married one of his daughters, Zipporah Egyptian, did Pharaoh set them free. victoraraj@yahoo.com
10 Don bosco july 2008
BIBLE

A
aron is remembered for the when the Levites, by order of Moses, the congregation were
miraculous blossoming and almonds killed about 3,000 of the idol worshipers. equally holy. The earth
of his rod, as he was empowered by split open and swallowed
God to turn it into a serpent before Pharaoh’s Although Aaron did not take any part in the Korah and his followers.
eyes. As the high priest, he was the founder construction of the portable sanctuary, God To demonstrate the
and ancestor of the Israelite priesthood. He ordered Moses to consecrate him and his sons special status of Aaron’s
was the eldest son of Jochebed and Amram as official priests. During the consecration priesthood and the
of the tribe of Levi, brother of Miriam and ceremonies, Aaron and his sons, Eleazar and Levites, Moses placed
Moses. He was three years older than Ithamar, officiated at Moses’ side; while two a stick from each of
Moses. Because Moses stuttered, Aaron of his sons, Nadab and Abihu, died when the tribes in the Tent of Testimony and left
served as a spokesman before the Pharaoh they burned forbidden incense before the them there overnight; the following day, the
and the Israelites towards their freedom. Lord, a tragic loss that Aaron bore in silent stick representing the tribe of Levi, which
resignation. And once a year, on the Day of had Aaron’s name inscribed on it, was the
In Hebrew his name meant: exalted; high only one sprouting blossoms and almonds.
Atonement, Aaron was allowed to go into
mountain; mountain of strength. The Bible
the Sacred Sanctuary, the holiest part of
does not say anything about Aaron’s birth, his At Meribah when the people complained of
the Tent of Testimony, bringing his offering.
early life, or his upbringing. It states that he no water, God then ordered Moses to speak
to the rock, and Moses hit it twice. Since
Personality for Imitation -9 Moses and Aaron had not carried out God’s
command exactly as they were expected to,

Aaron: The First Israelite


God reproved and told that they would not
live to see the Promised Land. Like Moses and
Miriam, Aaron was not allowed to enter the
Promised Land. God used Moses to prepare

High Priest
Aaron to face his death on Mount Hor.
Aaron died at the age of 123. The Israelites
did not believe his death until a strange vision
in which they saw Aaron lying peacefully in
married Elisheba the daughter of Amminadab, a cave, a candle burning by his bedside.
of the tribe of Judah, by whom he had four
For forty years Aaron remained in Egypt
sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
to share the hardships of his people, while
After Aaron his son Eleazar succeeded as
Moses fled into the wilderness. He knew
High Priest. In the book of Hebrews, Aaron is
every Israelite families and was very much
seen as the imperfect priest when contrasted
influential among them. And so Aaron was
with the perfect priesthood of Jesus.
bold enough to introduce Moses to their
In the Bible, Aaron was first mentioned by God assembled elders and declared to them God’s
when Moses declined the hazardous Exodus divine commission with persuasive power. He
mission imposed upon him. God then told was also a great lover of peace, who brought
Moses that Aaron would be his mouthpiece. love and harmony among people and in many
Aaron’s eloquent speeches to Pharaoh were homes. Because of this the entire people of
reinforced by the miracles that he performed Israel mourned his death for thirty days.
with his walking stick. After the march out of
Aaron remained always as faithful ‘Mouth-
Egypt, Aaron was no longer a central figure.
piece’ of Moses. In all his interviews with
In the Wilderness, at the first battle of the Pharaoh stood by Moses. In the battle
Israelites against the Amalekites, with Hur against Amalek, Aaron and Hur supported
Aaron supported Moses’ wearied hands Moses hands to prevail Israel. He also
held upward to ensure victory. Again later stood as a model and prototype of the
with Hur, Aaron acted as deputy for Moses Jewish High Priest. Because God forgave
The Bible records an incident of friction
when he climbed Mount Sinai to receive his envoious questioning against Moses
between the brothers when Aaron sided
the two stone tablets of the Law. During supremacy and his instability in making
with their sister, Miriam, against Moses’
Moses’ prolonged absence, Aaron yielded to idolatroy cult of worship. And upheld him
supremacy, using as a pretext Moses’
the pressure of the people and made with of his priesthood by blossoming him rod
Ethiopian wife. God punished Miriam with
their jewelry a tangible god of golden calf and allowing him to enter into the Holy of
leprosy but again Aaron was not punished.
that became a cause of apostasy. Despite Holies on the great Day of Atonement.
this he was neither punished nor disqualified Aaron and Moses were the target of a
from the priesthood. The people, on serious revolt led by their cousin, the Levite Victor Antonyraj sdb
the other hand, were harshly punished Korah, who claimed that all the members of victoraraj@yahoo.com
10 Don bosco SEPTEMBER 2008
BIBLE

J
oshua, the son of Nun of the tribe of the Ten Commandments. As one of the nations and 31 kings
Ephraim, was an Israelite leader who twelve representatives, only Joshua and were conquered.
succeeded Moses. He was born in Caleb returned with an encouraging
Next Joshua parti-
Egypt during the Israelite enslavement and positive report to proceed; the other ten
tioned the land among
about the time when Moses fled to Midian. incurred divine wrath and punishment, for
the 12 tribes of Israel
Joshua shared in all the events of the Exodus dissuading the people to enter the Promised
as dictated by Yahweh.
and accompanied Moses to perform his Land. Under God’s direction at the age of
The tabernacle was
important public and spiritual functions. eighty-two, Moses invested Joshua in a
moved from Gilgal to
He was one of the twelve spies dispatched public and solemn manner as his successor.
Shiloh, the new spiritual centre of Israel for
to explore the land of Canaan; it was then many years. In a closing assembly of the
The first step under Joshua’s leadership
Moses changed his name from Hoshea Israelites at Shechem, Joshua delivered his
in conquest of Canaan was sending two
to Joshua. He was the first general of the parting admonition, as Moses did before
spies. In Jericho the spies were helped by
Hebrew nation and as military commander his death, reviewing their own wonderful
Rahab. On their return, they reported the
he led the battle against Amalekites. history, and of the promises and claims of
prospects of an easy victory and conquest
His name signifies, “Yahweh is deliverance through Jordan. As the Israelites came God, and exhorting them to study Torah
or salvation”. In bringing the Israelites to the Jordan River, the waters parted and obey its precepts. As a memorial of
the renewed covenant between God and
Personality for Imitation -10 His people, he set up a great stone under

Joshua: First Jewish an oak in the sacred precinct of Yahweh.


After a leadership of twenty-eight years, at
the age of one hundred and ten, Joshua

Conqueror and piled up into a wall, as they did for


departed this life. His followers laid the knives
he used in circumcising the Israelites into
his grave, and over it erected a testimonial
pillar of the great wonder of the sun
Moses at the Red Sea. The people standing still and was interred in his home
camped in Gilgal on the west of Jordan. town in Timnath-Serah on Mt. Ephraim.

The first major battle was in Jericho, a city Joshua was one of the greatest leaders of
surrounded by a thick wall on all sides. At his time. He followed in the footsteps of
God’s command the Israelites encircled his captain Moses. Joshua demonstrated
the city with the Holy Ark for a week himself to be a man of faith, vision,
whereupon the walls crashed and fell. Then courage, loyalty, obedience, prayer
they completely destroyed every living and dedication to God and his holy
thing and the city, except of Rahab and Word. He remained a loyal leader
her family. Although God forbade them and a mighty warrior as he constantly
to take any of the spoils, Achan disobeyed lived to fulfill the perfect will of God.
and hid some garments and silver in his He was a man of purpose, direction and
tent. This aroused God’s anger, due to decision. He set goals before him and never
which they were defeated and 36 of them wavered in meeting them. He continually
were killed, until the crime was discovered leaned on the mighty arm of God and
and the culprit was stoned to death. Next overcame every obstacle with His power.
through clever tactics, Joshua defeated and His experiences taught him, that believers
into Canaan, in his wars and battles, in destroyed Ai by fire and captured Bethel. are not alone in their struggles of this world.
the distribution of the land among the And so, in his final address to the Israelites
tribes, from the miraculous crossing of The Israelites faced a Southern alliance of
the Amorite kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, he reminded them of their wonderful
Jordan and incredible crumbling of the history, of the many miracles, and of the
walls of the fortified city of Jericho, his Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon and Joshua
defeated them by causing the Sun to stand precious promises of God. He exhorted
life and work was an embodiment of his them to love the Lord, serve Him only, and
name and an extraordinary personality. still at Gibeon, and the moon in the valley
of Ajalon. Again he faced the gigantic army remain separated from the world and idols.
Joshua was first mentioned in the Bible of northern Canaanite king, Jabin of Hazor,
as the dedicated minister of Moses. He whom he defeated at the waters of Merom. Victor Antonyraj sdb
accompanied him to Mt.Sinai to receive Thus in seven years of continuous wars, six victoraraj@yahoo.com
Don bosco october 2008 11

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