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