by Linda Burleson

Created on: May 28, 2008   Last Updated: June 19, 2008

Bible characters have been a part of my life all of my life. My mother taught me to read from the newspaper, Golden Books (which were sometimes about Bible characters) and the Bible before I ever went to school. Though she had limited education, she was highly self-educated and a natural teacher who loved the Bible. She could make a story come to life. I heard about the Old Testament Bible characters time after time but never tired of them. Some of them were in multiple stories - David for instance. He killed a giant as a youth, then went on to be a beloved king of Israel. There are many stories about him, his musicianship, his friendship with Saul's son, and his relationship with his children.

Certainly since becoming an adult, new applications of these stories have manifested themselves, but one of the greatest things about stories of Bible characters is that their humanity comes forth. They were not so very different from you and me - except perhaps for their degree of faith in God.

A story that often causes me to opine on my ability to "rise to the occasion" as he did is the story of Job. It is contained in one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, yet it holds powerful lessons. Pondering Job the powerful man of great personal wealth who shared of that wealth with his family, his servants and his neighbors, one can quickly glean the notion that earthly possessions can be very fleeting. This was the least of what Job lost in Satan's attack. He lost his children, his servants, and his health. Remember, God allowed Satan to assault Job in any way he chose, excepting the taking of his life. How incredible it would be to know that my Heavenly Father was that sure of my love and commitment for Him. Job remained faithful, just as God expected him to, in spite of a wife and friends who encouraged him to "curse God and die".

As the story unfolds and little by little Job loses literally everything but his life, he remains faithful to his creator. I find myself asking, "what on earth would I do in the same situation?". I live in a country where middle class is wealthy in many other countries. I do not have as many possessions to lose as Job did, but I certainly value my family, my friends, and my health as much as he did. Job didn't lose one child; he lost them all. Many times, while reading or hearing of someone or knowing someone who has lost a child either unexpectedly or to disease, I mourn and thank God that I have seen my children grow to adulthood, become

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