I was able to read a book written by a Filipino author recently, Thanks to the doctor who had lend me the book for a good read.
The Book was entitled: Boring ba ang Bible mo? - it was indeed an outrageous and double edged question to start with but as you go through the different parts of the book, you'll definitely love the habit of reading the bible.
Photo (C): http://bettercurly.blogspot.com/
The book was written by Mr. Rei Lemuel Crizaldo, he was teaching contemporary theology, homiletics, Christian social work and other subjects related to integration of faith and living. He is a writer, licensed teacher and graphic artist. He also earned a degree in theology and mass communication and was able to finish his Masters Degree at University of the Philippines Diliman.
( you may also want to follow him on tumblr: www.xgenesisrei.tumblr.com )
I was smiling while reading the book, because you'll definitely get to know each of the bible's character and you'll be amazed that these kind of personalities do exist nowadays and they are definitely everywhere.
Each and every one could be:
Esther :According to the story Esther was considered a Beauty Queen during the Ancient times, a search for a new queen was held when the queen of King Xerxes was dethroned. Esther prepared for it for a year (Esther 2:12-13) Moreover, Esther used her beauty to help her countrymen.
"Who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this" -Esther 4:14
Delilah :Delilah was also one of the beautiful ladies of the ancient times however she was not as kind hearted as Esther, she was the kind of person who uses her beauty just to gain wealth and fame. She broke Samson's heart not only once, but thrice and on the fourth time she broke not only his trust but also ended Samson's career as a hero by cutting Samson's hair which is a sign of Samson's dedication to God.
In the Story of Samson and Delilah, it has proven that
the rise or fall of every man is a woman.
Bathseba :Bathseba was the one who was able to seduced the King of Israel which is David while taking a bath.
(Samuel 2:11)
"Love is blind, lust can see even the microscopic" (Crizaldo, 2015)
Rebecca : Rebecca was the first and last love of Isaac. Their Love Story proved that there is love at first sight and first impressions last. When Isaac first saw Rebecca near the well, he never looked anywhere anymore. (Genesis 24)
Rachel : the one who is worth the wait, Rachel was the one whom Jacob patiently waited for fourteen long years. You might wonder why Jacob waited that long maybe it's her eyes or more of the personality. Know more of their love story on Genesis 29: 1-30
"It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. Not your beauty should come from within you- the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is ever precious to God"(1 Peter 3:3-4).
As I go through the book, I was also able to know the guys of the Ancient times too and let's start with:
Solomon : Solomon was one of the guys who had loved to many or what we call nowadays as playboy with a motto of "collect and collect then select". Moreover, Solomon was very intelligent and charming that even the queen of Sheba crossed the desert of Arabia just to see him. Solomon fell in love with 1000 women and this becomes the source of his downfall, he had loved too many and also had loved to many gods being worshipped by all the girls he had loved before.
"Solomon loved too much with too many"
" It should always be mind over matter"
Read: 1 Kings 11:2-3
Boaz: If you want to know the power of good looks and good life, read the story of Boaz found in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Boaz was a true gentleman who can also be considered a complete package.
Joseph: Joseph can be described as the hunk who has a killer looksand definitely can be defined as a chick magnet and epitome of being handsome, if he do exists today. According to Bible, he is young, very handsome and well built.
As it was stated in the book Joseph doesn't want to be the so called "other man"
"Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear of God."
Peter: Peter was described as the King of Failures because of his broken promises. He means what he said but fell short of the expectations.
Judas: Judas was one of the so called infamous with notorious reputation. If I were to describe Judas, He can be considered as those who stole billions of money from our government, who would have known that "pork barrel"exist during his time.
"you cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24)
Saul: He is the King who had made a one big bad decision and this has changed everything and had brought him a lasting and lifelong consequence.
John Mark: He is the guy who hesitated and planned to quit on his ministry and because of this he has lost Apostle Paul's trust and confidence on him. He can be considered as one of those who failed once but had decided to make it better on the second chance given unto him.
Morever, let's try to take a closer look at the life of other characters in the Bible such as:
Leah: She was the legal wife who happen to be the other woman of Jacob who patiently waits and had courted her sister, Rachel for 14 long years.
John the Baptist: He was the person who got out of his way to give way for others to shine. John the Baptist was the one who knows how to hold the power in his hands and refused to allow the power to control him.
Aaron: He was the person who aimed too much and expected more and he even planned to get things on his own hands. (Exodus 18:14-20).
Nehemiah: Nehemiah was one of those who had a very noble dream for his country. He can be the Jose Rizal, Bonifacio and Aguinaldo of his own time.
"Behind every success is a sacrifice"
John the Beloved: was the bestfriend of Jesus and has believed to be the last apostle who remained alive and before he died he was able to write the last book in the Bible which is the Book of Revelation, by reading the book you'll know how John remained firm on his faith.
Daniel & friends: (Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego) They are well literate and capable of learning and serve in the courts of the King (Daniel 1:3-7).
Their advocacy is to be successful and at the same time remain faithful to God.
"You may not know what the future holds, but you can trust God who holds the future"
Ezra: the great scribe and scholar who devoted himself in studying the commandments of God in the Old Testament. Devoured and mastered the Law of Moses and all the Law of God created by the Jews.
Paul: famous for being the 13th of Jesus Apostles, greatest missionary of all time and the one who had written the most number of books in the Bible. Out of the 27 books in the New Testament, he was able to write 13 of them. During his time, he studied under the best professors available.
Luke: A Doctor who is an author of one of the four gospels. Very perfectionist and pays too much attention to details and whom I can consider as a "micro-writer".
Noah: who would have forgotten Noah, the creator of the Arc who had saved numerous God's creation. Noah was able to build a 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high Arc who happen to survived 40 days and 40 nights of non-stop storm and rain. According to scholars, it took 50 to 100 years for Noah to build the arc.
David: shepherd boy who became the greatest of all kings of Israel and had overcome Goliath the giant. He is the Man After God's Own Heart. David was a musical genius who plays harp even before he became a warrior. David was also remembered to be Israel's sweet singer. In the Book of Psalms, out of 150 songs, David was able to compose 74 pieces.
So where do you fit in the Big Story? To know more of the characters and be able to know and read more of where your story fits in the big story, you might want to make it a habit to read the Bible.
Moreover, if you want to get to know the rest of the characters in the Big Story, you might want to purchase Crizaldo's book entitled "Boring ba ang Bible mo?"
