What's My Name?: Vignettes of Seventy Incredible Bible Characters

By Karen Hodge

Shakespeare wrote Whats in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet! Juliet proclaims that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention.

Some may believe that names are neutral or insignificant, but God knows the power in names. He was very purposeful when naming His people, knowing that every time they heard their name, they heard His will and purpose for their life. (Abrams name was changed to Abraham, for he was destined to be the father of many nations).

Karen Hodge, in Whats My Name? Vignettes of Seventy Incredible Bible Characters, has compiled an impressive collection of characters and takes us on a journey through the personal lives of patriarchs, prophets, kings, queens, wives, lovers, and people with unfamiliar names but who are indeed important to Scriptural history.

Hodge has not only found a unique way to teach Bible history through these incredible individuals and their intertwined lives, but challenges you to dig a little deeper into Scripture and discover a thing or two more about each character.

As you explore these vignettes and meet the people profiled, youll discover their humanity and perhaps view them in new light as they left their mark and fulfilled their destiny. Moreover, the significance of every person mentioned in the great narrative of the Bible will become abundantly clear.

Not only will you learn the names and stories of these seventy incredible Bible characters, youll find yourself eagerly anticipating future collections of vignettes!

Dr. Natalie Ellington

Author of Right Choices: Choose the Life You Were Destined to Live

EllingtonConsulting.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490859170

Karen Hodge

That Was The Writing in the sky that Karen Hodge saw in a vision decades ago...even before she had committed her life to The Lord. It was the beginning of a conversation with God that would span over a generation and continue even to this day. Caribbean born designer, Karen Hodge, former entertainment business executive, realtor, teacher/trainer/mentor, game creator, now published author, has been on a lifelong quest, with a common thread running through it, to bring everyday relevance to the things of life, from God’s perspective. Over 30 years ago, when Karen found herself in one of life’s most challenging struggles: divorced, financially compromised, a house heading towards foreclosure, mounting attorney’s fees, depressed, destitute of heart... with only herself and her two teenage children, she could only turn to the Scriptures to find the peace she needed to survive her circumstances. This is when she discovered that the words in the Bible were actually alive. For years during that passage she buried herself in these stories, studying, learning, relating to the everyday lives of the people written of ... a funny thing happened. She started seeing how their lives were no different than ours. She could see the common threads, the challenges, the solutions and the victories unfold as she poured through the living testimonies of those mentioned in the many accounts. She could see the overlay of ancient lives with modern day lives... She could see her life, along with the lives of those she knew... She began seeing her world in a different light. Have you ever had a desire to leave a legacy behind? Her books speak to that desire.

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Copyright © 2014 Karen Hodge.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5916-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5917-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014919922

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/16/2014

Contents

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One Patriarchs & Prophets – Priests & Elders

1.1 A Claim In Common! (Ishmael & Isaac)

1.2 Twins! (Esau & Jacob)

1.3 Favorites! (Joseph)

1.4 An Effort At Redemption! (Reuben)

1.5 For the Honor of a Sister! (Simeon & Levi)

1.6 More Bad News! (Job)

1.7 Rendered Speechless! (Zacharias)

1.8 Misplaced Concern! (Jonah)

1.9 Not Even for a House Full of Silver and Gold! (Balaam)

1.10 How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions! (Elijah)

1.11 A Double Portion Granted! (Elisha)

1.12 Witness to an Abomination! (Ezekiel)

Chapter Two Kings - Queens - Judges

2.1 In the Name of the Lord! (David)

2.2 Put Your House in Order! A Recipe for Healing! (Hezekiah)

2.3 A Monumental Task Be Strong and Do It! (Solomon)

2.4 Know Ye That the Heavens Rule! (Nebuchadnezzar)

2.5 In Defiance of a King! (Queen Vashti)

2.6 For Such a Time As This! (Esther)

2.7 Treason, Treason! (Athaliah)

2.8 This Is the Day! (Deborah)

Chapter Three Wives & Mothers - Lovers & Concubines

3.1 Love Even For the Unfaithful! (Gomer)

3.2 A Prayer Answered - A Promise Kept! (Hannah)

3.3 What’s My Name? (Keturah)

3.4 A Mother’s Courage! (Jochebed)

3.5 Joy At Long Last! (Naomi)

3.6 How Do You Measure a Mother’s Love? (Rizpah)

3.7 One on Thy Right Hand and One on Thy Left! (Salome)

3.8 A Strong Influence! (Zeruiah)

3.9 Love Maketh Him Blind! (Delilah)

3.10 A Warm Body! (Abishag)

3.11 Submit! (Hagar)

Chapter Four Apostles & Disciples - Servants & Friends

4.1 We Have Found Him! (Andrew)

4.2 To Be Without Guile! (Nathanael)

4.3 Follow Me! (Philip)

4.4 An About Face! (Saul)

4.5 Best Supporting Actor! (Barnabas)

4.6 Great and Lasting Consequences! (Gehazi)

4.7 Do You Know Who This Man Is? (Ananias)

4.8 Be Not Afraid, Only Believe! (Jairus)

4.9 He Whom Thou Loved! (Lazarus)

Chapter Five Sons & Daughters - Brothers & Sisters

5.1 Sons of Thunder! (James & John)

5.2 A Taste Of Honey! (Jonathan)

5.3 Should He Deal With Our Sister As With a Harlot? (Dinah)

5.4 A Precedent Set! (Mahlah)

5.5 No More Mercy! (Loruhamah)

5.6 She Has Chosen That Good Part! (Martha & Mary)

5.7 All In The Family! (Tamar)

Chapter Six Leaders - Followers - Foes

6.1 The Sword of the LORD, and of Gideon! (Gideon)

6.2 These Two Distinguished Themselves! (Caleb & Joshua)

6.3 Two Heaps of Heads! (Jehu)

6.4 Full Of Good Works and Almsdeeds! (Tabitha)

6.5 Blind Faith! (Bartimaeus)

6.6 He’s Alive! (Mary Magdalene)

6.7 Whither Thou Goest I Will Go! (Ruth)

6.8 The Cost of a Trespass! (Achan)

6.9 Thou Shalt Surely Fall Before Him! (Haman)

Chapter Seven Heroes - Scoundrels - Military Men

7.1 Remember Me O LORD God! (Samson)

7.2 Blessed Above Women! (Jael)

7.3 The Courage To Act! (Rahab)

7.4 Even As His Name Is, So Is He! (Nabal)

7.5 A Synonym For Wickedness! (Jezebel)

7.6 When You Have Gone Too Far! (Doeg)

7.7 The Battle of the Captains! (Joab)

7.8 An Oath Regretted! (Jephthah)

A Note From The Author

About The Author

Dedication

To my Mom, my Dad and my brother

whose names are written in the

Lamb’s Book of Life

To Katie my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength who has and continues to give me the space to live my senior years without the pressures oftentimes associated with aging

To Jason my heart and my love and Grace his heart and love who, together embody the family unit every child deserves

To my dearest Termz (Aunt Erminie) who from my childhood always spoke love and truth to me; you lifted me up and held me together more than you’ll ever know.

To my sister, Natalie for her awesomeness and for reminding me how to tell the stories; for endless hours of proofreading and editing and for being an inspiration of focus and perseverance

To Derah for her constant encouragement - a sister in the truest sense

To Carmen and Raina who afford me the respect and honor as would a daughter and to Jasmine, Cheyenne and Marissa, Gran’s girls

To John and Candace my cheerleaders who take every opportunity to uplift me in whatever I undertake

To my sisters and brothers: Clarice, Ray, Natalie and Dan, Vern and Loni, Al and Jackie, Leslie and Marcus whose lives are inextricably intertwined with mine

To Clement and Eileen, my parents who instilled in me the spirit of excellence, and Kenneth, my big brother for being a big brother, who are all asleep in the LORD and await us to be reunited

To my children’s children: Sydnii, Judah, Y’sha’yah, Yirmyah and Emanyah’el you are my crown and my legacy.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches

and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

…

(Proverbs 22:1)

Preface

MOST OF US DO not choose our names they are simply assigned to us at birth on the basis of any number of criteria. Whether it’s family tradition or to honor a friend or loved one, as parents the name we give our children will most likely carry them through their whole lives. What we bring to our names is our responsibility. Do we uphold it nobly living up to our potential or do we bring dishonor, disrespect or even disgrace.

There are many instances in the Bible where the name of the child was announced to the parents before the child was even conceived. Zacharias didn’t believe the angel Gabriel when he delivered the good news that Elizabeth would have a son and as a result was rendered speechless ‘til the child was born. Samson’s mother was overjoyed to hear that she would be blessed. She and Manoah were careful to enquire of the angel for instructions on raising the child that would begin to deliver their people from the rule of the Philistines.

At a moment of despair Hagar received the promise that God would make Ishmael, her teenage son, into a great nation and that twelve princes would come from him. Sarah laughed within herself when she heard that she would have a son saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure… and years later Rebekah (the wife of Sarah’s son Isaac) petitioned God regarding the twin boys struggling within her womb.

These Seventy Incredible Bible Characters that follow represent an engaging collection of personalities from all walks of life. They are patriarchs and prophets, kings and queens, wives and mothers, servants and friends. They are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, lovers and leaders, followers and foes. In short… they’re just like us in many ways. They lived ordinary lives in extraordinary times and through the lens of history as our vantage point their actions and encounters shaped the world that we inherited. I am fascinated to read about their lives and experiences and connect in a human way to what their stories mean to my life. I hope that I’ve piqued your interest in wanting to know a little about these