Conclusion 

The Bible records the history of God’s activities on behalf of humankind.  Its contents range from the creation of the world, through the destruction of the world, and finally ends by describing a re-creation that will be free of sin and its corruption.  God makes Himself known through the things that He does and says.  The beauty and functionality of Creation speak of a powerful and benevolent Maker.  There is much that can be learned by listening to Creation’s witness.  But with Creation as His only witness there are aspects of God’s character and being that would remain unknown to us.  God must reveal Himself in a personal way in order for us to understand Him as a personal Being.  This personal self-revelation is recorded in the Bible.  It is called special revelation.  Creation’s witness is called natural or general revelation.  Both are needed to give us an accurate image of who God is.

All the stories that you have read in this booklet are true.  They really happened.  They are not mere myths told for moral affect.  The characters are not cleaned-up to make them more admirable, and thus better moral teachers.  They were real people in real situations.  None of them was perfect, but from each we can learn lessons of faith that God finds noteworthy.  The key to the positive witness of each of the characters studied was that each learned to trust God in difficult circumstances. 

Although each chapter in this booklet has the name of a human subject, this booklet is ultimately more about God than it is about Abraham, Rebekah, Jacob, Shamgar, David, Elijah, Elisha, Esther, or Nehemiah.  These biblical figures are revered because they did great things.  Most importantly, they did great things that will be remembered because they partnered with God to do them.  Other men and women in the history of this world have done ‘great’ things, but God will not remember them at the Judgment.  Only those things that were done with His approval and partnership will be positively remembered.  If you want God to honor and remember you, then you must learn the spiritual lessons contained in the lives of those biblical giants who have preceded you in faith. 

Now that you know these things the prayer of Peter seems appropriate.  “You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:17-18).

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