Courageous Faith

By Naomi Craig

Elias van Nijmegen - Verspieders ontsnappen uit Jericho - 11102 - Museum Rotterdam.jpg, Wikimedia

We all know Rahab was a harlot.
We all know her courageous faith in hiding the Hebrew spies gets her a place in Jesus' lineage


But what about leading up to the walls of Jericho crashing down?
What about after?


Specifically I want to look at the Israelites before they crossed over the Jordan and marched around the city for seven days.


Did you know just a couple of weeks prior to them crossing into the promised land they got themselves in trouble with the Moabite ladies? 24,000 of them were killed with a plague because they were consorting with idols and the ladies.


This appears to be the last of the generation who the Lord promised would perish in the desert in the 40 years of wandering.


                                

Foster Bible Pictures 0084-1 Rahab Helping the Two Israelite Spies, Wikimedia

Fast forward to the part where a harlot is promised safety and belonging among the nation.


Say what? Why would they be inclined to accept her into their community?


All those who made it into the Promised Land knew their fathers and mothers wouldn't make it into Canaan. Those who were left would have been hyper-sensitive to falling in sin's grasp


I imagine they would have been real hesitant to accept a Canaanite Harlot without suspicion.

                                      

Luggage porter, Wikimedia

And what about Rahab? Not only was she learning a new culture and a new religion, I'm sure she had all kinds of baggage from her former profession to work through. Several millennia before counselling and therapists.

To shift the narrative, what of her Biblical husband, Salmah? 

Salmah was the son of Nahshon, was the appointed leader of the tribe of Judah as the Israelites fled Egypt. (Who was also in the generation who didn't make it into the Promised Land). So what call would the high-ranking son of the leader of Judah have to marry a lady of Rahab's... shall we say...pedigree?

Figure, advertising (AM 2007.17.19-1), Wikimedia

Did he see himself as the hero who rescued her from her horrible situation?

Did he think about all the baggage she'd be bringing with her? 

Did he struggle with her past?

I love Rahab and Salmah's story because it shows God's EXTRAVAGANT redemption. 

Even if your life is a hot mess, and you have no idea if you will even make it through today, take courage! God can take your mess and make it a message. Your test can become a testimony. 

God has a good plan for you and maybe it's real dark right now, but He will finish what He started in your life. 

Christian cross at Salagou Lake cf01

This is my last post with Heroes, Heroines and History. I've loved getting to know you all in this fabulous community. I'm in an incredibly busy season and I'm clearing out the things and looking to implement the "one thing necessary"

I'm sure I'll see you around online!

Hurry!

Today is the last day to enter this giveaway! 

17 Winners

I Spy With My Little Eye some other fabulous HHH bloggers!

April's Promise 

by Terrie Todd

The Damsel's Intent 

by Mary Davis

Hills of Nevermore 

by Janalyn Voight

Rahab's Courage

by Naomi Craig

Enter this great giveaway! Ends today

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, and pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi is the founder of Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook and co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dogs to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.

You Can't have Easter Without Purim

 By Naomi Craig

Stamp of Moldova - 2016 - Colnect 610525 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem, Wikimedia

This past weekend was the celebration of Palm Sunday, the common remembrance of when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. His disciples and followers spread their cloaks, waved palm branches before Jesus and and proclaimed Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. This event kicked off Holy Week and lead to the cross, Jesus died the brutal death of a sinner--even though He was without sin-- fulfilling the requirement of death for the payment of sins once and for all. Jesus took your place and mine, paying for our sins, past present and future, and conquering death by resurrecting on the third day (Easter Sunday). Because of His forgiveness, we can have that relationship with God for eternity and also for the here and now.

Did you know that this past weekend was also the celebration of  Purim?

The Feast of Esther by Johannes Spilberg the Younger, Wikkimedia

Though it is a more obscure holiday that most Christian churches don't celebrate, without Purim, there would be no Resurrection Sunday.

My family attended a church on vacation and the service was similar to how Jewish synagogues celebrate Purim. If you haven't been it's quite the experience! The book of Esther is read in its entirety at night and the next morning and it's rather like a melodrama. You cheer for the Hero (Mordechai), you 'awww' for the Heroine (Esther) and boo, stomp your feet, and rattle your grogger every time the Villain is mentioned (Haman). Traditionally, children dress up like their favorite character, and there are snacks! 

Homemade hamantaschen, wikimedia

(The church served Hamantaschen -- Haman's Ear-- cookies after😋) The whole time i was remembering scenes from the Biblical Fiction movie, One Night with the King (2006)

One Night with the King Theatrical Movie Poster, Wikipedia

I'm sure the story of Esther (awww) is as familiar to you as the story of Easter, but the pastor brought up a couple of points I hadn't considered.

If Haman (boo! stomp, rattle) had succeeded in destroying the Jews, it wouldn't have just been the area around the Persian capitol, Susa/ Shushan, it would have been as far reaching as the entire Persian Empire. From India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1) including the province of Israel. At this point in history, a large portion of the Jews had returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple under Ezra and Nehemiah.

ALL Jews would have been wiped out if Esther (aww) hadn't risked her life by going uninvited to the King's presence. Not just those in the out-lying Persian areas as I uneducatedly assumed. 

Pastor Rob brought to light that since the devil's curse in the Garden of Eden, he knew the Messiah would come from the line of the Jews. he did his best attempt to stop that from happening.  

Satan is not all-knowing or ever-present like God, so he didn't know the when. 

King Herod killing off the baby boys? the devil trying to stop the Messiah's ministry before it started.

Killing Jesus on the cross? Let's stop this rescue-from-sin-plan from happening. Except that is exactly what the recue plan was.  

So then what about Hitler's massacre of the Jews in WWII? The Bible says God will bless those who bless [Jews]. If the Jews are annihilated, then the outgoing blessing in the world is no longer.

From the beginning of the world, Satan has been doing all he can to destroy our relationship with God and the blessings that come from knowing Him. From the beginning of the world, he has been failing, and sometimes even playing directly into God's plan.

Like Esther (awww), perhaps you were put in your situation, job, circle of influence for such a time as this. May we take seriously our commission and share the Light with a dark world.

Light comes from the dark, wikimedia

This Sunday as you celebrate Jesus' resurrection, remember that there is NOTHING that can stop God's plan from happening. 

If you are in a dark spot, remember, it was dark and bleak Friday, but a lot can happen in three days!

Sunday is coming!

Old statue of Jesus on a cross near Zminj in Croatia, Wikimedia

 Have you read or watched any Esther stories or Retellings?

And Their Numbers Grew

Four Lives. Four Destinies. One Gospel

Rumors of the risen Christ spread like wildfire. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing Jerusalem.

While an outraged Saul sets out to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives.

Read more about And Their Numbers Grew

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, and pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi is the founder of Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook and co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dogs to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.

Did You Know.... Bible Trivia

by Naomi Craig

I love random trivia . In many forms like behind the scenes info about movies (Did you know in the musical Singin' In The Rain where Kathy Seldon does voice overs for the star, Lina Lamont, only the actual movie people thought Debbie Reynolds' (Kathy) voice wasn't mature enough so Jean Hagen (Lina) sang the movie song "Would you?" ----Ending up being Lina covering for Kathy who was covering for Lina)

Singin' in the Rain trailer 5.jpg, wikimedia

Historical tidbits---why I love this blog

And Random Bible Trivia.

I don't know why.

There is a sense of pride when I know the most answers in the American Trivia board game.

So let's get into some interesting Bible trivia.

Did you know the Bible is not only the best-selling book in the world (100 million per year ) but also the most shoplifted.

Wicked Bible - wicked passage.jpg, Wikimedia

Did you know in 1631, a publishing company accidentally omitted the word "not" from the 7th commandment? Around 1,000 copies were distributed before "thou shall commit adultery" was noticed. This version is known as the Sinner's Bible or the Wicked Bible.

How's your trivia inside the Bible?

Did you know about the left-handed assassin and the obese king?

The dead man comes to life at Elisha's sepulchre.jpg, Wikimedia

Did you know a man came back to life after his dead body touched the (very dead) bones of a prophet?

What about an Iron ax head floating in water?

Did you know there is a woman credited with building three cities?

Donkeys talking? Sounds like a cartoon or fantasy movie, but it's actually in the Bible first

Og's Bed (crop).jpg, Wikimedia

Did you know a man had a bed 13 1/2 feet long and 6 feet wide. (I'll give you a hint, it wasn't Goliath)

Or how about the man whose hair weighed 6 1/4 lbs. when it was cut annually.?


Did you know all these? What other random tidbits should be included?

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, and pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi is the founder of Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook and co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dogs to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.

What was your favorite Biblical Fiction you read that released in 2023?

Come on over to Biblical Fiction Aficionados and vote for the 2023 Readers' Choice Award

Forgiveness in Damascus

Map of Roman Damascus, NKJV Cultural Study Bible

 

by Naomi Craig

If you've been a Christian any length of time. you're probably familiar with Saul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.

He is on a self appointed mission to drag Believers in the Risen Jesus back to Jerusalem where they would be imprisoned--or killed. Jesus meets him on the way, blinding his eyes and opening his heart.  For three days, Saul fasts and prays until the Lord sends a 'certain disciple,' Ananias to go to him.

Paulus wordt door Ananias van zijn blindheid genezen, RP-P-OB-46.082, Wikimedia

Immediately after receiving his sight and being baptized (and eating😜), Saul sets off to the very synagogues he was going to accuse believers to preach Jesus as the long awaited Messiah.  Then Saul is lowered from the wall to avoid attack and goes off to become a super-Christian and write half of the new testament, right? Just kidding. Saul himself would not have wanted to be elevated to a level of import we bestow on him.

There are a couple details that are glossed over in Acts 9 that I'd love to dive into.

To set the stage, Damascus was at least a six day journey from Jerusalem. Why would Saul feel it necessary to track down believers that far away from Jerusalem? 

As an elite Pharisee, Saul saw the teachings of the risen Jesus quite heretical. How could a man who was very clearly killed by Roman crucifixion--Roman soldiers were very good at their job. When they had orders to execute someone, they did it well--have risen again? 

I've got to admit, if someone came into my church today making claims that they were Jesus, I'd be very skeptical and think they were against God's word. Know what I'm saying?

Damascus was also a major trade cross roads. If the Way made it here, it would spread rapidly to the Mesopotamia and Arabia. Saul was sure he was doing the world a favor by maintaining purity in the faith.

If there was cause for Saul to make the long journey, there must have been a sizeable crowd of believers. One of those was a man named Ananias (not the man who conspired with his wife to lie about the sale of their land). 

Can you imagine being in Ananias' position? being specifically called by Jesus to be the instrument of healing to this man who had the power and authority to have him imprisoned or brutally killed?

This isn't the first or the last event of Jesus asking His followers to forgive those who brutally tortured them. All throughout history, those being martyred are able to extend forgiveness and even embrace their horrific death in the love and name of Jesus. 

Think of Stephen, who while being stoned, asked Jesus to forgive his persecutors for his death.

Kamer in het Corrie ten Boomhuis in de Barteljorisstraat, Wikimedia

Entrance to the hiding place in Corrie ten Boom's room

Corrie Ten Boom who, when speaking to audiences after WWII about forgiving the guards at the concentration camps and one of those same guards came to her afterward. He said since that time at Ravensbruk he had become a Christian and repented of his deeds. 

Elizabeth Elliot and Rachael Saint returning to the Wadonai people after their husband and brother respectively had been slain by the people. 

The list cannot be numbered.

Ananias is asked to do the unimaginable by approaching the man responsible for the persecutions of his friends and loved ones, brothers and sisters in Christ and he has to be the one to reach out and heal the man, and offer him grace.

When the believers heard of Saul's conversion, they naturally were wary. They even sent him back to his home in Tarsus, unsure what to do with him. It was only when Barnabas came to fetch him to help serve the churches in Antioch that it seems people began accepting Saul's leadership.

Paulus wird in Damaskus von seinen Schülern gerettet.jpg, wikimedia

Interesting tidbit:

In Galatians 1:17 Saul "went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus." It seems there was about 3 years between his conversion till the famous escape down the wall to escape the death plot against him.

Have you ever had to forgive someone in a massive way? How did you see the Lord show up for you?

Four lives. Four destinies. One gospel.

Rumors of the risen Christ spread through Jerusalem like a wildfire. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing the city.

The Kingdom of God spreads to Damascus, Joppa, Caesarea, Antioch, and Tarsus through the testimonies of Ananias, Tabitha, and Barnabas. While an outraged Saul sets out for Damascus to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives.

Four disciples whose lives are intertwined, told in four novellas, chronicling the birth pains of the early church

Find And Their Numbers Grew on Amazon

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, and pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi is the founder of Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook and co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dogs to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh? What Kind of Gifts are These for a Baby?

 By Naomi Craig

Reliquary Three Wise Men MNMA Cl23822wikimedia

Was this the traditional gifts to give a baby back in those days?

If you've watched the animated children's movie The Star (2017) or the musical Journey to Bethlehem (2023) the wise guys (er I mean wise men😜) make jokes about not knowing what to bring to a baby shower and being able to cure insomnia with essential oils.

Agate phial cropped, wikimedia

The wise men were likely from the order of the magi--scholars, physicians, astronomers--dating back to the time of Daniel in Babylonian exile.

These men would have been well-versed in the scrolls including Daniel's prophecies about the timeline of the Messiah's birth and possibly the pagan seer Balaam's prophecy about the Star coming out of Jacob. (Numbers 24:17). 

Sripada night sky, wikimedia

It is suffice to say, the magi were expecting Jesus' arrival. They were actively waiting for the promised Messiah. 

So if they knew all these prophecies, why did the wise men have to make that stop in Jerusalem to chat with King Herod?

We know from our Bible that the location of Christ's birth is Bethlehem (Micah) But the book of Micah was written in post-exilic Judah. Meaning the scrolls and prophesies would not have made it back out to the Persian empire and the mages.

Herod also doesn't know where the new king is to be born and consults the scribes and the chief priests to come up with the location of Bethlehem. Armed with this knowledge, and the star's guiding light, the wise men head off to see the child, Jesus in his house. 

Ancient pathway to Bethlehem along Roman aqueduct LOC matpc.16578, Wikimedia

They present to Him gifts that live in memory to this day, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.--Yeah, Mary and Joseph would have thought these were odd gifts for their young son, too.

So what do they represent? 

The wise men in The Nativity Story (2005) show the beauty and prophetic fulfillment of the carefully selected gifts

Gold for the King of Kings

Frankincense for the Priest of Priests

The gift of myrrh to honor the sacrifice

Gold--that one is self explanatory. You would give gold to a king, it was a symbol of royalty.

Frankincense was a priestly implement used in worshipping God. Jesus was the One to talk to God most High and intervene on our behalf.

Myrrh...this one might have pierced Mary's heart with the implications. Myrrh was used to embalm the dead indicating the sacrifice Jesus would face as an adult.

Isn't that amazing? 

In Journey to Bethlehem, the wise men show up at the manger scene (not accurate time frame but what is expected in each Nativity) and I LOVE how they enter singing "Thine is the kingdom and the power and glory..." and the Tall King has a tear rolling down his cheek.

Can you imagine the dedication and faith to know about the coming Messiah and seek after Him in such a fashion to give up all that was important to their way of life?

What's your favorite Nativity movie?

Behind the elaborate furnishings of Herod the Great’s palace, conspiracy and distrust run rampant. Mysterious visitors from the east challenge everything Amal thinks he knows as palace scribe.

Will his quest to uncover the Truth free him from the ornate shackles of palace life, or will he be the next victim of King Herod’s maniacal jealousy?

The Weary World Rejoices (Keeping Christmas vol 1) is available on amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Want to see my take on Balaam's Star out of Jacob? Download my novella On Desolate Heights, Balaam's Story free. You can unsubscribe from my newsletter at any time.

Christmas at the Castle PLUS GIVEAWAY!

by Naomi Craig

                    

What's a better way to get in the Christmas mood than with a collection of stories? The common thread?
All take place at a castle😍🏰🏯



In castles far and near, long ago and yesterday, find happily-ever-afters wrapped in love and tied with Christmas joy.

The Lights of Castlebourne (by Cathe Swanson and Chautona Havig):
                             
Out of this collection, I loved that two of my favorite authors, Chautona Havig and Cathe Swanson teamed up to create a memorable book set around Sydney, a landscape designer, who wishes only to create memorable landscape designs at a castle. When you add in a skunk, an electrician, a cousin, a dog, and a grumpy owner of the castle, and The Lights of Castlebourne grabbed my attention, and would not let me put the book down. Both of these authors create books I love reading and this story definitely lived up to my expectations.~ Patti P, Amazon Reviewer



The Girl From Dalarna (by Olivia Talbott):
                                  

The Girl From Dalarna by Olivia Talbott is a historical fiction set in 1833 Sweden. It was a very emotional story, Linnea had to leave her family and home and go to a larger city to try to provide for her mother and sisters after her father’s death. Despite her exceptional beauty she was shy with a stutter and just wanted to be left alone to do her job. It was very interesting to read the story and see how her life changed. I really appreciated Rane and think that everyone should have a Rane in their life.~Donna C, Amazon Reviewer


The Cross at Morioka Castle (by Kathleen J. Robison):


                                
This one was my favorite in the collection, but I have a huge interest in the Japanese culture. This little novella was like visiting with friends of mine who have returned to their home country, one I would dearly love to visit someday. The romance was sweet, and I loved how it illustrated how God puts the exact people in our path that we need at just the time when we need them. The author also did an amazing job of portraying the struggle of Japanese Christians, caught between cultural tradition and faith. ~eLynda, Amazon Reviewer




The Ghost of Christmas... (by Denise L. Barela):
                              
I will admit I am a huge fan of Neuschwanstein Castle so I automatically geeked when I found out that it was the setting for this story. Abbi jumps at a chance to spend Christmas at Neuschwanstein and is swept into the magic of the Castle.This is the second book that I have read by Barela and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. I would love to see a series based on the characters who live and work in the castle.~Donna, Amazon Reviewer


Crystal Clear (by Marguerite Martin Gray):

                              

Probably the closest to what I expected from the collection, this novella has a real focus on Christmas and the miracle Jesus brings to all of us, regardless of the season. I loved the setting, the characters, and the storyline. I could smell the pine in the air, so vivid were the descriptions, and I felt like I was right there with the characters, experiencing the joy of the season, even in a difficult time.~eLynda, Amazon Reviewer



The Weary World Rejoices (by Naomi Craig):

                                 
You may think you’ve heard the Christmas story a million times, but until you see it through Amal’s eyes, you are missing something! My heart rejoiced along with Amal’s by the conclusion of this novella. The Weary World Rejoices by Naomi Craig is Biblical fiction that will make you shiver, review Scripture, cry, cheer, evaluate how you treat Scripture (all while being an unputdownable story)!~ Babbling Becky L, Amazon Reviewer


                     

Grab a mug of something hot and delicious and curl up somewhere comfy. Your literary chariots await to take you on a journey from an early twentieth-century castle overlooking the Mississippi all the way back to the Holy Land at the time of Jesus' birth. These six novellas, all set in castles real and fictional, celebrate the heart and joy of Christmas.




I'm hosting a giveaway! Let me know in the comments which Christmas novella looks most intriguing to you! (if you are still reading in your email, you will need to go online. Also, sometimes our platform doesn't like browsers--Chrome or firefox seem to work better)


All commenters will be entered in a random draw for an ebook of Keeping Christmas vol. 1

Merry Christmas! May the Prince of Peace be with you this season!

                                                  

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube and helps facilitate Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dog to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.


Keeping Christmas vol 1 is also available on Kindle Unlimited

Heroes of the Early Church: Pt 1 Stephen

Heroes of the Early Church: Stephen 

by Naomi Craig

St-stephenFXD.jpg, Wikimedia

The first we hear about Stephen is in the book of Acts when he is appointed as a deacon to ensure care for the Hellenistic widows.

Where did he come from? 

Hellenistic (or Greek) Jews were those of Jewish descent who had lived in and adapted to Greek culture. Hellenists also held to the belief that God was not bound to the temple as if He needed the structure to be worshipped.

Not surprising, those who were currently living in Jerusalem or in the nearby region, felt superior to those who didn't make it to the temple as frequently, and were offended when Hellenists spoke against the temple. 

TempleMount HolylandModel, wikimedia

If Stephen was trusted to be a part of the church leadership, it's safe to say he's been around for a while. Perhaps he was there when the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost? Perhaps he was one of the 500+ people the Lord Jesus appeared to after His resurrection?

At any rate we know he was 'full of faith and the Holy Spirit and power' (Acts 6:3, 8) and was well versed in the Hebrew ways.

Stephen comes to center stage after Jesus' ascension, after the church has been functioning for some time. At the end of Acts 4, we see the church were of one heart and in one accord (youth pastor joke, anyone?) and had all things in common. We see the believers giving generously, like Barnabas and the bad example set by Ananias and Sapphira. The Lord is doing mighty things through the hands of the disciples/apostles, and yet some of the widows are being overlooked. 

Juan van der Hamen - Serving Table - WGA11198, Wikimedia

Stephen and 6 other Greek Jews are appointed as Deacons. Not only did he serve the widows in a very tangible way, he also spoke boldly in the Synagogue of the Freedmen. This particular synagogue had representatives from all over the Roman empire, including those from Cilicia, the province that boasted the city Tarsus. Sound familiar? 

The Bible says though they disputed Stephen, they couldn't resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. The people brought on men to accuse Stephen of blaspheme, just as they had done for Jesus.

Stephen is brought before the council. Although the false reports keep coming, they can all see his face is like that of an angel.

So Stephen launches into a chapter-long sermon sharing the history of the Jewish people, ending with accusations that they now have betrayed and murdered Jesus. And God Most High does not dwell in the Temple as if He could be contained by man-made constricts.

Angry mob of four. Wikimedia

Just like Peter's audience in Acts 2, those in the council were "cut to the heart."  But, unlike Peter's audience who were convicted and believed, these men gnashed their teeth and shoved Stephen outside the city to stone him. 

This part of the story is almost as familiar as Jesus' death. Stephen asks in his dying breath that these men's sins be forgiven, and he dies. Christianity's first martyr.

Mosan Workshop - The Stoning of St Stephen - Walters 71140, Wikimedia

There are a couple of things about this account that are puzzling to our modern mindset.

Why was it that the Jews could execute Stephen, where they couldn't make the final call to crucify Jesus?

Why did everyone scatter out of Jerusalem except the apostles (the original 11 disciples + Judas' replacement)? Acts 8:1b

According to GotQuestions.org 

The long and short of it is that the Jewish religious leaders did not have the legal right to exact the death penalty. However, Rome’s interest in enforcing that rule was subject to many factors, not the least of which was whether or not the incident was—in Rome’s view—worth pursuing. The stoning of Stephen by the Jews was technically illegal, but the Romans had no vested interest in the matter, and the temple leaders in Jerusalem rightly felt that Rome would not respond. Jesus, on the other hand, had caught the attention of many powerful people, and the Jews would not venture to violate Roman law by executing Jesus on their own.

As for the Apostles not leaving Jerusalem? Some speculate that Saul's target at least at first was the Hellenistic Jews turned followers of The Way, those who believed the temple was not the only place to worship God. 

Acts 8:1 indicates the whole church was at risk of Saul's persecution, and I'm sure the apostles were fully aware and expected the day they would be worthy of being persecuted for the name of Jesus.

I'm convicted reading Stephen's account. I want my life to be noted as one full of Faith and  the Spirit and Power. I want to be willing to share the good news of Christ no matter the cost.

How about you?

Rumors of the risen Christ spread through Jerusalem like a wildfire. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing the city.

The Kingdom of God spreads to Damascus, Joppa, Caesarea, Antioch, and Tarsus through the testimonies of Ananias, Tabitha, and Barnabas. While an outraged Saul sets out for Damascus to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives.                                                                                                                  

Four disciples whose lives are intertwined, told in four novellas, chronicling the birth pains of the early church

Preorder And Their Numbers Grew

 

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube and helps facilitate Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dog to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.

The Curious Story of Balaam and His Talking Donkey

 By Naomi Craig

A talking donkey, as odd as it seems, is not so uncommon these days. There is Donkey from the movie Shrek, talking beasts of Narnia, not to mention the influx of fantasy shows and books.

Donkey-06 Wikimedia Commons

What does give pause, is the influence a pagan seer had in the Bible.

Did you know Balaam wasn't Israelite, nor was he documented in any way as coming directly in contact with the members of Israel?

You can find his story in Numbers 22-24, where it is documented that he was a "Curses-for-hire" type of guy. He was hired by King Balak of Moab (twice actually) to curse the vast nation of Israel. 

The one true God actually appears to Balaam and tells him "You shall not go with the men," and then on the king's desperate second plea "You may go with them, but you may only speak the words I put in your mouth." (Numbers 22:21)

Something happened in the timeline that isn't recorded in the Bible, because immediately in verse 22, the anger of God is aroused and He sends an angel to block Balaam's way. A change in Balaam's heart perhaps? The temptation of all the riches promised?

Tissot Balaam and the Ass, wikimedia commons

Now the donkey is the only one who sees the angel of the Lord standing in the path with outstretched sword. Uncharacteristically, the donkey disobeys Balaam's prompts and turns away two times, once even crushing his foot against a rock wall. The third time the angel appears in their way, the donkey has no where to turn to avoid the drawn sword, so she lays down underneath Balaam. 

When Balaam begins striking her with his staff, the Lord opens the donkey's mouth and she asks why he is beating her? Has she ever disobeyed his commands?  Clearly she is saving his life these three times from the angel's sword.

Balaam's eyes are opened to the angelic visitor, and is sent on his way with the assurance that he may only speak what the Lord puts in his mouth.

Balaam then makes his way to the general location of where the Israelites are camping east of the Jordan. 

((This all takes place right before the Israelites cross over the Jordan into Canaan.))

Each time the king demands a curse, Balaam can only bless the nation of Israel abundantly.

The king refuses this outcome and takes Balaam up even higher so he can see the extent of the people "...lick[ing] up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” (Numbers 22:4b)

After his four prophetic blessings, Balaam is sent home with no money and no honor.

Nowhere  does it indicate he interacted with the Israelites.

So how did he get in our Bible?

Numbers 23:13 says Balaam went to the top of Mount Pisgah.

Numbers 21:20 says 'they' (the Israelite leaders?) went to the top of Mount Pisgah.

Could it be possible that their paths intersected? 

Balaam is noted as having two servants, perhaps one of them shared about Balaam's blessings instead of curses?

Very curious how a pagan seer and a talking donkey shared the Lord's blessings with and for the nations!

Equidae Equus africanus asinus, wikimedia

Do you recall the story of Balaam and his talking donkey?

A Pagan Seer.

A Slave Boy.

A Talking Donkey.

Unlikely messengers delivering Yahweh's blessings to the nations.

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Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube and helps facilitate Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dog to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.