For by it [faith] the elders obtained
a good report” (Heb. 11: 2).
Patriarch refers to any of the
biblical figures regarded as fathers of the human race, especially Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, and or the sons of Jacob.
However, the clause Patriachs
of faith refers person(s) regarded as the father or founder of an order, class
(in this case the order of faith)
(online dictionary)
These men of old, the patriarchs of
ancient times, made a record and obtained witness to their high character and
achievements through bold displays of faith.
Let’s have a look at some of them.
I will not talk about the popular
patriarchs; as we all know and can apply dimensions of their faith exhibits to
our lives.
I will talk about the unpopular ones
1. Jashobeam: Leader of David's
top three mighty men who killed 800 mighty warrior in a single battle.
As "simple" as this sounds on paper/screen, it is a
rare feat wroth by faith.
It takes a man who trusts in his backup to engage the warriors
on his territory.
Jashobeam didn’t wake up that day choosing to slay 800 men. He
woke up relying on the arm of His God.
From this patriarch we learn, that Faith is seeing God's arm hold yours to do the humanly impossible.
Reference: 2 Samuel 23:8
2. Eleazer: Second in rank
among David’stop three mighty men. He stood against the philistines when all
the Israeli soldiers (except He and David) ran away.
The soldiers
returned to share the plunder after action movie had ended.
Eleazar killed Philistine warriors that day until He could no
longer raise his sword.
From this Patriarch we learn that, Faith is the courage to stand alone and long enough for God to show up!
Reference: 2 Samuel 23:9-10
3. Mary Joseph: Honoured mother of
Jesus, who accepted a senseless prophesy to house a baby while being a virgin.
Confused? ✅
Disturbed? ✅
Afraid? ✅
Yet she would found the strength to say to the angel, "Be it
unto me according to your word".
From this Matriarch we learn that, Faith is surrendering to God's proposal even when it sounds grossly
unconvincing.
Reference: Luke 1:26-38
Read: 15 Shades of faith
4. Samson: Born a consecrated
Judge with the mandate to begin the
deliverance of Israel. -Judges 13:6
Trapped by the betrayal of his lust, led into chains by
unveiling the secret of his life, he stood as a statue of mockery before the
philistines.
Without eyes nor hair, He dared ask the Lord to help restore his
hair for he was aware that if the efficacy of the covenant was tied to his
hair, then he could still do something regardless of his handicap
situation.
Hair restored and with one push, He killed at his death, more
than he killed in his life time. And so began, the deliverance of Israel.
From this Partriarch, we learn that Faith is knowing that God will always keep His own side of the deal.
Reference: Judges 13-15
5. Apostle Paul: Converted in a rare
way by a home video effect encounter with Christ.
Paul would rather go up to Jerusalem to tell the Jews that the
Messiah had come in the person of Jesus, after being warned by a prophet to not
go.
He equally got another warning by God himself to leave Jerusalem
yet remained because He would rather bear witness to the truth in the place
where he once fought so hard to extinguish it.
From this Patriarch we learn that, Faith is a deep conviction in the person of Christ so much that you're
willing to die, should it come to that.
Reference: Acts 21
6. Ruth: Witnessed her
mother in law (Naomi) talk about/serve a God who was "present and
watching" while her two sons and husband died.
Ruth would rather follow an empty, bitter Naomi, confessing
allegiance to that God and Israel. Ruth 1:16
Highly unqualified, yet found her way into the genealogy of the
Messiah. Matthew 1
From this matriarch we learn that, Faith is loyalty to destiny (God Ordained) relationships even when
reward seem inevident.
Reference: The book of Ruth
7. Rahab: The prostitute of Jericho.
She believed in the strength of an unfamiliar God, so much to
partner (by taking in the spies) with Him to bring down her own nation.
This beauty made it into the geneology of the messiah because
she dared believe in the reputation of
an unfamiliar God.
From this Matriarch we learn that, Faith is discerning the next move of God and aligning with Him even if
it will cost you the loss of a comfort/familiar zone.
Reference: Joshua 2
Dear You,
If 4000 years were added to the endurance of the earth, would you be mentioned as a partriarch or
matriarch of faith?
The list of FAITH-fulls didn’t end in the book of revelation.
Like Paul said in Hebrews 11, "time would fail me to mention others
who through faith overthrew
kingdoms, turned their weaknesses to strength, Received what God had
promised them etc".
Therefore we must bear in mind the truth that every day we
live is an opportunity to brandish our shield of faith. Not just only because
there is a Zion's hall of faith to etch your name but also because life is too
short to live without FAITH.
No time to say No FAITH!!
BRANDISH (wave or flourish
(something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement your
shield of faith
Source: Dictionary online
Committed to your fulfillment
Anne Atulaegwu
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