Bible Characters

I See Four Men in the Fire: Finding God’s Presence

by William Stewart
March 27, 2011March 8, 2026
Bible Characters, Faith, Persecution

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a huge gold statue of himself. Throughout the land, a proclamation was made, that all people should fall down and worship the image when they heard the symphony of music – under threat of being cast into a furnace of fire. The warning was given,

…whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:6)

And so it was, when the horn, flute, harp and lyre sounded, the people would bow down and worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, all but a few of the Jews who had been set in authority by the king. Three men were accused of not giving the king honour, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3:12). They would not bow to the golden image, nor would they serve the Babylonian gods.

Ruth 3 – Faith, Virtue and a Midnight Encounter

by William Stewart
April 4, 2010February 12, 2026
Bible Characters

Ruth had provided for her mother-in-law by working in the fields, gleaning the barley and wheat which the reapers left behind. In response to this kindness, Naomi wanted to provide security for Ruth. She was a stranger in a foreign land, having no husband or family to care for her.

Ruth 2 – The Blessing of Diligent Labour in the Fields

by William Stewart
March 28, 2010February 12, 2026
Bible Characters

Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. Needing food, Ruth requested Naomi’s permission to find a field where she could glean behind the reapers. The head servant in the field of Boaz, a relative of her father-in-law, granted her permission to glean.

Ruth 1: Exploring the Faith and Devotion of Ruth

by William Stewart
March 21, 2010February 12, 2026
Bible Characters

With famine ravaging the land of Judah, Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem for the greener pastures of Moab. The famine did not affect them, but other trials did. Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow. Still seeking good in this foreign land, Naomi’s son took wives for themselves from the Moabites, Orpah and Ruth. After ten years, both sons were childless. Bad turned to worse, as both sons died. A search for a better life seemingly brought nothing but trouble and heartache.