Bible – Bible Society of Zimbabwe

Heroes’ Day is an occasion to honor and celebrate the courage, sacrifice, and impact of heroes who have shaped our lives and communities. In the Bible, we find many stories about men and women whose lives reflect profound faith and steadfastness. These biblical heroes serve as timeless examples of virtues we can aspire to in our own lives.

Abraham: The Father of Faith

Abraham, often referred to as the “father of faith,” is a towering figure in the Bible. His story is one of unwavering trust in God. When God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place he would be shown, Abraham obeyed without hesitation (Genesis 12:1-4). His willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, trusting in God’s promise, is a testament to his profound faith (Genesis 22:1-18).

Moses: The Deliverer

Moses is celebrated as the deliverer of Israel from slavery in Egypt. His life is marked by acts of extraordinary bravery and faith. Despite his initial reluctance, Moses answered God’s call to lead the Israelites out of bondage, facing Pharaoh’s wrath and the perils of the wilderness (Exodus 3-14). His leadership and unwavering reliance on God highlight the importance of faith and perseverance.

Esther: The Courageous Queen

Esther, a Jewish queen in Persia, displayed remarkable courage and wisdom. When her people faced destruction, Esther risked her life by approaching King Xerxes uninvited to plead for their salvation. Her famous declaration, “If I perish, I perish,” (Esther 4:16) shows her bravery and selflessness in the face of great danger.

David: The Shepherd King

David, the shepherd boy who became king, is renowned for his faith and courage. His defeat of the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone is a powerful example of trusting in God’s strength rather than human might (1 Samuel 17). David’s life, though marked by imperfections, is a testament to God’s grace and the power of repentance.

Daniel: The Uncompromising Prophet

Daniel’s story is one of steadfast faith in a foreign land. Despite the threat of death, he refused to give up on his faith, continuing to pray to God even when it was not allowed. His survival in the lions’ den (Daniel 6) is a powerful reminder of God’s protection over those who remain faithful to Him.

Mary: The Obedient Servant

Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies obedience and humility. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would bear the Son of God, Mary’s response was one of submission to God’s will: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Her faith and willingness to accept God’s plan played a crucial role in the story of salvation.

Paul: The Zealous Apostle

Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the most zealous apostles of Christ. His missionary journeys, tireless preaching, and numerous epistles have profoundly shaped Christian theology and practice. Paul’s transformation and dedication to spreading the gospel, despite immense suffering and persecution, are inspiring examples of redemption and commitment (Acts 9, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Conclusion

As we celebrate Heroes’ Day, these biblical figures remind us that true heroism is rooted in faith, obedience, and a willingness to serve God’s purpose, even at great personal cost. Their stories encourage us to cultivate these virtues in our own lives, trusting that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Hannah Asks the Lord for a Child

1 Elkanah lived in Ramah, a town in the hill country of Ephraim. His great-great-grandfather was Zuph, so Elkanah was a member of the Zuph clan of the Ephraim tribe. Elkanah's father was Jeroham, his grandfather was Elihu, and his great-grandfather was Tohu.

2 Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Although Peninnah had children, Hannah did not have any.

3 Once a year Elkanah traveled from his hometown to Shiloh, where he worshiped the Lord All-Powerful and offered sacrifices. Eli was the Lord's priest there, and his two sons Hophni and Phinehas served with him as priests.

4 Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he gave some of the meat to Peninnah and some to each of her sons and daughters. 5 But he gave Hannah even more, because he loved Hannah very much, even though the Lord had kept her from having children of her own.

6 Peninnah liked to make Hannah feel miserable about not having any children, 7 especially when the family went to the house of the Lord each year.

One day, Elkanah was there offering a sacrifice, when Hannah began crying and refused to eat. 8 So Elkanah asked, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why do you feel so bad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?”

9 When the sacrifice had been offered, and they had eaten the meal, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli was sitting in his chair near the door to the place of worship. 10 Hannah was heartbroken and was crying as she prayed, 11 “Lord All-Powerful, I am your servant, but I am so miserable! Please let me have a son. I promise to give him to you for as long as he lives, and his hair will never be cut.”

12-13 Hannah prayed silently to the Lord for a long time. But her lips were moving, and Eli thought she was drunk. 14 “How long are you going to stay drunk?” he asked. “Sober up!”

15-16 “Sir, please don't think I'm no good!” Hannah answered. “I'm not drunk, and I haven't been drinking. But I do feel miserable and terribly upset. I've been praying all this time, telling the Lord about my problems.”

17 Eli replied, “Go home. Everything will be fine. The God of Israel will answer your prayer.”

18 “Sir, thank you for being so kind to me,” Hannah said. Then she left, and after eating something, she felt much better.

Samuel Is Born

19 Elkanah and his family got up early the next morning and worshiped the Lord. Then they went back home to Ramah. Later the Lord blessed Elkanah and Hannah 20 with a son. She named him Samuel because she had asked the Lord for him.

Hannah Gives Samuel to the Lord

21 The next time Elkanah and his family went to offer their yearly sacrifice, he took along a gift that he had promised to give to the Lord. 22 But Hannah stayed home, because she had told Elkanah, “Samuel and I won't go until he's old enough for me to stop nursing him. Then I'll give him to the Lord, and he can stay there at Shiloh for the rest of his life.”

23 “You know what's best,” Elkanah said. “Stay here until it's time to stop nursing him. I'm sure the Lord will help you do what you have promised.” Hannah did not go to Shiloh until she stopped nursing Samuel.

24-25 When it was the time of year to go to Shiloh again, Hannah and Elkanah took Samuel to the Lord's house. They brought along a three-year-old bull, a sack containing about nine kilograms of flour, and a clay jar full of wine. Hannah and Elkanah offered the bull as a sacrifice, then brought the little boy to Eli.

26 “Sir,” Hannah said, “a few years ago I stood here beside you and asked the Lord 27 to give me a child. Here he is! The Lord gave me just what I asked for. 28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will be the Lord's servant for as long as he lives.”

Hannah Prays

Elkanah worshiped the Lord there at Shiloh, and

1 There was a man of one of the two Ramathaim Zophim, of mount Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne of Elihu, the sonne of Tohu, the sonne of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wiues: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went vp out of his citie euery yeere, to worship and to sacrifice vnto the Lord of hostes in Shiloh, where were the two sonnes of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas Priests of the Lord. 4 And on a day, when Elkanah sacrificed, he gaue to Peninnah his wife and to all her sonnes and daughters portions, 5 But vnto Hannah he gaue a worthy portion: for he loued Hannah, and the Lord had made her barren. 6 And her aduersarie vexed her sore, forasmuch as she vpbraided her, because the Lord had made her barren. 7 (And so did he yeere by yeere) and as oft as she went vp to the house of the Lord, thus she vexed her, that she wept and did not eate. 8 Then sayd Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thine heart troubled? am not I better to thee then ten sonnes? 9 So Hannah rose vp after that they had eaten and drunke in Shiloh (and Eli the Priest sate vpon a stoole by one of the postes of the Temple of the Lord) 10 And she was troubled in her minde, and prayed vnto the Lord, and wept sore: 11 Also she vowed a vowe, and sayd, O Lord of hostes, if thou wilt looke on the trouble of thine handmaide, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaide, but giue vnto thine handmaide a manchilde, then I will giue him vnto the Lord all the dayes of his life, and there shall no rasor come vpon his head. 12 And as she continued praying before the Lord, Eli marked her mouth. 13 For Hannah spake in her heart: her lips did moue onely, but her voyce was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had bene drunken. 14 And Eli sayde vnto her, Howe long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy drunkennesse from thee. 15 Then Hannah answered and sayd, Nay my lord, but I am a woman troubled in spirit: I haue drunke neither wine nor strong drinke, but haue powred out my soule before the Lord. 16 Count not thine handmaide for a wicked woman: for of the abundance of my complaint and my griefe haue I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered, and sayd, Go in peace, and the God of Israel graunt thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 She sayd againe, Let thine handmayd finde grace in thy sight: so the woman went her way, and did eate, and looked no more sad. 19 Then they rose vp early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. Nowe Elkanah knewe Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembred her. 20 For in processe of time Hannah conceiued, and bare a sonne, and she called his name Samuel, Because, said she, I haue asked him of the Lord. 21 So the man Elkanah and all his house went vp to offer vnto the Lord the yeerely sacrifice, and his vowe: 22 But Hannah went not vp: for she sayd vnto her husband, I will tarie vntill the childe be weined, then I will bring him that hee may appeare before the Lord, and there abide for euer. 23 And Elkanah her husband sayd vnto her, Do what seemeth thee best: tarie vntill thou hast weined him: only the Lord accomplish his word. So the woman abode, and gaue her sonne sucke vntill she weined him. 24 And when she had weined him, she tooke him with her with three bullockes and an Ephah of floure and a bottell of wine, and brought him vnto the house of the Lord in Shiloh, and the childe was yong. 25 And they slewe a bullocke, and brought the childe to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my Lord, as thy soule liueth, my lord, I am the woman that stoode with thee here praying vnto the Lord. 27 I prayed for this childe, and the Lord hath giuen me my desire which I asked of him. 28 Therefore also I haue giuen him vnto the Lord: as long as he liueth hee shalbe giuen vnto the Lord: and he worshipped the Lord there.