All the Bible People You Don’t Like

I’ve been realizing lately there are a LOT of Bible People I don’t like.

Jacob, for example. He was just a jerk. And Gideon and Saul. I don’t like them. And I’ve never really liked Naomi.

They were SELFISH, and BITTER, and forgot all about GOD after He was always there for them! And they’re in the BIBLE for Pete’s sake!

My Bible reading plan has been MAKING me re-read about all these not-so-nice people who are just so….frustrating. I read and they’re about to do something stupid like worship a false idol or lie or whine and I’m like “No, no! Don’t do it!” but they do it anyway. Go figure.

And then it hits me. These not-so-nice-muck-ups are ME!

Maybe I cringe at the ugliness in others because deep down I recognize it as my own.

One that punched me in the face this week was Saul.

• In 1 Samuel 13 Saul is told by God to wait, but he gets impatient and takes matters into his own hands. Yep, could be me.  Could be I wrote the book on this one.
• In 1 Samuel 14 Saul acts and speaks foolishly. Coulda been me.
• In 1 Samuel 15 Saul doesn’t follow God’s instructions completely, sets up a monument in his own honor, deflects blame and rationalizes when confronted. Yep, been there, done that.

Here are some of the things I’m praying as I read about these Bible hooligans I don’t like:

1. Thank you Lord, that you include the good the bad and the ugly in Your Word. If these stories are in the Bible, my story… our stories could be too.

There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. John 14:1

2. Thank you Lord, that you are a God who forgives and redeems and gives me infinity do-overs.

3. As I see these flaws in others, help me to see them in myself, learn from their mistakes and become a better version of myself.

4.  As You have extended grace to these Bible guys and me, help me to extend grace to others.

Who is your least favorite Bible person? Why do you think that is?