Dove

 

The dove holds significant meaning in the Bible, symbolizing various qualities such as peace, purity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. 
This signifies the spotless and undefiled nature of believers in Christ.

In the Old Testament, the dove is mentioned in Genesis 8:8-12, when Noah sent out a dove after the flood and it returned with an olive branch, signifying the end of God's judgment.

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, as recorded in Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, and Luke 3:22. 

This event marked the initiation of Jesus' public ministry and the confirmation of His identity as the Son of God.

The dove is also associated with peace, as Jesus instructed His disciples to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" in Matthew 10:16. 

This implies the call to maintain a peaceful and gentle nature while navigating through a world filled with challenges and opposition.

The dove represents purity, as mentioned in Song of Solomon 5:2, where the bride is described as "my dove, my perfect one." 

Lion

 

In the Bible, the lion symbolizes strength, royalty, courage, and divine power, most notably as the "Lion of Judah," representing Jesus Christ's ultimate authority and kingship (Revelation 5:5). It also signifies negative forces like evil or danger, seen in Satan as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) or the threats faced by the psalmist, but ultimately points to God's protection and sovereignty, as seen in Daniel's deliverance.

Strength and Majesty

Lions are often used to symbolize strength and majesty. In the Old Testament, the tribe of Judah is likened to a lion, emphasizing its leadership and dominance among the tribes of Israel. Genesis 49:9 states, "Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?" This imagery underscores the royal and authoritative nature of Judah, from which the line of David and ultimately Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, would come (Revelation 5:5).

Courage and Protection

Lions also symbolize courage and protection. In 2 Samuel 17:10 , the courage of a warrior is compared to that of a lion: "Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those with him are valiant men." This comparison highlights the lion's role as a symbol of bravery and fearlessness.

Judgment and Destruction

Conversely, lions can represent judgment and destruction. The prophet Amos uses the lion as a metaphor for God's impending judgment: "The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?" (Amos 3:8). Here, the lion's roar signifies the certainty and power of divine judgment. Similarly, in Jeremiah 4:7 , the lion is depicted as a destroyer: "A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited."

Satanic Prowess

In the New Testament, the lion is used to describe the devil's predatory nature. 1 Peter 5:8 warns believers, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This portrayal serves as a caution to Christians to remain vigilant against spiritual threats.

Divine Authority

The lion is also a symbol of divine authority and kingship. In the vision of Ezekiel, the lion is one of the four faces of the cherubim, representing the majesty and sovereignty of God (Ezekiel 1:10). This imagery reinforces the lion's association with power and divine rule.

Christ as the Lion

Finally, the lion is a symbol of Christ Himself. In Revelation 5:5 , Jesus is referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah," signifying His rightful authority and victory. This title encapsulates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and death.

Throughout the Bible, the lion serves as a complex symbol, embodying both the noble and fearsome aspects of God's character and the spiritual realities faced by humanity. Its use in Scripture provides a rich tapestry of meaning, reflecting the multifaceted nature of God's interaction with His creation.

Scripture

·         Genesis 49:9: 

Judah is called a "lion's whelp," foreshadowing his strength and royal lineage.

·         Amos 3:8: 

"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" showing God's powerful word. 

·         Daniel 6: 

Daniel is miraculously saved from lions, demonstrating God's authority over beasts.

·         Revelation 5:5: 

Jesus is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah," the conquering King. 

·         1 Peter 5:8: 

Believers are warned to be alert against the devil, "your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour".

Ruth " Your God My God " !

 

Ruth was “of the women of Moab” but was related to Israel through Lot, the nephew of Abraham

She was   married  to an Israelite , after the death of all the male members of her family she stayed with her mother-in-law and moved to Judah with her ,where Ruth won the love and protection of a wealthy relative Boaz through her kindness .She is the great- grandmother of David the king

She is on the of the five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus found in the gospel of

The story of Ruth as told in the Book of Ruth was likely written in the HEBREW during the Persian period (550-330 BCE )

In the days when the judges were leading the tribes of Israel , there was a famine , Because of this crisis Elimetech a man from Bethlehem in Judah move to Moab with his wife , Naomi and his two sons. Mdahlon and Chilion , There Elimelech died and the two sons’s married Moabite women , Ruth and Orpah , they lived for about ten year in Moab before Mahlon and Chilion also died

NAOMI  heard that the famine in Judah had passed and decided to return home , she told her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers houses and marry again At firs both ORPAH AN Ruth refused to leave her but Naomi told them that she was unlikely to have more sons that Orpah and Ruth could marry They all wept and Orpah decided to leave Naomi and return to her people , Naomi tried again to send Ruth back too but she told her that

 “ where you go I will go and where you lodge , I will lodge , your people shall be my people and your God will be my God where you die I will die and there will I be buried “

On reaching Israel Ruth and Naomi discuses as to where they can find food and it just so happens  to become the beginning of the barley harvest ,so Ruth goes out to look out for food and it so happens that she ends up picking up grains in the field that belongs to Boaz , who just so happens to be Naomi’s relative . Boaz is said to be a man of noble character , after knowing Ruth's story  shows grate generosity

Ruth comes home that day and Naomi come to know that she meet Boaz , she said that Boaz is their family redeemer . Boaz calls Ruth as a woman of noble character

Boaz agrees to be their  redeemer, at the end boaz  requires the property of Naomi and then he marries Ruth 

So as in the beginning of the story as Ruth was loyal to Naomi’s family ,So Boaz is loyal to Naomi ‘s family

At the end of the chapter of the book of Ruth , it is a reversal of all the bad that has happened , Ruth is married and gives birth to a son named Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David

The story of Ruth in the Bible illustrates a theme of redemption, a word that occurs 23 times in the book of Ruth.

What can we learn from the Ruth in the Bible

The power of faith

Ruth showed remarkable faith for such a young believer , faith that there saw as still a purpose for her ahead , faith to believe that god was who he said he was And faith to believer that God would provide for her and Naomi

If you are in an unsure place start with faith as in the Hebrews 11:1 “defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of this not see .

Your might not be able to see what God is doing but trust that he is moving

Trust in Redemption

Against all odds redemption is always possible , Ruth had no reason to believe she had earned anything but believed God was everything she needed Ruth believed god would provide and in that place of faith God did a miraculous work to redeem Ruth He took a poor hurting outcast and healed her provided for her, and brought her a great love with Boaz

Redemption is possible in your life no matter where your come from or what you’re been thought .God has a plan for you that far surpasses all of that .

Miriam-The Courageous Prophetess

 

 Her parents were Amram and Jochebed. The name "Miriam" has been linked to the meaning "bitter," possibly referring to the harsh time of the Israelites' slavery when she was born. 

Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess in the Hebrew Bible, and a key leader during the Exodus. She is known for saving her infant brother Moses by watching over him in the Nile

Miriam was also a prophetess and a worshipper who declared the truth of God to the Israelites. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and were free from the Egyptians, Miriam led the women in worship. They played tambourines, sang and danced, giving thanks to God for their deliverance.

She took a tambourine in her hand.

All the women followed her they played tambourines and danced

Miriam san to them,

Sing to the lord,

He is greatly honored

He has thrown pharaoh’s horses and chariot drivers

Into the Red Sea “Exodus 15:20-21 (NIRV )

Miriam is identified as a prophetess, a role held by only a few women in the Old Testament and she was the first one

Miriam, along with Aaron, helped lead the Israelites through the wilderness. However, she and Aaron also spoke against Moses at one point, leading to a rebuke from God and a period of punishment for Miriam. Miriam was struck with leprosy.  Aaron intercedes and she is healed after seven days.

Miriam died in Kadesh.

After wandering for forty years, we meet Miriam last in Numbers 20:1-2.  In this passage, she dies and is buried.  She would not see the Promised Land but had spent a great part of her life, leading the people in their years of wandering alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron.  She died in a waterless place and the people were complaining

What can we learn from Mariam

The only negative picture from Miriam’s life is when she complained in Numbers 12.   All the other times she was a supportive, brave, courageous and daring big sister

Miriam was courageous and bold, even when fear and uncertainty surrounded her. How? Miriam had faith in God and knew without a doubt that although she couldn’t see what was ahead, he could. When we believe that God is on our side, we too can be courageous, not fearing what might come next.

Elizabeth (The mother of John the Baptist)

 

Elizabeth’s name means “ God is my oath “

Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist and  wife of Zechariah and a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke , she was pas normal child bearing  age when she conceived and gave birth of to John

According to the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 Elizabeth was of the daughters of Aaron  . She and her husband Zechariah were righteous before God , walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless but Childless ,

Her husband, Zechariah had been chosen to go the temple and burn incense before the lord on the this specific day, while in the temple  the  angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah with a message from the most High God saying that he and Elizabeth would have a child. We lean this child’s name was to be John and that john would be the forerunner of the Messiah

Because Zechariah asked th3ee angel how this could happen . Zechariah became speechless and would remain so until after john’s birth . Zechariah’s time of service ended and he went home to his wife. She conceived and stated “ The lord has done this for me, In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people

Six months later The angel Gabriel visited Mary and told  her whas was going to happen in her life. After Mary’s encounter with Gabriel and the Holy Spirit, she went to visit her relative Elizabeth.   Scripture tells us what happened next 

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’” (Luke 2:41-45 NIV.)

AS such Elizabeth was the first woman to confess Jesus in the flesh “ (Lockyer, 1988 ) . Indeed she was not just the woman, she was the first person to confess Jesus as the lord

When it was time for the son’s dedication on the eight days , she stated clearly that his name was to be John just as the angel Gabriel had told her husband . When Zechariah was asked the same question , he wrote on a tablet “ his name is John”  His mouth was opened and he ban a son of praise to the god who had kept his oath in their lives. 

What can we learn from life of Elisabeth

·         Celebration over comparison

When her younger cousin Mary, who was also miraculously pregnant, came to visit, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit., Elizabeth rejoiced. She exclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ...And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:42–43).

·         Empowering others: Elizabeth's humble celebration confirmed Mary's own calling and empowered her to sing the Magnificat, her song of praise to God. This teaches someone to be a cheerleader for others, celebrating their blessings and acknowledging God's work in their lives instead of comparing journeys. 

Live a life of faithfulness and righteousness

·         Obedience over public opinion: Despite enduring years of hardship and judgment for being barren, Elizabeth and Zechariah remained obedient to God's commandments. When their son was born, relatives expected them to name him after his father, Zechariah, in accordance with tradition. However, Elizabeth stood firm in naming him John, as instructed by the angel Gabriel, prioritizing obedience to God over conforming to human expectations (Luke 1:59–61).

·        Enduring faith: Elizabeth's life demonstrates that faithfulness is a lifelong commitment. People learn to trust in God's goodness and remain steadfast in their devotion, no matter how long the wait or how difficult the trial. 

See your part in God's larger story

·         Recognize God's plan: Elizabeth was an essential part of God's larger plan of redemption. Her son, John, was destined to be the forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus. Her life reminds people that God's blessings are not just for their own joy but are meant to bless others and advance His kingdom.

Embrace your calling: Elizabeth's life encourages people to recognize and fulfill their own unique role in God's story. She teaches that no matter the age or circumstances, God can and will use people if they remain faithful.