A MAN OF

FAITH
REFLECTONS OF GODLY LEADERSHIP
FROM THE ANCIENT SHEPHERDS OF ISRAEL
A Man of Faith
Copyright 2022© by the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews,
Inc. All rights reserved.
Unless other noted, all quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®,
NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Cover and interior design by MarketOne Consultants, Fort Worth, Texas
Back cover photo of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein by Yossi Zwecker
IFCJ Project Staff: Denise Jones, Yonit Rothchild, Betsy Schmitt, and Leon Wirth
Published by the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, Inc. with offices
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First printing: 2015
A MAN OF
FAITH
REFLECTIONS ON GOD'S LEADERSHIP
FROM THE SHEPHERDS OF ISRAEL
 But blessed is the one who trusts in the
LORD, whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
— Jeremiah 17:7–8
 A MAN OF FAITH

INTRODUCTION
GROWING AS A MAN OF FAITH

In Habakkuk 2:4 we read, “the righteous shall live by his

faith” (ESV). Faith is life-giving. It breathes hope into a
climate of despair and sheds light in places of darkness. It
fills our life with inspiration and meaning. It is the
cornerstone of our belief and practice. Ultimately, faith is the
foundation upon which everything else rests.
This is why the very first commandment on the two tablets
that Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai reads: “I am the
LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the
land of slavery” (Exodus 20:2). Our fundamental obligation
is to have faith in a God who is involved in our lives — not a
God who created the world and disappeared, but a God who
brought the children of Israel out of Egypt when He heard
their cries and who continues to answer our prayers today. A
man of faith lives his life knowing that it’s not the external
circumstances that will determine his course in life, but his
relationship with God.
The prophet Jeremiah paints for us a beautiful picture of
the man of faith in Jeremiah 17. First, he portrays those
without faith “. . . like a bush in the wastelands; they will not
see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched
places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives” (vv.5–
6). Without faith, there is no true prosperity; a person cannot
thrive or develop to his greatest potential.
However, a man of faith “. . . will be like a tree planted by
the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not
fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no
worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear
fruit” (vv.7–8). Even in the most challenging situation, the

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man of faith will always bear fruit — something good will

come from any situation. A man of faith will thrive in a year
of drought because he is connected directly to the source of
life.
In this booklet, we will explore some of the Bible’s greatest
men of faith and their defining characteristic. In Micah 5:5,
we read about “seven shepherds,” and in the Jewish
tradition, this refers to the seven paramount leaders of
Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and
David. Each of these shepherds personifies a particular
virtue: Abraham, kindness; Isaac, strength; Jacob, truth;
Joseph, righteousness; Moses, humility; Aaron, peace; and
David, leadership.
We will study the defining character and virtues of each of
these great leaders of the Jewish and Christian faiths through
a reflective thought, prayer, and challenge for today’s man of
faith to grow closer in his walk with God. In addition, we will
reflect on three more significant leaders in the Torah who
faithfully shepherded the nation of Israel and their defining
characteristic: Solomon, wisdom; Elijah, conviction; and
Hezekiah, faithfulness.
There is much to learn from the lives of these leaders who
formed the nation of Israel. But ultimately there is only one
true shepherd. As King David wrote in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD
is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” On Yom Kippur, the Day of
Atonement, we repeat the following phrase no less than four
times throughout the service: “We are your sheep, and You
are our shepherd.”
Let us strengthen our faith in our God and follow Him in
obedience as sheep follow their shepherd. As we follow in the
footsteps of these ten men of faith and learn from them, may
God bless us, protect us, and guide us on our own faith
journey.

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 A MAN OF FAITH

ABRAHAM
A MAN OF KINDNESS

The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre

while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the
day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to
meet them [saying] “. . . Let a little water be brought, and then
you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get
you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on
your way . . .” — Genesis 18:1–5

As author Henry James once said, “Three things in human

life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be
kind; and the third is to be kind.”
Abraham would have agreed. The Jewish sages teach that
Abraham was the original model for kindness. Three days
after his circumcision, Abraham was sitting by his tent
looking for visitors on whom he could bestow kindness. The
third day after any operation is usually the most painful, and
so God made the day unusually hot so that no one would
bother Abraham. However, for Abraham, the pain of not
being able to perform an act of kindness on any given day
was greater than the pain of circumcision.
Most people think being kind means behaving nicely to
those we encounter during our day. We may even give
charity and volunteer once in a while. However, Abraham set
the bar much higher. He actively sought out ways to be kind.
He didn’t wait for an opportunity to come his way; Abraham
looked for opportunities like they were precious gold. For
Abraham, a day without performing an act of kindness was a
day not worth living.
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Let’s try to understand this for a moment. Let’s say

someone told you that for every act of kindness, $10,000
would be deposited into your bank account. Would you still be
sitting in your chair? Probably not! You would immediately
look for people to help. If no other opportuni- ties were
available, you’d get in your car and drive to the nearest store
where you could help someone with their groceries or help an
elderly person cross the street. Opportunities for kindness are
everywhere, and you would do your best to perform them,
right?
That’s exactly how Abraham perceived kindness, except he
wasn’t getting a monetary reward. His reward was knowing
that he helped someone, fulfilled God’s will, and brought
godliness into the world. That was worth more than gold to
Abraham.
Studies have shown that a great way to feel happier is to
make someone else happy. Try to raise the bar and actively
look for ways to extend kindness to others as Abraham did.
You’ll be amazed by how much good you can do and how
good you will feel.

PRAYER:
Establish peace, goodness, blessing, graciousness, kindness,
and compassion, upon us and upon all of Your people. Bless us
our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your countenance,
for with the light of Your countenance You gave us the Torah of
life and a love of kindness.
This prayer is part of the Amidah, the silent meditation that is recited by observant Jews three times a day.

CHALLENGE:
Think about a recent opportunity that you either missed or ignored to
show kindness, to family, friends or strangers. What could you do to
make up for that by showing kindness to them now? Like Abraham, be
looking for opportunities to show a kindness proactively, not just
reactively. Set a goal for yourself — 10 acts of kindness? 20? 100? Keep
in mind that no act of kindness is too small.

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 A MAN OF FAITH

ISAAC
A M AN OF STRENGTH

Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then,

that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just
before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he
will be blessed!” — Genesis 27:33

Isaac had wanted to give the birthright blessings to the

eldest of his twin sons, Esau. But Rebekah knew better.
During her pregnancy, she had been told prophetically that
Esau would be unworthy of receiving the blessings, while
Jacob would need them to fulfill his mission of spreading
God’s Word. So Rebekah coached Jacob on how to trick his
father into giving him the blessings. The plan succeeded,
and then came the moment when Isaac realized that he was
duped.
The real Esau returned from a day of hunting, ready to be
blessed. Isaac asked, “Who are you?” Esau answered “It’s me,
your son Esau!” And then it all comes together in one
crushing moment. As the Bible tells us, “Isaac trembled
violently . . .” The Jewish sages explain that Isaac didn’t
tremble because he was angry. He trembled because he
realized that he had been terribly mistaken. This was no
ordinary shudder. This was the kind of shuddering that
shakes a person to the core. Isaac’s whole outlook had been
wrong, and only now did he fully understand God’s plan for
his sons. All of Isaac’s hopes and dreams for Esau came
crashing to the ground.
We can feel Isaac’s pain. The moment is sad and heart-
wrenching, but at the same time, it is strengthening and
inspiring. How many of us could walk away from a lifelong
belief and humbly accept that we were mistaken? And yet,

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Isaac does just that, and it is a testament to his

strong character.
There is a story in the Talmud about a rabbi who spent
his life’s energies studying a word that appears hundreds
of times in the Bible: et, loosely translated as “and” or
“also.” The rabbi theorized that every time the word was
used, there was an additional law to be learned about the
subject at hand. He spent his life extrapolating those
hidden laws — until one day he was stumped.
He was forced to conclude that his theory was wrong,
and he discarded what had been his entire life’s work.
When his students asked him how he could do such a
thing, the rabbi answered: “Just as I was given reward for
expounding, so I shall be given reward for refraining.” The
rabbi knew when to quit, and he wasn’t too proud to admit
when he was wrong.
We all know what it’s like to find out that we have been
mistaken. It is humbling and can shake our world. But
there is something much worse than letting go of a long-
held belief; it’s continuing with the same faulty outlook
and repeating the same mistakes over and over.
We can learn from the strength of Isaac on how to
confront our mistakes and let them go. Only then can we
change our course and move on with grace.
PRAYE R:
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who
firms man’s footsteps. Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of
the universe, Who girds Israel with strength. Blessed are You,
LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who crowns Israel with
splendor. Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe,
Who gives strength to the weary.

These blessings are part of the Jewish daily morning prayer service.

C HA LLE NG E :
Develop your inner strength muscles by exercising humility. Think
about someone in your life with whom you are in strong disagreement
at the moment. Even though you may be right, choose to walk away
from an argument when it is clear that no good will come from it. But
carefully consider the possibility that you may be wrong, and if so, be
strong enough to admit it, correct it, and if necessary, apologize for it.
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 A MAN OF FAITH

JACOB
A MAN OF TRUTH

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran.

— Genesis 28:10

A story is told about a man who approached his rabbi and

asked, “I only have a half hour every day to dedicate to
study. Should I study Torah or mussar (the Jewish
equivalent of self-development)?” The rabbi answered,
“Study mussar. Then you will realize that you have more
than a half hour a day to study the Torah!”
Indeed, if we fully understood the importance of Bible
study, we would find a way to make the time for meaningful
study every day.
In Genesis 28:10, we are told that Jacob left Beersheba
and set out for Harran, where he would seek out a wife in his
uncle’s home. However, we had already learned that Jacob
had left home in Genesis 28:5: “Then Isaac sent Jacob on his
way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban . . .” Why the
repetition?
The Jewish sages explain that the first time Jacob left, he
didn’t go straight to Laban’s home. Instead, he went to study
at the academy of Shem and Eber, a seminary set up by
Noah’s son and grandson for the study of monotheism and
ethics. The sages teach that Jacob felt unprepared to face the
tasks of going into exile, living in the home of the duplicitous
Laban, and finding the right spouse.
In order to prepare himself spiritually for the challenges
he would face, Jacob turned to studying God’s Word as it was
known at the time through oral traditions. In fact, Jewish
tradition says that Jacob studied for over a decade and then
set out for Harran in earnest. In Genisis 28:10
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when we read that Jacob left Beersheba, it is because armed

with God’s truth, Jacob was at last ready to set out on his
perilous journey.
The sages encourage us to learn from Jacob’s example.
God’s Word is not just something nice to read once in a while.
Bible study is not merely an academic pursuit. The Torah is
our guidebook, a tool for coping with the struggles of daily
life. In Psalm 19 we read that the Bible refreshes the soul and
makes simple minds wise (v.7), that it gives joy to the heart
and light to the eyes (v.8). Equipped with knowing the truth
of God’s Word, we are able to deal with the many challenges
in our lives.

Try designating a significant amount of time to studying

your Bible daily and you will be fully prepared for the
demands of daily life. Arm yourself with God’s Word; equip
your soul with the truth of Scriptures. As it says, “She [the
Bible] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those
who hold her fast will be blessed” (Proverbs 3:18).

PR AYER:
May it be Your will to have mercy on me and to turn my heart
to love and to be in awe of Your Name, and to diligently study
Your holy Torah. Remove from before me any obstacles that
prevent me from doing so and make it known to me all of the
incentives to study it. For You hear prayer with compassion.
Blessed are You, Eternal One, Who hears prayer.

Composed by Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, better known as the Chazon Ish, or “Man of Vision.” The Chazon
Ish was a 20th-century rabbi born in Belarus, who emigrated to Israel in 1933 as a pioneer before the state of
Israel was officially recognized.

C HAL L EN G E:
Spend the first 15 minutes of every day in God’s Word. Find at least one
nugget of truth or teaching that you want to remember through the day,
and note it somewhere like a journal or a digital note or calendar item on
your phone. Keep the teaching with you throughout your day and notice
the impact God’s Word has on your actions and the reactions throughout
the day.

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 A MAN OF FAITH

JOSEPH
A MAN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The sea looked and fled,

the Jordan turned back; — Psalm 114:3

Psalm 114 is part of a group of six psalms that were

originally sung after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. It is
a psalm of praise, rejoicing in the amazing events that
followed their Exodus from Egypt. It describes the sea as
“fleeing,” the Jordan “retreating,” and mountains “leaping
like rams.” The sea fled when it parted, allowing the
Israelites to safely escape their Egyptian enemies. The
waters of the Jordan retreated when they separated,
offering secure passage for the Israelites through to the
Promised Land. The mountains shook when God
descended upon Mt. Sinai to give to Moses the Ten
Commandments.
Psalm 114 recounts the many miracles that brought about
the birth of the nation of Israel. But one miracle, in
particular, deserves a closer look. The psalmist reveals that
when the Israelites approached the Red Sea, it “looked and
fled.” What did the sea look at that made it part?
Jewish tradition teaches that the sea fled upon seeing the
bones of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who had requested that
the Israelites take his remains with them when they left
Egypt. Something about the bones of Joseph caused the sea
to react. But what? For the answer, we turn to Joseph’s
greatest moment.
Joseph’s greatest achievement was not becoming the
viceroy of Egypt. It wasn’t even his willingness to forgive and
help his brothers, despite their betrayal. Joseph’s greatest
moment came when he refused the advances of his master’s
wife.
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As you may recall, after being sold into slavery in Egypt,

Joseph found himself working in the home of Potiphar, a
member of the Pharaoh’s personal staff. Potiphar’s wife took
a liking to him and tried daily to ensnare Joseph in sin, but
Joseph was able to refuse her offers. The Bible recounts his
struggle: “‘How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin
against God?’ And though she spoke to Joseph day after
day, he refused to go to bed with her” (Genesis 39:9–10).
Joseph fought against his natural desires, and he won.
Joseph continually chose righteousness over temptation.
Such self-mastery is an achievement like no other. The
Jewish sages teach that when the sea saw the remains of
Joseph, it said, “If Joseph can go against his nature, I can go
against my nature, too,” and it parted.
Friends, are you looking for miracles? We don’t need to
wait for a sea to divide or mountains to leap! For miracles, we
need to look no further than ourselves. Every day is a chance
to bring the miraculous into the world. Are we drawn to
gossip? Hold our tongues. Do we worry incessantly? Trust in
God. Find the areas in which you come up short — and go
beyond them. Choose righteousness — that is a true miracle!

PR AYER:
May it be Your will, LORD, that you attach us to Your
commandments. Do not bring us into the power of error, nor
into the power of transgression and sin, nor into the power of
challenge. Let not the Evil Inclination dominate us. Distance
us from an evil person and an evil companion. Attach us to
the Good Inclination and to good deeds and compel our Evil
Inclination to be subservient to You.
This prayer is taken from the Jewish daily morning service.

CHALLENGE:
Identify one of your own character traits or tendencies that you’d like to
change. First, take a week to notice every time that you fail in this area
and record it in a journal. Next, spend a week noticing when you are
about to fail and record that in your journal. Finally, with your newly
trained awareness, notice when you are about to fail and ask God to help
you keep from doing so. Celebrate every victory!

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 A MAN OF FAITH

MOSES
A MAN OF HUMILITY

“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of

pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be
kept burning. In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain
that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his
sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD
from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting
ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to
come.” — Exodus 27:20–21

Our Scripture verse begins, “Command the Israelites to

bring you clear oil . . .” God was giving the command, but
who was He talking to? In context, the answer is obvious:
God was talking to Moses. However, the fact that Moses was
not mentioned by name raises a flag. From the time of
Moses’ birth until the end of the Five Books of Moses, Moses’
name is mentioned in every single Torah parshah — the
traditional Jewish readings from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that is followed every year — except for this one. Why?
The Jewish sages explain that this particular Torah
portion deals with Aaron’s appointment as the High Priest
and the duties of his descendants. This was Aaron’s moment.
The sages explain that Moses, in his great humility,
understood that this was Aaron’s portion. He gladly stepped
aside so that Aaron could shine.
Moses is known as the most humble man of all (Numbers
12:3), and his example teaches us that true humility is having
enough self-esteem that you don’t always need to be the one
in the spotlight. True humility is being able to peacefully and
joyfully move aside so that others can have

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. their moment. This is also the hallmark of any great leader. A

good leader can lead others. However, a great leader also
empowers others so that they can forge a path of their own,
When Moses stepped aside for Aaron, it was a beautiful
counterbalance for the time that Aaron made way for Moses.
Back in Exodus 4, when Moses encountered God at the
burning bush, he put forth all sorts of arguments for why he
should not be the one to redeem Israel. Finally, Moses
pleaded with God, “Please send someone else” (v.13), and the
sages explain that Moses was arguing that Aaron should be
chosen, not him. Aaron, as the older brother, deserved the
privilege and honor of being the leader of Israel, not Moses.
But God responded, “What about your brother, Aaron . . .
He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to
see you” (v.14). God reassured Moses that Aaron knew that
Moses had been chosen and that he was sincerely happy for
Moses. Aaron didn’t need to be in the spotlight — he was
only too glad to see his brother excel.
We can all learn from Moses and Aaron by looking for
ways to help others to reach their potential. How might we
take a step back to let someone else advance? For a parent, it
may mean giving a child a chance to do a grownup job. At
work, it may mean giving an employee a shot at doing
something new and extraordinary. Be joyful and glad for
others when they have their moment — and be ready to step
aside to let others shine.

PR AYER:
My God, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking
deceitfully. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent; and let
my soul be like dust to everyone.

This prayer is recited at the conclusion of the Amidah, the silent meditation, a long prayer that is recited at
every Jewish service.

CHALLENGE:
Find a way to decisively step aside and play a supportive role for others
— whether at work, at home, or in your church community. Identify a
person you can mentor or someone who deserves to be given an
opportunity. Focus your energy on helping others reach their full
potential, allowing them to shine!

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 A MAN OF FAITH

AARON
A M A N OF P EA CE

“When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a shiny spot

on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease, they
must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his
sons who is a priest.” — Leviticus 13:2

In Leviticus 13:2 we learn that anyone who suspected

that he or she might have a “defiling skin disease,” in
Hebrew tzara’at, had to go before Aaron, the high priest, or
one of his descendants. Now, the last time I thought that
something was amiss physically, I went to a doctor. Why
are the children of Israel commanded to go to a priest,
specifically Aaron, or one of his sons, when experiencing a
physical ailment?
The Jewish sages teach that tzara’at wasn’t a physical
disease like others. It was primarily a spiritual disease that
had physical symptoms, which is why a spiritual healer was
needed more than an expert in medicine. The main cause
that brought about this spiritual/physical affliction was the
sin of speaking badly about others. Whether a person
engaged in gossip or slandered others with lies, the result
was a tzara’at, or defiling skin disease.
The rabbis teach that a common excuse among those who
gossip is “but it’s true.” We rationalize our actions by
explaining that if something is true, then it’s OK to say it. We
hide behind the notion that “others need to know the truth,”
which may be appropriate in some cases, but isn’t usually the
case when it comes to telling others about how unfairly
Susan treated you yesterday or what you overheard Bill say
about Gary at the coffee machine. So while we may think that
we are doing others a favor by sharing the truth with them, in
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we are doing a disservice by creating wedges between people

and severing the bonds of humanity.

This why the gossiper was sent to Aaron. According to

Jewish tradition, Aaron was the champion of peace — even at
the cost of truth. What does this mean exactly? This is how
Aaron would operate: As soon as he heard that two people
had been quarrelling, he would go to each person and claim
that the other was remorseful. He would exaggerate how
badly each one felt and he would relay the good things said
by one party about the other. This created the space for each
side to meet and reconcile. Yes, Aaron compromised the
truth, but for the sake of peace.
This, according to Judaism, is not only permissible, but
advisable. Hillel the Elder used to say: “Be a student of
Aaron: love peace and pursue peace.”
So if Aaron was able to sacrifice truth for peace, how much
more should we stay away from compromising peace for the
sake of “truth” that could lead to division and quarrels? Let’s
use our words to bring people together. Let us build bridges
and help rectify old rifts. At the very least, let us be careful
not to use our words to tear people apart. Love peace and
pursue it!

PR AYER:
May the LORD bless you and safeguard you. May the LORD
illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you. May
the LORD lift His countenance to you and establish peace for
you.
This is the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24–26. It is still recited in synagogues across the world by
kohanim, those who can trace their ancestry back to Aaron.

CHALLENGE:
How can you be a peacemaker this week, this day? What can you do to
bring two quarrelling parties together in peace? Take it upon yourself to
avoid and reject being the cause of strife — even the tiniest bit. Even if
the other person is nasty and wrong, be a “student of Aaron” and
choose peace.

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 A MAN OF FAITH

DAVID
A MAN OF LEADERSHIP

“I have sinned against the LORD.” — 2 Samuel 12:13

What defines greatness? When we think of great
individuals, we think of those who have accomplished
many things in their lifetimes and succeeded in reaching
their goals. Greatness is mastery and flawlessness.
According to our Scriptures, however, greatness is defined
by failure.
Failure?
That’s right. The words that transformed King David into
one of the greatest men and leaders of all time are the
words “I have sinned against the LORD.” In other
words, “I seriously messed up.” This was the response
given to the prophet Nathan who had come to confront the
king and tell him he had sinned when he took a beautiful
woman named Bathsheba to be his wife. Bathsheba was
married at the time, and while King David did not
personally kill her husband Uriah, he did have
Bathsheba’s husband sent to the front lines of battle
where he was sure to be killed, and that’s exactly what
happened. After Uriah died, King David took Bathsheba as
his own wife.
King David’s greatest and defining moment is the minute
that he realized that he had failed and the confession he
voiced a split second later. Jewish tradition teaches that it
was his ability to admit his mistake that made King David
worthy of everlasting kingship and one of Israel’s greatest
leaders.
Everyone makes mistakes, but our missteps are not
what define us. It is our response to our lowest moments

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that transform us into better or lesser beings. If we own up

to our mistakes and take responsibility for them, we can
learn from them. Ironically, our failures can end up being
our greatest catalysts for positive growth.
Take Thomas Edison, for example. It is said that he failed
1,000 times before he successfully invented the life-changing
light bulb. When asked how he felt about failing 1,000 times,
Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was
an invention that had 1,001 steps.” Greatness is born out of
failure. More specifically, mistakes provide us with the
opportunity to become great. The choice is ours.

How would your relationships be different if every time

you wronged someone you owned up to it? Three little words
— “I was wrong” — are the best gift that you can give to
anyone. And as we learn from King David, it may just be the
greatest gift that we can give to ourselves.

PR AYER:
Cleanse us from all our sins and clothe us again with a
garment of holiness, as it is written: “See I have removed
your iniquity from upon you, dress yourself in festive
attire” (Zechariah 3:4). Like the prayer of King David of
blessed memory: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and
with a generous spirit, support me” (Psalm 51:14). “Create a
new heart for us, O God, and renew for us a steadfast
spirit” (Psalm 51:12).

This prayer is taken from a text traditionally recited on the eve of Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement.

CHALLENGE:
Achieve greatness by taking responsibility for your mistakes. Consider
your actions in recent days and weeks, looking for a mistake or wrong
you committed that you never acknowledged or reconciled. Go back to
those you wounded to admit “I was wrong,” or “I made a mistake,” or
“I’m sorry,” whatever may be appropriate. It goes without saying that
this is critical in relationships with friends and spouses, but it’s also
important to say these words to others we may lead, be they employees
or children. Sometimes, it’s the best way to lead and teach by example.

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SOLOMON
A MAN OF WISDOM

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.

“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
What do people gain from all their labors at which
they toil under the sun? — Ecclesiastes 1:2–3

There is a common refrain throughout the book of

Ecclesiastes. The book begins and ends with the author
declaring that “everything is meaningless.” But can that
really be true? Is King Solomon — considered the wisest
man to ever live — saying that life is a meaningless
accident? Can it be that he believes there is no point to
our limited time on this planet?
But there is another phrase that repeats itself throughout
Solomon’s writings. That term is “under the sun.” When
Solomon talked about life under the sun, he was referring to
the material, physical aspect of life. And in that respect, yes —
everything is meaningless! Everything physical is temporary
and empty. Solomon’s father, King David, wrote, “Man is like
a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow” (Psalm 144:4).
But that’s life under the sun. There is also life beyond the
sun, and that is something else altogether different. Life
beyond the sun describes the spiritual part of life. The point
that Solomon in all his wisdom was trying to drive home is
that ultimately, that’s the only part of life that really matters.
Only the spirit lasts forever.
The Walton family is one of the wealthiest families in
the world today. Sam Walton, the family’s patriarch, was the

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founder of Walmart. Sam was more successful than anyone

could have ever imagined, and so his final words before he
left this world are very instructive. When Sam looked back
on a lifetime of unprecedented material success, he had just
three words to say. His last words: “I blew it!”
By the world’s standards, Sam Walton had been one of the
most successful individuals in the world. But by his own
admission, he had failed. Like King Solomon, he wondered,
“What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil
under the sun?” Sam had worked hard and made billions.
But what good does that money do for him now?
The legacy of Sam Walton is that material success does not
make a life worth living. If our goal is strictly material, we are
missing the whole point of life!
So what is the goal of life? Solomon sums it up for us: “. . .
here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the duty of all
mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The only achievements that
last forever are spiritual. We are here to become better
people and to help make the world a better place. The goal of
life has nothing to do with what we have, but everything to
do with who we are.
As Solomon wisely taught, life under the sun becomes
meaningful only when we go beyond it.

PR AYER:
You graciously endow man with wisdom and teach insight to
a frail mortal. Endow us graciously from Yourself with
wisdom, insight, and discernment. Blessed are You, God,
gracious Giver of wisdom.
This prayer is part of the Amidah, the silent meditation, recited by observant Jews three times a day.

CHALLENGE:
How might you be blowing it today, like Sam Walton? Consider what
ways you may be putting temporary, materialistic pursuits — “under
the sun” — ahead of what is truly meaningful in life — “beyond the sun.”
Ask God to show you your own heart, and listen for an answer. Then
look for ways to apply Solomon’s wisdom and alter your priorities today
and this week to make more room for what matters most.

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 A MAN OF FAITH

ELIJAH
A MAN OF CONVICTION

“Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the
name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then
all the people said, “What you say is good.” — 1 Kings 18:24

One of the most dramatic episodes in the Torah occurs

during the time of Elijah the prophet when the rulers of
Israel were the wicked King Ahab and his equally evil wife,
Queen Jezebel. Not only did they worship idols and
encouraged idolatry throughout the land of Israel, they also
had murdered hundreds of God’s true prophets. Their
influence was powerful, and most of Israel had fallen into
idolatry.

Elijah decided that enough was enough, so he invited

Ahab’s prophets to partake in a showdown between the idol
Baal and the God of Israel. The plan was for the prophets of
Baal and Elijah to each prepare an offering on Mt. Carmel
and then call upon their god to light the fire and consume the
offering. Whichever god answered would determine the true
god of Israel.
Needless to say, the prophets of Baal did not succeed. They
sang, danced, screamed, and even cut themselves, but
nothing happened. Elijah drenched his offering in water and
then called out to the one true God. In a flash, a fire came
down from heaven, consuming the offering, the water, and
everything around it! The people immediately proclaimed:
“The LORD — He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).
Most of the time, when we read this passage, the focus is
on the people’s faith. We reflect on the amazing display of
God’s sovereignty and marvel at the clarity and faith that the
people must have experienced witnessing this miracle.
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However, let’s focus on a different angle of the story —the

faith and conviction of Elijah. Think about the faith Elijah
must have had to set up this contest and trust God to come
through for him with such miracles!
In Judaism, there are two words that roughly express the
idea of faith: emunah and bitachon. There is a profound
difference between the two: emunah is believing in God and
that He runs the world; bitachon is acting in accordance with
that belief and conviction. For example, a butcher who
believes that his earnings all come from God has emunah.
However, if he panics when a competitor opens up down the
street, then he is lacking bitachon. Bitachon means living out
the belief that God will come through for us every time. That
describes Elijah’s faith.
Let us challenge ourselves to live our faith like Elijah — not
just in abstract ideas, but in concrete actions, feelings, and
emotions. Let’s take our faith to a higher level and know
unshakably that God is in control and that we have nothing to
fear.

PR AYER:
“LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known
today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant
and have done all these things at your command. Answer me,
LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD,
are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

This is the actual prayer that Elijah prayed just before he presented his offering to God on Mt. Carmel. It can be
found in 1 Kings 18:36–37.

CHALLENGE:
Think of a time when you have had an opportunity to talk with someone
about your belief in God’s truth, but were reluctant or nervous to do so.
How did you feel following that interaction? What did you wish you
could have said? Look for ways to say and do something that
demonstrates an active faith in God this week. Honor God by applying
what you believe, even if it may make you uncomfortable. Replace fear
and the need to please others with conviction of faith and a desire to
please God.

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 A MAN OF FAITH

HEZEKIAH
A MAN OF HOPE

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD. — Psalm 27:14

Hope is a word that we toss around a lot, but I’m not

sure that we always fully understand its meaning. It’s not
until we’ve lived hope — until we have been in a dark
situation where we needed to find the light of hope in order
to continue — that we can really know what the word
means. Moreover, there are different levels of hope. There’s
the basic hope of having faith that things will be all right.
And there’s another level of hope when things haven’t
turned out the way we had hoped they would, and we are
challenged to be bold enough to hope again.
Imagine that someone is suffering from an illness. At a
certain point, they have hope that their health will improve,
but then they receive a bad medical report. Is it possible to
hope again? Is it possible to believe that God will deliver
them from their troubles or give them the ability to
withstand them?
Or maybe someone is facing difficulties with their
marriage. That person hopes things will get better, until their
spouse delivers some very unwelcome sentiments. The words
are hurtful and discouraging. How is it possible for that
person to have the strength to hope again?
This secondary, more challenging hope is what Psalm 27 is
describing in the last line, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and
take heart and wait for the LORD.” In Hebrew, the word

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defined as “wait” is kavei, which literally means “hope.” In

the Jewish tradition, this verse reads, “Hope to the LORD,
strengthen your heart, and hope to the LORD.” Why does King
David write “hope to the LORD” twice? Because there is the
first time that we hope and then the second time. After the
first hope, we must strengthen our heart so that we can hope
again.
In Isaiah 38, we learn that King Hezekiah had become very
ill. We can imagine that Hezekiah, a righteous king of Israel,
certainly hoped and prayed throughout his illness that God
would heal him. Then the prophet Isaiah visited him and
delivered a most devastating message: “This is what the LORD
says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die;
you will not recover” (Isaiah 38:1). Hezekiah’s hopes were
shattered!
Yet, the Jewish sages teach that Hezekiah replied to Isaiah,
“I have a tradition from my grandfather David — even if a
sharp sword rests on your neck, one should not refrain from
praying for mercy.” Hezekiah continued to pray, and he was
healed!
Friends, we should never give up hope, even when our first
hopes have been dashed. Hope again and again. We must
strengthen our hearts and dare to believe — our God will
deliver us according to His timing and good plan.

PRA YE R:
Please, God, save now! Please, God, bring success now! Please,
God, answer us on the day we call. God of the spirits, save
now! Tester of hearts, bring success now! O Powerful
Redeemer, answer us on the day we call. Eternal King, save
now! Illustrious and mighty one, bring success now.
Supporter of the fallen, answer us on the day we call.

This prayer is excerpted from the service celebrating the Torah on the eighth day of Sukkot, the Feast of
Tabernacles.

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CHALLENGE:
For every problem, there is a prayer. Compose your own prayers for
each of your life challenges, and pray from the depths of your heart.
Perhaps you might share your prayer with others. Invite them to join
you in asking for God to give you hope as you wait on Him to show
you His sovereign will and divine answers.
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Copyright 2022 © by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Inc. All rights
reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New
International Version®, NIV®.
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