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Old Testament Models

Government Officials (1-7), Citizen Lobbyists (8-17), Civil Disobedience (18-20)

 

1.      Joseph (Gen. 41:40-43):   Appointed by Pharaoh as ruler over all of Egypt

 

2.      Esther (Esther 4:8, 14-16):   Risked her life to approach King Ahasuerus and save her people

 

3.      Mordecai (Esther 10:3):   Promoted by King Ahasuerus to Chief Deputy

 

4.      Obadiah (I Kings 18:3):   Ahab’s Chief of Staff; saved 100 prophets from death

 

5.      Nehemiah (Neh. 1 & 2):   Cupbearer to King Artaxerxes; later Governor of Judah

 

6.      Daniel (Dan. 2:48; 6:1-3):   Ruler over Babylon; also chose civil disobedience

 

7.      Shadrach et al (Dan. 2:49 & 3:30):   Officials who refused to worship idol; promoted in rank

 

8.      Moses (Ex. 3:10):   Confronted Pharaoh and led people to Promised Land

 

9.     Samuel (I Sam. 13 & I Sam. 15):   Rebuked King Saul twice for disobedience to God

 

10.    Nathan (II Sam. 12:1-14):   Confronted David with sin of adultery

 

11.    Elijah (I Kings 18: 18-40);   Confronted King Ahab and 450 prophets for idolatry; fled

 

12.    Hanani (II Chron. 16:7-10):   Rebuked King Asa for alliance with Syria

 

13.    Micaiah (II Chron. 18: 5-26):   Confronted King Ahab vs 400 “state-owned”prophets; prison

 

14.    Zechariah (II Chron. 24:17-22):  Confronted Princes of Judah for idolatry; stoned

 

15.    Azariah (II Chron. 26: 17-18):   Led 80 other priests in confrontation with King Uzziah

 

16.    Jeremiah (Jer. 26:1-24):   Confronted princes, priests, and prophets:Repent!

 

17.    Jonah (Jonah 3):   Called on Nineveh to repent; King responded

 

18.    Heb. Midwives (Exodus 1:17):   Saved male babies from infanticide

 

19.    Rahab (Joshua 2:1-4):   Prostitute who saved two Israeli spies from death

 

20.    Wise Men (Matt. 2:8-12):   Disobeyed King Herod’s demand to report back to him

 

New Testament Models

Confrontations with secular and Jewish religious leaders

 

1.     John the Baptist (Mt. 14:3-13; Lk. 3:19):   Confronted King Herod for his adultery

 

2.     Jesus (Mt. 12:34; 23:1-36):  Confronted scribes/Pharisees as hypocrites, fools, vipers;   (Mt. 21:12)  Drove moneychangers out of temple

 

3.    Peter (Acts 4:19 & 5:29):   Peter and John defy church leaders orders to stop preaching

 

4.    Stephen (Acts 6-7):  Confronted church leaders; stoned to death

 

5.    Paul (Acts 14:19):   Confronted church leaders; Mars Hill; King Agrippa

(See also 16:19-24; 17:23; 18:10; 26:27)