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)