The Bible (2013) - Part 1

The Bible (2013)

     When I first saw the preview for the 2013 miniseries, The Bible, I was partly excited and partly skeptical. In this day of constant secularism and ignorant assumptions of the Word of God, society will do everything in its pathetic power to deny the historical accuracy of the oldest written history in the world. My family was interested though and on the night of its premiere, we, with caution and anticipation, stepped back in time and rediscovered The Bible.

    The story starts with Noah and his family, shut up on the Ark with the animals during the 40 day and 40 night flood. With the thunder rolling, the waves crashing and the mighty Ark rocking to and fro with Noah and his family being tossed from one side to the other, Noah recounts the Creation story (in a riveting Scottish accent!). From the first day of Creation, to the making of Adam and Eve. He recounts the beauty and freedom the Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden and their beautiful relationship with God.

Adam and Eve

     All was perfect and good in God's eyes. Then wickedness, deception and disobedience enters in the Garden and God's perfect plan falls to dust and ashes as his most beautiful creations are tempted to eat from The Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. Banished to live a life of punishment and separation from God, Adam and Eve are sent away from the Garden forever and made to live alone. Although, God watches over them, he is distant and lets their punishment for their sins follow them. It follows in their children and the generations to come afterwards.

     It is seen in the slaughter of Abel by the hands of his brother Cain and then in the wickedness that the whole world has succumbed to. Eventually God tells Noah that he would send a great Flood and wipe out all the wickedness and evil that the world possesses; only Noah and his family are spared. After the great Flood, the world begins again and God will find a new leader and a new people that will forge the oldest and greatest nation in history, The Jews.

~ ~ ~

Abraham

The Father of Many Nations

 "I will make you a great nation

and I will bless you,

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you

and whoever curses you, I will curse;

and all the people on earth

will be blessed through you."

~ Genesis 12:1-3

     A good man, an honorable and above all an obedient man. Abraham's obedience is his greatest attribute; it's obedience that gives him courage to the impossible, even it means letting his nephew and only heir go, welcoming three strangers into his home and defending the new faith of his people.

     And then there are times when his obedience is tested to the limit, most especially when it comes to the sacrifice of his long awaited son Isaac. Heartbroken and terrified, Abraham takes his son to the alter and prepares his sacrifice, but his obedience is stronger than fear and God is pleased. This is a man who can lead and can raise a people. This is a man who is going to Change The World.

~ ~ ~

Moses

The Prince Who Became a Prophet

  "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all my wonders that I will perform among them. After that he will let you go."

~ Exodus 3:19-20

   A story of constant survival by the hand of God. Moses has been raised in the Pharaoh's palace, but comes to the heavy truth that is actually the son of Hebrew slaves that have lived in bondage for almost 500 years. Confused at his state of life and where he belongs, Moses runs away to the wilderness where he finds God. Some 30 years later, God appears to Moses in the form of a Burning Bush and commands him to return to Egypt and free his people.

   Clearly frightened about the prospect of returning to his former home, not as an Egyptian prince, but as a prophet declaring God's word "Let My People Go!" Moses finds courage through faith and his obedience guides him through the Egyptian land. Through conflict, plagues and pain, Pharaoh frees the slaves, but freedom does not mean a life on happiness and comfort. There is is still suffering, toil and sorrow. God's gives to Moses his law, The Ten Commandments for the Hebrews to live and learn by. Moses' courage and obedience is rewarded and he turns over the role of leadership to Joshua, his most faithful follower.

~ ~ ~

Joshua

General of the Lord

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave or forsake you.

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, 

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

~ Joshua 1: 7

     After Moses' death, Joshua is given the heavy burden of leading the Jews out of the wilderness and continuing their journey to God's promised land. Joshua was one of the first biblical warriors of the Bible and lived a life of constant and complete obedience. He led by examples of courage, loyalty and honor. In many ways, Joshua was a greater and stronger leader than Moses and many of the other leaders before him. As a warrior he was fierce and formidable. As a leader he was cautious and wise. He gave glory to God and never let the Jews forgot who their true leader was and where they deliverance would always come from.

~ ~ ~

Rahab

A Prostitute Who Had Faith to Obey

"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

~ Hebrews 11:31

      It takes the most unlikely people to do God's will, whether it's in slaves, prophets or even prostitutes. Although little is known about Rahab, she is honored for her courage and obedience by hiding Joshua's spies during the seize of Jericho. Frightened that her family and child may be in danger, the spies reassure that there is nothing to fear, Rahab agrees and allows them escape. Surprised by her willingness to help, one of the spies hands Rahab a scarlet cord and tells her to tie it upon her doorpost when the walls of Jericho fall. She obeys and Rahab and her family spared from destruction. Rahab is honored for her faith and fortitude, even though she wasn't a Jew and became one of the most honored predecessors in the line of Jesus.

     (It's briefly hinted at that Rahab and the spy who gave her the scarlet cord fell in love, but I'll leave that to the watcher's decision...I think they did.)

~ ~ ~

 Up next is Samson, Saul and David. Then we get to the New Testament! With those I'll get more onto the actor's portrayals, but all the actors were fantastic!