Positive Role Models|5 Great Men of the Bible

Role Models Defined

The term role model is defined as a person who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others [Source: Wiktionary]. All of us have people that we look up to, people that we respect and admire. We attempt to pattern certain elements of their lives and look to them as positive examples to follow.

Role models don't necessarily have to be those that are currently living. We can look back through history and learn from a number of great men and women from the past.

Biblical role models

The Bible contains a number of great, positive role models from whom we as Christians can learn. Their lives can serve as an example of how we should pattern our relationship with God.

Here's a list of my current Top 5 Men of the Bible that I admire and look to as role models:

1. Enoch - The Biblical account of Enoch is extremely brief, but what it does say is extremely powerful. In the space of four verses in Genesis 5:18-21, we learn that Enoch was born and that he walked with God. At age 365, God decided to take him home to be with Him. Wow! That's powerful and convicting. I desire that kind of relationship with God. I have a lot of work to do. Correction: God has a lot of work to do in me!
2. Moses - Moses was a man of privilege. He grew up in Pharaoh's household and probably could have done just about anything he desired. God called him to a greater purpose, and Moses answered the call. God had a unique, special relationship with him. The Bible states that God would speak with Moses "as a man speaks with his friend." Believers in Jesus Christ can have that same kind of friendship with "a friend who sticks closer than a brother." I am thankful to be a friend of God.
3. David - David was called a man after God's own heart. What a testimony. David was not a perfect person and failed God in a big way on three separate occasions, but his heartbeat was to worship God and do His will. I pray that I can have that same heartbeat of worship and obedience.
4. Job - God considered him worthy to endure severe testing. Once Job passed through the trials, He prospered Job twice as much as before the trials. I want that kind of faith and intestinal fortitude. Job was one tough dude.
5. Daniel - On two separate occasions, angels appeared to Daniel and called him "highly esteemed" (Daniel 9 and 10). He was greatly respected by God, as well as the various leaders for whom he served in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires. When Daniel prayed, God listened to his prayers. Daniel understood the importance of strong character. I desire the character of Daniel.

Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I [Apostle Paul] became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church (I Corinthians 4:15-17).

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent. - Niccolo Machiavelli