Category: Valley experiences of Bible characters

Jacob moved from being always looked after by his mother Rebekah to someone that was constantly being cheated. Jacob worked hard for seven years so that he could marry Rachel, the girl he loved. But he was tricked by Rachel’s father, Laban who gave him Rachel’s sister Leah to be wedded. Jacob had to promise to work another seven years before Laban agreed to also give him Rachel as his wife. (Gen 29:18-28 NIV)  Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." {19} Laban said, "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me." {20} So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a…

Moses was born of a Hebrew woman who wanted to save the child from extermination by Pharaoh. The baby was eventually found by an Egyptian princess who brought her up as her own son. Moses therefore led a good life in the palace of the princess. (Exo 2:1-10 NIV)  Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, {2} and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. {3} But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. {4}…

Jeremiah had to depend on God’s love as he developed endurance. His audiences were usually antagonistic or apathetic to his messages. He was ignored; his life was often threatened. He saw both the excitement of a spiritual awakening and the sorrow of a national return to idolatry. With the exception of the good king Josiah, Jeremiah watched king after king ignore his warnings and lead the people away from God. He saw fellow prophets murdered. He himself was severely persecuted. Finally, he watched Judah’s defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. (Source: Life Application Bible) Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.    (Jer 15:10 NIV) Jeremiah was totally honest…

Elijah reached the pinnacle of his ministry when he contested with 450 prophets of Baal and prevailed because the Lord was with him. (1 Ki 18:23-40 NIV)  Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. {24} 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." {25} Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first,…

Joseph was one man that went from mountain to valley to mountain several times. At the beginning of his story, we were told that Joseph was the favourite son of his father Israel (Jacob). This caused his brother to be jealous and eventually sold him into slavery. (Gen 37:3-4 NIV)  Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. {4} When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. (Gen 37:28 NIV)  So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him…

Daniel was one of the youths of royal or noble seed, who were carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar in the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. These youths were without blemish; well favored, skilful in all wisdom, endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace. The king commanded to teach them the knowledge and tongue of the Chaldeans; and appointed for them a daily portion of the king's food and of the wine, which he drank. After having been thus nourished for three years, they were to stand before the king. Daniel found favour with the king because he was successful in all he does. So much so that people became jealous of him and looked for ways to harm him.…

One of the most dramatic shifts from mountain to valley experience can be found in the life of Job. Within a short time, he lost his wealth, family and even health. None of these was due to any fault of Job. In fact, Job was a righteous man. So righteous that God boasts of him to Satan. (Job 1:14-19 NIV)  a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, {15} and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" {16} While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and…

David’s first feeling of being exalted was when the prophet Samuel anointed him as the next king of Israel. (1 Sam 16:1 NIV)  The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." (1 Sam 16:13 NIV)  So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. David also became the harpist of King Saul and loved by the king. (1 Sam 16:14-21 NIV)  Now…

Ruth was thrown into the valley of her life when her husband died, leaving no one to provide for her. Worse yet, she has to provide for her mother-in-law because her father-in-law has also died. (Ruth 1:3-5 NIV)  Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. {4} They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, {5} both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. Naomi wanted to return back to her hometown in Moab and asked her two daughter-in-laws to go back to their own hometown. (Ruth 1:6-8 NIV)  When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people…

The ultimate valley experience of the Bible is found in the life of Jesus. Even when we consider a king becoming a pauper, there is no greater drop than God Himself becoming a curse for all mankind. The Person who was from an infinitely high position allowed Himself to be brought to the lowest position in the world when He took on the sins of all mankind. (Phil 2:5-8 NIV)  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient…