You know those quizzes that are going around? My friends and I recently took the “Which Biblical Heroine Are You ?” Quiz. I got Mary (whom I am NOT) and one of my friends got Miriam. We talked last night about her and I said “Oh and I love that she was one of the few people in the Bible mentioned as knowing how to play the tambourine.” My friend thought for a moment and came back with “Okay. I don’t understand. How is that important?”
Well. It’s not. Not really.
I just love little details like that. Three or four words that could be thrown away but that transform people in stories from Abstract Historical Figures into Real Live Flesh and Blood…well…People.
Miriam played the tambourine. Four words. Just a sentence. Yet, I love them. I love the little details.
Peter had a mother in law.
Philip had daughters.
Rhoda got so flustered at seeing Peter having escaped from jail that she slammed the door in his face and left him standing outside.
Jacob is recorded as having kissed his Rachel before he ever talked to her.
Moses put his wife on a donkey and sent her home.
Aaron and Moses were three years apart in age.
Paul had a sister…and a nephew.
David’s complexion was “ruddy”. (this leads to one of my favorite Bob Dunston memories: the day he subbed in one of my Bible classes and told us that people thought that David had red hair. I was like WHAT? Where is THAT in the Bible?)
Moses was crying when he was in his basket.
Paul escaped danger by being let over a city wall…in a basket.
Some of the prophets were fig growers.
Abigail was married to a fool-literally.
I’ll let you know if I can think of more. I’m not talking about things that are mentioned and dwelt on. I’m talking things that are just…tiny little details…little glimpses…I love those. I really do.