Jonathan Best

Solomon’s wisdom comes from God. Solomon puts his faith in God, and God gives the great King the power to understand human nature, the power to make judgments with great wisdom and the courage to stand up for his belief in God’s will.

People often found themselves speechless when they came face-to-face with the wisdom of Jesus—from the learned rabbis in the temple who were astonished at the words of a 12-year-old Jesus, to the victory over Satan who unsuccessfully tempted the Savior even after He had grown pale with hunger from a 40-day fast. This story begins with Jesus’ early years and follows with His triumph over Satan, marking the beginning of His ministry.

Elisha, even though he has self-doubts, accepts God’s commands. Through his obedience and faith, he becomes one of God’s greatest prophets, doing his work and bringing him praise among his people.

When the Israelite Naomi and her two Gentile daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, are left as widows, Naomi begs them to return to their own people. Orpah agrees, but Ruth declares she will never forsake Naomi and accompanies her mother-in-law back to Israel. Her faithfulness is rewarded when Naomi’s kinsman, Boaz, falls in love with Ruth and marries her.

Babylonian forces invade Jerusalem and carry away many of the city’s finest young people, including Daniel and his three young friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In captivity, the youths are in the king’s service and outperform all their rivals— pleasing the king and frustrating their enemies. When Darius, the new king, makes Daniel his first president, Daniel’s enemies plan a trap to have him killed. When Daniel survives being thrown in the lions’ den, he proves that God still rules over the affairs of men.

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne performs with his band 10 Car Pile-Up at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, N.J., on October 31, 1992.

A marvelous animated retelling of the Scriptural story about Abraham and his son Isaac.

In the centuries following Jesus Christ’s visit to the American continent, the Nephite civilization grows wicked and rejects Him. The righteous man, Mormon, leads his wicked people in a great battle at Cumorah, where he and his people are killed. Before this time he entrusts the record of his people to his son Moroni. Moroni keeps his faith till the end, burying the golden plates before he, too, is killed by the wicked Lamanites.

Treasures in Heaven is a wonderful story of contrast between two men who seek to follow Jesus. The young rich man asks how to gain eternal life and leaves saddened because he won’t forsake worldly wealth; while Zacchaeus, the publican, gives half of his wealth to the poor and restores four-fold anything wrongly taken, to follow Jesus and receive salvation.

Forgive Us Our Debts combines a classic parable with the teachings of Jesus to His disciples. Jesus teaches that forgiveness comes from God as He instructs Peter to catch a fish that contains a coin to pay Peter's debt. Jesus also teaches about a man who is forgiven by his king of an enormous debt. Yet, the forgiven man leaves and immediately casts a man, who owes him almost nothing, into prison. The king then rescinds his forgiveness. To receive forgiveness we must also forgive.