We often hear and read about them in the Bible, but do we really know who they were?
David
“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one.” 1 John 2:13
David did not possess any known supernatural power, but he is still no less a hero. He was however very ingenious and ended up winning all the battles he seemed destined to lose. He admitted to killing lions and bears to protect his sheep. Followed by killing the giant Goliath with a sling shooting a stone between his eyes.
Elijah
“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelations 2:17
Elijah's incredible speed allowed him to escape from a chariot a distance of 13 kilometers. He also made it rain fire to burn fifty one men who had tried to capture him, then they sent another fifty, who met with the same fate as the others.
Moses
“If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” Revelations 3:12
We have seen how Moses has power over nature: It all began with the plagues of blood, frogs, lice, flies, boils, and locusts. He controlled the wind and water when he divided the Red Sea, turning it against those who were chasing him.
Joseph
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:28-30
Joseph is one of the greatest heroes of the Old Testament, but unlike some such as Samson and David, Joseph was not a warrior. His heroism was shown through simple expressions of tenacity and faith in God. The story begins when Joseph, at a young age, is sold as a slave in Egypt by his brothers to remove him from his father's great love. Joseph faces numerous difficulties, however, his gift for interpreting dreams helped him to gain a privileged position with the Egyptian regent.
Jonah
“In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;” Ephesians 1:13
The story of Jonah shows us God's will to be just and His infinite capacity for forgiveness. Jonah's childhood happens in a time when the forces of the Assyrian empire terrorized his people, a fact that motivates Jonah to swear vengeance. However, one year late, the Lord gives him an important mission: to preach His word to the Assyrians. If he managed to make them repent for their sins, God would forgive them. Now that is a story worthy of a hero.