Everyone loves a transformation story. Rags to riches. Plain to beautiful. Weak to strong. Esther's story is that, but it is much more. It is a thought-provoking study of God's invisible hand writing silently and unseen across the pages of human history. Perhaps most of all, Esther's story is the account of godly attributes like courage, dignity, wisdom, and strength?attributes that blocked an evil plot, overthrew an arrogant killer, and replaced terror with joy in thousands of Jewish homes.

Author Chuck Swindoll interweaves the ancient, real-life story with insight not only into the virtues of Queen Esther, but also into how the qualities that formed and empowered her can be ours. Esther is the second volume of Charles Swindoll's best-selling series, which examines great lives from God's Word and reveals the strengths and weaknesses that make God's men and women both great . . . and human. Many of the most beloved biblical heroes were ordinary folks. Shepherds. Fishermen. Servants. Widows. Even harlots and petty thieves. One by one, they changed the course of history.

Swindoll explains that these men and women did not become great in their own strength but were empowered by God when they surrendered their lives to Him. To live such a life that God considers great is within the reach of everyone who submits to Him.

Would you rather be a person of significance or a person of prominence?

Think carefully! The answer to that question will shape your entire future.

Pastor, teacher, and beloved author Charles Swindoll says, "Somehow life has taught us poorly. We're trained to think that the most significant people are star athletes, actors, and musicians--the ones we applaud, those whose autographs we seek, those who have worldly renown.

"They aren't. Not really. Most often, the people really worth noting are those who turn a 'nobody' into a 'somebody' but never receive credit." What is forgotten far too often is this: Success in God's kingdom and in the church depends upon faithful people the public rarely knows.

The Old Testament contains numerous fascinating stories of forgotten lives--unsung heroes whose actions, sacrifices, or battles failed to ascribe them worldly renown. These great lives, however, reveal significant people whom God honors in the pages of His Word and, therefore, deserve our serious attention and emulation.

And yet, did you recall any of their names? They're not on the rolls of the rich and famous. Still, they are significant.

In this eighth volume of the bestselling Great Lives from God's Word series, Chuck will examine little-remembered Bible characters and events. He will help you discover biblical principles and practical applications for living so that you can be who you are in God's estimation . . . a person of true significance.

Job

A Man of Colossal Faith in the Face of Overwhelming Tragedy

Job, a study in pathetic tragedy . . . a hapless victim of unfair treatment. His disastrous circumstances overwhelmed him. His boil-covered body tormented him. His so-called friends belittled him. His distraught wife discouraged him. Even God seemed to desert him?letting Satan have his devilish way. And Job sat patiently by, enduring it all. Not a portrait of a hero. Or is it?

Could a man with ordinary internal fortitude stay faithful as Job did? Could a wimp endure the excruciating pain, suffering, and loss that this man did? No hero? Think again.

After a year of focused research into the life of Job, Charles Swindoll says, "Job appears boldly in the ancient book of the Bible that bears his name, and yet most of us have not taken the time to examine his life in depth. But a careful study of Job's life will convince us that this is another of God's amazing men with heroic character qualities worth emulating."

Travel with Swindoll into the world of Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance. "Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us." So pay close attention to Job's life. Who knows what God will do next in your life?