The Bible presents flawed characters because human nature is the same in every age, God's standard is faith rather than sinlessness, and His purpose is to show mercy in restoring fallen people.
Les Feldick teaches that everything recorded about Israel and its people is an exposure of human nature—the same nature every person has (Clip 7). He also stresses that we should not look down at biblical failures because but for God's grace we would be no different (Clip 4). The reason Scripture highlights these flaws is so we understand that God works with, forgives, and restores people who fail—like Adam, Abram, and David—while always looking for faith first (Clips 1–6).
Genesis 12:9 — Shows Abram, the man of faith, journeying southward away from the promised land during famine—a clear example of biblical characters exhibiting human weakness.
Genesis 3:9 — Reveals God seeking Adam after his sin rather than abandoning him, demonstrating that God responds to flawed humanity with mercy and restoration.
Hebrews 11:6 — Explains that what pleases God is faith, not a sinless record, which is why the Bible can showcase flawed people throughout its pages.
Scripture records the failures of its leading figures without hiding them. Abram, the man to whom God promised the land of Canaan, journeyed southward during a famine (Genesis 12:9), a step that took him toward Egypt and away from the land of promise. David, Israel's king, fell into adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah murdered. Even at the very beginning, Adam and Eve sinned, and God came seeking them, asking, 'Where art thou?' (Genesis 3:9). The Bible also reveals that God's standard is faith, as Hebrews 11:6 says: 'But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.'
Les Feldick explains that the Bible honestly shows flawed people because it is revealing human nature—the same nature every person has. He points out that if Christ came today, people would treat Him exactly as they did then (Clip 7). Therefore we have no right to look down on these Old Testament characters; 'but for the grace of God,' we would be right in the middle of the very sins described (Clip 4). Les repeatedly emphasizes that God's main concern throughout Scripture is the salvation of fallen humanity (Clip 1), so He works with people who fail. Abram's weakness in heading to Egypt and David's great sins are examples of men who were genuine believers and yet failed, and Les shows that God never gave up on them. The essential issue is always faith, not flawless character, as seen in God's choice of Abel over Cain and Jacob over Esau (Clip 3). Finally, God's response to human failure is mercy and restoration, as seen when He sought Adam and Eve after their sin (Clip 6) and restored David after his genuine repentance (Clip 2).
Abram, the man of faith, allowed famine to drive him southward away from the land of promise (Clip 0). He then went to Egypt, where his fear led to dishonorable behavior regarding Sarai. David, though a true believer, committed adultery and murder, yet he did not lose his salvation; instead, he poured out his heart begging for forgiveness (Clip 2). These examples show that even the greatest believers can fail badly, but God is willing to restore them.
Les uses Hebrews 11 to show that God looks for faith first and foremost. In comparing Cain and Abel, and Esau and Jacob, he points out that the men with the better outward character (Cain and Esau) lacked faith, while the flawed men (Abel and Jacob) had faith and were used by God (Clip 3). The Bible itself states that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), making faith the defining issue for God, not moral perfection.
Les says we should not look down on these people because the same human nature is in us (Clips 4 and 7). He reminds us that 'but for the grace of God, you and I would be no different' (Clip 4). Instead of judging them, we should recognize our own capacity for the same failures and appreciate the grace of God that can restore us just as He restored them.
Abram's Famine Failure
Les shows how Abram, the man of faith, journeyed southward away from the promised land when famine came, revealing that even great believers have human weakness.
The Bible's Purpose: Salvation of Fallen Humanity
Les explains that from Genesis 3 to the end of the Bible, God's main concern is the salvation of fallen human beings, which is why the Bible is full of flawed people in need of salvation.
David's Sin and Restoration
Les teaches that David was a true believer who fell into adultery and murder but never lost his salvation; instead, he begged for forgiveness like a true child of God.
Faith, Not Flawlessness
Les points out that God looks for faith first—Cain and Esau had better outward character but lacked faith, whereas flawed Abel and Jacob were used by God.
But for the Grace of God
Les says we must not look down at biblical failures, because apart from God's grace we would do the very same things.
Redemption Began at the Fall
Les reminds us that immediately after Adam's sin, God set redemption in motion with the promise of the seed of the woman, and that God still requires faith (Hebrews 11:6).
God Seeks and Restores
Les uses Adam and Eve hiding after sin to show that God does not abandon flawed people; He finds them, calls to them, and provides mercy and grace.
Human Nature Never Changes
Les teaches that human nature is the same today as in Bible times, so biblical flaws are an exposure of the nature we all share.
Genesis 12:9: And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Shows Abram leaving the promised land toward Egypt, a step that led to his notable failure.
Genesis 3:9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Shows God seeking the first human sinners rather than abandoning them.
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Explains why God could use flawed people—faith is what pleases Him.
Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The first promise of redemption, showing God's plan for fallen humanity.
No. It openly records failures such as Abram's journey to Egypt, David's adultery and murder, and the sins of Adam and Eve. Les teaches that these records are intentional exposures of human nature.
Les taught that David was a genuinely saved man who fell into great sin, yet he never lost his salvation. His anguish in seeking forgiveness revealed that he was a true child of God.
Because God's requirement is faith, not a sinless record. Les says God looks for faith first, and once a person believes, God can work with them and restore them when they fail.
Watch the Teaching: Why Abram Failed in Egypt & God Restored Him | Genesis 12-14