What an admirable description of Asher's sons —"choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders."

The Hebrew word for choice used in this verse is barar. It can be translated "to choose," "to purify," "to select" or "to purge out." Depending on the context, this word can also be used to describe a person that is pious, good, honest, true and just.

What made these sons of Asher "choice men" was their character. They were "choice men" of character. As Christians, we recognize that the values and beliefs that make up our character must be based on the spiritual foundation found in God's Word and law.

One of the blessings that God has given us is that we do know and understand the standard by which we should live. We do recognize that there are absolutes in life and that there is right and wrong. Godly character is living our lives by those spiritual principles and laws that are found in God's Word and modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ.

One of the reasons the phrase "choice men" resonates with me in the context of being men and women of character is that character, in essence, is either built up or torn down by the choices we make daily.

Are we "choice men and women of God"? Do we consistently make good, right, ethical choices of character?

Being "choice men and women of character" demands courage to make those tough, difficult and hard choices in life. One of my favorite quotes on character is by Helen Keller: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

God desires and hopes that all of us will become choice men and women of character, and yet He leaves the choice up to us: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

Let's all strive to become choice men and women of godly character. UN