<>What does it mean to be Instruments of God or a Man or Woman of God?
I was reading in the Bible today about King Jehu of Israel and how he removed all of King Ahab’s family. He did what God wanted, except in the matters of the heart. He continued in the sins of Jeroboam. You can read about these things in 2 Kings 9-10.
Then I read about young King Joash of Judah, who followed the Lord as long as he had the priest Jehoiada as his spiritual mentor. When he died, Joash wanted to be popular and was influenced by officials in his court.
When Joash was young. He helped restore the temple. When he was old, he abandoned the temple and allowed idol worship. Read about this in 2 Chronicles 23- 24. What Jehoiada did with Joash did not stick. Perhaps the king did not have a personal relationship with God. Anyway, whatever he was taught he abandoned. Some of us can personally relate with this. Maybe we are a parent or a teacher and invested in someone just to have them later abandon their faith or their relationship with you. Or, maybe you were the one who abandoned God or know someone who did.
These stories about Jehu and Joash challenged me with this thought,
Do I want to be an instrument of God or a man of God? Anyone can be an instrument of God (even an evil person because God can use anybody he wants for his own purposes).
Is it wrong to be an instrument of God? I mean, you wouldn’t call Samson a man of God, would you? And, you can be a good instrument of God, can’t you? Yes, in the book of Romans chapter 6 verse 13, the Apostle Paul instructs those who follow Jesus,13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
What Biblical examples can you think of those who were good instruments in the hand of God? Maybe you wouldn’t necessarily think of them as men or women of God, but they were used for good purposes. Some of the judges in the book of Judges, and some kings in the books of the Kings and Chronicles might fit in this category.
What does it mean to be a man or a woman of God?
Noah. This is amazing. Noah lived in a godless culture of violence, greed, immorality, and cursing, and yet Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.
Perhaps you know what that’s like. Do you think it is impossible to walk with God surrounded by people like this? Apparently not; Noah did everything just as God commanded him, even if it didn’t make sense to him. Had he ever seen a boat? Had he ever built a boat. It didn’t matter; Noah obeyed. His obedience brought hope for a new world, a restart.
Samuel. Samuel was attentive to God. Even as a child he learned to listen to him. When Eli, the high priest was old, Samuel talked with the Israelites, and his words did not fall to the ground. This means the people recognized him as a prophet. Samuel spent much time praying, but when God gave him a difficult task, he did it. He was not a perfect father, but he was an honest man people would visit to pray and seek God’s counsel. Do we listen to God?
David. As a youth, David trusted God would give him the strength, ability and courage to face the giant Goliath. And, although later guilty of a horrible crime, he confessed his sin and repented. He and his family suffered terrible consequences and loss, yet David always worshipped God and looked to him for his wisdom and strength. Many Psalms he wrote catalogue his experiences from tragedy and betrayal to worship and praise of God. See Psalms 32 and 51 for instance.
God called David a man after God’s own heart. What does that mean? It means he desired similar things God desires. God wants truth in the inward parts. God wants us to be holy for he is holy. God wants us to trust and believe there is only one God, and he has the power, might, and wisdom to save or to help us through anything. Our part is to totally rely on him, as a young child does his good and kind father. God wants us to grow up learning more and more about him, to obey, love and enjoy him. He wants us to help others and to testify of him so others might come to know him, too. But the epidemy of all of this is to know him, love him, and glorify him. When we trust God to be our Savior, we have the presence and power of God with us to accomplish anything he desires.
Job (pronounced with a long 0 vowel sound). Job lived such a righteous and reverent life before God, the LORD was impressed. He said to the devil, have you considered my servant Job? He fears the LORD, and turns away from evil (Job 1:2,8, 2:3). He still tried to be faithful even when his friends falsely accused him. Can it be said that we fear the LORD and turn away from evil? If you are a man or woman of God, you should be known for this.
Moses. In the book of Exodus, Moses was called the friend of God. He cared about God’s glory and reputation. Do we? When we pray, do we care about that? Then perhaps we are a man or woman of God.
Joshua. Joshua was a fearful warrior but he still did everything God asked him to do when God wanted him to do it —everything. Caleb and Joshua trusted God would help the Israelites defeat the giants in the land of Canaan. They obeyed God and conquered the land and people for their inheritance.
Gideon. Gideon, in spite of his fear, obeyed God by tearing down idols and leading a small band to attack huge Midianite forces. One with God is a majority. Unfortunately, later Gideon became just an instrument of God, when he allowed a golden ephod (part of a priest’s garment) to be made and worshipped.
Daniel. Daniel was also a man of God. He didn’t give in to the culture of his day. He and his friends obeyed God no matter the consequences. He and they prayed boldly and God heard and answered
What about women? If you are a woman, what woman of God do you identify with and why? What makes her so?
Women in the Bible who were women of God
Of course, many would go to Ruth as a woman of God, and they would be right. But what about Rahab? What??? Wasn’t she a…a…a…harlot? Formally. It was probably because of her reputation that the spies were easily accepted into her home. Why was she a woman of God? Because she feared the God of the Israelites.
Hebrews 11:31 says” By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
In the book of James, the Lord’s half-brother, says, “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?” James 2:25, NIV Did you hear that? She was considered righteous! This might give some women hope who have led a rough life and made poor choices. If you believed God, repented and turned from your sin, God can use you like he can with anyone else.
You can read the story here
Here are some other women to consider: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Miriam the prophetess, Deborah the Judge, Huldah the prophetess, Abigail (who married David), and Esther. Were they instruments in the hand of God or women of God?
Let’s take a closer look at Esther, Deborah, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Let’s find out what made them women of God.
Esther. Mordecai raised Esther after she lost her parents. As she grew up, she listened to her Uncle Mordecai’s advice. Through unusual circumstances, the queen of Persia, Vashti, was ousted, and Esther became queen. Mordecai asked her to keep her Jewish heritage a secret, because of antisemitism. However, when the Jewish people faced annihilation under the order of Haman, special counsel to the King, something must be done. Esther couldn’t hide and let her people perish. Esther revealed her nationality and was willing to put it all on the line to plea for the lives of her people. God used Esther for such a time as this.
Deborah
Mary Magdalene
Mary the Mother of Jesus
Conclusion: What makes a person a man or woman of God and not just an instrument in his hands?