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? What do you think? Who are some Biblical examples of men or women of God, and why are they so? There are many examples in the Bible. Samuel comes to my mind even over King David. But what makes them so special?
Who do you know who are men or women of God in your personal life or in the Bible? Why do you call them that?
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.
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 recognize that 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.
Going backwards a bit, in Genesis the Bible says Enoch walked with God. What does that mean? It probably doesn’t mean he ran ahead of God or dragged his feet. To walk with God seems to imply he watched God and walked the path he chose for them to walk, faithfully.
In Genesis, Abraham was called a friend of God, because he believed God, even when circumstances would argue against that. Can we believe God, even when we don’t see something happening?
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?
In 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?
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.
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.
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.
What about women? What woman of God do you identify 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 that 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!
You can read the story here
Who else was a woman of faith?
What conclusions might we gather from the examples we have? I will wait on the ladies to respond first, then submit a conclusion.