The principles of God are contrary to the conventional wisdom dispensed in the systems of the world. It is clear from the bible that the basic way in which God operates is quite contrary to the way humanity thinks. On this note, it is understandable that God’s ways are beyond those of men. However, the bible provides several examples that can be used to provide a basis of argument to validate the basic mode of operation by God (Grudem 113). A thorough examination of these examples clearly reveals some of the principles that God follows in the mission to accomplish a particular task on earth. Most of the biblical characters that experienced the divinity of God were inherently unqualified in human standards. However, it is surprising that God continually chooses such characters throughout the bible to fulfill his purpose on earth. As a result, the biblical stories indicate that God chooses the weak and unqualified individuals such as Gideon, Solomon, Jesus Christ, Mary, the mother of Jesus, David, Paul, and Moses to accomplish various tasks on earth.
The first unlikely candidate that God makes wise for the fulfillment of his purpose on earth is Gideon. Gideon provides a primary example of a man that was highly unqualified in human standards to be used by God for purpose accomplishment. The account of Gideon is narrated in the Old Testament’s book of 2 Kings. His story exemplifies that of a common man who had no purpose on earth. The author of this story indicates that Gideon was appointed to lead Israel against the enemies at a time when idol worship was dominant in the region. In this case, God appears to search for a man He could use to destroy idol worship in Israel in order to free His people from toxic worship. However, contrary to the expectation of men, the story shows God seeking the help of a man who was the least in his house and tribe in Israel. He was the last born in his family, and his family background indicated that he hailed from the least tribe in Israel(Küçükcan 60-70).
Analytically, Gideon’s account in the bible portrays an unqualified candidate to fulfil the will of God. Gideon was weak, inexperienced in life’s issues and lacked the human wisdom to lead Israel out of idol worship. Despite his lack of experience and leadership skills, God sends angel to deliver a message to him as part of the plan to free Israel from idolatry. The angel calls him a ‘mighty man of valor.’ Arguably, this is contrary to his realistic nature. It is this proclamation that makes Gideon doubt the message from the angel. Consequently, this prompts him to test the word of the angel since it was unbelievable that God could choose to use a person of his stature and character to fulfil His will in Israel. At the end of the story God uses Gideon supernaturally to destroy Israel’s enemies to display His nature to make wise the simple in the fulfillment of His purpose.
The second biblical example that shows the unique tendency of God to use unlikely and simple characters to display His might is Solomon. He was born at a time when the purpose of God was to empower Israel economically. As a result, Israel needed a leader with great wisdom and strategic influence to accomplish this task. However, contrary to the human thought, God chooses to use Solomon to accomplish this task (Șandru 169). Solomon, as a character, does not deserve to be used to accomplish such a task. Arguably, this is because his legitimacy as a son of David provides a mysterious example of how God chooses servants to fulfil His mission. According to the culture of Israel, the first son of David was supposed to inherit the throne to succeed the father in leadership. However, it is surprising to see God choosing the son a woman with whom David sinned against the lord by committing murder and adultery. Analytically, this turn of events does not make human sense since Solomon did not deserve to be the successor of this father (Küçükcan 60-70). In addition, Solomon appears weak and inexperienced when he succeeds his father as King of Israel. His lack of wisdom and meekness leads him to ask God for Wisdom as a tool to help him lead the nation. Consequently, this example also proves that God chooses the simple and makes them wise to fulfil His purposes. Solomon is a great example of a leader who was naïve, weak and inexperienced. However, God chose him in this state and fulfilled His purpose in Israel.
The case of Jesus Christ of Nazareth also provides a perfect example to display God’s way in choosing the simple to display His wisdom. Jesus, as God’s son, is conceived by divine means through a virgin called Mary. It is amazing that God would choose a woman who is inexperienced in child birth to sire His son Jesus. His birth is dramatic since he has to be born in a manger. Arguably, this is the case of a King being born in the cows’ shed. The birth of this King is first announced to the shepherds rather than the government(Grudem 116). Notably, this is contrary to the expectation of the contemporary world. Additionally, God chooses to bring up baby Jesus in a house of a common carpenter, Joseph instead of a palace to learn the Kingly order. His childhood is characterized by a simple lifestyle since He has to learn carpentry to help the father at the shop.
Despite being equal with God, Jesus humbles Himself and chooses the hard way of life in order to fulfil purpose on earth. His people did not recognize Him as King since He was not born in a palace. However, this does not deter Him from saving humanity at the Calvary’s cross. On this note, the character of Jesus in the bible provides a good example of how God chooses the simple and makes them wise to accomplish His will. The lifestyle and demeanor of Jesus shows simplicity with exceptional wisdom in the way He healed many and performed various miracles in his lifetime on earth.
Mary, the mother of Jesus is another example that typifies God’s choice of servants to use for his mission. Her simplicity and naivety are evident characteristics that made her unique to fit into the plans of God to save the human race. Mary was a common girl in Nazareth who was betrothed to Joseph. She was a virgin, and had dedicated her sexual innocence to Joseph upon marriage. However, the story changes when God sends an angel to deliver His message of the incarnate birth of Jesus. It is logical in human understanding that God would choose a woman with experience in child birth to deliver the messiah on earth. On the contrary, God chooses an innocent young girl to fulfill this mission(Șandru 169). Analytically, this is another example where God chooses the least likely candidate to accomplish His plans. Mary was not suitable in human standards to deliver the baby Jesus on earth. Despite her innocence, God chooses her because of her simplicity and makes her wise to deliver His promise to the world. In this regard, this example shows that God has the tendency of making choices that do not make sense to humanity. It is clear that this is an attribute about God that makes Him omnipotent and omniscience.
The case of David, the King of Israel is another example that shows the manifestation of the wisdom of God in choosing servants to accomplish His plans. David was a shepherd of his father’s flock. His position in his father’s house was the least compared to those of his brothers. While David’s brothers were strong, tall and possessed military skills, David was a small boy whose work was to look after the father’s sheep. The physical stature comparison between David and his brothers is visible when Prophet Nathan is sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be King of Israel. The prophet arrives at Jesse’s house to accomplish the task given to him by God. In this case, the tallest, talented and skilled sons of Jesse come before the prophet to be anointed to be King (Metzger and Coogan 34-37). However, God rejects them. At this point, both the prophet and Jesse are confused since they had paraded the best candidates before God. However, God speaks to the prophet, and tells him that he does not focus on the outward appearance when determining His candidates. Jesse is forced to send for David when God rejects the other sons. David is approved by God when he arrives and anointed by the prophet to be Israel’s King.
Analytically, David’s example is a real testament of the ways of God(Metzger and Coogan 34-37). He chose the least likely son of Jesse to be the King. He indicated to the prophet that He focuses on the heart rather than the physical stature of a man when choosing his servants. In this regard, it is notable that God’s pattern of selecting His servants are not similar to those of men. David looked foolish and inexperienced to be Israel’s King. He lacked military training like his brothers who were soldiers in the Saul’s army. He was not as tall as the others, and was the youngest among them. However, God chooses Him despite his physical challenges. In summary, God chooses the simple and makes them wise to accomplish His mission. He focusses on weaknesses and uses His strength to manifest His Wisdom through men.
The case of Paul also displays the manifold wisdom of God in choosing the simple, and making them wise to accomplish His assignment. Paul is the author of most the New Testament books of the Bible. His wisdom in writing and communicating the wisdom is displayed through his books. However, it is worth noting that Paul did not deserve to be called an apostle. His encounter with Jesus Christ on Damascus’ road changed his life eternally. Paul, formerly known as Saul, was the chief persecutor of Christians. His mission was to destroy the spread of the Gospel of Jesus after his death and ascension to heaven. As a soldier, he embarked on a mission to kill the remaining apostles. He was a murderer. Despite this, God chose him and made him wise to win souls for His kingdom. Notably, this happened after his encounter with God. He repented and followed the ways of Christ.
Arguably, admitting Paul in the assembly of the believers would be difficult since he was their chief persecutor. However, God anointed him and gave him authority among the apostles to deliver the message of Jesus Christ(Metzger and Coogan 34-37). His influence and anointing is displayed in written epistles of the Bible. Paul lived a consecrated life as a chief apostle despite lacking the human moral authority to be God’s messenger. Analytically, Paul’s story provides a glimpse into the ways of God. He chooses the simple and unqualified personnel to be His servants. He prefers the simple to the qualified. God does not check the human moral record to appoint an individual to fulfil His purpose. On this note, it is evident that God focusses on the purpose for which He created every person on earth.
Moses is another character in the Bible that displays the wisdom of God in choosing the simple to make them wise. Despite enjoying his childhood and adult life in pharaoh’s palace, Moses exhibited several human weaknesses that would disqualify him to be the deliverer of Israel from the captivity in Egypt. Moses was a murder. He killed an Egyptian unlawfully during his stay at the palace. It was this reason that he fled Egypt into the wilderness. He was an impatient man. Despite knowing that he had been called by God to deliver Israel out of Egypt, he could not wait for God to accomplish this task supernaturally. Notably, this led him to kill the Egyptian as mentioned earlier. He was also slow in speech. Arguably, this is a quality that would make him unsuitable to stand and argue before Pharaoh. He also married an Ethiopian woman contrary to the culture of Israel. In this case, he defied the law of God. His short-tempered nature is also seen when he disobeys God in the wilderness by hitting the rock rather than speaking to it as told by God (Metzger and Coogan 34-37).
Analytically, it is clear that Moses was not humanly qualified to be used by God to deliver Israel out of Egyptian captivity. It is surprising that despite these human weaknesses, God used Moses to accomplish His mission. He overlooked his human challenges and focused on his spirituality. Moses was the meekest man on earth. On this note, it is understandable that he was the simplest man in character on earth. At this point, it is arguable that God chose him due to his simplistic nature. God performed several miracles with him in Egypt. As a result, Moses is a realistic example that demonstrates the nature of God to use simple people to perform his tasks.
The case of Jacob also demonstrates the way God chooses the simple and makes them wise to accomplish this mission. Jacob was the younger of the twins in the house of Isaac. According to the Jewish custom, the older brother had the right to the blessing from the father. However, his birth shows a controversy when God calls him the master of the two. God declared that he would be greater than Esau, his older brother. The story of Jacob shows several instances of character flaws since he was a trickster and cunning in his ways. He manages to lie to His father in order to receive the blessing(Metzger and Coogan 34-37). Additionally, he collaborates with his mother to escape his home to find refuge due to the enmity between him and Esau. However, despite these character flaws, God chooses to birth the nation of Israel out of Jacob. It is clear that God overlooks his character flaws and decides to accomplish His purposes through him. In summary, this demonstrates the wisdom of God in preferring the simple and making them wise to do His will.
The accounts of Gideon, Solomon, Jesus Christ, Mary, the mother of Jesus, David, Paul, and Moses are biblical stories that demonstrate how God chooses the simple and unqualified people to accomplish various tasks on earth. God uses Gideon supernaturally to destroy Israel’s enemies to display His nature to make wise the simple in the fulfillment of His purpose. Solomon is another great example of a leader who was naïve, weak and inexperienced. However, God chose him in this state and fulfilled His purpose in Israel. The character of Jesus in the bible also provides a good example of how God chooses the simple and makes them wise to accomplish His will. His lifestyle and demeanor indicates simplicity with exceptional wisdom in the way He healed many and performed various miracles in his lifetime on earth.Despite her innocence, God chooses Mary the mother of Jesus to bring forth the savior because of her simplicity and makes her wise to deliver His promise to the world.
Solomon is another great example of a leader who was naïve, weak and inexperienced. However, God chose him in this state and fulfilled His purpose in Israel. David also fits into this category since he managed to be Israel’s king despite being a murderer, adulterer and shepherd. Paul is another murderer and persecutor of the church who chosen by God despite these weakness to spread the Gospel. Moses also murdered and expressed impatience before God. However, God used him despite these weaknesses. Lastly, Jacob was also used by God despite being a trickster and thief. These examples show the sovereignty of God as He chooses the simple and makes them wise to fulfill his purpose on earth.
Works Cited
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. New York: Zondervan, 1994. Print.
Küçükcan, Talip. “Multidimensional Approach to Religion: a way of looking at religious phenomena.”Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 4.10 (2010): 60-70. Print.
Metzger, Bruce M., and Michael Coogan. Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print.
Șandru, Daniel. “Ideology, Between the Concept and the Political Reality”. The Knowledge Based Society Project. Sfera Politicii nr. 169, 2013. Print.