Topical Encyclopedia
Throughout the Bible, God frequently chooses unlikely individuals to deliver His messages and accomplish His purposes. These messengers often defy human expectations, highlighting God's sovereignty and the truth that His power is made perfect in weakness (
2 Corinthians 12:9).
Moses Moses is one of the most prominent examples of an unlikely messenger. Despite his initial reluctance and self-professed lack of eloquence, God chose him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In
Exodus 4:10, Moses says, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue." Yet, God reassures him in
Exodus 4:12, "Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say."
Gideon Gideon was another unlikely choice, as he came from the weakest clan in Manasseh and considered himself the least in his family. In
Judges 6:15, Gideon questions, "Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house." Despite his doubts, God used Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites, demonstrating that God’s strength is not dependent on human might.
David David, the youngest son of Jesse, was chosen by God to be king over Israel, even though he was initially overlooked by his own family. In
1 Samuel 16:7, God tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." David's selection underscores the principle that God values the heart over external qualifications.
Jonah Jonah was a reluctant prophet who initially fled from God's command to preach to the city of Nineveh. Despite his disobedience, God used Jonah to bring about the repentance of the Ninevites.
Jonah 3:5 records, "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." Jonah's account illustrates that God's purposes can prevail even through unwilling messengers.
The Samaritan Woman In the New Testament, the Samaritan woman at the well becomes an unexpected evangelist. After her encounter with Jesus, she returns to her town and shares her experience, leading many to believe in Him.
John 4:39 states, "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, 'He told me everything I ever did.'" Her account highlights that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to spread the Gospel.
The Apostle Paul Formerly known as Saul, Paul was a persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. In
Acts 9:15, the Lord tells Ananias, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Paul's transformation and subsequent missionary work demonstrate God's ability to redeem and repurpose even the most unlikely individuals for His glory.
Conclusion These examples reflect a consistent biblical theme: God often chooses the unexpected to fulfill His divine plans. This pattern serves as a reminder that God's wisdom surpasses human understanding and that He can use anyone, regardless of their background or perceived limitations, to accomplish His will.