Topical Bible: Servants: Persons Devoted to God So Called

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In the biblical context, the term "servants" often refers to individuals who are devoted to God, serving Him with obedience, faithfulness, and humility. This concept is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where various figures are described as servants of the Lord, highlighting their roles in God's divine plan and their commitment to His will.

Old Testament Servants

1. Moses: One of the most prominent servants of God in the Old Testament is Moses. He is frequently referred to as "the servant of the LORD" (Deuteronomy 34:5). Moses' life exemplifies servanthood through his leadership in delivering the Israelites from Egypt, receiving the Law, and guiding the people through the wilderness. His relationship with God was intimate, as described in Numbers 12:7-8 : "Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD."

2. David: King David is another key figure identified as a servant of God. Despite his flaws, David's heart was devoted to God, and he is often called "My servant David" (2 Samuel 7:5). His psalms reflect a deep commitment to serving God, as seen in Psalm 89:20 : "I have found David My servant; with My sacred oil I have anointed him."

3. The Prophets: The prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, are also described as servants of God. They were chosen to deliver God's messages to His people, often facing persecution and hardship. Isaiah 20:3 states, "Then the LORD said, 'Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush.'"

New Testament Servants

1. Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of a servant in the New Testament is Jesus Christ Himself. Philippians 2:7 describes His incarnation: "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." Jesus' life and ministry were characterized by servanthood, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross.

2. The Apostles: The apostles, particularly Paul, frequently referred to themselves as servants of Christ. Paul begins many of his letters with this identification, such as in Romans 1:1 : "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God." Their dedication to spreading the Gospel and building the early Church exemplifies their servanthood.

3. Believers: All believers are called to be servants of God, following the example of Christ and the apostles. This calling is emphasized in passages like 1 Peter 2:16 : "Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." The New Testament encourages believers to serve one another in love, as seen in Galatians 5:13 : "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love."

Characteristics of Servants of God

Servants of God are characterized by their obedience, humility, and faithfulness. They prioritize God's will above their own, often enduring trials and persecution for the sake of His kingdom. Their lives are marked by a deep relationship with God, a commitment to His Word, and a willingness to serve others selflessly. The biblical model of servanthood is not one of subjugation but of voluntary devotion and love, reflecting the heart of God Himself.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:49
Remember the word to your servant, on which you have caused me to hope.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 56:6
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of my covenant;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer and Labor for the Gathering of the Great Harvest.
... but wash the feet of my Lord's servants, I shall ... All young persons especially, feeling
that life is before them ... unless they are on the altar, devoted to God's ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xix prayer and labor for.htm

Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ...
... were attached to particular customs, persons, times, and ... people, man-servants and
maid-servants, who have ... anyhow, such observance should be devoted to hearing ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt sanctify the holy.htm

On Attending the Church Service
... a century, have not been holy men, not devoted to God ... men?" a question with which
many serious persons have been ... was ever conveyed to men by the servants of the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 104 on attending the.htm

The Ten Commandments of God.
... occurrence that one finds rude, old persons who knew ... to his domestics, man-servants
and maid-servants and not ... espeially during the time which is devoted to the ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the ten commandments of god.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... so to do] by the command of his servants." See Authent ... lived after the manner of
a Nazarite devoted to God ... all at length for the good of the persons punished, I ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Letter cxlv. (AD 412 or 413. )
... but because sin worketh death in such persons by that ... even so now yield your members
servants to righteousness ... Hence it comes that that most devoted lover of ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxlv a d 412 or.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... are held to be implicated; such persons attempt to ... and a substantial religion, and
a spirit devoted to nothing ... what else ought we, the servants, and especially ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
... are, not in form, but in reality, devoted to God ... the labors of all God's faithful
servants throughout our ... assemble them all in their complete persons, and will ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse x an address to.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... of your studies, when they are devoted to God ... whom ye yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants ye are ... lie upon our hands, what manner of persons ought we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

Elijah's Appeal to the Undecided
... We have first the devoted servant of Jehovah, a ... both inwardly and outwardly the servants
of the ... Procrastinators, double-minded men, undecided persons, to you I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/elijahs appeal to the undecided.htm