by Dossie M Terrell

Created on: March 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 14, 2012

There are a number of characters in the Old Testament that God used to show the world His true nature. There were folks back then as well as today who believed that God wants the finest and those specially selected to represent Him. Some of the most memorable characters in the Bible dispute this notion.

Moses, David, the widow who was about to have her sons taken from her (II King 4:1-7), and Jeremiah all demonstrate how God looks at the heart when He chooses someone to do His work. Each of these individuals was undervalued and overlooked because they were considered the least for one reason of the other. But God chose each to undertake some of the most important missions in the Bible. The story of the widow is about faith. It shows that if you obey God, He will meet us whereyou are and He will provide for your needs. The story also demonstrates that with God, you do not need to have much, just give what you have and you will receive more than you need. It serves to show, especially during these bad economic times, that God will supply your needs if you obey Him; you need to meet Him where you are with what you have.

The story of Moses is another illustration of God's thinking. It further substantiates that God "is not a respecter of person" that Paul refers to in the New Testament. Moses was not a man of wealth or position, neither did he have connections. As an adult he was content to live with his wife's family, doing menial chores. One day the Lord approached him and charged him with leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, where they had been in bondage for over 400 hundred years.

The enormity of the task was beyond Moses' imagination; consequently, he protested and made excuses. He said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

God said something most interesting to Moses that exemplifies how He thinks, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

Moses dallied a while longer, even suggesting that his brother Aaron speak for him when he confront the Pharaohs about releasing the Egyptians, but interestingly enough Moses did find the courage and he rose to the task God assigned him. There is no evidence that Aaron ever spoke with the Pharaohs; Moses did all the speaking and performed mircles with his staff.

The lesson

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