Unlikely Heroes

Unlikely Heroes
Judges 11-15
“And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah.” Hebrews 11:33

One of the most incredible testimonies of God’s grace, providence, and power is the fact that God uses unlikely people to accomplish His purpose.  Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame” because it lists individuals who exemplified incredible faith. Many of the individuals listed were renowned for their unwavering devotion and commitment to God, as well as obedience to His law.  Men like Enoch, whose depth of faith results in his being taken up into heaven without experiencing the tragedy of death.  People like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David, who trusted in God’s promises and acted upon them.  However, when we come to verse 32, we find four of the judges mentioned.  When we examine their life, we see deeply flawed individuals who were more characterized by their doubt than their faith.  Gideon continued to ask for some sign to confirm God’s word rather than trust in God’s promises and was responsible for leading the people into the very idolatry he was commanded to destroy..  Barak doubted God and required that Deborah go with him into Battle.  Jephthah was an outlaw who led a band of outlaws.  In Judges 11:3, it mentions that he gathered around him “worthless fellows.”  The word “worthless” refers to morally reprehensible individuals. His rash vow to sacrifice as a burn offering the first thing that came out of his house on his return led to the probably human sacrifice of his daughter. Samson was likewise a person of poor morals whose exploits became legendary, not because of his righteousness but because of his lack of moral fortitude.   Yet these four men are included in the list of people of faith.  How can this be?

The inclusion of these individuals in the list of men and women of faith is not so much a testimony of their faith as it is a testimony of the grace and sovereign working of God.  If we are honest, we can identify with the struggles of these four men more than we can identify with the stalwarts of the faith, such as David and Moses.  When we look at ourselves in the mirror, we see flawed individuals who struggle in their faith and obedience to God. We know full well that sin, flawed attitudes, and spiritual weakness are inherent within us. But these are the very people that God delights in using to accomplish His purpose.  God did not choose a spiritual giant to lead the endeavor to establish His church throughout the Roman Empire.  Instead, He chose a person who was known for His brutality in persecuting the church, one who was plagued by fear and apprehension and bouts of depression (Acts 18:9-11; 2 Cor. 7 5; 11:26-29; 12:7-10).  Paul was not the giant of the faith that we often portray him as.  He struggled with the same discouragements, fears, and worries that plague us. God does not require perfect people to do His work; instead, He uses imperfect people.  It is in them that God can put His grace and empowerment on full display.  Jepthah and Samson were not renowned for their faith, but rather for their empowerment by God.  What made them individuals of faith is that they still responded to God’s call in spite of their weakness and sinfulness.  The same is true for us.  Our faith is not revealed in our perfection; it is revealed in our acts of obedience and service to God in spite of our doubts, struggles, and sin.  Faith is best revealed when we respond to God’s calling, trusting that He can use us even though we are still fraught with sin, feel overwhelming and unqualified for the task, and are unworthy of His grace, for it is in our weakness that His grace is revealed.  Do you feel unworthy of God’s use, ill-equipped for the task before you? Then you are just the person God delights to use.