Tom Taylor is Associate Professor Emeritus of Church History and Old Testament at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Well-known and much loved in evangelical circles, he has an active preaching ministry in radio, writing, and Bible conferences. He and his wife Ruth live in Dublin, Pennsylvania.
The Lesson: In our sphere of service for the Lord, we must not overlook those who may be viewed as insignificant. As Francis Schaeffer once observed, “With God there are no little people.… There are no little places.” [1]Introduction
The family of God is comprised of a great variety of people, and their common bond is the new birth. To be born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the hallmark of true Christianity, and within that identification are some of every race and social level. There is a wide variety of personalities with a broad spectrum of abilities and talents. There are some who have great prominence in this life because of their highly individualized abilities, but there are also those—an enormous body—who are viewed as insignificant because their contribution is small when compared with the “gifted.” This concept must be seen in the light of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 with the reminder that there are not many very gifted persons as we perceive things and we all should be humble before God.
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God (1 Cor. 1:26-29).In God’s presence no one may glory, but in the world of people we easily make evaluations of people and give them assignments accordingly. We consider a few gifted persons as being essential to the cause, while we consider others to be of lesser importance. We are drawn to the gifted and drawn away from the less gifted. This less gifted group may quickly be seen as insignificant and unimportant.
It is not wrong to be insignificant. It is not a moral deficiency. It is only a state or condition of being. It is not a liability, and one need not demean oneself in a false modesty. Many great deeds seen in this life and also in the biblical narratives are attributed to unknown people. Their service was valuable not because the people were important, but because the work of God was important.
In the broad analysis many insignificant persons have done very significant things. Consequently a study in this area appeals to me. Perhaps the subject has touched a nerve. It has an almost autobiographical appeal to me in that I almost have what might be called a “failure complex.”
Our local churches (assemblies) frequently have a high percentage of members (worshippers) who are quiet and barely known. At times these less active believers despair of ever being asked to serve or participate, and they feel defeated because they expected more of life. They simply do not see how they can serve and honor God in a “less important” sphere with little gift for public ministry.
This group needs to see that insignificance is not a surrender to nothingness but an opportunity to do the will of God without a drum roll or a special invitation. “Insignificant” does not mean “useless.” It only means that one can fulfill his or her role with less scrutiny and fanfare. Some of the Pharisees in the New Testament loved to promote themselves and be prominent above their fellows. Having a “significant” place led them to sinful pride. “Insignificant” people can do many things with the joyful confidence that behind their efforts is a great train of people who are also practically unknown. Those who see themselves as insignificant must get over the erroneous idea that their eternal reward is enriched by the recognition of their status in the local church.
The more I thought about this subject, the more I wanted to bring it to the attention of folks within the sphere of my ministry. I began reading the Bible and watching for insignificant parties who effectually promoted right causes and pursued the right course in life. I soon had an impressive list of “unknown” people, and I became more thankful for the saving grace of God and for the many people who have served him and his people while living in obscurity. Most of them are not named, but their serving deeds are noticed by the Spirit of God in the Word of Truth.
In this light it has been said that no one is really insignificant. In the progress of life that is surely true. But in the progress of life there are many not recognized, not counted, and not “worthy” of notice. In the eyes of God, however, they are indeed significant, even if in the view of their contemporaries they hardly merit their names on a page. The irony is that it is often the insignificant and unnoticed who are the real heroes and heroines in the everyday affairs of the church, the home, and society. This essay cannot cover the list, but a few may be called upon to demonstrate the fact that significance is part of our make-up. I trust that the few I have selected from my list will establish the point.
Paul’s Nephew
Within the Scripture very little is known of Paul’s family. Coming from Tarsus, he held Roman citizenship and was advanced in the Pharisaic teachings of Gamaliel, whose followers comprised one of the strictest Jewish sects of that time (Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:5-6). Paul’s conversion alienated him from the traditionalist practices of that order. Saving faith in the Lord Jesus was the cause of his separation, and the Pharisees became some of his most bitter enemies.
Of Paul’s personal family little is known. Acts 23 tells of a sister and a nephew. Beyond this we have two notes in Romans 16 (vv. 7, 13), but of his personal family very little is known. This much is clear: his steady witness had moved many enemies to oppose him and, apart from fellow believers and his status as a Roman citizen, there was not much human help—except a nephew. We know virtually nothing about this nephew. We do not know his name, his family life, his personal background, or the circumstances that brought him to Jerusalem.
Paul had been addressing the Jewish Council, seeking to defend his work. A heated argument developed between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the dissension was so great that the commander of the centurions had Paul taken by force to the soldiers’ barracks. Paul was assured that night by an angel that he would not be harmed, but would bear witness for Christ in Rome (Acts 23:1-11).
When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this plot. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. “Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”
But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” So he took him and led him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. “So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things” (Acts 23:12-22).The plot was bold (23:15)! More than forty men took a vow to neither eat nor drink until Paul was killed. They gained the support of the Council, and the plan was that the Council would request that the chief captain would bring Paul out for a further hearing. The forty men would then stage some sort of riot in which Paul would be killed.
Paul’s nephew was aware of the trouble and had kept his ears open to what might be said or planned concerning Paul. Murder plots such as this were not matters of public discussion, but somehow, after they made their plans, there was a leak. Paul’s sister’s son overheard it all (23:16). He was a young and unimportant man. How he came to this information we do not know, but we know how he used it. Gaining admission to the castle, he told Paul, who then called a centurion and asked him to take the young man to the commander. The centurion led Paul’s nephew to the commander, who heard it and took it seriously. He sent the youth away and admonished him to tell no one. Then he prepared a military force to take Paul quickly to the governor, Felix, with an explanation as to what he had done and why. The Lord was looking after Paul, but the working force behind the apostle’s deliverance was a nameless youth whose life story is completely unknown to us. He was at best an insignificant person, but he was used to save the life of the great apostle. A boy with an ear, we might say, to listen and know what was going on about him. The very best of us can be attentive in our circumstances—ready to help in the cause of truth at a moment’s notice.
The Woman With A Millstone
There are similar events in Scripture where a person is useful in an unplanned way. An insignificant person (or party) has the key role without the notoriety. This introduces us to the woman with a millstone! The biblical text is in Judges 9.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it. But there was a strong tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. But a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died (Judg. 9:50-54).The account is about Abimelech, the unworthy son of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon). He had not been the spiritual force that he might have been and had been oppressive in his office. In the text before us he had been waging war against Thebez, a fortified city in Mt. Ephraim. He was a vicious fighter and determined to overcome his enemies. There was a tower in Thebez, and many of the citizens had taken refuge in this fortress, but Abimelech was determined to conquer them and had brought his troops for a battle. They surrounded the tower, and its fall appeared to be imminent. Abimelech urged the attack and confidently anticipated that he would be a conqueror that day.
In the open area atop the tower, however, was a woman who picked up a broken piece of a millstone [2] and threw it at the amassed forces below. It struck Abimelech on his head, and the blow was fatal. As he died, his last request was that no one would know that he had been killed by a woman. Her random toss of the heavy stone ended his life, and with their leader dead, the Israelites fled. The tower and what was left of the city were saved. She was a great heroine, and the account in Judges 9 tells the full story. Who would have thought that a glorious general would fall to an unknown woman? We do not know her name, her family, her occupation, or what happened later in her life. Her name is not given in the listing of the Old Testament’s important military figures. She was insignificant to the core, but her simple action saved the city and brought victory and eventual peace. The lesson is almost redundant. One does not need to occupy an important position or to be well-known. Let us put ourselves at the disposal of the will of God and do what is at hand.
The Poor Wise Man
In a different context we have another insignificant person, although this one is better known for many reasons. The account is that of the poor wise man sketched in Ecclesiastes 9.
Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me. There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools (Eccl. 9:13-17).The account by Solomon may be an illustrative point or a recounting of some event about which we do not have a full record. The picture is that of a small city being threatened by a larger power. (How often this setting occurs.) A small city with few defensive devices was being attacked by a much larger power with superior forces. The aggressors were encompassing the city; it was only a matter of time before it collapsed. But in the city there was an inconsequential person known to us only as a poor wise man (v. 15). Somehow, he by his wisdom came up with a plan that turned the tide of battle and saved the city. What reward did he receive? Apparently, nothing! The text tells us that no one remembered that poor man! Undoubtedly either the military leaders or the city authorities found a way to take the credit. The wise man deserved the honor, but he was not awarded it. Solomon then reminds us of the nature of wisdom. He warns us that it is often ignored, and by implication, the imparter of that wisdom is also ignored. Consequently one does not look for reward. One gives what will aid the cause, and if there are those who will not honor that, there is no recourse! God will correct things in time, however. But we must remember to offer him what we are able, even if we are insignificant and go unnoticed, and the Lord will use it for the greater success. In the case of the poor wise man, the hero was insignificant, but his work was life-saving.
An Unknown Boy And His Lunch
At a much later time and in a very personal moment an unknown boy allowed his lunch to supply the need of more than 5,000 people. The account is in the Gospels and the wording in John 6 is well-known.
Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten (John 6:5-13).The Lord had crossed the Sea of Galilee and with his disciples had gone up a mountain to rest when a large crowd gathered around him. The feast of the Passover was near, and the great company had come to him hoping to see more of his miracles; among them were some seeking, perhaps, to be healed themselves. The Lord, concerned for the welfare of the group, asked Philip where they could get food to feed the people. Philip did not know what to do, but the disciple Andrew observed that there was a boy who had five barley loaves and two fish—not much for a group of about 5,000. But when the company was seated, the Lord took the loaves and fish and blessed them. He then began giving portions to the disciples to serve to the crowd, and everyone in time was satisfied, while twelve baskets were filled with the left overs. The Lord was the master of the situation, but the lad was also a hero. We do not know his name, family, or background, but it was his gift that was used by the Lord to bless many. He was typically “insignificant,” but his role in this remarkable meal is known throughout the Christian world. We learn from this that our participation in the work or witness of the Lord does not depend on our importance but upon our willingness to be used and upon our commitment to the Master. Was this boy truly insignificant? Hardly!
Ebed-Melech The Ethiopian
The prophet Jeremiah is well-known and in his day was the “voice” of God. He was appointed to his ministry before he was born (Jer. 1:5) and given the reality and assurance of God’s help so long as he remained faithful to his commission. In his book we find grim accounts of rebellion and rebuke from the leaders of the nation. We see Jeremiah devoid of what is called success, but he submitted to the leading of the Lord and in a spiritual sense triumphed over the opponents of truth. There were, however, many notable events in his life, and one of these is recorded in chapter 38.
Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king’s son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin; and Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went into the king’s palace to a place beneath the storeroom and took from there worn-out clothes and worn-out rags and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah. Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes”; and Jeremiah did so. So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse (Jer. 38:6-13).When Jeremiah rebuked the rebellious leaders and the spiritually inept king, he was put in a miry dungeon with none of the sustaining elements for life. His enemies thought he would die there, while the thoughtless king had not evaluated the situation at all. It appeared there was no hope for the prophet except, of course, in the care of God. But in the service of the king was an Ethiopian eunuch named Ebed-melech (v. 7), a name meaning “servant of the king.” He learned of Jeremiah’s predicament, went to the king, and pleaded for Jeremiah’s life. He then received an order from the king to release the prophet. Yes, I believe God sent him. The important lesson, however, is that in spite of his relatively insignificant position at court, Ebed-melech took advantage of what influence he had in the interest of the life of the man of God. Positionally he was insignificant, but in practicality he was the man of the hour.
Conclusion
These are five examples of seemingly insignificant persons who took what opportunities they had to do something that proved to be significant in the program of God. In my notes there are many more examples of such people in Scripture—people in various places whose stories span many centuries. The lesson for us today is that we do not depend on greatness or importance to be useful servants of the Lord. What is important is that we make our lives available to be stewards of the grace of God as he supplies. The very least Christian (least in the eyes of men) has the opportunity to offer himself or herself to the Lord as a vessel of worship and witness. One may not have written a book or received awards in his or her honor. It is sadly possible that one may not be appreciated in one’s own local church. The fact is that we live for God and use what we have for his purposes. Assembly leaders, if one of the local church members is “insignificant,” be sure to grant that person an opportunity to become a faithful servant. In providing that opportunity, you may be opening a door to the only significance that really matters—faithful service to our God. So in doing a work for God, do not ignore the “insignificant” believer. Make him or her a partner in your work, and you may find that this person fills a heretofore unnoticed need.
Notes
- Francis Schaeffer, “No Little People, No Little Places,” in No Little People: Sixteen Sermons for the Twentieth Century (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1974), 13, 18.
- The KJV reads, “a piece of millstone,” while the NASB has “an upper millstone.”
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