The concept that God uses ordinary means to accomplish His divine purposes is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This principle underscores the sovereignty of God and His ability to work through everyday circumstances, people, and events to fulfill His will. The Bible provides numerous examples of how God employs ordinary means to achieve extraordinary outcomes, demonstrating His power and wisdom.

Creation and Providence

From the very beginning, God has used ordinary means to sustain and govern His creation. In Genesis, God creates the world and establishes natural laws that continue to operate under His providence. Psalm 104:14-15 illustrates this, stating, "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart." Here, God uses the ordinary processes of nature to provide for His creation.

The Life of Joseph

The account of Joseph in the book of Genesis is a profound example of God using ordinary means to accomplish His purposes. Joseph's journey from being sold into slavery by his brothers to becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt is marked by a series of ordinary events—dreams, false accusations, and imprisonment. Yet, through these means, God orchestrates the preservation of the Israelites during a severe famine. Joseph himself acknowledges this in Genesis 50:20 : "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

The Exodus

In the Exodus narrative, God uses ordinary means alongside miraculous interventions to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. While the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea are miraculous, God also uses Moses, an ordinary man with a speech impediment, as His spokesperson and leader. Exodus 4:10-12 records Moses' reluctance: "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent... I am slow of speech and tongue." Yet, God assures him, "Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say."

The Judges and Kings

Throughout the period of the judges and kings, God frequently uses ordinary individuals to lead and deliver Israel. Gideon, a man of humble origins, is chosen to defeat the Midianites (Judges 6-7). David, a shepherd boy, is anointed as king and becomes a central figure in Israel's history. In 1 Samuel 16:7 , God reminds Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or 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."

The Ministry of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry is characterized by the use of ordinary means. He often employs parables, drawn from everyday life, to teach profound spiritual truths. Jesus also uses common elements such as bread and wine to institute the Lord's Supper, a sacrament that continues to be a means of grace for believers. In John 6:9-11 , Jesus uses a boy's simple lunch of five barley loaves and two fish to feed thousands, demonstrating that God can multiply even the smallest offerings for His purposes.

The Early Church

The early church provides further evidence of God using ordinary means. The apostles, many of whom were fishermen and tax collectors, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel. Acts 4:13 notes the reaction of the Sanhedrin: "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus." The church grows through the ordinary means of preaching, teaching, and fellowship, as described in Acts 2:42-47.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently reveals that God delights in using ordinary means to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. This principle not only highlights God's sovereignty and wisdom but also encourages believers to trust that God can work through their everyday lives to fulfill His divine plan.