We'll look at seed planters from the past and we'll also look at people who might not even believe in Jesus but God used them as unknowing seed planters. So let's get started and see some examples in God's Holy Word. Why not go straight to the source, right? It's all in there. Come on, let's jump in.
Be like Sweet Perfume to the World
But thanks be to God, who made us His captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Oldies but Goldies
The Old Testament contains a field-full of seed planters. Reluctant prophets, support people, skilled craftsman are but a few examples of the kind of people God used to spread the word and do His will back in the day. How were they seed planters? By how they lived their life; by how they used their gifts (time, treasures, talents) in service to Him; by how they never lost faith even in the most trying of times. Through the actions of their lives and choices they made to serve God they planted seeds. They gave an example for all time for us to emulate as the stories were recorded by God within His Word for all of us to read and absorb.
We'll start with some of the seemingly forgotten individuals of the Bible and save the big guns like Joseph and David till later in another blog. Everyone is important to God and all have a purpose in serving God, whether the task be little or great. Even back in the Old Testament, God worked through His seed planters – down to the tiniest little mustard seed of a planter.
The Support Team
Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5-7)
Mel who? No, not Mel Torme, though he has a nice singing voice. And not Mel Passion Gibson. Melchizedek was a king in the Old Testament during Abraham's time. Melchizedek was a God-fearing man whose name meant King of Righteousness. He was the king of Salem (the site of the future Jerusalem) and the Bible says he was a priest of God Most High. What's interesting to note is that Melchizedek worshipped the same God as Abraham but was not Jewish. The Jews, as God's chosen people, kind of had God’s ear back then. God talked directly to Abraham, wrestled with Jacob, and was pretty hands-on with Moses. But here is this guy, on the outside, you might say, who had not even met Abraham before, who wears his belief on his sleeve because the first thing he does is offer Abram (his name before God changed his name to Abraham. God seems to love changing people’s names in the Old Testament, don’t you think? It’s basically like a baptism, as God bestows on them a new quest to serve Him along with the new name) a blessing:
"Blessed be Abram by God most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies." (Genesis 14:19-20)
Not much is really known about Melchizedek, but that's okay. What we do know is that his love for God reflected directly through his character. God speaks through many different people. And He will speak through you if you let Him – either in your words or your deeds (or both). And God will speak to you, too, through other people. God wants you to know Him as much as He wants you to tell others about Him.
Eliezer (Genesis 24)
Sometimes we are seed planters when we simply do our job; when we honor our responsibilities, are trustworthy and reliable, and above all, put our steadfast trust in God. Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, was one such person. He was tasked with going out to find a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. Not only that, he had to figure out a way to keep him from marrying one of those hot Canaanite women.
Pretty big task, huh? I can imagine Abraham speaking to Eliezer: "Ahh, hey Eliezer, I’m too old to go off and find a wife for my son so you do it. And hurry up before one of those floozy Canaanite women get their mitts on him. Just go to my homeland and find someone. That way. And thanks."
"Surrrrre, Abraham, no problem. Just go that way, huh? Yeah, sure, I’ll get right on that. Not!" That might have been my answer but I sure hope not.
But it wasn't Eliezer's answer. Eliezer did trust, did have faith. Abraham said an angel would help direct him. Eliezer prayed for guidance. He didn't rush things but let God direct him and followed through completely. He brought Rebekah home to Isaac. Eliezer fulfilled his role as God intended – as a true servant. That was talent, serving. He did his task without hesitation (Just do it). Imagine if he hadn’t. If he had gotten scared or lazy or lost faith and just wandered off and never came back to Abraham. That would mean Jacob (renamed Israel – there's that name thing again) would never have been born – and all his sons (the tribe of Israel) never would have been born. Most importantly, the genealogy leading to the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, would have been broken!
All because a simple servant named Eliezer did his job. And did it faithfully. He may have only planted one seed, we don't know. But the seed he planted as recorded in the Bible was a pretty big one, don't you think?
Moses' Craftsmen – Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-11)
Do you have a talent that involves being artistic? Are you skilled in creating crafts of all kinds? Look how God gave these talents to those in the Old Testament to serve His glory and think about what message you could put into the arts and crafts that you create:
Using Your Talents: Someone Has to Make the Tassels
And the Lord said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel: ‘Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach the tassels at each corner with a blue cord. The tassels will remind you of the commands of the Lord, and that you are to obey his commands instead of following your own desires and going your own ways, as you are prone to do.'"
Numbers 15:37-39
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!
"And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make: the Tabernacle itself; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; the table and all its utensils; the gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin and its pedestal; the beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; the anointing oil; and the special incense for the Holy Place. They must follow exactly all the instructions I have given you.'"
Whoa, what an endorsement, huh? "Yes, he is a master at every craft!" So maybe you can't preach like Paul, but if you like to draw, or sew, paint, do craftwork – start planting those seeds in your work and when someone asks you what that symbol of the cross means in your work, then God is watering that seed.
Aaron (Exodus – Deuteronomy 10:6)
Now Aaron wasn't perfect by any means. We all saw the movie The Ten Commandments and watched John Carradine as Aaron wimp out and give into the people's demands to make the golden calf. But he repented and God accepted his repentance and Aaron went on to become the first high priest of God in Israel! God used the special abilities He gave to Aaron for his purpose, and Aaron came through. He served God with his skills.
Aaron was a good communicator. When Moses got a little tongue tied trying to talk the Pharaoh into letting the children of Israel go, Aaron was always there to step in and articulate. He was part of the team God put together and he knew his place. Moses was the leader, Aaron never tried to take over even though he was the better communicator. And Moses' strength as a leader helped Aaron, too, who, as we see when Moses goes away for just a little while, is easily swayed by the will of the people.
Aaron was a key support person. He served God, faults and all, and became an example to all of Israel in how to obey God through his key role as the high priest.
We are not all leaders and that's okay. The followers, the support people, are there with all of their own individual talents and skills, who together, use them to serve God’s total plan – to lead everyone to His love, forgiveness, and salvation.
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