The Scripture sometimes uses the term “mighty” to describe humans who have extraordinary abilities or resources. Mighty men arose both before and after the flood—also known as the “men of renown” (Genesis 6:4). A post-diluvian example is “Nimrod, a mighty man. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord” (Genesis 10:8-9).
“Mighty men of valor” were many among the children of Israel. In the case of Gideon, the first mention of his might was facetious (Judges 6:12). Nevertheless, he ended up among the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:32). Israel’s first king, Saul, was a mighty man of valor (Psalm 52:1). David was one also, along with the military leaders under him (2 Samuel 17:8). David’s mighty men have their own chapter (2 Samuel 23).
Moses was known as a mighty man because of his wisdom. “And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his works and deeds” (Acts 7:22). Solomon acquired an international reputation for wisdom. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore… And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:29, 34). Boaz occupies a unique position—he was a “mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1). He did have wealth, and he used it in the generous spirit of God’s law.
Of course, the idea of might originates in God. From the opening pages of Scripture, He presented Himself as the Almighty. Nobody has power to match His. But how does He wield His might? Consider the word of the Lord to Jeremiah: “let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
His interest is in showering the earth with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. He is looking for people who share His zeal. Those who are mighty in the Lord draw upon His abilities and resources—His life. They advance His agenda. On the other hand, people who are mighty in themselves, like the arrogant and rebellious Nimrod, draw upon their own abilities and resources—or those of the forces of evil. They think of wisdom, power, and wealth as theirs to exploit. They oppose God and His agenda.
The foremost example of a human being who constantly lived by God’s life is Jesus of Nazareth. “…And coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?’” (Matthew 13:54). They recognized his inner state as wisdom, which was the life of the Father and the leading of the Holy Spirit, manifested outwardly as mighty works. He never used this wisdom and these mighty works for himself, only to glorify the Father from whom they came. His disciples knew him as “a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word” (Luke 24:19). Also, as “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did” (Acts 2:22).
Jesus himself had something to say about the mighty man. “But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house” (Mark 3:27). The forces of evil tried to overcome Jesus by executing him on the cross and binding him in death. “None of the rulers of this age understood this,” the apostle Paul points out, referring to Christ becoming the power of God and the wisdom of God through his crucifixion, “for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory”—sealing their own doom (1 Corinthians 1:23-24, 2:6 and 2:8).
The subjection of Jesus to death was only temporary. On the third day the Almighty intervened, raising him from the dead. “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24). Furthermore, this Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).
Jesus has ascended from the earth. He now sits at the right hand of the Father. He is Lord over all creation (Philippians 2: 9-11). As the apostle Peter declared to the crowd on the day of Pentecost, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in it”—that is, in the cross (Colossians 2:15).
How does Jesus now reign as King of kings and Lord of lords? By steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. Love is the essence of God. In the description of divine love in 1 Corinthians 13, we see the characteristics of Jesus Christ. This love never ends. Every form of human might will pass away—even good things, like prophecy and spiritual gifts and intellectual knowledge, not to mention political power and wealth and human ambition. How mighty is the love of God in Christ Jesus!
&&&