Readings: Psalms 83 & Genesis 12-14
Of Note or of Nought?
If you’re like me, the image or thing I’d love to be known for is some of importance; a person everyone would look up to as one of the heroes of the state, or one belonging to a prestigious institution. I do not want to be world famous, or to be remembered throughout history, but I do want to say “Yes, I have done important work which made the difference”.
In the proceeding chapters, there were many men mentioned in the genealogical records, but only few were notable. Some, like Nimrod, were mentioned because they were pioneers or originators of what we now took for granted. For example, in Genesis 4:22, Tubal-Cain (pre- Noetic flood) in the line of Cain was the “instructor” of Brass and Iron (I take it to mean that he discovered how to make them); others were notable for their mighty deeds. Nimrod, in the line of Ham (post-Noetic Flood), was a “Mighty hunter before the LORD” (Genesis 10:8-9). However, Enoch and Abram were different.
The Men of Faith
The preceding men were known either for their skills and talents, but Enoch and Abram were not known for either one. Instead, they were renowned for their walk with the LORD. In the world where skill and talent and usefulness matters, these men were not known for any of it but one thing: their walk with God:
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
– Genesis 5
7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.
– Genesis 12
Worldly Fame or Spiritual Acclaim?
Enoch walked with God, and Abram called on the name of the LORD; Enoch was the first to be notable for his relationship with God and Abram was the first to call on the name of the LORD. The latter in particular would go on to be the father of faith in which through him came the nation of Israel.
These are the men the world would look down on. Just as “Nerds” are frowned upon for their lack of physical prowess, personality, or beauty, so also are those whose only reputation are in reading the scriptures, praying, and going to “church”.
At best they will ignore you, but at worst you will be thought of as a religious fanatic and a self-righteous Pharisee. You will be picked on for not engaging in the activities they do, or jeered because you spoke out against their actions. You will be the “Odd Man Out”, and depending on your circumstance, be treated harshly as Chad Williams had been (See: SEAL of God: p. 209-217).
In The End…
… What matters more? Fame in the eyes of the world (1 John 2:15-16), or anonymity or ignominy but pleasing to God? If you are of faith, truly saved and regenerated, you will ultimately pick the latter (Acts 5:41).
Agur's Observations 