A Great Cloud of Witnesses: EnochSample

When broadcasters highlight team sports, it’s typical for them to shout out the standouts. So for football, it might be the quarterback of an amazing running back. It’s rare that announcers call out for a field goal kicker. But you can’t lick a successful field goal without someone holding the ball. When I think about Enoch’s faith, I can’t help but think about his obscurity, and yet God notices him. He notices the person who holds the ball for the field goal kicker, so to speak.

Enoch’s account is short, but his faith is huge. His faith caught the attention of the Lord so much so that he is mentioned in Hebrews 11. But I imagine that most of us skimmed over him in our Bible reading. He is so obscure. It almost seems like a random inclusion. But God is not like man. God notices the faithfulness of Enoch. God notices his life—this little-known faithful saint.

If we continue through Hebrews 11, we would see that the writer begins naming categories of people who were faithful (11:13-14, 29, 32-40). God doesn’t put everyone’s name in the Scriptures, but we can be certain that those He has counted as righteous, He will put in His book of life (Rev. 20:15). You and I will lead a life of faith mostly in obscurity. Enoch’s account reminds us that faithful obedience—a life lived for the Lord—is not in vain. He would not have known that hundreds of years after his death, he’d be remembered. But the writer of Hebrews reminds us: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10).

You and I don’t need a stage, accolades, or acknowledgment. God isn’t calling us to be noticed; He calls us to be faithful. And God in His goodness rewards that faithfulness—in the life to come. Keep going. He notices and that is all that matters. Enoch’s faith is recorded in one line of Scripture, yet he is put in the Hall of Faith. His life was utterly important even though we don’t know much about him. Faithfulness is what matters most.

Who in your local church or community do you think excels at faithful living in obscurity?