Remember last week how Enoch was so nervous to be called to preach the word because “I am slow of speech”? (Moses 6:31)
It’s so relatable— thinking our shortcomings disqualify us from the work.
And Enoch felt that his poor command of language disqualified him.
But did you catch what change had happened by the next chapter?
It’s SO COOL.
Enoch is now leading righteous people as enemies come to battle against them.
Enoch is causing the earth to tremble with his great faith.
And the nations of the earth fear Enoch.
Why?
“So powerful was the WORD of Enoch, and so great was the power of the LANGUAGE which God had given him.” (Moses 7:13)
Where’s Mr. “slow of speech” now?!
He’s using such powerful language and words that he is able to control elements, display mighty faith, and gather righteous people together.
His weakness became his strength.
But we can’t skip over that last part of the verse, because Enoch’s weakness didn’t become his strength just because he wanted it to.
“… which God had given him.”
The lesson of Enoch’s story isn’t that if we work hard enough, we can turn our weaknesses into strengths.
Instead, this is a lesson that God can do anything.
He needed Enoch to be mighty in speech and in language, and so he worked a mighty miracle to grow this faithful man’s talents.
But Moses also felt that he was slow in speech, and God directed him to Aaron instead of changing Moses’ abilities.
Even thinking of latter-day prophets, there have been some who have been powerful orators, and others who seem less comfortable at the pulpit.
It’s an interesting lesson to internalize— we don’t all get blessed with the same gifts just because we want them, even if they are for a righteous purpose.
Why?
It’s up to God.
Maybe we will have the chance to grow our weakness into a strength.
Maybe our weakness will stay our weakness.
Maybe we will use our strength to complement others’ weaknesses.
Maybe we will learn to rely on others more.
God can give us anything!
And sometimes that takes a lot of trust to believe that He knows what we need more than we know.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
