Mr. Slow of Speech

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