Lesson 268: "Fifteen Minutes of Fame"
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). The lives of very few are lived in glory here on earth. Some may be recognized for a feat deserving of an award and others are never noticed at all, even they may have accomplished great things. Most strive to be the very best they can be at whatever life has dealt them while others only drift; biding their time. Becoming aware of these truths I began to notice that there are those I think should have awards for the un-sung wonders they perform and begrudging others their seemingly undeserved rewards, I began to search the Scriptures for men who were mentioned only once and then faded away. Surely there were thousands in Bible times that were never mentioned in the Word of God but I think maybe the “one-time-mentioned” names were for we who never realize our “fifteen minutes of fame”; showing plainly that whether famous or unknown, our life is but a mist. “Behold! I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12). Whether lowly or esteemed, “serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free” (Eph. 6:7-8).
In Israel’s history during the Exodus, God destroyed nations and kings to give Israel her land. Sihon and Og were two powerful kings the Lord helped Israel destroy just before they entered the land which was their inheritance (Num. 21:21-35). Og must have been one of the large, powerful men that Moses’ “spies” saw when they were sent to explore the land (Num. 13:1-3, 28, 32-32) because it is recorded that his bed was of iron, nine cubits in length and four cubits in breadth. His overthrow was later celebrated in song (Ps. 135:11). Though mentioned only once, these two kings controlled approximately 4500 square acres of territory east of the Jordan that the Israelites took possession of after being told they could not enter the land. Pul was the founder of what is called “second Assyrian empire” and his ambition was to found in western Asia, a kingdom which would embrace the entire civilized world. He seduced Syria and subdued Babylon, having been “stirred up in spirit” by the God of Israel (1 Chro. 5:26). Harbona, one of king Xerxes’ eunuchs who was ordered to bring queen Vashti to “entertain” the guest of the king and later suggested that Haman be hanged on the very gallows Haman had made for Mordecai (Esther 1:10, 7:9). King Jehoiakim commanded his own son, Jerahmeel to arrest Jeremiah (Jer. 36:26); Uzzah was slain for touching the Ark (2 Sam. 6:7) and Shobai, a gatekeeper of the temple (Ezra 2:42).
Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant who bore Jacob two sons (Gen. 30:9-12); Tryphena and Tryphonsa worked hard for the Lord and were friends of the Apostle Paul (Rom. 16:12); Susanna, one of the women who ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:3); Rhonda, the servant girl who was overjoyed at seeing Peter at the door (Acts 12:13-14). The two midwives, Shiphrah and Pyah were mentioned only once but what a mention; they most likely were the ones that saved Moses for the world that he might later bring the people out of Egypt (Ex. 1:1521).
Mrs. Noah had no speaking role in the bible and her name was never recorded but she must have been one of the most significant women to have lived on earth. Her presence was woven into the life of Noah and the faith in God was woven into her life. No one without faith could have done what she did. We do not know her age but it is recorded that she had, with Noah, three sons after Noah was 500 years old. She lived on land cursed by God caused from sin; she stood by Noah 120 years while he built an outrageously large boat, when she had no idea how the thing would float in the flood; or for that matter what rain to cause the flood even was (Gen 2:5-6). Surely she help to tend the “zoo” during the flood, trusting in God that Noah’s menagerie would eventually fend for their selves on dry ground. How could she have even stepped onto Noah’s Ark, leaving everything she knew behind? Her eyes had to be fixed on the world to come after the flood. It matters not that her name was not recorded; it matters not that some were only mentioned once and it matters not whether people know your name.
When police officers are forced to “subdue” a criminal with gunfire they are always asked; “was it a good shoot”? A good shoot means that everything possible had been done to keep peace and bring the felon in alive. When your name is mentioned, make sure that it is a “good mention”; “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18). “Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace” (2 Cor. 13:11). Don’t worry too much if your name here on earth is not remembered. I understand that we will be given a new name written on a white stone when we see our Savior (Rev. 2:17).
“Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).