The Forgotten and those who shine in the Book of Books (The Old Testament Review)
There is something common about those who are remembered and those who are forgotten in the Book of Books—the Bible. Here, I will examine a few individuals from the Old Testament who, despite their proximity to significant historical events, remain largely unknown. Additionally, I will highlight those whose names have stood the test of time, serving as a testimony of encouragement and bringing glory to God.
One example is the young men from Judah mentioned in the first chapter of the book of Daniel. We read that after the Babylonian captivity, the king sought the best of the Israelite youth to serve in his kingdom. These young men were to be trained in the ways of the Babylonians and enjoy the privileges of the royal court. Among them, we specifically hear about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. However, there were many others whose names are not recorded. Despite being part of the same group, only these four are remembered for their unwavering faith in God, while the rest remain nameless in history.
Furthermore, in chapter three of Daniel, we read about the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold and commanded that at the sound of musical instruments, everyone must bow down and worship it (Daniel 3:1, 5). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in their faith and refused to worship the idol, demonstrating remarkable courage. As a result, the king, in his fury, ordered them to be thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19). The question arises: where were the rest of the people of Judah who had been taken into captivity with them? The answer is evident—they had bowed to the golden image, blending into the multitude. One profound lesson we learn from this is that the majority often follow the wrong path, while only a few stand firm in the truth. This pattern is evident throughout various passages in the Bible.
Another example is found in the story of the Tower of Babel. The builders of the tower sought to make a name for themselves, they were just united in rebellion (Genesis 11:4). Some historians, without definitive evidence, suggest that a man named Nimrod led this endeavour, but the Bible does not explicitly confirm this. Regardless, the leader and the builders remain among the forgotten, as their unity was in rebellion against God rather than in obedience to Him.
Similarly, during the time when the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience to God, Gideon rose to lead Israel to victory. When Gideon went to fight the Midianites, certain tribes joined him and were mentioned in Scripture. However, other tribes were without any specific recognition or mention because they were nowhere to be seen as they probably continued in hiding or were among those who went back or were sent back. Their absence from the biblical narrative serves as a reminder that not all who witness great events will be remembered, especially if they do not stand boldly for God's purposes.
On the other hand, those whom God remembers are those who humbly follow Him. God promised to make Abraham's name great (Genesis 12:2), but Abraham himself did not seek fame. Instead, he was careful to obey the Lord and live according to His guidance. This principle holds true for the others mentioned above who did not strive for personal greatness but were steadfast in their commitment to God. As James 4:10 reminds us, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of individuals whom God exalted, often from humble beginnings, because of their faithfulness and dependence on Him.
Another crucial lesson from these men of faith is that they wholly relied on God and attributed their successes to Him, not to themselves. Their stories encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when surrounded by those who compromise. May we strive to be among those whom God remembers, not for personal glory, but for our unwavering trust in Him and our willingness to stand firm in His truth. If you read the book of Hebrews eleven, you can learn more about the remembered in the book of books, the men of great faith who stood.
