Verses: Exodus 15:20-21; Genesis 5:21-24; Philemon
Fun Fact: The Chisos Mountains in Big Bend are the only mountain range in the U.S. to be completely contained within a national park; They are also the country’s southernmost mountain range.
Favorite Hike: Lost Mine Trail
Among the many superlatives Big Bend National Park could be in the running for, I think it certainly takes the prize for the most underrated national park. I had heard very little about Big Bend prior to planning a trip there and was pleasantly surprised with all it has to offer. Big Bend National Park, named after the horseshoe curve of the Rio Grande, is located in the southwest corner of Texas along the Texas-Mexico border. Probably one of the reasons for its low publicity is it’s not the easiest park to get to. It’s about a six-hour drive from San Antonio or four-to-five-hour drive from El Paso.
The national park has a diversity of topography. The Chisos Mountains run through the middle. They are the only mountain range fully contained within a single national park. The highest peak is Emory Peak at 7,835 feet. You can stay at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, which is the only hotel in the park. The park also contains part of the Chihuahuan Desert, one of the four North American deserts. The southern border of the park is the Rio Grande River, which for more than 1,000 miles, serves as the international boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. The middle of the deepest channel serves as the international boundary.
Big Bend has hiking, stargazing, river trips, even some hot springs. The combination of desert and mountains makes for some unique and enjoyable scenery. Big Bend will surprise you and hopefully become one of your favorite national parks.
This devotion was inspired by John F. MacArthur’s book Twelve Unlikely Heroes: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You.
This book looks at seemingly unimportant people in the Bible and how the Lord used them in powerful ways to accomplish His plan and purposes. How quick are we to read stories in the Bible and overlook the marvelous acts of faith of ordinary people? Just as a national park may be overlooked, so are people in our lives or in the Bible overlooked for their impact.
Let me share just a few:
Miriam
Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt and ransomed you from the house of slavery, And I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam. – Micah 6:4
Chances are you know the story of Moses, or at least some of the major scenes of his life: the parting of the Red Sea, the burning bush, receiving the ten commandments. You probably even know a little about his brother, Aaron, and his role in the exodus, but what about their sister, Miriam?
Not as much is said about Miriam, but she was there for all of Moses’ life events. She was there when Moses was found by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:7-9), she participated in the first Passover as Moses instructed, and she was there among the Hebrew people as they crossed the Red Sea. When they arrived safely on the other side, among all the praise and celebration, Miriam lead the women in a song of joy:
Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Miriam answered them, “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.” – Exodus 15:20-21.
Here she is called a prophetess, the first woman in the Bible to be given that title. It’s a testament to her faith and support through her brother’s life. In Micah, she is referenced along with her brothers, signifying her importance among the family. Oh, the stories she could tell.
Enoch
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. – Genesis 5:21-24
Enoch is probably one of those names that we know is biblical, but aren't exactly sure who Enoch was. Enoch is only mentioned in a handful of verses, but they are profound. In the four short verses of Genesis 5, we are told twice that he walked with God. We see him listed in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11 and described as pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:5). Hebrews 6 goes on to say that without faith it is impossible to please Him. This speaks to Enoch’s amazing faith—an example for us all. Can you imagine spending 300 years with such a strong relationship with the Lord?
Onesimus
I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
– Philemon 1:10
Have you read the book of Philemon? Do you know who it’s about? It’s written about a runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus left his master and fled to Rome where he met Paul. Onesimus served Paul during his time in prison, becoming a great help and student. In Philemon, Paul writes to Onesimus’s owner asking him to accept Onesimus the same as he would Paul and to charge his debt to Paul’s account. The book of Philemon (in its single chapter) teaches us about reconciliation, grace and forgiveness. In his book referenced above, MacArthur explains how Onesimus probably played a critical role in the collection and preservation of Paul’s letters and likely became the leader of the Ephesian church.
Miriam, Enoch and Onesimus represent just a few of the key individuals in scripture who we read over in a few verses and don’t pay much attention to. We don’t stop to grasp how significant their lives were and the critical role they played in the Lord’s plan. I pray as you visit Big Bend, you pick a few lesser known characters of the Bible (you have 3,237 to choose from) and see what you can learn from them.
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