"But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark - you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you." Genesis 6:18
Now God is starting to explain why he's having Noah build the ark. It's for Noah and his family to enter into. God is offering Noah a way to save himself and his family from the coming destruction.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Genesis 6:17
"I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish." Genesis 6:17
Now God is telling Noah how he plans to destroy the world: water. It's amazing that a substance we think of as life giving can be so destructive. But God is going to wash away his creation that disappointed him so much.
Now God is telling Noah how he plans to destroy the world: water. It's amazing that a substance we think of as life giving can be so destructive. But God is going to wash away his creation that disappointed him so much.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Genesis 6:16
"Make a roof for it and finish the ark to
within 18 inches of the top. Put a door
in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks." Genesis 6:16
More
building plans. This huge basket you're going to build, make sure to
put in a window just below the roof line and a door in the side and
three floors. What was Noah thinking at this time? About how much room
there was in there and what or who all would fit?
Or
maybe Noah was still wondering why he was building this huge structure
if God was about to destroy the whole world anyway? It's hard to want
to build something if you know someone is going to come along behind you
and tear it all down. Are there times God asks us to build something
that seems unrelated or counter productive to the future of the world?
Do we really need to know the why to obey?
Genesis 6:15
"This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high." Genesis 6:15
The Qbible has the dimensions given in cubits which are approximately 1 cubit to 18 inches. That is one big basket. At this point, Noah's got to be wondering why he God wants him to build a basket bigger than his house. But maybe not. God just told him he was going to destroy the world and then in the next breath to build a huge basket. I'm sure people used baskets back then to carry things, so maybe Noah is expecting God to be the one carrying this basket.
The Qbible has the dimensions given in cubits which are approximately 1 cubit to 18 inches. That is one big basket. At this point, Noah's got to be wondering why he God wants him to build a basket bigger than his house. But maybe not. God just told him he was going to destroy the world and then in the next breath to build a huge basket. I'm sure people used baskets back then to carry things, so maybe Noah is expecting God to be the one carrying this basket.
Genesis 6:14
"So make yourself an ark out of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out." Genesis 6:14
The Qbible also translates ark as box or basket. So God is giving Noah instructions on what to do now that he's decided to destroy the people of the earth. Make a basket with rooms inside and then cover it with pitch.
The Qbible also translates ark as box or basket. So God is giving Noah instructions on what to do now that he's decided to destroy the people of the earth. Make a basket with rooms inside and then cover it with pitch.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Genesis 6:13
"So God said to Noah, 'I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.'" Genesis 6:13
God is telling Noah his plans for mankind and the earth. That had to make Noah's heart jump with fear. "You're going to destroy us, God? Not that we don't deserve it, but do you have to?" That would be a terrifying moment to have the almighty creator of the universe tell you that.
But even without him speaking directly into our ears we know that the world will end and even if that might be millennia away, we also know that death comes for everyone at any time. So what do we do with that? We don't know how long we have on this earth and we don't know how long our neighbors have on this earth. If I die tomorrow what regrets will I leave behind? If my friend dies tomorrow what regrets will I have for my relationship with them?
God, give me the strength, courage, and the right words to share what others around me need to hear.
God is telling Noah his plans for mankind and the earth. That had to make Noah's heart jump with fear. "You're going to destroy us, God? Not that we don't deserve it, but do you have to?" That would be a terrifying moment to have the almighty creator of the universe tell you that.
But even without him speaking directly into our ears we know that the world will end and even if that might be millennia away, we also know that death comes for everyone at any time. So what do we do with that? We don't know how long we have on this earth and we don't know how long our neighbors have on this earth. If I die tomorrow what regrets will I leave behind? If my friend dies tomorrow what regrets will I have for my relationship with them?
God, give me the strength, courage, and the right words to share what others around me need to hear.
Genesis 6:12
"God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways." Genesis 6:12
It says the people "corrupted their ways." This isn't something that happened to them, but a decision the people made about their own lifestyles. They had a decision and instead of choosing the righteous path they chose evil. I'm sure they didn't wake up one morning and think, "I'm going to be evil now," but just one little decision at a time. "One little white lie won't hurt anyone." "I need it more than he does." "But it feels good." One step became twenty became a hundred and before they knew it they were enemies with God. What once was clearly wrong became normal and if it's okay for you than it's okay for me too. The devil can only lead us away from God if we let him.
It says the people "corrupted their ways." This isn't something that happened to them, but a decision the people made about their own lifestyles. They had a decision and instead of choosing the righteous path they chose evil. I'm sure they didn't wake up one morning and think, "I'm going to be evil now," but just one little decision at a time. "One little white lie won't hurt anyone." "I need it more than he does." "But it feels good." One step became twenty became a hundred and before they knew it they were enemies with God. What once was clearly wrong became normal and if it's okay for you than it's okay for me too. The devil can only lead us away from God if we let him.
Genesis 6:11
"Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence." Genesis 6:11
So we have Noah with his three sons living in a time of corruption and violence just running rampant across the entire world and he was still called a righteous man. That takes a lot of fortitude. How many times did Noah have to resist the temptation to repay the evil he received with more evil? How many times did he see victims he tried to help only to have the victims turn around and commit the same crimes and sins committed against them on others? How many times did he despair and almost loose all hope? How many times was he tempted to give in and give up on God and follow the example of his peers around him?
But he didn't. Noah remained a righteous man, walking continually with God. If Noah could do it with nothing but evil around him, why can't I when there are good influences around me?
So we have Noah with his three sons living in a time of corruption and violence just running rampant across the entire world and he was still called a righteous man. That takes a lot of fortitude. How many times did Noah have to resist the temptation to repay the evil he received with more evil? How many times did he see victims he tried to help only to have the victims turn around and commit the same crimes and sins committed against them on others? How many times did he despair and almost loose all hope? How many times was he tempted to give in and give up on God and follow the example of his peers around him?
But he didn't. Noah remained a righteous man, walking continually with God. If Noah could do it with nothing but evil around him, why can't I when there are good influences around me?
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