"The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in." Genesis 7:16
Again, Noah didn't just bring in the male animals or just the female animals, but he brought in both genders of every kind of animal. It also repeatedly points out that Noah is doing these things just as God commanded him to. It doesn't tell us how Noah felt about these commands or even if he went about them without grumbling or complaining about them or if he ever questioned God - it only tells us that he obeyed God.
It doesn't matter if we understand what or why God tells us to do something. Sometimes, like Noah, we can look back and understand how obeying saved us from some calamity. There are some things that we may never understand in this life, but that doesn't mean that they weren't for our benefit anyway.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Genesis 7:15
"Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark." Genesis 7:15
This is reiterating the point that pairs of every kind of animal came to Noah and were loaded into the ark. Noah didn't leave any kind of animal out no matter how much he may have wanted to.
This is reiterating the point that pairs of every kind of animal came to Noah and were loaded into the ark. Noah didn't leave any kind of animal out no matter how much he may have wanted to.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Genesis 7:14
"They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings." Genesis 7:14
As God told them to, Noah and his family had every kind of animal, except of course the sea creatures, in the ark with them. Even if you say a kind of animal is a general term and referring to a pair of dogs as opposed to a specific breed, that is still a lot of animals. They certainly had their work cut out for them just caring for the creatures loaded up with them. At least temporarily, Noah and his family were zookeepers or ranchers.
As God told them to, Noah and his family had every kind of animal, except of course the sea creatures, in the ark with them. Even if you say a kind of animal is a general term and referring to a pair of dogs as opposed to a specific breed, that is still a lot of animals. They certainly had their work cut out for them just caring for the creatures loaded up with them. At least temporarily, Noah and his family were zookeepers or ranchers.
Genesis 7:13
"On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark." Genesis 7:13
So these eight people went into the ark the day the rain started.
So these eight people went into the ark the day the rain started.
Genesis 7:12
"And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights." Genesis 7:12
That's almost a month and a half that it rained. I get tired of the rain after just a day or two, can you imagine having it rain non-stop for 40 days? With all the rain, would night and day have looked much different from each other? It must have been a great relief to those eight people when the rain finally stopped and the sun peeked back out.
That's almost a month and a half that it rained. I get tired of the rain after just a day or two, can you imagine having it rain non-stop for 40 days? With all the rain, would night and day have looked much different from each other? It must have been a great relief to those eight people when the rain finally stopped and the sun peeked back out.
Genesis 7:11
"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month - on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." Genesis 7:11
Verse 10 tells us that the floodwater came to the earth after 7 days, and now verse 11 is specifying the month and day that the waters came. It tells us that it didn't just rain, but that springs of water came from the deep below bringing even more water to the surface. Both Bible Ref and Bible Study Tools suggest there was a great underground ocean as well as a canopy of water encircling the globe that were let loose to flood the earth.
Verse 10 tells us that the floodwater came to the earth after 7 days, and now verse 11 is specifying the month and day that the waters came. It tells us that it didn't just rain, but that springs of water came from the deep below bringing even more water to the surface. Both Bible Ref and Bible Study Tools suggest there was a great underground ocean as well as a canopy of water encircling the globe that were let loose to flood the earth.
Genesis 7:10
"And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth." Genesis 7:10
So after a week of bringing the animals into the ark, the flood starts. Does this mean it started raining or does it mean water suddenly burst forth and covered the land? I don't know.
The commentary from Bible Ref notes that the Hebrew word for "earth" used in this verse is often used for a region instead of the entire planet, so there are some that say that the flood only destroyed the regions that were inhabited by mankind.
The National Center for Science Education has an article arguing that the flood was only a local flood using scientific evidences derived from rocks and fossils left behind. BioLogos agrees that it was only a local flood saying that we should interpret the flood story through the lens of the ancient Hebrews. This article points out pretty early on that Christians have three options when scientific discoveries in God's creation seem to conflict with our interpretations of God's word. We can abandon our faith in favor of the science, deny the scientific evidence to keep our interpretation, or reconsider our interpretations of scripture - the science might not actually disagree with the Bible, but rather our interpretations of it. Evidence for God uses the scriptures to argue in favor of the local flood.
On the opposite side of the argument CBN has an article with scriptural evidence (including words from Jesus) that the flood was a global event. Likewise, Creation Ministries International also argues for a universal flood stating that such a flood would account for the rocks and fossils that cover immense areas. Don Stewart spells out a clear argument for the universal flood pointing out that about 1600 years before God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply so there could have been several hundred million people on the earth by the time Noah built the ark and they probably wouldn't have stayed confined to the Mesopotamian valley.
The Amazing Bible Timeline with World History summarizes both sides into 7 short bullet points. Both sides seem to have valid points and some convincing arguments. Personally, I think I still lean towards the global flood, but whether the flood was a global event or just local event it is not the breaking point for my faith. Either way, God told Noah he was going to wipe out humanity except for him and his family and he did.
So after a week of bringing the animals into the ark, the flood starts. Does this mean it started raining or does it mean water suddenly burst forth and covered the land? I don't know.
The commentary from Bible Ref notes that the Hebrew word for "earth" used in this verse is often used for a region instead of the entire planet, so there are some that say that the flood only destroyed the regions that were inhabited by mankind.
The National Center for Science Education has an article arguing that the flood was only a local flood using scientific evidences derived from rocks and fossils left behind. BioLogos agrees that it was only a local flood saying that we should interpret the flood story through the lens of the ancient Hebrews. This article points out pretty early on that Christians have three options when scientific discoveries in God's creation seem to conflict with our interpretations of God's word. We can abandon our faith in favor of the science, deny the scientific evidence to keep our interpretation, or reconsider our interpretations of scripture - the science might not actually disagree with the Bible, but rather our interpretations of it. Evidence for God uses the scriptures to argue in favor of the local flood.
On the opposite side of the argument CBN has an article with scriptural evidence (including words from Jesus) that the flood was a global event. Likewise, Creation Ministries International also argues for a universal flood stating that such a flood would account for the rocks and fossils that cover immense areas. Don Stewart spells out a clear argument for the universal flood pointing out that about 1600 years before God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply so there could have been several hundred million people on the earth by the time Noah built the ark and they probably wouldn't have stayed confined to the Mesopotamian valley.
The Amazing Bible Timeline with World History summarizes both sides into 7 short bullet points. Both sides seem to have valid points and some convincing arguments. Personally, I think I still lean towards the global flood, but whether the flood was a global event or just local event it is not the breaking point for my faith. Either way, God told Noah he was going to wipe out humanity except for him and his family and he did.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Genesis 7:9
"Male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah." Genesis 7:9
This continuation of verse 8 tells us that male and female of every kind of animal entered into the ark. And for the third time in scripture it is saying things are happening just as God had commanded Noah. When push comes to shove, Noah is obeying and continues to obey the word of the God of everything.
I wonder about the choice of the word used for "God" in the account of Noah. So far it's been a pretty even split between the words Elohiym and Yahweh. When Lamech names Noah (5:29), when God is talking in the first part of chapter 6 (6:3, 6, 7, 8), and again when God commands Noah to enter the ark (7:1) it uses Yahweh, the Hebrew name of God that means "the Great I Am." While Elohiym, the word that means "gods" or "almighty God," is used when describing the followers of God (6:2, 4) and when talking about God in the later part of chapter 6 (6:9, 11, 12, 13). In 6:22 when scripture tells us Noah did everything just as God commanded him and again in the verse we're looking at now (7:9) when the animals entered the ark as God commanded it uses Elohiym, while in 7:5 where scripture repeats that Noah did everything as God commanded it uses Yahweh.
Maybe scripture is telling us that Noah didn't just obey some great impersonal power in the sky, but that he had a personal relationship with his God and obeyed that familiar presence by his side. Yes, God is the almighty God, creator of the universe down to the tiniest detail, but he is also something we can have a familiar, personable relationship with.
This continuation of verse 8 tells us that male and female of every kind of animal entered into the ark. And for the third time in scripture it is saying things are happening just as God had commanded Noah. When push comes to shove, Noah is obeying and continues to obey the word of the God of everything.
I wonder about the choice of the word used for "God" in the account of Noah. So far it's been a pretty even split between the words Elohiym and Yahweh. When Lamech names Noah (5:29), when God is talking in the first part of chapter 6 (6:3, 6, 7, 8), and again when God commands Noah to enter the ark (7:1) it uses Yahweh, the Hebrew name of God that means "the Great I Am." While Elohiym, the word that means "gods" or "almighty God," is used when describing the followers of God (6:2, 4) and when talking about God in the later part of chapter 6 (6:9, 11, 12, 13). In 6:22 when scripture tells us Noah did everything just as God commanded him and again in the verse we're looking at now (7:9) when the animals entered the ark as God commanded it uses Elohiym, while in 7:5 where scripture repeats that Noah did everything as God commanded it uses Yahweh.
Maybe scripture is telling us that Noah didn't just obey some great impersonal power in the sky, but that he had a personal relationship with his God and obeyed that familiar presence by his side. Yes, God is the almighty God, creator of the universe down to the tiniest detail, but he is also something we can have a familiar, personable relationship with.
Genesis 7:8
"Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground," Genesis 7:8
Noah and his family have entered into the ark and now the story turns to the animals.
Noah and his family have entered into the ark and now the story turns to the animals.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Genesis 7:7
"And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood." Genesis 7:7
Now Noah and his family are seeing the physical benefit to obeying God. The ark is the way of their salvation from the floodwaters that are destroying everything they know.
Some times we don't understand how obeying God will help in a situation until years later when the crisis hits and salvation comes from our previous obedience. We may not hear a voice giving us instruction like Noah did. So how do we listen for his instructions to know what to do? Is reading and studying the Bible enough? If we pray will we hear a voice reply?
Why did God seem to talk to the people of the old testament with an audible voice, but seem silent now? Maybe he didn't talk to everyone. Did any of Noah's family hear God or did they just know what Noah told them?
God, however you choose to talk to me, please open my ears and mind so that I can hear and comprehend your words. Amen.
Now Noah and his family are seeing the physical benefit to obeying God. The ark is the way of their salvation from the floodwaters that are destroying everything they know.
Some times we don't understand how obeying God will help in a situation until years later when the crisis hits and salvation comes from our previous obedience. We may not hear a voice giving us instruction like Noah did. So how do we listen for his instructions to know what to do? Is reading and studying the Bible enough? If we pray will we hear a voice reply?
Why did God seem to talk to the people of the old testament with an audible voice, but seem silent now? Maybe he didn't talk to everyone. Did any of Noah's family hear God or did they just know what Noah told them?
God, however you choose to talk to me, please open my ears and mind so that I can hear and comprehend your words. Amen.
Genesis 7:6
"Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on earth." Genesis 7:6
Now the destruction God told Noah about has come. It doesn't say how old Noah was when God first told him about the coming flood or how long he had to prepare, but he was six hundred when the waters finally came.
Now the destruction God told Noah about has come. It doesn't say how old Noah was when God first told him about the coming flood or how long he had to prepare, but he was six hundred when the waters finally came.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Genesis 7:5
"And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him." Genesis 7:5
Again scripture repeats that Noah was obedient to God. If you have to be known for one thing that's an amazing heritage to leave behind. It's hard enough to be obedient to God in just one thing, much less all.
Again scripture repeats that Noah was obedient to God. If you have to be known for one thing that's an amazing heritage to leave behind. It's hard enough to be obedient to God in just one thing, much less all.
Genesis 7:4
"Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." Genesis 7:4
The Qbible has that "creature" can be translated as "thing." So God is telling Noah that he's going to destroy, not just the people and the animals, but every living thing from the land. While saying every thing vs every creature may mean the same thing, the connotations of thing make that statement seem more all inclusive, especially with the word used for wipe meaning to "erase." That's a very final judgment.
The Qbible has that "creature" can be translated as "thing." So God is telling Noah that he's going to destroy, not just the people and the animals, but every living thing from the land. While saying every thing vs every creature may mean the same thing, the connotations of thing make that statement seem more all inclusive, especially with the word used for wipe meaning to "erase." That's a very final judgment.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Genesis 7:3
"'And also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.'" Genesis 7:3
The birds are not listed as having mates, just to take male and female. It's curious that the reason to bring the birds is simple to keep their different kinds alive on the earth.
The birds are not listed as having mates, just to take male and female. It's curious that the reason to bring the birds is simple to keep their different kinds alive on the earth.
Genesis 7:2
"'Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,'" Genesis 7:2
God is giving Noah details on how many animals of each kind to take. Is this seven pairs of each clean animal? Because otherwise that leaves one animal without a mate. Maybe the extras are female so as to reproduce faster. Ark Encounter presents arguments for translating this as seven pairs or as seven animals. The Hebrew text literally states "seven seven" which is an odd way of saying either seven or fourteen.
Seven animals could point back to the pattern God has already established in creation week, with six days of work and one holy day where he rested. While "seven seven, a male and his female" could just be an unusual way of saying seven pairs. With the limited data we are provided and not being fluent in Hebrew, but relying on others definitions, I find myself leaning more towards it referring to seven animals.
God is giving Noah details on how many animals of each kind to take. Is this seven pairs of each clean animal? Because otherwise that leaves one animal without a mate. Maybe the extras are female so as to reproduce faster. Ark Encounter presents arguments for translating this as seven pairs or as seven animals. The Hebrew text literally states "seven seven" which is an odd way of saying either seven or fourteen.
Seven animals could point back to the pattern God has already established in creation week, with six days of work and one holy day where he rested. While "seven seven, a male and his female" could just be an unusual way of saying seven pairs. With the limited data we are provided and not being fluent in Hebrew, but relying on others definitions, I find myself leaning more towards it referring to seven animals.
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