Today's scripture focus is Genesis 6;13-22
13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Noah did all that God commanded him.
Even though he lived in a wilderness (sometimes translated desert).
Even though rain was scarce (some argue it had never fallen from the sky before).
Even though it sounded crazy.
Even though he was probably scared - I mean, wouldn't you be scared? God just told you everything and everyone on earth was going to be destroyed and it was up to you and your three sons to build an ark to save your family and EVERY type of animal.
I got to say, this is the part that stresses me. I plan for a month to go on a week long trip with my family. I can't imagine trying to plan for an indefinite trip in an ark filled with animals (some of who are natural enemies), making sure everyone has food, making sure everyone has space, not to mention dealing with a FLOOD (something that had never happened before).
But Noah trusted God, he did all that God commanded.
My kids are learning Philippians 4:4-14 this summer. Today we learned 4:6a - Do not be anxious about anything.
My 5 year old asked me what anxious means. I explained it means to be worried, nervous, or scared, and that in this verse we were being instructed NOT to be those things, but to rely on God.
I think if the New Testament had been written when Noah was building the ark, Phil 4:6a might have been his family's verse during that time.
It is what we all need to practice - not being anxious, and doing all God commands.
1 comment:
Noah's faith was truly amazing.
Another thing that jumped out at me is that we need to do all God's commands - even when we're the only one. The idea of there being only 8 people on the entire earth with faith in God is astounding! To have no other Christian support outside your own immediate family would be difficult indeed.
Post a Comment