Genesis 8 contains one of my most favorite verses in all of scripture. It should encourage us that we are never alone in this world. God can see, God can hear, his arm is not shortened so that he cannot save. God is near. As the flood waters subside, God makes a promise to himself to never again curse the ground and destroy all living things.
I posted yesterday about why the Old Testament uses The LORD as the name for God. If you are subscribed via email or follow The Master’s Table on Facebook you probably saw that but here is a link just in case.
The flood story takes place across three chapters. In Genesis 6, God gives Noah instructions to build the ark and Noah does according to all the LORD commands. In chapter 7 Noah and his family, with at least two of every animal enter the ark, and the flood comes. It rains for 40 days and 40 nights but the flood lasts much longer than that. That’s where we will leave our brave hero today but join us tomorrow for Genesis 8 and one of my favorite verses in the entire scripture.
I am trying to do a better job at having a professional sound but I live in the real world. I do not have a recording studio with sound proof walls, I live in a house with other people and pets. I don’t know if you can hear dogs bark outside, or the clicky clack of their feet on the floor, or cars passing or the train; but I can and it drives me nuts.
Look on the bright side; anything you do for God, anything you do that will help people find God, learn more about him or seek his will, the devil will be opposed to. So I might be talking out my head here but if the enemy is opposing me then maybe I’m doing something right. Let’s look at Genesis 6, talk about the issues, and identify what we can know for sure about Noah, his family, and what he did in response to God’s instructions.
When King Nebuchadnezzar decreed that only his image should be worshiped in Babylon three of his Hebrew subjects, Shadrach, Mechach and Abednego continued praying to the only true God. When called before him they boldly had this to say:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18
I must be the only blogger left that hasn’t had something to say about the Noah film currently playing in theaters. Nope, haven’t seen it so I can’t write a review. I can say with certainty that the film does not represent an accurate retelling of the biblical story of Noah found in Genesis. The filmmakers were clear about that from the beginning, so the claims movie goers are being lied to is exaggerated. This infographic attempts to clarify some actual facts regarding the true story of Noah:
The Noah movie has incredible graphics and a dramatic story. The list of facts above is biblically accurate but boring. Is there a compromise?
Presenting for your viewing enjoyment: The True Story of Noah
I give this film 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up!
I was reading Jon Bloom this morning at the Desiring God blog. The title of the post is The Folly of what Noah Preached and it compares the message preached by Noah to the New Testament sermons of which Paul said “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV) He draws a parallel between Noah’s sermon to repent and get on the ark and our sermon to repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In both cases judgement was announced and a plan of salvation offered.
Desiring God is one of the few blogs I read that does not allow readers to comment. So here is my comment: I can’t find evidence that Noah preached any such sermon. It’s just not in the Bible. Bloom’s post is based on Hebrews 11:7 which reads: Continue reading
Since yesterday was Labor Day, this may be the first day of the work week for many of you. Three day weekends are nice, but you can’t really skip that first day back. I always thought those Tuesdays had a Mondayish feel to them.
Chin up, chest out – Happy Tuesday!
When I set out to begin Bible Survey, I said that it would not be a verse by verse commentary on the entire Bible. Well, the problem is that I was doing almost exactly that. I’m working on it.
The Flood, Gen. 6-8 is now available. I invite you to join this journey through the Bible, and welcome an open discussion in the comments. Did the flood really happen, was it a global or local event, how did Noah get all the animals on the ark? Did the ark look like a boat, or is the “shoe box” design more accurate? Hit me.
Many of us in the United States are so richly over blessed that we are out of touch with the rest of the world. I remind my students a few times each year that America is not the world, and it happened again today. Continue reading
Here’s a useful illustration you’re welcome to. Or perhaps just a funny story.
The Master's Table 