Nations and People Groups 2 of 6

Nations and People Groups 2 of 6

Genesis 10: ⁶ The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. ⁷ The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

 

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Only one child of Ham was cursed by Noah and his name was Canaan. Noah may have seen something different in the way Canaan acted and how he may have wanted power. Ham’s sons would form great nations like Mizraim otherwise known as Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD did not wipe out the sons of Ham.
• GOD allowed Ham’s sons to flourish into great nations that would one day enslave humans.
• Ham’s sons may have felt cursed, even though it was focused only on Canaan.

 

GOD goes into detail about Ham’s grandchildren and great grandchildren from Cush. Havilah was a name mentioned when GOD told Moses about the Garden of Eden. It was known for its gold. Raamah would have a son, Sheba, who would have a famous queen.

 

Ham’s sons seemed to desire power, possibly at the cost of lives. Noah’s curse would have an effect on the sons, trying to make sure this prophecy would never come true. Rage would blossom from the sons that would be passed to the grandsons and great grandsons. All because of and act of giving into Canaan, GOD heard Noah.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Ham’s sons to Moses?
• Have you ever been mad at GOD or even blamed HIM for where you are in life?
• Even though it may be difficult, can you see GOD has you right where HE needs you to be today?

Nations and People Groups 1 of 6

 Nations and People Groups 1 of 6

Genesis 10: Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.

 

² The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. ³ The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. ⁴ The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ⁵ From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

 

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GOD turned his conversation away from what happened to “who” started a nation or a people group. As GOD is presenting the information to Moses, HE describes the division of thought and from “who” the division derived.

 

My Observations:

• Japeth was the oldest son of Noah, who had sons that started nations that would be mentioned.
• GOD saw Japeth’s sons and kept HIS promise of not flooding the earth.
• GOD knew some of Japeth’s sons would become difficult rulers, and HE did not flood the earth.

 

Human logic contains sin that blinds us from understanding why GOD does what HE does. HE allowed groups of people to grow in disbelief of HIM and HIS ways. Each group of people formed their own language, probably to communicate ways to fight or hate each other.

 

At first one would see a list of names, but this list was more than a trace of parents, rather it was the beginning of divisions of people who would choose GOD or fight against HIM. Fortunately, GOD had a plan that could not be stopped. HE would raise a Savior out of the sons of Noah.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD switch to telling Moses about nations and people groups?
• Have you ever wanted to belong to a group to fit in?
• Is your fight against other people in line with HIS command to “Love one another?”

Message Heard

Message Heard

Genesis 9: ²⁴ So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. ²⁵ Then he said:

“Cursed be Canaan;
A servant of servants
He shall be to his brethren.”

²⁶ And he said:

“Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Shem,
And may Canaan be his servant.
²⁷ May God enlarge Japheth,
And may he dwell in the tents of Shem;
And may Canaan be his servant.”

²⁸ And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. ²⁹ So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died.

 

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For a while, Noah may have ignored his grandson Canaan. It seemed that Canaan was power hungry and wanted to be known. He may have influenced his father into doing some sort of initiation by challenging Noah, walking into his tent and talking about Noah’s nakedness. When Noah awoke from his drunkenness, he may have heard about what had happened. Noah talked to GOD about it.

 

My Observations:

• GOD listened to Noah and agreed with the first curse that came from a human.
• Noah’s relationship with the LORD was so strong, that he placed his problem before HIM, knowing it would be done.
• Noah did not curse or bless Ham, rather he focused on the root cause of the power struggle, namely Canaan.

 

Obtaining many followers was probably Canaan’s desire. By making his father perform a sophomoric initiation act, he may have demonstrated his influential power. But he did not know GOD would listen to Noah. A curse was placed over Canaan and those who followed him.

 

This curse would not play out for decades, so people may have laughed, just like the people who scoffed at the need for an ark. BUT GOD also heard Noah’s cry to increase Japeth’s faith in HIM and to reward Shem for his faithfulness. This was the last notable thing Noah did for the LORD. He lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood, constantly communicating with the LORD.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD shares with Moses this conversation between HIM and Noah?
• Have you ever felt like someone, who clearly was against GOD, seemed to be holding you and others back from delightfully serving the LORD?
• Will you place your problem before the LORD today, knowing HE hears those who love HIM and HIS ways?

Influenced

Influenced

Genesis 9: ²⁰ And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. ²¹ Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. ²² And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. ²³ But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

 

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Decades after the flood, the ark was still there as a reminder of what GOD had done. Some may have studied the design to be ready for another flood, not knowing GOD’s promise. They may have even stolen pieces of the ark to use in their own construction. After a while Noah’s grandson Canaan grew in power, not listening to the stories of the great flood.

 

Canaan had possibly become an influencer, convincing even his own father to participate in rituals and actions that ridiculed GOD. “Who told you that you were naked? “, was the question GOD asked Adam and Eve getting them to self-assess their act of disobedience. Canaan may have ridiculed this question from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Even when humanity was started over, misunderstandings of GOD took people away from HIM.
• Sin nature caused some people to move away from GOD by his or her own choice.
• GOD loved, provided and showed extreme patience, but humans saw GOD as a set of rules, keeping them from doing as they pleased.

 

“What about Ham?”, one may ask. He was the one who saw his father naked. But Ham may have been influenced by his son Canaan who possibly had spoken against GOD. Shem and Japeth did not seem to be influenced by Canaan or the culture he was building.

 

GOD saw and sees the cultures pull from HIM. HE shows incredible patience and HE meant what HE said about not destroying humanity with a flood anymore. HE allowed humans to do as they pleased for a season, knowing all would have to face HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD keep mentioning Canaan, even though Ham, Shem and Japeth had other children?
• Are there ways and timing of GOD that you disagree with?
• Will you surrender your possible influenced expectations of GOD so HE can guide you to the truth today?

Start of Nations

Start of Nations

Genesis 9: ¹⁸ Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. ¹⁹ These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

 

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From this family, every nation was formed. GOD made the ability to create diverse beings through two people, Adam and Eve. HE continued this propagation of diverse beings through Noah’s family. But I don’t think GOD was trying to prove HE could create variations in body types.

 

My Observations:

• GOD may have been talking to Moses, telling him about a large problem he was going to face.
• GOD was bringing Moses up to date when HE listed Noah’s genealogy
• Moses seemed to have an “aha” moment when he wrote “Ham was the father of Canaan.

 

Decades had passed and many people were born. GOD is dictating what happened to the family of Noah to Moses. Oh, Ham was the father of Canaan, Moses may have written with better understanding. This information put a problem into perspective for Moses. Ham had other children, BUT GOD specifically told Moses about Canaan.

 

This leads me to believe that the list is not a genealogy to prove GOD could make humans with diverse body types, rather it is a list of where the problem started. Calling out Canaan filled in the gap for Moses. In later verses, we will see why.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD call out Canaan in this list?
• Have you ever wondered where a certain problem started in your life?
• Can you let GOD inform you about missing information you need to move forward?

Mercy

Mercy

Genesis 9: ¹² And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: ¹³ I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. ¹⁴ It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; ¹⁵ and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. ¹⁶ The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ¹⁷ And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

 

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After wiping out all living things, only eight people remained. Noah, his wife, his sons and their wives were given the blessing to be fruitful and multiply for the purpose of GOD. BUT GOD knew this blessing would not last very long. HE saw the sins of humans and knew they would turn from HIM. HE created a reminder for HIMSELF that HE placed at the end of storms. HE created a rainbow.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shows incredible restraint when it comes to how HE handles human sin.
• GOD gave HIMSELF a reminder that HE would not wipe out humans, rather save them.
• GOD showed us mercy that is beyond all understanding.

 

Officially, GOD turned over the earth to humans. HE would no longer have a Garden on earth that would grow itself. Animals would fear humans and sometimes attack. Humans were given control and would need help guiding each other to listen to GOD. But culture would get in the way.

 

Culture tries to steal rainbows and give it a false meaning to fit their agenda. BUT GOD uses it for an entirely different purpose. HE is using the rainbow like a set of brakes on a car. HE stops HIMSELF from wrath and shows mercy instead.

 

JESUS, in a sense, can be that rainbow. The HOLY SPIRIT, who lives inside believers, may see and experience the hurt of sin. HE begs to JESUS in utterances we do not understand. JESUS stands before the FATHER on our behalf. Mercy is granted. GOD remembers and provides mercy!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the promise HE made to HIMSELF?
• Have you ever needed mercy?
• Have you taken time to consider how much mercy GOD has shown you over your life?

Dependable Promise

Dependable Promise

Genesis 9: ⁸ Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: ⁹ “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, ¹⁰ and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. ¹¹ Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

 

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Turning over all control of the earth to humans required some assurance. GOD the creator, wiped out most living things. Only those who were on the ark survived. HE did this because the thoughts and actions of humans were guided by their sin nature which led to extreme violence. GOD devised a plan with one person, Noah.

 

His family was saved because he walked with the LORD. GOD, knowing the son’s hearts, gave a commandment to preserve life. No killing or eating humans. Then GOD gave assurance that HE would never wipe out humans with a flood.

 

My Observations:

• When GOD makes a promise, HE is faithful and just to keep it.
• GOD knew that humans would not choose HIM, yet HE promised to not wipe them out.
• GOD showed mercy and grace towards humans, knowing HE was the one who had to save them from themselves.

 

Assurance that GOD would never flood the earth was given to every human, animal and bug. But it was more than assurance. It was disclosure that another plan was in action. GOD was not rolling over and allowing humans to be ruled by their sin nature.

 

HE allowed humanity to live with free will to choose HIM or not. HE gave humanity another chance and set an example of what amazing grace looked like. Even when GOD is hated, looked at as a problem versus a solution or shows HIMSELF faithful by providing and is turned away from by HIS creation; GOD still keeps HIS promise.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this promise HE made to all living things?
• Have you ever doubted GOD’s love for you?
• Are you willing to let go of some of your doubt by focusing on the promises GOD made to you today?

Human Life Prioritized

Human Life Prioritized

Genesis 9: So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. ² And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. ³ Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. ⁴ But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. ⁵ Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.

 

⁶ “Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed;
For in the image of God
He made man.
⁷ And as for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Bring forth abundantly in the earth
And multiply in it.”

 

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Life as Noah was used to had changed. No longer would things be the same. GOD had not spoken to Noah’s sons before. Perhaps they were not interested, BUT GOD was starting humanity over. Satan had caused humans to fall. His demons fell and birthed giants. Noah’s sons were living in a world that could care less about GOD.

 

They got married, possibly to descendants of Cain or maybe from the lineage of the giants, spawned from the demonic union. Whatever the case, GOD saw something different in Noah’s sons that HE had to provide clarity to.

 

My Observations:

• GOD values all human life, male and female.
• GOD allowed humans to eat any animal, bird or bug as food.
• GOD specifically emphasized that humans should not be killed or eaten.

 

Turning the planet over to Noah and his family showed the change in the relationship between GOD and humans. GOD would no longer walk with the humans, BUT HE would talk with them. Noah’s sons did not cower in fear when hearing GOD, because perhaps they were used to hearing HIM talk to Noah.

 

GOD gave instructions to grow HIS kingdom. HE blessed humans with dominion over the earth. Animals and bugs were changed during this blessing. They would not own the earth, rather become food. All vegetation could be used by humans as they saw fit. Abundance was established again. Humans were placed on top.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD seem to change the relationship between HIM and Noah’s sons?
• Have you ever started something and came to a point where it was someone else who would be responsible for carrying it forward?
• Can you be fruitful with your creativity and multiply what GOD has given you so HIS kingdom will be expanded abundantly?

Second Acceptable Offering

Second Acceptable Offering

Genesis 8: ²⁰ Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. ²¹ And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

 

²² “While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

 

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Eight generations after Abel, Noah followed in his footsteps. Abel saw the Garden of Eden and heard about the LORD’s grace when HE made clothing to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Abel took the best, friendliest animal and sacrificed it to the LORD. No one else had sacrificed anything to the LORD until Noah.

 

Erecting an altar, Noah took some of the precious few animals and sacrificed them to the LORD. HE smelled the “soothing aroma” and made a covenant with humans because of Noah.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s relationship with Noah changed when HE closed the door of the ark.
• GOD would speak to Noah, but would no longer show up and walk with him.
• Noah wanted to continue his relationship with GOD, so he sacrificed his best animals, burning them up in hopes that at least the smoke would reach GOD.

 

Abel and Noah voluntarily sacrificed to the LORD. Nowhere in this section of the Bible was there a command from GOD to provide a sacrifice. They simply wanted to give something to GOD that had meaning. Abel may have wanted to mimic GOD by sacrificing an animal. Perhaps Noah wanted to show thanks, so he sacrificed animals of prey that could have been eaten.

 

This second sacrifice was acceptable. GOD made a promise that even though humans continued in their evil thoughts, HE would not curse the ground any more than it was cursed. GOD would not “flood” the earth to destroy mankind.

 

Challenge

• Can you see GOD’s heart as HE explains to Moses how endearing Noah’s actions were?
• Has GOD brought you through a difficult time before?
• Without killing animals or humans, what sacrifice can you do that would be acceptable to GOD today?

Go Out

Go Out

Genesis 8: ¹⁵ Then God spoke to Noah, saying, ¹⁶ “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. ¹⁷ Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” ¹⁸ So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. ¹⁹ Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.

 

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“It worked! The ark GOD had me build actually worked!” should have been the thought that crossed Noah’s mind. But it didn’t seem like this was the case. Noah had never seen rain before. He and his family were closed up in an ark for a large portion of a year. He had never seen GOD’s wrath, only heard about it.  He saw the Garden of Eden and knew he could not enter it. He had many conversations with the LORD and understood HIM well.

 

My Observations:

• Every human Noah tried to convince was now gone.
• Noah followed instructions well and was probably nervous to make a mistake.
• GOD had to tell Noah to leave the ark even though he knew the ground was dry.

 

Waiting on the LORD for the next step was a quality that Noah demonstrated well. “I’m not going out there” was shown in his hesitancy and cautious approach. BUT GOD had another stage of life for Noah and his family. “Be fruitful and multiply” were the same instructions given to his ancestors Adam and Eve.

 

These words were a blessing instead of a curse. GOD bestowed confidence in humans to create life, just as HE intended. The ordeal was over. But Noah had become comfortable in the ark and was used to the security of the small space. BUT GOD had a different agenda. HE wanted the earth populated with humans, animals and bugs. Noah had to leave his adopted comfort zone to do what GOD saved him for.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this conversation with Noah?
• Has GOD ever rescued you and you have become comfortable with something that HE meant to be temporary?
• Have you asked GOD for the faith to “go out” of your comfort zone to do the next step of HIS plan for you?

Starting Over

Starting Over

Genesis 8: ¹³ And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. ¹⁴ And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried.

 

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GOD created a wonderful place for humans to live with HIM. HE gave humans millions of trees and had two for HIMSELF. Satan, wanting to be GOD was thrown from heaven. He was determined to be GOD, so he tempted the first humans to disobey GOD. Humans fell and every human from then on was born with the inclination to sin. They wanted to get back into the Garden of Eden, but the cherubim would not allow access.

 

Humans had become so violent that GOD decided to wipe them out. But Noah walked with the LORD and did not listen to his sin nature. GOD blesses Noah and his family by telling him to build an ark. GOD flooded the earth, killing every human, animal and insect that was not on the ark. The floodwaters receded and the ark was now on dry ground.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Noah and his family a new place for them to start humanity over.
• GOD broke apart the Garden of Eden, scattering pieces of gold and precious stones everywhere.
• GOD gave humanity ample time to walk with HIM, but they chose to ignore HIM by going their own way.

 

At six hundred and one, Noah was given the responsibility to start humanity over. This time the relationship would be different. The Garden of Eden would no longer be there as a reminder of humanity’s fall. The great flood would now be that reminder as bones and carcasses were spread across the globe.

Dry land was now available. The dove Noah released did not return. She built a nest somewhere close by. GOD had kept HIS promise of saving humanity through one family.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Noah’s age?
• Have you ever felt you were getting “too old” to start over?
• Are you willing to believe in GOD regardless of your age, so HE can start a new thing through you today?

Cautious Perspective

Cautious Perspective

Genesis 8: ⁶ So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. ⁷ Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. ⁸ He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. ⁹ But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. ¹⁰ And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. ¹¹ Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. ¹² So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.

 

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Salvation came with a price. While Noah and his family were saved, everyone else had died. The ark came to a sudden stop. No more rocking in the waves. Noah was probably nervous that the judgment of GOD was not finished. He may have noticed the predators were getting restless for the first time since the journey began. He chose a raven as his scout to see if he could unlock the door of the ark, knowing he only had one chance to open the door correctly.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shut the door and made it flood.
• Noah only had one chance to open the door and if he did it too soon, all would be lost.
• The ark may have landed in a way that no one could clearly see what was going on with the water and they had to rely on birds to bring back evidence that things were alright.

 

From walking daily with the LORD to being shut into an ark with a scared family, predators and prey; Noah was probably nervous. He had not heard anything from the LORD and the animals were probably showing him that the time was near to set everything free.

 

This mountain top experience was very scary and carried a huge responsibility. “What if I mess up?” may have been a question on Noah’s mind. But he kept his wits and cautiously got a perspective. It was time to leave the ark.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Noah’s cautious approach?
• Have you ever experienced deliverance from a huge problem that made you scared or nervous to take the next step?
• Can you take a deep breath and move forward with GOD, one step at a time?

Waiting Coming to an End

Waiting Coming to an End

Genesis 8: Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. ² The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. ³ And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. ⁴ Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. ⁵ And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.

 

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Noah and his family were probably terrified on the first day of the rain. It had never rained before and the first time it did, floodwaters came and rose the ark up high. Waves crashed and the ark was thrown around. “Where is GOD?” they probably wondered. Sleep was minimal for a while, but they may have gotten used to the waves and the rain.

 

But one day the rain stopped. “Is it over?” they may have rejoiced. They did not know another one hundred and fifty days would pass before the waters receded enough for the ark to rest. They thought they were forgotten.

 

My Observations:

• GOD did not forget Noah and his family, but Noah thought GOD had forgotten him.
• Noah was very used to walking with the LORD, so any number of days away from HIS conversations felt like being abandoned.
• Activity that Noah could see, felt like GOD had returned, BUT GOD never left.

 

All knowing and all seeing are qualities of GOD that says HE cannot forget or lose track of us. But sometimes it seems like GOD has forgotten HIS plan or promises for us. The waves of life toss us around, just like the ark. Meanwhile, the ark was kept whole. Humans, animals and insects were kept safe. Life was sustained. Noah finally saw some activity that he wanted to see. GOD made it rain and HE made it stop raining. HE saved mankind as promised.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the timing of events?
• Have you ever received a promise from GOD that seems to be taking longer than you thought?
• Can you remain faithful to GOD even though HIS plan for you is still in progress?

Sudden and Thorough

Sudden and Thorough

Genesis 7: ¹⁷ Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. ¹⁸ The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. ¹⁹ And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. ²⁰ The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. ²¹ And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. ²² All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. ²³ So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. ²⁴ And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.

 

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GOD told Noah HIS plan of salvation of mankind. Satan thought he had won by ruining human by tempting them to eat from the Tree id Knowledge. Every human was born with a sin nature and very few walked with GOD. The plan was to save humans from total destruction through eight people. Evil thoughts prevailed and, though GOD walked amongst HIS people, they may have blamed HIM for casting them out of the luxury of the Garden of Eden.

 

When GOD shut the door on the ark, it was too late. HE made it rain so fast and HE also broke apart the ground so forcefully that no living thing could even think about the ark. The rain fell in measures never seen before or since.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was very patient with humanity, but once that patience ran out, judgement was executed.
• GOD allowed people to do whatever they wanted to do, but that had a limited time.
• GOD had a plan to save humanity from total antihalation and HE executed HIS plan as promised.

 

In modern days, monsoons happen in some regions. This devastating rain can cause floods and wash away manmade structures. Same with tsunamis. Water was used by GOD to break apart the earth and to destroy anything that was tainted by Satan’s pride. Violent collections of animals, and luxurious living was all washed away.

 

Nothing was left that humans could take credit for. The water flowed twenty-two feet above the highest mountain and lasted about half a year. GOD’s salvation is just as sudden, thorough and powerful. HE can and will save those who seek HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the lengths of time that it rained and that the water remained?
• Are you in a season that feels like it is raining all the time?
• Can you place your thinking on GOD’s wonderful plan HE has for you so HE can pour out HIS blessings on you?

Entrance to Protection

Entrance to Protection

Genesis 7: ¹³ On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark— ¹⁴ they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. ¹⁵ And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. ¹⁶ So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

 

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It was time for Noah to realize the promise GOD made to him. He, his family and every living thing that would be saved, entered the ark as GOD commanded. Again, I believe it was JESUS who walked with Noah and it was HIM who shut the entrance to the ark. Noah probably designed a lock to keep the entrance closed. No one from the outside could open it.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Noah to build the ark to protect him and preserve life on earth.
• GOD watched over Noah and his family during the building of the ark and after they entered it.
• GOD made sure the entrance was water tight when HE shut the door.

 

People saw animals gathering and walking into the ark, yet they still would not believe that anything was going to happen. For decades, Noah tried to convince people about something that had never happened before, namely rain. “How bad could it be?” they may have said. So when Noah and the animals entered the ark, the people may have thought that he had done what Cain sought out to do by building the Garden of Eden.

 

But the ark lacked function to grow things well. It only had one window and would be full of animals and insects. Very smart people, who built cities, were not impressed. There was no doorknob to come and go. “What a foolish design for a garden” they may have scoffed. They were looking for heaven on earth. Meanwhile, GOD shut Noah in to protect him.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about shutting Noah in the ark?
• Have you ever thought that GOD has left you?
• Do you believe that GOD will never leave you nor forsake you because HIS plan for you is special?

 

Continental Divide

Continental Divide

Genesis 7: ⁷ So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. ⁸ Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, ⁹ two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. ¹⁰ And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. ¹¹ In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. ¹² And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.

 

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On the second- and third-day GOD created water capable of rain and fountains capable of tearing apart the large land mass known as dry land or earth. GOD, in HIS week of creation, already knew what HE was going to do to save mankind from itself. All of life depended on something flimsy, dysfunctional and unattractive as an ark.

 

My Observations:

• GOD used water to break up the earth and flood the land.
• GOD knew HE would need to save humanity from the bad choices caused by Satan’s temptation.
• GOD kept HIS promise of what HE said HE was going to do.

 

Every human, animal and bug would be drowned if they were not on the ark. GOD had completed HIS inspection of the ark and told Noah and his family to “come inside.” HE then left the ark and caused it to rain. HE broke up the land mass into the seven continents of today. The water that gently gave life to the plants was now destructive and a force that could not be overcome.

 

After Noah finished his ark, they all went inside. Not knowing what would really happen they got settled in. The miraculous movement and obedience of the animals gave the family some comfort that the thing Noah had been talking about for decades was really going to happen.  On a very specific day, the first raindrop fell.

 

Challenge

• Why was GOD so specific to Moses about the date it started raining?
• Have you ever been amazed at GOD keeping HIS promise to you?
• Has GOD planned out salvation for you in ways that are different than what you thought?

Passed Inspection

Passed Inspection

Genesis 7: Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. ² You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; ³ also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. ⁴ For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” ⁵ And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. ⁶ Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.

 

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Patience was given to Noah from GOD. It seems that GOD did not rush Noah in completing the ark, rather HE waited for him to complete the ark before giving him final instructions. The LORD must have entered the ark and saw that it was complete. “Come into the ark” let’s me know the LORD was inside.

 

My Observations:

• GOD waited for Noah to complete the ark versus giving him a deadline.
• GOD inspected the ark, not for HIS sake, but to let Noah know it was ready.
• GOD gave Noah the final instructions which may have caused Noah to act differently.

 

Assurance was probably needed after expending this great amount of effort. Noah had probably become comfortable with the building process, but now it was time to execute GOD’s plan. Noah may have been nervous about his work, so the LORD calmed him down. Noah no longer had time to try to convince his siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors that GOD was about to wipe out everything.

 

“It’s going to work” was the implied feeling because GOD told Noah that prey and predators were supposed to be gathered together in the quantities HE commanded. GOD had changed the animals during the curse. HE then explained something that was strange. “I will cause it to rain.” It had never rained before. There was no need because plants grew themselves, even after the Garden of Eden. GOD was confident that the plan would work.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this conversation with Noah?
• Has GOD ever told you to do something and you did it, but was unsure that what HE told you to do would actually work?
• Are you willing to trust in the LORD will all your heart and not lean on your own understanding today?

Life Preserver

Life Preserver

Genesis 6: ¹⁷ And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. ¹⁸ But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go 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 after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. ²¹ And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

 

²² Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

 

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Noah had to design a habitat to preserve all of life. He wasn’t given a timeframe for how long this habitat would be needed. It would have to perpetually provide food and recycle waste. From insects to birds to animals, Noah had to design a place that would house two of every “sort.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Noah the ingenuity to design and build a habitat to preserve all of life.
• GOD had in HIS plan a way to keep life going despite the declaration of total destruction.
• GOD declared salvation through small numbers.

 

There was no mistake made when GOD created a habitat that would sustain bugs, animals and humans, The Garden of Eden was perfect and the relationship between humans and wildlife was harmonious. Satan’s pride caused humans to fall. They would no longer desire to be with GOD, much like today.

 

GOOD found favor in one human, Noah. He would be given the task to preserve things that grew or that could procreate. Seeds would have to be collected. The bugs and animals would come to him to “keep them alive.” Noah had his hands full. He may have solicited help and was possibly met with ridicule. No one knew what was coming.

 

Challenge

• How do you think Noah felt when he heard the news that every living thing on earth would die?
• Do you see GOD’s plan of salvation in HIS declaration of destruction?
• Are you focusing on the task GOD has given you to preserve life eternally?

Enough for the Plan

Enough for the Plan

Genesis 6: ¹⁵ And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. ¹⁶ You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 

 

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With no turning back, GOD gave Noah vague instructions on what to build to save humanity. I can only imagine how Noah felt. He walked with the LORD for years, so he had a heart for the people. Hearing that everyone would die must have been some terrifying news. Noah, while obedient, may have tried to save his siblings and townspeople. No one would listen.

 

GOD gave Noah dimensions that would be just enough to save mankind. No more, no less. Noah could ask GOD questions to get specificity along the way,

 

My Observations:

• GOD provided Noah with purpose.
• GOD did not do the work for Noah, but included him in the plan.
• GOD was specific enough, but left room for Noah to use his ingenuity.

 

Building an ark was probably not a delightful task. Noah was told that everything would be destroyed and no one would believe him. He was not only the contractor in GOD’s plan, but the benefactor. He and his family would remain alive if he followed the plan. GOD partnered with Noah to save him and mankind.

 

It never said that the LORD left Noah. The conversation also did not go into detail about tools, shapes or other “how” questions. GOD had a plan that HE wanted to succeed. HE would provide all that was needed.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD get so specific with his instructions to Noah?
• Have you ever overdone or underdone something?
• Can you listen to GOD for specific instructions that are just enough for HIS plan?

Alone With Favor

Alone With Favor

Genesis 6: ⁹ This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. ¹⁰ And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

¹¹ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

 

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Generations had passed since the creation of Adam and Eve. Cain’s descendants were plentiful. They heard stories about GOD throwing humans out of the Garden of Eden. Cain was doubly cursed because he killed his brother over jealousy. No longer would the ground produce fruit for him. Cain possibly was trying to build his own Garden of Eden, which was not pleasing to the LORD.

 

Cain built an entire city. He showed that his ingenuity was a basis of not needing GOD. When GOD would walk with a few people, many would stay away, blaming HIM for being outcast. Noah’s great grandfather Enoch was taken by GOD because of his righteousness. Noah followed in his footsteps, but no one else on earth followed GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Noah walked with the LORD when it was not popular to do so.
• Noah’s siblings did not walk with the LORD and may have sought out the descendants of Cain to learn how to perform various industries.
• Humans stopped walking with GOD, possibly thinking they could overtake the Garden of Eden.

 

Searching all the earth, GOD saw that not one man or woman thought kindly of HIM, except Noah. They despised GOD and did not recognize that HE was the one who provided what little food they had. It was HIS building materials they used to engineer cities, cooking utensils and weapons.

 

The strong and mighty made people bow down to hierarchies that pointed to the rich and powerful. Corruption had reached its pinnacle and the way of life was to take instead of give. BUT GOD saw Noah and was pleased with him.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD repeat the genealogy of Noah to Moses?
• Have you ever tried to serve GOD around selfish people who could care less about HIM?
• If you are alone with your belief in JESUS, will you stand firm so HE can walk with you in unpopular decisions?

Sovereign Sorrow

Sovereign Sorrow

Genesis 6: ⁵ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

 

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With GOD, there are no mistakes, yet GOD seems to have expressed a problem that HE had to deal with. HE created a perfect world. HE created man and woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Plants would grow themselves. Animals would come up to the man and woman to be named and cared for. There was harmony. But the Devil, who wanted to be GOD, caused humans to sin.

 

Every human was born with a sin nature. Only a few walked with the LORD and spoke with HIM. The rest ignored HIM. The descendants of Cain multiplied and so did evil. After a while, humans got tired of seeing the Garden of Eden that they could not get in. They too wanted to be GOD.

 

My Observations

• Because of our sin nature, humans have a difficult time relating to GOD’s timing and ways.
• Human thoughts and intentions can go wildly away from GOD if left unchecked.
• Insecurities about GOD causes humans to think of evil thoughts that seem innocent.

 

Justified thinking made people rationalize their evil behavior. Giants introduced the thought of “Only the strong will survive.” Humans fought over land that would produce food. Selfishness grew stronger within each human to the point of no return. They would someday storm the Garden of Eden and take it over! Or at least they may have thought. BUT GOD saw their heart and was sorry HE had to destroy them. All but one found grace.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the conversation HE held with HIMSELF?
• Are your thoughts on you or GOD?
• Will you get a hold of your thoughts and focus them on what GOD will have you do today?