Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 11:1-9 (day two)

They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” vs 4

Isn’t this story familiar? Maybe not the building of a tower to reach into heaven, but the idea of making a name for themselves was not a new one. God had commanded Noah to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth. Humanity post-Noah was on a different trajectory. Stick together, we can figure it out for ourselves. We don’t need God or stories of a Garden and a Flood. The idea of confusing and scattering was to force man, once again, to look up. To surrender to a God that was greater than anything built on earth. We build our own towers, don’t we? We strike out on our own determined to figure it out, to make a name for ourselves. Take care to start building your own tower without getting a permit from God first.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 10 (day two) One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4

Both the world and the church were now again reduced to a family, the family of Noah…of which we are the more concerned to take cognizance because from this family we are all descendants. Matthew Henry

Isn’t it incredible that the great God of the universe is also supremely involved and concerned with our individual lives? Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through individuals and families God spoke truth, declared justice, and gave hope. It was then incumbent on those people to tell their children. It became their task to share their knowledge of the Lord and to display their trust in the almighty. The role of the parent to demonstrate and instruct their children in faith cannot be underscored. Ultimately these families led to the one individual who did indeed change everything. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise to redeem. God still uses individuals, he still uses families. Your testimony matters.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 9:1-17 (day two)  

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” vs. 1

120 years, can you imagine? Some 120 years after the original instructions were given, Noah steps off the arc and begins to walk in the dawn of the covenant promise of God. Noah remembers God by sacrificing the clean animals, and then God blesses him and his his family. Noah got ‘job well done’ pat on the back from God for seeing this work through. God does not forget us. He wants to show us his favor and shower his blessings upon us, but have we been faithful with what he has given us to merit a blessing? Our families, our jobs, our lives, do they speak of the sovereign grace of our Lord? He will not forget us, we should not forget him.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day two) But God remembered Noah…8:1a

Have you ever received a promise from God only to have to wait to have it fulfilled? How long did you have to wait? A month, a year, 120 years….probably not. God choose Noah and gave him instructions that came with the promise of salvation amidst destruction. Noah continued to believe and trust that promise. 40 days and 40 nights of rain may seem insignificant to 120 years of building an ark, but I would imagine there were some questions during the deluge. When will the rain stop? Will we ever see land again? God doesn’t forget. He knew all along the trial that Noah would have to endure. When then time was right the promise was fulfilled. If God makes a promise, you can bet not matter how long it rains, he will keep his word.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 6 (day two) 

…Noah was a righteous man… vs. 9

Ever feel alone? Like the work you have been called to is devoid of any understanding from anyone else. Perhaps you have an idea or new way of looking at something and are convinced it is the way to go, but no else shares your vision. Maybe, like Noah, you are living a righteous life in the midst of a very unrighteous world. What separates Noah, and others who share this call, is that he is completely focused on God in the midst of the depravity around him. It doesn’t mean that Noah did engage in culture, but he did not let it define his actions. He was righteous. When an opportunity came to honor or blaspheme the Lord, he chose to honor. This steadfastness was a credit unto him and his family. If you feel alone think of Noah. Would you prefer to be with the millions who perished on the few that were saved? Choose righteousness.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 4:1-16; 25-26 (day two) 

“And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” vs. 7b

One of the characters in the book I am currently reading to my daughter is a teacher who thinks his students are unprepared for the world. He is a very intense teacher whose motto is “Constant Vigilance.” Do we ever have the privilege to let our guard down in regards to sin? Absolutely not! This verse, so early in man’s narrative is a perfect illustration of why we can’t lower our defenses. Sin is there. Sin is always there. Why do you think Paul will later describe it as the full armor of God? Do not grow weary of doing good. Keep your countenance up, and be constantly vigilant.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 3:8-24 (day two) The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. vs. 21

After the curse we find God’s provision. In verses 14-20 we begin to see the ramifications of disobedience toward God. Pain, death, enmity, toil these are all the result of not trusting in the Lord’s plan and purpose for our lives. What I find interesting is that immediately following the curse is a moment of real tenderness. God, seeing that they have fashioned poor coverings for their bodies, gives them something better. He has already provided for their needs post-Eden. We often think in terms of all or nothing, but God had the “long game” in mind. They disobeyed, but that did not stop his love or his provision. He wanted his creation to be redeemed, he still does. When you fall, don’t run and hide hoping to escape judgement. Accept consequences and then look for his way forward.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 3:1-7  (day two)

‘For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15

It doesn’t take much, does it? We know what we should do, but we begin to wonder if it could really be all that bad to make the other choice. Would anyone notice? The answer, of course, is: yes it is really that bad, and God always notices. Surely it can’t be worth it based on those facts alone. Yet, the slippery slope of sin works in our hearts and minds, and before long we are knee deep in a pit of regret that we should have never experienced in the first place. Discover your pitfalls. Protect yourself with prayer and consider if Adam and Eve ever thought their decision was worth it…it wasn’t.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25 (day two)  God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 1:27

The Latin statement for this verse is “Imago Dei.” Each person walking around you today is carrying with them the image of God. That doesn’t mean that everyone will recognize it, but whether or not they do, it is there. How does that inform how you treat one another? Whether redeemed saint or lost soul each has the DNA of the creator of the universe. If you took this into consideration before you spoke with someone, would it impact what you say? Shouldn’t it?

My girls look like they certainly belong to our family. Strong genes from both April and I contributed to their looks and features. When people look at them, I want them to see my beloved. Don’t you think our Heavenly Father wants us to see him in others too?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 2:4-17 (day two)

Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. vs. 15

We often think about Adam and Eve’s punishment. They have to deal with toil and pain. Have you ever considered their assignment before the fall? God gave them Eden to enjoy, but also to work. I have often heard people jokingly refer to Heaven as boring. I don’t think they truly mean it, but there is a sense that we will have little to do. God created us to work with our hands, to use our skills, and to employ the gifts he gave us. Work is sacred. He did not intend for it to be toilsome, but to bring delight and fulfillment. Consider this as you set off for work today. Thank God for the ability to work.