Author: Don Guthrie

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 11:10-32 (day one)

“Terah took Abram his son. . .and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan.”–v 31.

It has been rocky so far.  The relationship between God and men.  First, a flood to destroy the world.  Afterward, things aren’t much better.

Swiftly the race of men drifts away from God.  They (we) build cities and towers without any reference to God’s will or word.  Seeking glory for themselves, they begin to experience His active opposition.  (Genesis 11:1-9.  Last week’s lesson)

Then, a new thing begins!  Hopeful.  History-changing!  The story of God telescopes down to a single life.  Abram. The rest of Genesis, and the Bible, and history and eternity tells the story of this life.

Many travel the wide road that ignores God and seeks success apart from Him.  Only a few (and sometimes only one) travel the narrow road that believes God.  And the world is never the same!

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

Consider, please, the promises and warnings of God’s word.

1) God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  James 4:6. Genesis 11. He actively and deliberately hinders the efforts of people who seek to make life make sense without Him.

2) God blesses those who meditate on His word (in order to obey it).  Psalm 1.  What happens in my head matters.  What happens in my heart matters more.  “The eyes of the Lord search to and fro over the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.

3) Ultimately, all projects are judged against our motives for doing them.  Genesis 11.  Hebrews 4:12.  Is this about God?  In line with His will and word?  It is really about me, my needs, my name?

Important and helpful question–Can God bless what I am trying to build?

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

It is a strange story.  Often misunderstood.  We call it “the tower of Babel”, but it is really about oneness.  “Behold, they are ONE people and they all have ONE language. . .nothing will be impossible for them.”–v 6.

In John 17:20-21, Jesus talks about a different (and better) oneness.   “I do not ask for these alone, but for those who believe in me through their word; that they may all be ONE; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I am in Thee, that they may also be IN US; that the world may believe that Thou didst send me.”

True oneness is with God, Himself.  It comes when the human race ceases its rebellion and is reconciled to God and His purpose.  Jesus, as a perfect example of humanity, was ONE with the Father.  We are to be like Him!

Without this surrender, the gathered unity of mankind is dangerous and counterproductive.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 10 (day seven)

“These are the generations of the sons of Noah” v 1.

History.  HIS story.  When God tells the story of the human race, He doesn’t emphasize the things we learned in school.  A few kings (not many).  A few wars. No acts of Congress.  No four-year election cycles.  His focus is on a particular family.

Adam, Noah, Shem, Eber (note Hebrews) Abraham, Jacob, Judah (note Jews), David, Jesus.  This is the short list.  Like links in a single strong chain, these men, their sons and daughters, carried forward the legacy and knowledge of God.

With only one exception, they were not perfect people.  But God chose this family and used them to bring the Law and then the Savior into the world.  Those who come to Christ become members of this family.  Children of Abraham.  Sons of God.  Brothers with Christ.

When God tells the story of history, His focus is on this FAMILY.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 10 (day one)

“These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.”–v 1.

It is a mystery, isn’t it?  Three sons.  Same family.  Same instruction.  They saw the same examples of faith.  Two of them gradually drift away from God.  Get busy with life.  Achieve success –but not with the Creator.

The other brother takes a different road.  He stays close to the long legacy of faith in His father’s family.  Adam, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, SHEM, and eventually Abraham.  One generation after another, learning and living the life/traditions of faith.

Even now, whenever we talk about Anti-Semitism (Shem) or Hebrews (Eber) we are remembering and respecting this family.  As they walked with God, they kept His story alive and changed the world!

“My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you. . .then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.”–Proverbs 2:2

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

It was NOT a NEW rule.  (There were some significant changes in this new chapter, but this was not one of them.)  After the flood, God gave Noah the SAME assignment He gave Adam.  “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth”–v 1.

For all the damage and danger of sin (still infecting the heart of Noah and his sons like a virus–see chapter 10) life was, nevertheless, still good!  Still part of God’s plan.  Still worthy of God’s protection. Babies and families and cities and progress and farms and hospitals. . . the steps that men would take to fill and subdue this earth were, in the eyes of the Creator, still good.

It is a life-affirming perspective.  Courage giving.  Hope inspiring.  God is pro-life!  He is pro-your life!  Calls you to be fruitful.  Commands you to be human and in the truest sense of the word.

We still have a world to build.

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

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed.”–v 6.

Disembarking,Noah and his family entered a new world.  Empty of people and animals (except those on the Ark), it was a new chapter.

Some things were the same.  God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” remained in effect.  The sinfulness of the human heart was still present.  See 8:21.  (Especially instructive because it now referred to Noah and the members of his family)

Some things had changed.  A new covenant gave assurance that God would never again destroy the world in universal judgment. Not, at least, until the end of time.  “While the world remains” says 8:22.  See also 2 Peter 3:7.  In place of His direct intervention, God also gives the responsibility to men to protect human life.  He institutes capital punishment.

Every war, every police officer is a reminder.  Romans 13:4.  In this new world, the deterrence to unjust force will be just force.

Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day seven)

Q–Does the Bible teach a universal, coming day of wrath?

A–Yes (2 Peter 3:3-11)

Q–Did our Lord warn of this same event?

A–Yes (Matthew 24:27-51, many others moments)

Q–Did Jesus compare people in His day (our day) to those in the days of Noah”?

A–Yes (Matthew 24:37-39)

Q–Is salvation portrayed in scripture as salvation from the wrath to come?

A–Yes (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Q–Do most people believe in coming wrath?

A–No

Q–Did most people in Noah’s day believe in wrath to come?

A–No

Q–Is the ark a type/picture/shadow of salvation in Christ?

A–Yes. (1 Peter 3:21)

Q–In what ways was the ark similar to salvation in Christ?

A–Provided by God, accessed by faith, only one door, had to be entered, God closed the door.

Q–“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”–Hebrews 2:3.

A–There is no answer to this question.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 7:1-4, 17-24; 8:1-5, 13-16, 20-22 (day one)

“In the last days mockers will come. . .saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning.’ (but what they forget is) the world was (before) destroyed with water. . but now. . .is being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgement and the destruction of ungodly men.”–2 Peter 3:3-7

Noah was Peter’s favorite story.   He refers to it over and over in his letters.  I don’t know whether you believe in God’s coming wrath.  Peter absolutely did.  He learned this conviction from Jesus.  Saw it illustrated in Noah.

For Peter, the ark was no cartoon or children’s story.  It was a sober symbol of God’s holiness and patience and judgement and salvation for those who believe!

The happiest (and holiest) people I know believe in judgement.  It warns them.  Helps them.   Do you believe in the wrath to come?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 6 (day seven)

“He was made alive in the Spirit; in which He (Jesus) also went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient. . .in the days of Noah. . .in which a few. . .were brought safely through the water.  Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you”–1 Peter 3:18-21.

The ark was a well known symbol in the early church.  A story of salvation from wrath, of a remnant, of separation from lost society.

Peter makes one comparison and one contrast.  Comparison–In Noah’s story (and Jesus’) God is making proclamation to spirits (people) who either were, or will be, in prison for their unbelief.  Salvation is always provided by God and received by faith.  Contrast–Noah was saved from the flood (judgement).  We are saved through the flood (baptism) by dying to self and joining life to Christ.

What is the Spirit of God saying as you read the story of Noah?