Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

This week’s Parasha

Oct 28 Noach Noah

Gen 6:9-11:32

Isa 54:1-55:5

Matt 24:36-46

1Pet 3:18-4:8

Noah —

             I often hear people speaking on this passage in reference to Noah.  They center on the phrase that Noah was perfect in his generation.  The “in his generation” is used to show that Noah lived in a time of great disobedience to the L-rd.  It states “the earth was filled with violence.”  It is further implicated that Noah really wasn’t that special and he only was good in a situational ethics type of way. (i.e. When surrounded by bad people it doesn’t take much to look good. ) Verse 9:21 is used to show what a bad person Noah really was as he gets drunk and becomes uncovered in his tent.  Obviously he wasn’t so righteous.

             Let’s look at this more closely.

             First question: How many of us hear from the L-rd with the level of intimacy and detail as shown in this portion.  The L-rd found grace upon Noah, v 6:5, and speaks to him in detail about building the vessel that will allow mankind to continue. Verse 6:22 shows the heart of Noah.  “Thus Noah did: according to all that G-d commanded him, so he did.”  When G-d tells us what we are to do, do we do ALL that G-d commands us.  Usually we find ways to make the task easier on ourselves.  We take His word and try to state, “That was from then, He doesn’t really mean we are to do that for all generations, even when it very clearly states that G-d’s intends certain behaviors for all time.”  We don’t do according to ALL that G-d commands, do we?

             Noah did ALL that G-d commanded even at a time when there appeared to be no physical evidence that the flood was going to happen.  There had been no world-covering flood prior to this.  There was no evidence that G-d was really going to do what He said. Some people even argue that prior to the flood the earth was in some sort of high humidity situation and there wasn’t even rain prior to the flood.  It had to seem beyond comprehension on Noah’s part to think of fitting all animals into a boat and float around for the better part of a full year.  But, Noah did it.  He followed G-d’s calling upon his life and did this exactly as detailed by G-d for his salvation from the flood to come. 

             He acted in faith to what seemed impossible to comprehend.

             In verse 7:1, the L-rd speaks to Noah and states “… I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”  WOW!  For the L-rd to call someone righteous is amazing.  How many times have we heard that our righteousness before the L-rd is filthy rags and yes, when compared with the goodness of the L-rd this is true, but the L-rd Himself calls Noah righteous.

             I think I need to take the beam from my own eye prior to pulling the splinter for the eye of Noah.  When I can say that I am doing ALL that G-d tells in exactly in the manner He tells me, when I can hear G-d call me righteous within my generations, then ….  No, I bet then I wouldn't be looking for splinters, I would be too busy doing His will as He commands.

 

 

Selah.