Today’s Reading is Genesis 5-9.

Daily Devotional – “Come Into The Ark” – GENESIS 7:1
There is no denying the great differences between the world before the Flood and the world after the Flood. In debating the reliability and accuracy of the Genesis story of the Great Flood from the scientific and geological perspective, as well as the theological and religious perspective some great truths sometimes get lost in the words. Consider, Jesus alludes to the Flood (as well as supernatural creation of Adam and Eve) as historical fact (Matthew 24:37-39). If for no other reason (and there are ample, reliable, scientific proofs) Christians must believe the Genesis account because if it is untrue, then Jesus is a liar and unfit to be the atoning sacrifice. Likewise, Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit uses the account of Noah in his writings – making the Holy Spirit a liar if the account is not true. With that “one-two punch” we lose our Savior and the Bible. Just a thought to consider as you continue with our revolution in Bible study.

Isn’t it interesting that mankind was placed on earth to “be fruitful and multiply” and “cultivate and keep”, and that the consequences of sin attack those very purposes? Eve would have pain in child-bearing and Adam would wearily toil the ground frustrated by thorns and thistles. Even in the murder of Abel (a shepherd exercising dominion over his flocks) takes away from that great purpose, now that Adam and Eve have one less offspring who can procreate. In 6:1, mankind was fulfilling only part of God’s plan. They were “multiplying”, but were not being “fruitful” toward God. Sin led to separation (3:23) and then to even greater depths of sin (6:5). Judgment must come from a righteous God (6:7), yet mercy comes from a gracious God (6:8). Truly we see in today’s reading a story of sin, grace, faith, obedience judgment and salvation that speaks through the centuries and calls out to us this very day.

Like the Flood, “our world” when we are lost is much different than “our world” after we are saved through Christ, and our likeness to Noah is striking. Noah obeyed all that God commanded and the result was salvation by grace. Ask yourself, was it God’s will for Noah to build the ark? Clearly it was. What would have happened if he said, “I believe you God, but I’ll NOT build it”? Jesus tells the result of this kind of thinking (faith alone with no works – James 2:17) in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21-23). Read Peter’s inspired instruction to those who believed his message on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-39), and ask if those people could conclude that it was God’s will for them (and all who hear the gospel call) to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. At least three thousand believed it was. Now consider what Peter wrote under inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 3:20-21. How does baptism “save us” in the same way the ark saved Noah? By grace God saved Noah (Ephesians 2:1-10) and gave him instruction to follow so that he would be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). By faith, Noah did what God commanded and was saved (Hebrews 11:7). God called Noah into the ark (God’s instruction plus Noah’s works) and when the Flood came, Noah was saved. God could have chosen other means (His grace) for salvation from the Flood, but He chose an ark (Noah’s obedience in faith). Likewise, God could have chosen any number of things (His grace) for salvation from sin, but He chose immersion in water (our obedience in faith). What happens if one says, “I believe you Jesus, but I’ll not repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins”? A fair reading of Scripture leads us to conclude the same thing that would have happened to Noah if he did not build and enter the ark! Upon leaving the ark after the Flood, Noah’s purpose was to “be fruitful and multiply” and “cultivate and keep” the new life in the new world (9:1-7) even as sin still lurked (9:21-27). So too with us.

Translations render Genesis 7:1 in different ways (“come into” or “go into”), but the weight of scholarship (not me, those other guys) supports God’s instruction to Noah as a command framed as an invitation to join Him in the ark of safety. I don’t know about you, but I find that instructive and quite fascinating. Salvation is where God already is ... He beckons us (command framed as an invitation because of our free will) through Jesus Christ to come into His safe haven of rest through His death, burial and resurrection (the gospel). Are raindrops falling on you as you stand outside wondering what you must do?