Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus) and His apostle Shimon Kefa (Simon Peter) pointed to “the days of Noah” as important for believers to fully understand to be prepared for life now and for the “coming of the Son of Man.” This week’s Torah section, נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32), helps us catch the meaning of the enigmatic phrase “one taken and the other left” (Matt. 24:40-41; Luke 17:34-35).
”For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Matt. 24:37
“… God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.”
1Pet. 3:20
Readings
Genesis 6:9–11:32
Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Matthew 24:36–44; Luke 17:20–37
1Peter 3:18–22
2Peter 2–3
Doesn’t science say the Flood of the Bible didn’t happen that way?
Here’s a collection of Creation science articles that explore questions and criticisms about the Flood account.
TorahResource discussion
Past studies
The following are recorded studies and notes on passages from Noach by Hallel Fellowship teachers:
This study of Genesis 9:18–27 explores the lineage and legacy of Noah’s family, highlighting the historic hallmark of the genetic bottleneck at the Flood and the significance of Shem’s line leading to the Messiah, noted by the cryptic phrase about Elohim — which is God in Hebrew — dwelling in Shem’s tents. This passage delves into the character lessons from Noah’s vineyard, namely the importance of moderation to help us keep control over things that can be both tov and ra (Hebrew for good and bad). Those include not only desires such as wine and food but…
The Noachide covenant (Genesis 9:1–17) establishes God’s promise to never again destroy the earth, foreshadowing the fulfillment of the Genesis 3:15 promise to Chavah (Eve). This study explores how that covenant emphasizes the sanctity of life, the prohibition on bloodshed and the command to “swarm” (repopulate) the earth — themes woven throughout the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:18; 22:17; 26:3).
Crucially, the covenant addresses humanity’s יֵצֶר הַרַע yetzer ha-ra (the evil inclination, fallenness). That’s opposed to a common philosophy today that humanity is fundamentally טוֹב tov — Hebrew for good. The antidote is yetzer ha-tov, the good inclination made…
The Flood narrative in Genesis 8:1–14 reveals profound insights into God’s plan for restoring creation. This study explores the historical context, Hebrew language and Messianic connections in a passage that highlights the ongoing battle against evil and the promise of ultimate triumph.
Through a special form of the Hebrew verb for “remember” in Genesis 8:1 and an important shift in the global calendar from the time of the Flood to the Exodus, we gain deeper understanding of what God is doing across time and the role of God’s people in preserving the heritage of the Creator. This rich biblical…
Genesis 6–7 highlights Noah’s righteousness and blamelessness in a corrupt world. Unlike his generation, Noah “walked with God,” demonstrating faith and obedience. His righteousness was not situational but consistent, rooted in his willingness to listen to God’s correction and fulfill His commands. This trust and humility set Noah apart, making him a vessel of God’s mercy and a model of faithfulness. This was a shadow of the coming Agent of Heaven’s mercy: Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).
Do you want to be like one who was “taken” in the Flood, washed away (Isa. 54:9–11)? Or do you want to be “left behind” to experience the “living water” pictured as flowing from God’s throne into all the world on the Day of the LORD (Ezek. 47:9, 11–12; Rev. 22:1–2)?
We are living the time of the second exile — after the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. The Torah reading נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9–11:32) teaches us to see Heaven’s elephant in our room while we have the time to…
Just as there was one door to Noach’s ark and the salvation it offered from the waters of the flood, there is only one Door to salvation to save us from the eternal destruction of wickedness that will come at the final judgement.
From the Torah passage נֹחַ Noach (Gen. 6:9–11:32), we see how its main figure tried to warn his generation of the trouble that laid ahead for the earth.
Similarly, Yeshua (Jesus) did the same in His generation, and He has called each generation of His followers to warn their generation of the coming “time of trouble.”
As the…
Though separated by roughly 4,000 years, the “preacher of righteousness” who led his family to “rest” through the Flood foreshadowed the Righteous One Who would bring rest to the world. Here are several reasons why the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. … That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'” (John 3:3, 6 NASB)
The Torah reading Noakh, covering Genesis 6:9–11:32, is a testimony of the origin of Abraham and Israel, of different people groups and of languages. This is real history, not legend or allegory. That is important, because it’s a testimony about the intentions and actions of the Creator.
And the “days of Noah” (Matt. 24:36–44; Luke 17:22–37) teach us how we become…
The Flood recorded in the book of Genesis is one of the most pivotal events in the Bible. But did it happen, or is it just an allegory to teach a spiritual truth? This discussion of the Torah reading נֹחַ Noach/Noakh (“Noah,” Genesis 6:9-11:32), illustrates how the account is real history as well as real revelation of spiritual truth.
Modern DNA studies supports the Bible’s record of a literal Noakh, his literal sons and daughters-in-law and a literal worldwide Flood. Even though Noach was “righteous in his generation,” he was not perfect. He wasn’t saved because he was perfect. He was saved…
Though his generation had forgotten, Noach (Noah) remembered the Creator was in charge, followed His instructions and didn’t have the malice of the world around him. In the Torah section Noach (Genesis 6-11), we learn that the relationship between God and Noach was a two-way street, and it is because of this one man’s trust in God that all of creation was saved.
At first, it’s puzzling why Noach cursed Cana’an for something his father, Ham, did. Is this a generational curse, with the sins of the father being meted out to future generations? Is something else going on here? The answer seems to be in the meaning of the Hebrew words for curse and Cana’an.
God “marked” Noach and his family for salvation in the ark during the Flood. The dove that found dry land after the waters subsided points to another Messenger Who went to prepare room for us in God’s Kingdom.
A number of Bible teachers as well as some popular movies and books teach that believers in Yeshua the Messiah will be “taken away” in the prophesied time of trouble preceding the Day of the LORD. Yet based on the teaching of the Messiah on the “days of Noah,” believers should pray that they aren’t “taken away.”
Some may have no idea what this chapter is about, with “sons of God” marrying “daughters of men” and the “Nephilim.” Some may also have some profound, over-the-top notions about the meaning of this chapter, but if you read this chapter in the context of the previous chapters, the fanciful and salacious interpretations fall by the wayside.
The LORD ended the judgment of the Flood, as recorded in Genesis 8. The remembering of Noakh (Noah) and the sorrow of the LORD over the Flood foreshadow what God will be feeling in the last days when He must bring final judgment.
Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) said that the days of Noakh (Noah) would be like the last days before Yeshua’s return. We read in Genesis 6-7 what Noakh’s generation and his righteousness were like.
Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) said that the days of Noakh (Noah) would be like the last days before Yeshua’s return. What was Noakh’s generation like, and what can we learn from his righteousness in that time?
The descendants of Noach’s son Yafet (Japheth) show up prominently in Israel’s history, particularly regarding the period leading up to the Day of the LORD.
Like with the names of the descendants of Noach’s son Yafet, those of his son Ham are testimonies of what God has done, is doing and will do to prepare for the coming of God’s Kingdom. That kingdom clashed with the first human kingdom, that of Nimrod.
Genesis 10 is more than just a list of names. It talks about the formation of the first kingdom and army on earth, formed with the purpose of “chaos” and “violence” as an affront to the LORD.
Just as Nimrod tried to unite people into one nation whose evil inclinations are propelled by endless innovation, people will try to unite again. Just as God confounded Nimrod’s confederation, God will confound the Babylonian confederation again. This is one of the lessons of the book of Revelation.
Genesis 11 starts with confusion and ends with the story of the family line which will bring the Messiah into the world and bring God’s order back to earth.