Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

What’s seen can’t be unseen: Noah shows us how to keep our humanity in a violent world (Genesis 6–8)

This study on Torah section נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32) explores Noah’s flood, its meaning in Jewish tradition and its relevance today. It details how Noah brought an end to the curse on the earth brought about by Adam’s sin, which led to rampant violence in the world. The Flood allowed for the flourishing of agriculture.

We further discuss the impact of violence on society, its use as a tool for self-defense and how humanity has become desensitized to it. Via the prophecy of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) about partying and weddings on the Day of the LORD like what happened before the Flood (Luke 17:20-37), we can learn to balance our reactions to violence with wisdom and love, and maintain our humanity and compassion despite exposure to violence and evil.

Categories
Torah readings

Torah reading Noach (נח): Genesis 6:9–11:32

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).

Categories
Discussions Torah

5 similarities between Noach (Noah) and Mashiach (Messiah)

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.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Genesis 6:9–11:32: Our salvation floats on a real Flood

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 because he had faith in God — faith put into action.

Noakh’s clinged to God’s words, but his generation refused to follow him into the Ark and to receive salvation. That’s why Yeshua talked about the “days of Noah” being just like His second coming (Luke 17:25–27; Matthew 24:37–38; Isaiah 54:8–10).

Categories
Discussions Torah

Genesis 6:9-11:32: Remembering God’s judgment and mercy in the Flood

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.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Genesis 8: Noach sends out raven and dove as Flood subsides

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.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Genesis 8: Remembering Noah and agonizing over the Flood

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.