Genesis 7:1-5, 8:14-19, and 9:8-17
I invite you to listen to today’s scripture reading from Genesis 7:1-5, 8:14-19, and 9:8-17. Let’s connect with the voices of the Bible as we listen to God’s word.
First, from Genesis 7:1-5: “The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark with your whole household because, among this generation, I’ve seen that you are a moral man. From every clean animal, take seven pairs, a male and his mate; and from every unclean animal, take one pair, a male and his mate; and from the birds in the sky as well, take seven pairs, male and female, so that their offspring will survive throughout the earth. In seven days from now, I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will wipe off from the fertile land every living thing that I have made.” Noah did everything the Lord commanded him.”
Next, from Genesis 8:14-19: “In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day, the earth was dry. God spoke to Noah, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you all the animals of every kind—birds, livestock, everything crawling on the ground—so that they may populate the earth, be fertile, and multiply on the earth.” So Noah went out of the ark with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives. All the animals, all the livestock, all the birds, and everything crawling on the ground, came out of the ark by their families.”
And from Genesis 9:8-17: “God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “I am now setting up my covenant with you, with your descendants, and with every living being with you—with the birds, with the large animals, and with all the animals of the earth, leaving the ark with you. I will set up my covenant with you so that never again will all life be cut off by floodwaters. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.”
God said, “This is the symbol of the covenant that I am drawing up between me and you and every living thing with you, on behalf of every future generation. I have placed my bow in the clouds; it will be the symbol of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember the covenant between me and you and every living being among all the creatures. Floodwaters will never again destroy all creatures. The bow will be in the clouds, and upon seeing it I will remember the enduring covenant between God and every living being of all the earth’s creatures.” God said to Noah, “This is the symbol of the covenant that I have set up between me and all creatures on earth.”
Weathering the Storm
I find something magical about the Kansas State Fair. The aroma of funnel cakes, the excited shouts from midway rides, and the proud displays of prized pumpkins and handcrafted quilts create a uniquely Kansas experience.
My family, perhaps like yours, has been coming to this fair for generations. So, some places, like the Domestic Arts building, feel like a thin place where we can almost reach out and touch the memories of those who’ve gone before us, their stories of resilience and creativity woven into every exhibit.
As we kick off our “From Generation to Generation” series and approach our church’s 150th anniversary, we find ourselves like Noah’s family – poised on the threshold of a new chapter, yet deeply rooted in our past. Whether you’re a first-time 4-Her or a long-time congregation member, we all carry stories of faith that span generations.
The scripture we’ll discuss today is part of a larger biblical narrative pointing to Jesus. Though ancient, these texts remain alive and active, with the Holy Spirit communicating through them. I encourage you to note any thoughts or reflections as we explore God’s presence in these words.
In recent weeks, we drew inspiration from Jesus’ teachings and actions. We’ve been challenged to extend love beyond our comfort zones and to practice intentional compassion, even towards those we might typically avoid. Themes of breaking barriers and bridging divides set the stage for our next series.
Today, we turn to the ancient story of Noah, a tale that resonates across generations. Like the disciples in Acts who spread God’s love, Noah was called to an extraordinary task. His story, much like Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, shows us how God reaches out to unlikely individuals, inviting them into a larger narrative of redemption and hope. Noah’s covenant with God, symbolized by the rainbow, reminds us of the compassionate heart of our creator. It echoes Jesus’ compassion for the Samaritan woman and challenges us to share it with others.
In the coming weeks, we’ll explore how these ancient stories speak to our modern lives, guiding us in creating a legacy of faith that impacts our church and our entire community. So, I invite you to open your hearts to the wisdom of the past as we build a future rooted in love, compassion, and unwavering faith.
The story of Noah and the flood takes us back to ancient times, thousands of years ago. Picture a world where people lived in small communities, farming and herding animals. They didn’t have the technology or knowledge we have today, but they were deeply connected to the natural world around them.
In those days, people believed in many gods controlling different aspects of nature. They saw the world as a place full of mystery and divine power. The Hebrews, however, were developing a unique belief in one God who created and ruled over everything.
Genesis, where we find Noah’s story, is the Bible’s first book. It’s all about beginnings – the beginning of the world, humanity, and God’s relationship with people. Noah’s tale comes after the creation story and the fall of Adam and Eve but before the stories of Abraham and the patriarchs.
This flood narrative is a pivotal moment in Genesis, showing God’s disappointment with humanity’s wickedness and God’s mercy and desire for a fresh start. It sets the stage for God’s covenant with Abraham and the formation of the Israelite people.
The story of Noah connects with themes found throughout the Bible – God’s judgment of sin, saving grace, and promises to humanity. It’s told as a historical narrative, but many scholars see it as rich in symbolism and moral lessons.
The writing style is vivid and dramatic, depicting a world-changing event. It emphasizes obedience to God, the consequences of human actions, and the hope of new beginnings. The rainbow covenant at the end is a powerful symbol of God’s enduring promise to all creation.
This ancient story still speaks today about faith, obedience, and the relationship between humanity and our creator. It challenges us to consider our actions and our responsibility to care for the world God has entrusted to us.
In our personal lives, we may often face moments that feel like personal floods – overwhelming challenges that threaten to submerge us. Yet, the story of Noah reminds us that even in life’s stormiest seasons, we’re not alone. God’s promise extends to us today, offering hope and guidance as we navigate turbulent waters.
Consider a young adult stepping into their first job, feeling adrift in a sea of new responsibilities. Just as Noah followed divine instructions to build the ark, we, too, can seek wisdom and direction when charting unfamiliar territory. It might mean reaching out to mentors, developing new skills, or simply trusting the process. Each small step of faith builds our ark of resilience.
For parents juggling work, family, and personal growth, Noah’s journey resonates deeply. Nurturing and protecting a family amidst life’s storms can feel daunting. Yet, like Noah caring for the animals, we’re called to create safe spaces where our loved ones can thrive. This might involve setting healthy boundaries, cultivating open communication, or being present with others in moments of joy and struggle.
Those facing hardships might relate to the long days Noah spent waiting for the waters to recede. In times of illness, job loss, or personal setbacks, hope can seem distant. But the rainbow reminds us that after every storm, new beginnings await. It encourages us to persist, to look for signs of promise, and to trust in a future we can’t yet see.
In all these situations, God’s covenant with Noah speaks to us. God does not promise that we won’t have challenges. God does promise to be with us amid storms in our lives. God’s covenant calls us to be stewards of hope in our communities, to extend compassion to others weathering storms of their own, and to trust that even in our darkest moments, we’re part of an incredible story of renewal and grace.
The good news is that God’s faithfulness endures through every storm of life. Just as the rainbow appeared as a sign of divine promise after the flood, we, too, can find signs of hope and renewal in our daily lives.
As we reflect on Noah’s story, we’re reminded that we’re all part of a greater narrative – a legacy of faith that spans generations. Our church, much like Noah’s journey, has seen its share of storms and rainbows over the past 150 years. Through it all, God has been constant.
So, this week, carry Noah’s spirit with you. Be an ark-builder, creating safe spaces for others in our community. Be a rainbow-seeker, looking for signs of hope and sharing that hope with others. Remember, just as God was faithful to Noah through the flood, God is faithful to us through all of life’s seasons. Will you pray with me?
God of every generation, as we approach our anniversary, please guide our congregation. Help us cherish our heritage, embrace today’s joys, and craft a future illuminated by your love. We ask that the legacy of faith we celebrate inspire us to be faithful ark-builders and hopeful rainbow-seekers in our community. Amen.
~Pastor Andrew
