Noach - October 24, 2020

Torah Portion:
Noach - October 24, 2020
Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Portion Summary:
—Noah is instructed to build the Ark and fill it with animals.
—Noah, his family, and cargo are shut in the Ark and the rains come.
—Noah tests the environment outside; he leaves the Ark as commanded by God.
—A new covenant is cut by God with Man.
—Noah’s sons show their character.
—A new genealogy is listed.
—The Tower of Babel incident is recounted.
—The genealogy is updated from Shem to Abram.

Devotional by Janet Cothrell:

“Then Noah built an altar to ADONAI and he took of every clean domestic animal and of every clean flying creature and he offered burnt offerings on the altar. When ADONAI smelled the soothing aroma, ADONAI said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground on account of man, even though the inclination of the heart of humankind is evil from youth. Nor will I ever again smite all living creatures as I have done. While all the days of the land remain, seedtime and harvest, summer and winter, day and night will not cease.’” Genesis 8:20-22 (TLV)

While enjoying Noah’s offering, Adonai made a vow that He intended to keep. Man’s sin had rapidly corrupted mankind. Humanity had become so sinful that even God Himself could no longer tolerate its depravity. Even though He had to cleanse the Earth of its sinfulness by means of a great flood, there was no guarantee that the same corruption wouldn’t again take hold of us.

Thankfully, He had a plan to redeem all mankind by raising up a family and then a nation that would bring forth God’s Messiah to make a way for man to be restored.

This battle between man’s sinfulness and God’s righteousness still wages today, and unfortunately this conflict will become much more intense before it gets better. The good news is that we don’t need to despair, because the Scriptures have shown us what to watch for and that we can expect God’s mercy and rescue when we call upon the name of Yeshua! It is His desire that all humanity be redeemed from its own worst enemy — our own sinful nature!

We must daily seek Adonai’s rescue for ourselves and others. As we seek Him, we can ask Him to bring about an unprecedented revival so that everyone we know and love can experience His all-encompassing love and protection.

Dear Lord,
We thank you for Your protection in this moment and the future. We ask that your Spirit would come down upon our region, the nation, and the world and that You would reveal Yourself to all who do not know You. Prepare us for the days to come and that we would experience daily Your presence even in times of great strife. You are our great hope and our joy!
In Yeshua’s name, amen.