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40 days and 40 nights :: God keeps his word (exactly)

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On January 15, 2014

In 40 days & 40 nights, Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

The first time the Bible records the phrase “forty days and forty nights” is in the account of the universal flood during the time of Noah, but did you know that the are other accounts in the Bible wherein forty days and forty nights is mentioned. Though I must admit that I am not exactly sure as to what the explicit timeframe of “forty days and forty nights” signify, close scrutiny of the Scripture, reveals a lesson we can learn from each of the accounts in which this timeframe is mentioned.

This is part of the 40 days & 40 nights series.
The Bible records that it rained for forty days and forty nights as part of God’s judgment upon a violent and wicked generation during the time of Noah. God had told Noah that he was going to cause rain to fall for a period of forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:4) and that is exactly what happened (Genesis 7:12), not a day more nor a day less. We can learn from this, that when God gives specific instructions, we can take him at his word, that it will happen exactly how he says it will be.

Points to ponder:
God can be taken at his word and he does exactly what he says he is going to do. Do you and I take God at his word, exactly?

Genesis 7: 4 & 12 (KJV)
4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
…
12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)
9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations,

Numbers 23:19 (KJV)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Wait in hope

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On January 14, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

God had asked Noah to prepare an ark to save his family and his creation. Noah faithfully obeyed and did all that God had commanded him to and just seven days before the flood, the Bible says that God informed Noah that he was going to send rain, in seven days , for a period of forty days and forty nights, and destroy every living substance from off the face of the earth (Genesis 7:4). God has warned Noah of the impending cataclysmic flood and now God had given him a timeline – another seven days to go, before his word was to come true.

I wondered, what those seven days would have been like for Noah? Wondered if thoughts of doubt would have crept into his mind? There was never an universal flood like what God had said before that time. Noah had to continue to trust God at his word as he did to prepare the ark that God had commissioned him to. Now it was the final hour and God had to come through – he had to wait in hope, and that is what he did.

Points to ponder:
The Bible speaks of the judgment of God that every one must face one day (2 Corinthians 5:10) and while we await that day, we need to wait in hope, without wavering in our faith. Noah believed in God and trusted him at his word. Do we?

Genesis 7:4 (KJV)
4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Titus 2:12-14 (KJV)
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

To keep seed alive – God’s plan

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On January 13, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 7:3 speaks about the plan and loving nature of God, which is to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth, while in his just nature, he was going to destroy the world that he had created with the universal flood, in the time of Noah. “To keep seed alive” is God’s plan.

God so loved the world that he wanted to keep seed alive and in order to do so, ironically, God had to smite and bruise The Only begotten SEED of the woman (Genesis 3:15), Jesus Christ, so that by Jesus’ death and resurrection (Philippians 3:10), Jesus could destroy the devil who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14) and give life to all who believe in him (John 3:16), the SEED (Galatians 3:16).

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, “I have come so that you may have life and that you may have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) The SEED had to be bruised and afflicted (Isaiah 53) so that God could keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. Only those who were in the ark were saved. In like manner, only those who abide in Jesus Christ, the Ark of God, shall be kept alive … Are you alive? In other words, is The SEED (Jesus Christ) germinated in your life?

Genesis 7:2-3 (KJV)
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Galatians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Seed and Sacrifice

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On January 9, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Jesus in the N.T., Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Children’s books that give the account of Noah and the ark he built, often depict the animals going into the ark two by two. Seldom do any of them make the distinction that there were seven pairs of clean beasts and the fowls of the air, both male and female, while there was only one pair of unclean beasts, both male and female that entered the ark.

Some speculate that it was for the sustenance of Noah and his family, but there is a fallacy in this conjecture as meat was not given unto man for food until after the flood (Genesis 9:4). So if the clean beasts and clean fowls were not for sustenance, why were they to be taken into the ark, in more numbers than the unclean ones.

The Bible says that God wanted the seed to be alive on the face of the earth (Genesis 7:3). It was also necessary to worship God by offering him a sacrifice, when the time was due (Genesis 4:3) and so if there was only pair of clean beasts and clean fowl in the ark, there would have been none left for the seed to be alive after they were sacrifice.

Having seven pairs of clean beasts ensured that even after a sacrifice was made (Genesis 8:20), there was still that kind of beast available for replenishing the earth to keep that seed alive.

Though the distinction of clean and unclean beasts was not given until the time of the Levitical law (Leviticus 11) during the time of Moses and Aaron, from Genesis 4:4 we see that God had certain expectations of what a sacrifice to him should be like – one like that of Abel and not as that of Cain.

Points to ponder:
God wants us his seed to be alive in Christ Jesus, the Ark of God, but he also expects us to worship him by sacrificing ourselves as a living sacrifice that is clean i.e., pleasing and acceptable unto the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). Would you consider your life clean? In other words, have you been washed by the shed blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully resting in his grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

If not, “Come now, and let us reason together,  says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).

Genesis 7:2-3 (KJV)
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Genesis 8:20 (KJV)
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What will God see (in you and me)?

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On January 8, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

The Bible states that God saw Noah to be righteous in his generation before him for Genesis 7:1 reads “for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”
How was Noah righteous before God? It was by faith. Noah believed God of the impending doom and moved with fear, he prepared the ark (did all that God commanded him to – Genesis 6:22) and became the heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7). Not only was Noah just proclaimed as being righteous but he also acted on his faith by being the preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).

Points to ponder:
The Bible states that one of the descendants of Noah, Abram was imputed the righteousness of God because he believed God, just as his ancestor Noah did. If God was to see you and me, would he see us as he saw Noah – one who is righteous before him in this generation?

Genesis 7:1 (KJV)
7 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)
7. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Household Salvation

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On January 7, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Imagine for a moment if either Mrs. Noah or one of Noah’s children or their wives chose not to enter into the ark. What would have been their fate? It would have been the same as those who were not in the ark – dead/perished.

Genesis 7:1 indicates that God is interested in not just an individual but the family as a whole. He tells unto Noah, to bring his family (in fact all his family) into the ark by which they can be saved.

Points to ponder:
God is certainly interested in you, but not just you, but your entire family as well. When the keeper of the prison asked “What must I do to be saved?”,  the disciples of Jesus, Paul and Silas replied, “Believe in the Lord and you will be saved, you and your house.” (Acts 16:31). Note how the plan of salvation is for the family (you and your house), not just an individual who sought salvation. However, it must be recognized that each member of the household must personally believe i.e., enter the ark. The faith (belief) of Rahab the harlot, which when expressed in action brought about the assurance of the salvation, not just for herself but for her entire house who were within. (Joshua 6:17). The Bible contradicts some of the erudite sayings of the world which are indeed foolish, that God is not a personal God … for God is certainly personal – personally wanting not just your own salvation but the salvation of all your household. What a wonderful God we have! Have you believed in Jesus? Does your family believe in Jesus?

Genesis 7:1 (KJV)
1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Joshua 6:17 (KJV)
17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Acts 16:30-31 (KJV)
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

God’s verb, Our verb …

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On January 6, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

The verb that God has for us is the same as the one that we ought to have for ourselves and it is stated in the first verse of the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible. The word is “Come”. The LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark;
God told Noah to come so that he and his household could be saved. Upon salvation, Noah worshipped God (Genesis 8:20).

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Only in Jesus will you find true rest and when we have the rest for our souls (salvation), we ought to worship God as the Psalmist says in Psalm 95:6, “Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker.”
God’s verb for you is “Come”, what is yours for him?

Genesis 7:1 (KJV)
1. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Psalm 95:6 (KJV)
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Noah – a purpose driven man

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On January 3, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

An individual of purpose is one who does what is intended and expected of him or her, in their life so that when their life comes to an end, they can be assured that they have fulfilled their whole duty. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states that “to fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of man.”

Hebrews 11:7 says that Noah was moved with fear and he kept God’s commandments, for he did all that God commanded him to (Genesis 6:22; Genesis 7:5), which means his life was a purpose driven life.

Points to ponder:
Noah was a purpose driven man and he fulfilled God’s purposes fully, not partially. How about you and me? Can it be said of you and me that we fear God and that we do ALL that God commands us to.

Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Genesis 6:22 (KJV)
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Genesis 7:5 (KJV)
5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The Ark of Love – “expressed”

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On January 2, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

When God commanded Noah to build an ark, the Bible says that Noah did ALL that the Lord commanded him (Genesis 6:22). In other words, Noah loved God. We can deduce this from Jesus’ words – “If you love me, [you will] keep [do] my commandments.” (John 14:15). To love God is to DO ALL that he commands us to i.e., express our faith in action.

Points to ponder:
Noah loved God and built an ark for the salvation of God’s creatures. God so loved the world that he made his Only begotten Son, the Ark, that whosoever abides in him, shall not be drowned in sin and death, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Because of his love, God made Jesus, the Ark of Love, for the salvation of God’s creation – including you and me.

Genesis 6:22 (KJV)
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

James 1:22 (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: Kept Alive

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On December 30, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and make rooms in it, pitch it inside and out and then explicitly gave Noah the fashion (dimensions) in which Noah was to build the ark. Additionally, God told Noah that he was to make ‘A’ window and finish it on top and instructs Noah that he was to set ‘The Door’ in the side of the ark. God then tells Noah that he ought to make three stories in the ark – a lower story, a second and third story.

Many speculate as to the significance of these three stories and one common explanation is that it could possibly be a reference to the Triune nature of God. While this is not entirely implausible, it must be understood that this is merely conjecture as it is not supported by Biblical references explicitly. However, one thing is true, irrespective of which story Noah of the residents of the ark were housed, as long as they were in the ark, they were kept alive.

Points to ponder:
Only if you and I are in Christ and Christ Jesus is in us (John 15:4), can we be kept alive from God’s impending judgment. It does not matter what level of your relationship you are in with Christ – whether you are a new believer who has just entered through the door (like the repentant thief on the Cross) in the lower story, or if you are a maturing Christian in the second story, or if you are a mature Christian in the third story in a close walk with God (as was Enoch, the seventh from Adam), as long as you are inside Jesus Christ, the Ark, you shall be saved. Are you assured that you shall be kept alive?

Genesis 6:16-21 (KJV)
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.|
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.

John 15:4 (KJV)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

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