David Bahn – Reflections

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. ¹² And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

¹³ On that very day Noah and his sons,Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. ¹⁴ They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. ¹⁵ Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. ¹⁶ The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.

¹⁷ For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. ¹⁸ The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. ¹⁹ They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. ²⁰ The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits. ²¹ Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind.²² Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died.²³ Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. – Genesis 7:11-23

Two recent encounters shape today’s post. One was a conversation with a very thoughtful and incredibly intelligent seminary classmate cum seminary professor, now retired. The other was at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. An article in wikipedia pans the methodology and “pseudoscience” (their term) employed in the explanations offered in the ark. The explanations and questions asked in the display itself, however, are thoughtful and enlightening. My only discomfort in the approach there is with some of the statements that leave no room for a different understanding of these truths. I believe in a humble holding of these truths of Scripture. 

I believe every word of the Genesis account of the flood and Noah, and the ark. I need no wiggle room to embrace these thoughts in a manner that makes them more palpable to modern non-pseudo scientific minds. Trying to play their game, however, seems to me a fool’s errand. I find helpful to learn insights from a careful study of the text and putting it along side of the fossil record, known things from archeological studies, and a starting point that does not immediately dismiss the truth of the Scriptural record. 

That leads me to my conversation with my good friend Jeff Gibbs. May I say again that Jeff is incredibly intelligent. He is also a dedicated student of the Scripture. And he believes it all – as do I. No ifs, ands, or buts. But he has a very humble approach to sharing and professing these truths. I recall one exchange between him and a young pastor – barely out of the seminary. He very patiently answered the objections and challenges of his junior colleague in a manner I might not have been so willing to display. 

Here are some of my convictions about all this:

• There is no slam dunk reason for dismissing the account of Noah, the flood, and the ark. There are plausible explanations about the construction, population, and flood that do not require an abandonment of all scientific evidence.
• Scientific evidence, however, is fallible. I won’t stake my eternal wellbeing on scientific insights or truths.
• I believe Scripture is infallible. It will never lead me away from Jesus, repentance, faith, hope, life, and salvation. God’s word is pure and precious.
• Some will find reason to reject this account – as well as other biblical teachings and truths. One of the criticisms against Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis, the group behind Ark Encounter is that they hold to the idea that God created us male and female – with all the implications to that belief. But to abandon such truths in favor of more convenient beliefs and morality is not just dangerous. It is eternally dangerous. 
• The incredible effort that Ham and his team have undertaken is impressive. Cataloguing the nearly 7000 “kinds” of animals that would have been on the ark, together with explanations as to why some kinds are generic (bears, for example), while others (bats, for example) are much more specific. There is one “kind” of bear on the ark, and more than a dozen “kinds” of bats! 
• I believe God’s word not because it is plausible. I believe it because I respect God and believe he is the foundation and source of all truth. 

We know precious little about God, but the little we know is precious!

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In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.¹² And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. – Genesis 7:11-16

We’ve recently been experiencing the remarkable beauty of the Smoky Mountains. These are not the stunningly majestic Rockies, or the striking peaks of the Alps. But they are aptly named: Clouds roll down the peaks like smoke.    And they are dotted with waterfalls, hiking trails, and expansive vistas. There are more species of trees are found here than in all of Europe. All delightful. So many photo opportunities. So many occasions to praise God, and revel in his glorious creation. 

One theory about the existence of these mountains – and of all of the geographical features of our planet – has to do with the Genesis flood. Some have theorized that the earth’s surface was much more flat (no mountains) prior to the flood. Only afterward were the mountains formed in the manner we see them today. No one living today was here when this happened. Even Moses was writing about something he did not personally see or experience.

I’m certain there are many nuances to this theory, and no short list of detractors. But I’m equally sure that the events described of waters bursting from beneath and from above would cause incredible upheaval and geographical change. This is a cataclysmic event. This is far beyond the worst storm you’ve ever experienced. Flash flood to the millionth power. Hurricane to the 10,000th power. And those numbers are figurative. In other words I have no scale by which I can accurately measure this upheaval. 

And it didn’t last for just a day. Or only a week. Or even merely a month. Forty days and nights the rains came down and waters sprang up from beneath. Relentless. Devastating. Undaunted. It. Will. Not. Stop. For 40 days and nights. Such a flood would no doubt have an impact on the geographical forms we see today. 

The main point of the Noah narrative is that God was judging the world, destroying much of what he had created, but saving Noah and the animals. He will start over. And to do so, he will have Noah build an ark and welcome the animals. He will send a flood, but he will save Noah and his family and the animals on the ark.

Questions about how much water would be necessary to flood the entire earth, where it all came from, and the lasting impact of such an epic event might be worth considering. But in the end, we should believe God’s word not because it’s sensible, but because we have a high regard and respect for God and his word. This was Martin Luther’s observation about Noah’s obedience. 

There are only two religions in the world: God’s religion and man’s religion. God’s religion is all and only that which he has revealed to us in his word. Man’s religion is anything else. Man’s religion calls us to work our way to God. God’s religion calls us to repent of our sins and believe in his goodness and grace cantered in Jesus. Noah was “an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

Whether the flood explains or confounds our understanding of the geography of our planet, this account points us to the One who is over all things and who will call us to account. Thankfully those who have faith will be counted righteous and will be saved.

Sorry…no audio today. 

The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.² Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,³ and also seven pairs of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. ⁴ Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights,and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”

⁵ And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

⁶ Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. ⁷ And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the arkto escape the waters of the flood. ⁸ Pairs of clean and uncleananimals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, ⁹ male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. ¹⁰ And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

¹¹ In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.¹² And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

¹³ On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark.¹⁴ They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. ¹⁵ Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark.¹⁶ The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in. – Genesis 7:1-16

Have you ever just sighed, “What’s the big deal?!?” A supposed new product that will revolutionize the industry turns out to be a dud. A new curriculum promises to advance education only to confuse students, anger parents, and bore teachers. A different way of cooking is said to change the way we eat and shave inches and pounds, only to be dismissed by everyone who tries it. What’s the big deal?

In the case of Noah, there is a very big deal going on here. It’s a big deal of building an ark. It’s the big deal of readying it for the coming flood. It’s the big deal of getting food for the animals who would board the ark. It’s the big deal of believing the LORD, trusting his word, and acting in faith. And that truly is a big deal. 

When the time comes for Noah to enter the ark, God does an amazing thing. He causes the animals to come to Noah! They come to him. They enter the ark. They, two-by-two enter: wild beasts, clean and unclean. Animals and people will be together for more than a year. God sets it all in motion. God commands and promises. Noah hears and believes. 

Martin Luther speaks of Noah’s faith in a very telling manner. He suggests that Noah does not believe God’s word or obey his commandments because they make sense. Noah believed because he respected the one who gave it. And this is a very big deal. 

How often do we want to do things because they make sense – or more accurately – how often do we bristle at the idea of doing something that does not make sense to us. You want me to do what?!? Jonah being sent to Nineveh, David going up against Goliath, Moses leading the children of Israel into the Red Sea, Peter casting his net on the other side: all these come to mind. 

There are other elements of the big deal that are being revealed here. The animals will come to Noah and the ark. The earth will gorge forth water from below and above. The salvation of God will become evident not only to Noah, but to a perishing world. Perhaps they repented. We can only hope.

What big deals do you too-easily dismiss? A prayer is answered. A financial provision comes just-in-the-nick-of-time. A long-standing feud is resolved. Two enemies become friends. A child is born. A lost daughter is returned to her family. These are all big deals. Maybe not as big as the ark, or the animals…except to the ones to whom God speaks his word of grace and hope. Whenever that happens it truly is a big deal. 

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For your personal reflection and edification on the Lord’s Day…

Psalm 25:4-7

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truthand teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in youall day long.
⁶ Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
according to your loveremember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 85:8-12

I will listen to what God the Lordsays;
    he promises peaceto his people, his faithful servants—
    but let them not turn to folly.
⁹ Surely his salvationis near those who fear him,
    that his glorymay dwell in our land.

You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. ²⁰ Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.²¹ You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” – Genesis 6:19-21

We say we’re going to do better, but we have yet to make good on our resolution. There’s always one more item, one more thing to throw in the suitcase. One more item to pack in the camera bag. One more kitchen item to put in the food box. After all, there’s plenty of room in the car. When we’re on a road trip. Somehow, however, that also happens even if we’re going to get on an airplane. We are definitely not candidates for Rick Steves’ packing light poster children. I’m not even sure we’ll use everything we bring along for the trip.

Noah is given instructions on supplying the ark for this rescue saga. Ark: check. Animals, two-by-two, male and female: check. Food for all concerned: check. Rooms, spaces, decks, windows and doors: check. There are no electronics. No video games. No TVs or DVDs, or even radios. While that isn’t surprising – after all they’ve not been invented just yet – there doesn’t seem to be any provision for provisions beyond the essentials.

On the one hand, that makes sense. This is to be a relatively short-lived saga. It will rain for 40 days and 40 nights. The ark will float on the flood waters for months, not years. And this saga is not so much about getting from one place to another, as it was about getting from one situation to another. A broken and rebellious world will be wiped out. And in its place will be a pristine opportunity to build a new and better society. 

All that is necessary is enough food, space, animals, and people to get through the process of destruction and arrive in the place of new beginnings. 

I wonder about all the stuff we bring along on our own lives’ journeys. We’re not on an ark, awaiting the end of a storm and flood, anticipating starting over in a new world. Or are we? We need (and I’m speaking to myself here) so much less than we think. We adorn our lives and homes, offices, and relationships with far more accoutrements than is truly necessary.

There is, however, only one situation reported in Scripture where God tells someone to get rid of all his worldly possessions (cf. Mark 10:21). And while he commends the widow who gave her two last cents as an offering, he also enjoys dining with Simon (who apparently was wealthy enough to host a feast in his home). He allows a woman to anoint him with a very expensive jar of ointment. 

Perhaps we’ve lost sight of the rescue mission we’re part of. Maybe we don’t believe we’re just strangers here, sojourners in a foreign land until we are home with God. It might be that we’re prone to distracting ourselves from the important things of God and numbing ourselves to the pain of not being yet home. 

Rather than distracting ourselves or numbing our hearts, let’s thank God for his provision, enjoy the worldly blessings he allows, but keep our hearts fixed on the hope for the new heaven and new earth where true joy and life are to be found. 

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[God said,] I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. ¹⁸ But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.¹⁹ You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. ²⁰ Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.²¹ You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

²² Noah did everything just as God commanded him. – Genesis 6:17-21

“Tell me a story about David and Goliath, Daddy!” Or was it, Jonah and the whale? Or was it Noah and the Ark? These great Old Testament narratives are rich in spiritual lessons, important truths about people of faith, and the danger of opposing God’s ways and purposes. In so far as that’s the case, they are even more about people and God. In fact the entire Bible is really God’s story. And we do well to remember it. 

I’ve written previously about my 6th grade PE teacher. Mr. Maybry was too cool for words. For me, that meant he had a flat top hair cut, a whistle, and a clip board. He called one of the girls in our class “Peewee” and seemed to know how to dribble a basketball. I could never be as cool as Mr. Mabry, I thought. Coolness aside, it’s a fools errand to try to be as cool as, brave as, faithful as, or heroic as someone else. That’s living another person’s life. 

Oscar Wilde put it this way: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” I would add, “Let God be God. You would do a poor job of it if you tried.” 

This is the account of Noah, writes Moses. Yes, Noah, as a major player in the story of God. He’ll have a major role, but will soon fade into the larger tapestry of God’s people, God’s claim, God’s glory, and God’s story. Others will take center stage as the drama unfolds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and John. Then will come Jesus of Nazareth. He is the center of all history, the star of God’s story, and the One to whom God is always leading us. 

So when you hear the stories of people like Noah, Abraham, Jonah, David, or John, let them inspire you in as much as they appropriately may. But more than that, let them point you to Jesus. For they each and all failed in one form or another. None of them had to deal with the issues you face each day. In one way or another we each must see how we enter the story of God. It is for his glory, and our eternal joy when we do.

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[The LORD says,] I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. ¹⁸ But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.¹⁹ You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. ²⁰ Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.²¹ You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

²² Noah did everything just as God commanded him. – Genesis 6:17-21

You’ve no doubt done it, so have I. We’ve added a little word to a sentence and the thought we started turned suddenly a different direction. I understand what you’re saying, but… I think you have a good idea, but… This word, “but” is a powerful resource for harm or healing in our personal communications. 

We hear God on this occasion turn the impending doom into a pathway of hope for Noah. “Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you…” Suddenly the impending doom is a frame of a story of salvation, and faithfulness of God. 

We may think of this as the story of Noah, and so it is, but this is really part of the story of God. Noah is acting here, but he is acting in response to God’s working. Noah is a righteous man, but the rest of mankind on earth is evil and corrupt. Violence and rebellion are everywhere, but God is not unaware. A disaster looms, but God will save Noah.

I can think of times in my life that would send me on a path of destruction, doom, and disaster, but God’s grace brought me back. I can think of times where I should have resisted temptation, but I did not. I can think of times when all looked lost, but God sent someone to help. I can think of experiences that were bad, but God redeemed them and brought good from the bad. 

Is there a but in your life that you need to celebrate? Is there a however that you need to consider in your path tomorrow? Is there a notwithstanding that gives you hope? Is there a nonetheless that you need to consider as you look to the future? 

God has a host of situations to which he brings a but, however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, or even so that offers us hope, re-charts our life’s path. And his intent is to bless, save, sustain, and guide us to himself. In Noah’s day the situation was dire, but so was his faithfulness. And it still is. He has made a covenant with us through his Son. And that covenant will not be set aside by any word.

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So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. ¹⁴ So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. ¹⁵ This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. ¹⁶ Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. – Genesis 6:13-16

Are you a just the basics, ma’am, just the basics kind of person? Or do you prefer the finer touches: linen napkins, full place settings, crystal goblets, salad forks, and dessert spoons? In other words, when you consider providing a meal for someone, is it a nice, but basic meal? Or do you go a second or third mile? Do you give attention to the details, extras, and niceties? 

We’ve been on the receiving end of both kinds of delightful meals of mercy. Whether when I’ve been home while Diane traveled, or we’ve had a new baby, people have been kind to us over the years. And most times, it seems, the meals were a bit more than just the basics. An unexpected dessert. A very nice salad. Once or twice perhaps a bottle of wine to go with it. Unnecessary – strictly speaking – but really appreciated. 

Where did such thoughtfulness come from? Where would someone get the idea of going a second or even third mile? Of course Jesus taught this. Whenever someone asks for your coat, give him your cloak as well. When he asks you to go one mile, go a second mile as well (cf. Matthew 5:40-41). But that was not God’s first foray into thoughtful generosity. 

Think of it. God could have simply told Noah to build an ark, laid out the dimensions and let him figure it out. And while the ark is no luxury cruise liner, it is far more than a floating barnyard. This is not just a drifting animal pen. There are decks, windows, rooms, food storage and other arrangements for Noah and his family…and the animals. 

God is providing here not only for Noah and his family, but also for the animals as well. This may be a temporary place of safety. But arrangements are made so that the whole menagerie will be saved. God is not having Noah put together a slap dash life raft. This is a boat designed to save man and animals. He marks out not only the dimensions, but the levels and windows as well. 

The ultimate rescue and salvation of man and all of creation looked crude and thoughtless. But all of heaven watched as Jesus went to the cross and grave for our sins, and rose victorious for our salvation. Then he ascended and is now clothed in splendor at the right hand of God. When he comes again on the Great Last Day, the fullness of his glory will be evident to all. So will the extent of his mercy and grace. So will the joy of the angels of heaven. So will our delight in God and his incredible provision. Well beyond cubits, decks, windows, and doors.

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 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.¹² God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. ¹³ So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. ¹⁴ So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. ¹⁵ This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. ¹⁶ Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks.¹⁷ I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. ¹⁸ But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.¹⁹ You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. ²⁰ Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.²¹ You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

²² Noah did everything just as God commanded him. – Genesis 6:11-22

The class is rowdy and boisterous. Paper airplanes are flying through the air. Spit balls and paper wads are barraging one side of the room or the other. Kids are laughing, talking, and completely ignoring the teacher. You, however, are listening as the teacher says, “I’m giving a test tomorrow. It will determine your grade for the whole semester. It will be over chapter 10, and you can bring notes to class. But you cannot share your notes with anyone. Once the test begins, anyone who talks will fail…” You hear this. None of the other students do. None of them seem to care even as you try to tell them about it before the end of the day. 

Is this what is going on in Noah’s day? Evil is rampant. Noah is given clear and specific instructions to build a boat. Perhaps he sought to warn the people of his day. They would not listen. They would be lost. 

Noah is given a daunting task. Building an ark as it is described here is beyond difficult. Think of the amount of wood that would be needed. Consider how it is to be put together. Imagine the reaction of those around him as he is building this on dry ground. This is a difficult job.

Noah is also given a very specific job. Length, breadth, windows, levels, a door: all these were laid out by God. His is a very unique job, clearly delineated, specifically outlined. Nothing is to be left to chance here. The survival of the human race is at stake. 

Whether it is the daunting task, the specifics of the job, or the weight of the impending doom, Noah is an exceptional man with an exceptional mission. No one else is tagged to do this. No one else is given the dimensions for the ark. No one else will save his family. No one else will receive the covenant blessing promised to Noah.

Not many people want to be the exception these days. We all want to fit in. We wear clothes that reflect the current fashion trends. We try not to be outlandish in our actions. We seek to blend in with the crowd.

I think God needs exceptional people. He needs people who are willing to build boats of compassion, grace, justice and truth in the seas of evil, falsehood, retribution and hatred. He needs people who will not only stand for truth, but also engage gracefully with others. He needs people to take the name of Jesus in prayer – not in vain. He needs people to resist temptation rather than look for it. 

Noah was such a man in his day. You or I may be the woman or man in our day. Jesus was and is The Exception to all ungodliness for all time. We claim his righteousness by faith, and seek to follow his example by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

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For your personal edification and meditation on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 18:1-3

¹ I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.
² The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
³ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 48:1-2

¹ How great is the Lord,
    how deserving of praise,
in the city of our God,
    which sits on his holy mountain!
² It is high and magnificent;
    the whole earth rejoices to see it!
Mount Zion, the holy mountain,^[a]
    is the city of the great King!

Psalm 78:1-3

¹ O my people, listen to my instructions.
    Open your ears to what I am saying,
²     for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
³     stories we have heard and known,
    stories our ancestors handed down to us.

Psalm 108:1-2

¹ My heart is confident in you, O God;
    no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
² Wake up, lyre and harp!
    I will wake the dawn with my song.

Psalm 138:1-2

¹ I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.
² I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
    by all the honor of your name.