What do you picture in your mind when you think of Noah and the Ark? Do you see that cute tug boat with all the precious animals sticking their heads out of the holes in the side, and happy Noah and his wife waving from the top of that boat? You know, the picture that is on nursery walls, and murals for kids? (we too have the "little people" version of the boat and animals : ). However, I fear that we are doing our children a great disservice by teaching them about the ark this way. I know we need to help them understand scripture in an age appropriate way, but we ourselves begin to think about scripture in that fanciful, fairy tail way. No wonder the unbelieving world thinks the Bible is just a storybook.
Noah's Ark, was the single most devastating event that has happened worldwide!!! Remember the tsunami that happened in Thailand back in '05? We were glued to the news and couldn't imagine a tidal wave of water rushing at those people and the aftermath that followed the power of that wall of water. Well, during the flood, the entire earth was completely covered in water! The Bible said that the tops of the mountains were covered! Imagine how God must have felt. It says in chapter 6, verse 6: that he was "grieved in His heart." Why? Because ch. 7:22, "all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died!" Remember how amazing it was in chapters 1 and 2 when He created every living thing--He had to completely destroy His greatest masterpiece! Think about something that you dream about making; you take the greatest care in designing this perfect creation, and then have to "blot it out!" wow....We don't think about it that way. God had to destroy what He absolutely loved most!
Also, how long was Noah and his family on that boat?--about one year and a week!!!! It rained for 40 days and nights, but then the water prevailed on the earth for 150 days...then, it took the rest of that year just for it to recede!!! I cannot imagine being couped up in my own house for a year, let alone an ark, with animals, on the water!!! The story of the ark captures one of God's saddest moments on earth, destroying His beloved creation because of sin,--but also His loving heart of redemption for preserving a Godly family, by which His own Son could come to redeem us! Now, I'm not saying that we need to repaint all our nurseries, but let's not be guilty of teaching fairy tail stories to our families; instead let's teach the AWESOME powerful truth that a world wide, global flood DID happen, and that rainbow is a promise to us that God remembered Noah--and because He remembered Noah, He remembered us as well!!
Kim Mitchell
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Genesis 4-7
The story of Cain and Abel is one of those stories that leaves you with many questions. Of course, we all want to know what was wrong with Cain's offering. Why did God look on Abel's offering with favor and not Cain's? Also, after Cain killed Abel, who was Cain afraid of? And then there's the classic question of Cain's wife. Who was she and where did she come from?
While these are interesting questions and fun to discuss, sometimes we christians can get caught reading between the lines instead of actually reading the lines. When we approach scripture, sometimes we have to accept what's not there in order to avoid missing what is there.
The text seems much more interested on Cain's reaction to God's disapproval of his sacrifice than what the sacrifice actually was. The anger that stirs within Cain against God and his brother is striking. The fact that this anger leads to Cain murdering his own brother is almost jaw-dropping. Clearly, Cain's heart has gone bad. Perhaps this clues us in on why God did not look at his offering with favor.
But this story is not primarily about Cain and Abel. This is a story about God. Did you learn anything about God in this account? Certainly God was angry with Cain for killing Abel and Cain received punishment. But did you see God's forgiveness and grace? Even though Cain did the unthinkable, God still chose to protect Cain, preserve his family line, and allow his family to develop a city with great technology. Did Cain deserve that kind of protection and blessing? No. But aren't you glad we have the same God as Cain who forgives, preserves, and blesses even thought we don't deserve?
(Incidentally, the answers to the initial questions I believe come when we realize that Adam and Eve had "other sons and daughters" during their 930 years of existence and that God did not forbid the marrying of close relatives until the time of Moses - who else was there to marry! There easily could have been multiple generations of families at the time of Abel's death who probably would have been quite upset with Cain.)
While these are interesting questions and fun to discuss, sometimes we christians can get caught reading between the lines instead of actually reading the lines. When we approach scripture, sometimes we have to accept what's not there in order to avoid missing what is there.
The text seems much more interested on Cain's reaction to God's disapproval of his sacrifice than what the sacrifice actually was. The anger that stirs within Cain against God and his brother is striking. The fact that this anger leads to Cain murdering his own brother is almost jaw-dropping. Clearly, Cain's heart has gone bad. Perhaps this clues us in on why God did not look at his offering with favor.
But this story is not primarily about Cain and Abel. This is a story about God. Did you learn anything about God in this account? Certainly God was angry with Cain for killing Abel and Cain received punishment. But did you see God's forgiveness and grace? Even though Cain did the unthinkable, God still chose to protect Cain, preserve his family line, and allow his family to develop a city with great technology. Did Cain deserve that kind of protection and blessing? No. But aren't you glad we have the same God as Cain who forgives, preserves, and blesses even thought we don't deserve?
(Incidentally, the answers to the initial questions I believe come when we realize that Adam and Eve had "other sons and daughters" during their 930 years of existence and that God did not forbid the marrying of close relatives until the time of Moses - who else was there to marry! There easily could have been multiple generations of families at the time of Abel's death who probably would have been quite upset with Cain.)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Genesis 1-3
My son, Curtis enjoys drawing pictures, cutting them out, and taping them on other pictures he draws. Right now, the pictures usually involve football or nascar. While the people in the pictures tend to have oversized hands and very skinny arms, he's very proud of his work and reflects some of who he is. After he finishes his "art," he often asks me to take it to my office and hang it up. So, I do.
It's interesting having this "art" in my office. When I take time to observe it, you know what happens - I'm reminded of my love and appreciation for Curtis. I think that's part of what should happen to us when we take time to observe God's "art."
Genesis 1 is one of those chapters that we can quickly read through because we already "know" it. But as I look out the window of my office and see the grass, trees, clouds, birds and people, I'm reminded that what I am observing is a direct result of what took place in Genesis 1. This all started there with just a word from God.
I also remember special times in my life when I was in certain places on this earth and was suddenly struck by "awe" of God because of His creation. I remember watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, looking across Bryce Canyon in Utah, seeing the variety of sea creatures at the Philadelphia aquarium, and simply watching the show "Life" on the Discovery Channel. These were times when God's "art" reminded me of my love and appreciation for Him. I'm so thankful God has given us a continual reminder of Him and His limitless creativity and goodness.
Do you remember any "awe" moments in your life of God's great creation?
It's interesting having this "art" in my office. When I take time to observe it, you know what happens - I'm reminded of my love and appreciation for Curtis. I think that's part of what should happen to us when we take time to observe God's "art."
Genesis 1 is one of those chapters that we can quickly read through because we already "know" it. But as I look out the window of my office and see the grass, trees, clouds, birds and people, I'm reminded that what I am observing is a direct result of what took place in Genesis 1. This all started there with just a word from God.
I also remember special times in my life when I was in certain places on this earth and was suddenly struck by "awe" of God because of His creation. I remember watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, looking across Bryce Canyon in Utah, seeing the variety of sea creatures at the Philadelphia aquarium, and simply watching the show "Life" on the Discovery Channel. These were times when God's "art" reminded me of my love and appreciation for Him. I'm so thankful God has given us a continual reminder of Him and His limitless creativity and goodness.
Do you remember any "awe" moments in your life of God's great creation?
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