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Genesis 8:1-10:32

Below is an excellent timeline of the flood provided by Answers in Genesis. Imagine spending over a year in the ark! I remember one person saying that although the stench must have been horrible on the INSIDE of the ark, the judgment was much worse on the OUTSIDE of the ark. Friend, be sure to stay in the ark, even though at times it’s stinky and anything but smooth sailing.

In Genesis 9:3 God permits man to eat meat, without the blood.

In Genesis 9:6 we are reminded of the sanctity of human life.

Warren Wiersbe, “Murder is a terrible crime because man is made in the image of God, and to kill a human being is to attack God’s image.

The rainbow is a reminder that God will never judge the world through water (flood) again (Genesis 9:15-16). He will judge the world one day, but it will be by fire (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:9, 11).

Warren Wiersbe, “The sign of the covenant was the rainbow, a bridge of beauty that joins heaven and earth. Whether we look at the rainbow or not, God looks upon it and remembers His promises.”

It’s tragic that the LGBT community has hijacked the rainbow as a symbol for themselves and yet those of us who know the Scriptures see it in the context of worldwide judgment.

Through Noah’s sons we learn dramatically that our behavior today affects the future tomorrow – for good or evil. God help us to honor our parents and never gossip.

Warren Wiersbe, “Ham should have grieved over his father’s sins, not gloated over them (Proverbs 14:9). His brothers did what love always does: ‘covers all sins’ (Proverbs 10:12; 12:16; 17:9; 1 Peter 4:8).”

In Genesis 10:10 we have the beginning of Babylon through a man named Nimrod, a rebellious tyrant under the influence of the enemy. Babel means confusion, something God is not the author of (1 Corinthians 14:33). We’ll see much more of Babylon throughout the Bible.

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Matthew 4:12-25

One of the blessings of a pilgrimage to Israel is we’re able to visualize the beautiful city of Capernaum where Jesus eventually lived. It was a fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2.

What a beautiful promise to the Gentiles:

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light.” (Matthew 4:16a)

Jesus’ message was the same as John the Baptist’s:

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Jesus calls  Peter and Andrew, James and John from fishing for fish, to fishing for men. It is believed that 7 of the 12 Apostles were fishermen. They left everything behind, to follow Christ. Isn’t this our calling as well? 

Jesus went on to speak the greatest words ever spoken and to do the greatest works ever done – truly He is the Messiah! His ministry consisted of teaching, preaching, and healing.

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Psalm 4:1-8

David was not a perfect man, by any means, but He was a true believer. I love his words in:

Psalm 4:3 (NKJV) “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.”

As believers with a heart to obey, we are set apart for God (holy) – and He hears us when we call to Him.  So let’s keep calling! David was in distress (Psalm 4:1). David was being attacked, and even in danger (Psalm 4:2, 8). David was probably angry (Psalm 4:4) but he did not want to be controlled by that anger.

Psalm 4:4a is an important lesson for me. It’s okay – even right to be angry at times, but it’s not right to allow that anger to lead me to sin. Paul the Apostle referenced this in Ephesians 4:26.

There were some who were questioning God’s care for David (Psalm 4:4) “Who will show us any good?”

But David was able to end the Psalm with peace…and great gladness in his heart (Psalm 4:7-8). Praise God!

When we find ourselves struggling, let’s do what David did, let’s look up to the Lord, pray, sing, write, believe. He meets us there with His care and willingness to carry us through every trial.

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Proverbs 1:20-23

Proverbs 1:20-22 (NKJV) “Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. ²¹ She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: ²² “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge.“

“The message of God’s truth is made for the marketplace, not the ivory tower; we must share it ‘at the head of the noisy streets’ (Proverbs 1:21 NIV). Wisdom even went to the city gate where the leaders were transacting official business.” – Warren Wiersbe

This call, it to all of us – GET wisdom – become a wise guy, a wise gal!

I recall many years ago at a men’s retreat, I was having a hard time reaching one of the guys who had been struggling; and one night I remember he was asking God out loud, “how long, Lord, how long will I continue to struggle?” And I told him, “God is asking you the same question, “How long?” The foolish life really can end today, it’s up to us.

In the Proverbs we deal with the simple ones, scorners, and fools.

Simple ones

The Hebrew word translated “simple ones” (18 times in the Bible; 15 times in Proverbs) is a fascinating word referring to someone who is naively open-minded; it actually stems from the Hebrew which is usually translated “entice.” What we discover is that the simple ones are open to anything and are therefore easily enticed.

Scorners

The Hebrew word translated “scorners” is found 26 times in the Bible; 16 times in Proverbs) refers to those who mock at God’s message; 

To “scorn” is to refuse and reject something in a prideful and contemptuous way.

“Scorners think they know everything (Proverbs 21:24) and laugh at the things that are really important. While the simple one has a blank look on his face, the scorner wears a sneer.” – Warren Wiersbe

Proverbs 21:24 (NKJV) “A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name; he acts with arrogant pride.”

Fools

The Hebrew word translated fool, is found 69 times in the Bible; 49 times in the Proverbs. It refers to one who is obstinate and stubborn; it has nothing to do with mental deficiency, but rather to the inclination to make wrong choices. 

“Fools are people who are ignorant of truth because they’re stubborn. Their problem isn’t a low IQ or poor education; their problem is a lack of spiritual desire to seek and find God’s wisdom. Fools enjoy their foolishness but don’t know how foolish they are! The outlook of fools is purely materialistic and humanistic. They hate knowledge and have no interest in things eternal.” – Warren Wiersbe

There’s no question that wisdom is required in every sphere of life, and therefore wisdom calls us, even cries to us, the only question is whether or not we’re really listening.

Proverbs 20:23 (NKJV) “Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.“

This is one of my favorite Proverbs worth memorizing! The Spirit of God will use the Word of God to work the Wisdom of God in a child of God. But prior to the Spirit working in such a way, we must “turn” to God, or return to God.

If we turn from our sins, and turn to God, the Spirit of God will fall on us, and fill us with all that we need. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2), for we not only need to know what to do, but we also need the strength to do it.

It’s sad that other translations of the Bible omit the word “Spirit”, and substitute such words as “thoughts” and “heart” when the Hebrew word (Strongs #07307) overwhelmingly refers to the Spirit (232/378) (wind or breath 119/378) and is never translated “thoughts” in the Authorized version.

What an amazing promise this is, that if only I would turn from my sin, I will experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and my eyes and ears will be open to the Word of God.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, maybe something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you as we grow forward together in 2021.