More S.O.A.P. from ‘Genesis’ (study, observe, apply, pray)… by David Niednagel

Gen 6:9-22  Exactly as God commanded

6:9  This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. ¹⁰ Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  11 Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. ¹² God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. ¹³ So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!   NLT

This is the next “account” (toledoth) – of Noah and his descendants. Unlike everyone else returning evil for evil, Noah had the courage to choose to be faithful to God. Very few people can do that when everyone else is not!

14  “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. ¹⁵ Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. ¹⁶ Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper.

17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. ¹⁸ But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. ¹⁹ Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. ²⁰ Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. ²¹ And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.” 22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

This is not a cute little boat like in most children’s books. It was not  “figurative” it was a real boat with real dimensions and it was huge – the length of 1½ football fields, almost 5 stories high, three decks, covered with tar in and out. The instructions for the animals were specific. God had a plan and he made it clear. And Noah did “everything exactly as God had commanded him”. God’s plan for judgment was specific and His plan for deliverance was specific. It could not fail!

Lord God, You know everyone and You know our hearts. You know when we give in to peer pressure, fear and sinful self-centeredness, You know when we trust You. It is so good to know nothing escapes Your notice – especially when everyone else seems to be getting away with wickedness and You aren’t stepping in to stop them or to protect us. Help me trust You and Your Word, that it is always worth it to choose to give You my loyalty and allegiance. Help me “do everything exactly as You command”. Amen