Mighty God of judgement and salvation,
of old ends and new beginnings;
would you guide us in this Lenten season,
through the threatening landscapes of this life
and out into the good inheritance
that you have promised us.
Amen
Daily Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17
Find the above scripture in your bible and read slowly – you might want to read it out loud. You can also find it here.
Lenten Reflection
In the story of Noah there is a movement from Creation to Un-Creation to New Creation.
In the original creation humanity were blessed by God in order to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28) and to partner with God to see his plans and purposes established. We are told that God looked upon all of this and said that it was very good (Gen. 1:31).
But now, God takes a second look at the world and sees that ‘the wickedness of humanity was great in the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually’ (Gen. 6:5). Therefore, God, grieved that he had ever created humanity (Gen. 6:6), commanded that the waters that he had separated to bring about creation (1:6-10) should now run wild once more and fill the earth (6:7, 7:11, cf. 1:2). All life was now extinguished (7:21-22) and sin, as an anti-creational force has caused the the world to return to its original state of chaos (Gen. 1:2). This is the undoing of the creation order, this is Un-Creation.
But there is hope! For on the first day of a new year Noah looks out as the waters are once again separated and he and his family are blessed by God and told to be fruitful and to multiply and to fill the earth once more (Gen. 9:7, 1:27-28). This new family still retain the image of God (Gen. 9:6) and the process of New Creation has begun!
What difference does it make to read today’s passage in light of this context?
Lenten Quote
‘By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith’.
Author of Hebrews
Lenten Art: The Deluge (Danby)
Lenten Art: The Morning after the Deluge (Turner)
Lenten Song: Days of Noah (Misty Edwards)
Closing Blessing
In your wanderings through
the wildnerness places of this life,
May you come to know the guidance,
provision, protection, and presence,
of the Holy One of Israel
in your midst.
May you discover in this season,
the blessings of the desert,
where false gifts are exposed
and true treasures revealed.
Amen
Evening Zoom Reflection at 9pm
We will be meeting tonight on Zoom to reflect on this together. You would be most welcome to join us. We start at 9pm and finish at 9:20pm. Maybe bring a Bible and a journal if you have them.
We are usually on a few moments before for a chat. Click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84743926286
We would love to make this a shared learning experience as much as possible so therefore please consider adding any thoughts, questions and insights that might arise for you in the comments section below. We would love to hear what God is up to in this time!
4 Comments on “Lent Week 1 | WEDNESDAY”
I’m trying to imagine what Noah must have felt after being promised so much: that he was see such devastation and loss but know Gods safety, protection and hope. I Immediately think “who am I Lord?”.
And then I think of Jesus, how I have his promise, how I’m under his covenant, a new creation.
In Noah’s time, God sacrificed many for a few.
In Jesus, it was one sacrifice for many.
What stuck out to me was that God saw into their hearts … and he regretted…. – regret deeply felt emotions of God.
Also creatively the impact of one man’s obedience to God.
I was thinking about ….
My Hebrew devotional word study for today Yiredu meaning ” to have dominion” or “to lower yourself to listen” as in Gen 1v28.
. The passage explains that an old orthodox rabbi taught that the root word of Yiredu is yarad (to lower yourself) not radar (to dominate). Yarad is actually meant to convey lowering yourself to listen to another.
God meant for creation to teach us about his Love and Nature and convey the reality of the impact of sin…..
I heard someone say we can only rule (properly) over that which we love…..
The passage goes on to convey ..the next time you have a nature or a special pet moment. Could it be God communicating to you as you lower yourself to listen to through nature?
(I must say I’ve been blown away by this passage today …Ps I’m not a scholar but this was what I read in my devotional passage today.)
I think of how an guy in an office will put pictures of his wife, his kids, objects of special significance, etc. on his desk. In Revelation 4, I’ve always been fascinated that, more immediate than angels and elders, The CEO of the Universe chose to surround His throne with this same rainbow reminder. “”A throne says, “I can do whatever I want, because I rule.” A promise says, “I will fulfil this word to you, and I cannot do otherwise.” A rainbow around the throne is a remarkable thing, showing that God will always limit Himself by His own promises.” (David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary)
–Rev. John Heine