A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns
A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns
would be that son, Noah, who sailed on the waters of a flood which destroyed the world that then existed and became the genetic father of the present world. Noah lived in a world not too unlike contemporary society. Jesus spoke of that society as “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark” (Matt. 24:38). It was a time “when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them” (Gen. 6:4). Some interpreters suggest this involved sexual relations between fallen angels (or demons) and the human race. They argue that: (1) the term “sons of God” always means angels in the Old Testament; (2) the results were giants (v. 4); (3) the Flood was not a natural consequence but was a universal judgment of such vast devastations that eliminated any trace of sin and the unnatural offspring of the cohabitation between angels and women; (4) the angels were locked in hell (Tautarus) till judgment (2 Peter 2:4) and that the context suggests the Flood; (5) early Hebrew and Christian tradition held the “sons of God” were fallen angels. Others argue the statement records the breakdown of separation between the world and God’s people; i.e., the godly line of Seth intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain. They argue that (1) the previous two chapters list the godly and ungodly genealogies separately so that this cohabitation grows out of the context; (2) Jesus said angels do not reproduce (Matt. 22:30). A third view interprets the “sons of God” as a military title referring to the practice of soldiers finding wives among the women of a captive city. Whatever that activity may have actually involved, the biblical record suggests that it, like all of society, was permeated with evil. It was in this evil world that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8). THE FAITH OF NOAH (Gen. 6:8-22; Heb. 11:7) Noah is listed in the New Testament Hall of Faith chapter as one of those who demonstrated faith (Heb. 11:7). He is further identified as one of only two antediluvians of whom it was said he “walked with God” (Gen. 6:9; cf. 5:24). In contrast to the wickedness of his age, Noah was one to whom God could entrust saving humanity and salvaging the world, or at least that part of the world worth salvaging. The Scriptures note of this man, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations” (6:9). Here was one who understood the need for both faith and works. That he could be described as a “just man”; i.e., one who was justified by God, suggests he had already expressed faith in God for it is by faith that a man is justified (Rom. 5:1). On the other hand, his life was exemplary in that he was “perfect in his generations.” His faith was evident in his works. He warned others of the coming judgment. A New Testament apostle described Noah as “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). He certainly had a lifestyle that gave authority to his message. There is some difference of opinion as to the duration of Noah’s pre-Flood ministry. Some commentators believe it lasted 120 years assuming Noah began his ministry warning the people of a coming end to the race (Gen. 6:3). On the other hand, Noah’s sons were only a hundred years old when they entered the ark and appear to have been married before God assigned Noah the task of building it (v. 18). Regardless of the duration of his ministry, all are agreed as to its results. Apart from his wife, sons, and their wives, Noah was apparently unsuccessful in convincing others of the danger. The greatest evidence of faith in the life of Noah was his building of an ark. Two particularly significant facts help to better understand the extent of Noah’s faith. First, it had never before rained on the earth. Noah himself was apparently not told of the rain until the final week of
loading the ark (7:4). He simply believed God would flood the world without understanding the means God would use to produce the water. The second unusual fact about the ark is its size. Scholars debate the size of a cubit described as either eighteen or twenty-two inches long. By these standards the ark was 450/550 feet long, 75/91.6 feet wide and 45/55 feet high. In the history of navigation only within the last 150 years have men begun building ships that large. Some writers suggest that Noah’s ability to build such a large seaworthy vessel is an indication as to how advanced the pre-Flood civilization must have been. According to an ancient legend, Noah learned carpentry from a book on that subject written by Adam. However he acquired his construction abilities, the blueprint for this job came from God Himself. The ark was to be a three-story vessel with a large door in the side and a window around the top. It had rooms or cages for the animals. It was sealed with a “pitch” covering on both the inside and outside, giving the ark a large black effect. The lumber used for construction was limited to the tightly grained gopherwood. There were to be areas to store food supplies, keep the livestock who would live in the ark with them, as well as living quarters for Noah and his family. God gave the details to Noah directly and “thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (6:22). From time to time the Scriptures reveal God giving men specific detailed instructions concerning the performance of a duty; i.e., the building of the ark, the tabernacle, the offering of sacrifices, etc. In addition to being certain men understood how to accomplish their divinely commissioned tasks, these detailed instructions are often given because of the typical significance of the object built or task performed. The ark in this sense is a type of salvation. This is emphasized even in the Genesis account by two first usages of significant words related to the doctrine of salvation. The first term is the Hebrew word kaphar translated “cover” and “pitch” (v. 14). This term is used most often in the Book of Leviticus where it is consistently translated “atonement.” The second usage is the word “come” which is the invitation of the Lord to Noah to enter the ark (7:1). Typical of the many invitations to salvation found in Scripture, this “come” is extended by God to man and urges him to take advantage of God’s provision for preservation in light of impending judgment. The following chart illustrates several other similarities between Noah’s ark and our salvation. THE TYPICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NOAH’S ARK 1 Gopherwood speaks of death; a tree cut down; i.e., the cross (Gen. 6.14; Rom. 5:8). 2 The covering of the ark illustrates the Atonement, Heb. kaphar (Gen., 6.14; Lev. 16). 3 The size of the ark illustrates the sufficiency and greatness of Christ and salvation (cf. Heb. 2:3, 14; 1 John 2:2). 4 The divisions of the ark and separation of the clean and unclean illustrates the law of separation (Gen. 6:14,16, 7.2, 1 Cor. 6:17). 5 The window of the ark through which Noah could only look up illustrates the place of prayer in the Christian life (Gen. 6.16, Ps. 5:3). 6 The single door of the ark points to Christ-the only way to God (Gen. 6.16; John 14:6). 7 The ark itself illustrates the salvation experience of the believer (Heb. 11:7).
- Page 2 and 3: A Journey Through The Old Testament
- Page 4 and 5: 43. ELISHA: The Prophet of Twice th
- Page 6 and 7: matter of fact, nothing is eternal
- Page 8 and 9: Be like the Most High The title “
- Page 10 and 11: TWO ADAM: The Man Who Had Everythin
- Page 12 and 13: Individuals normally fall into sin
- Page 14 and 15: Christ whom Paul calls “the last
- Page 16 and 17: abandon Cain. Rather the Lord came
- Page 18 and 19: When Cain determined to abandon the
- Page 22 and 23: 8 The Flood which followed the ente
- Page 24 and 25: always leads to judgment. But Noah,
- Page 26 and 27: happened in the tent is not certain
- Page 28 and 29: at this time that the Americas and
- Page 30 and 31: Though the Scripture explains, “N
- Page 32 and 33: The first call of Abram involved th
- Page 34 and 35: Damascus (cf. 15:2-3). When Abram a
- Page 36 and 37: SEVEN ABRAHAM: Lapse of Faith: Reas
- Page 38 and 39: their root in this period when Abra
- Page 40 and 41: comes to God must believe that He i
- Page 42 and 43: (Gen. 13:8, literal translation). A
- Page 44 and 45: greater blessing. The man of faith
- Page 46 and 47: mothers, a practice which may have
- Page 48 and 49: Melchizedek is described as the pri
- Page 50 and 51: tion of righteousness. Also, the co
- Page 52 and 53: Israel, consistently tried to destr
- Page 54 and 55: HAGAR AND SARAI (Gen. 16:4-6) (2080
- Page 56 and 57: the natural carnal instincts of hum
- Page 58 and 59: eflects a change in Abram which end
- Page 60 and 61: appreciation. When God promised Abr
- Page 62 and 63: desert period in Abraham’s life w
- Page 64 and 65: focus on the problems and soon come
- Page 66 and 67: FOURTEEN LOT: The Destruction of So
- Page 68 and 69: The Scriptures record, “The sun h
loading the ark (7:4). He simply believed God would flood the world without understanding the<br />
means God would use to produce the water.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second unusual fact about the ark is its size. Scholars debate the size of a cubit<br />
described as either eighteen or twenty-two inches long. By these standards the ark was 450/550<br />
feet long, 75/91.6 feet wide and 45/55 feet high. In the history of navigation only within the last<br />
150 years have men begun building ships that large. Some writers suggest that Noah’s ability to<br />
build such a large seaworthy vessel is an indication as to how advanced the pre-Flood civilization<br />
must have been.<br />
According to an ancient legend, Noah learned carpentry from a book on that subject written<br />
by Adam. However he acquired his construction abilities, the blueprint for this job came from God<br />
Himself. <strong>The</strong> ark was to be a three-story vessel with a large door in the side and a window around<br />
the top. It had rooms or cages for the animals. It was sealed with a “pitch” covering on both the<br />
inside and outside, giving the ark a large black effect. <strong>The</strong> lumber used for construction was<br />
limited to the tightly grained gopherwood. <strong>The</strong>re were to be areas to store food supplies, keep the<br />
livestock who would live in the ark with them, as well as living quarters for Noah and his family.<br />
God gave the details to Noah directly and “thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded<br />
him, so he did” (6:22).<br />
From time to time the Scriptures reveal God giving men specific detailed instructions<br />
concerning the performance of a duty; i.e., the building of the ark, the tabernacle, the offering of<br />
sacrifices, etc. In addition to being certain men understood how to accomplish their divinely<br />
commissioned tasks, these detailed instructions are often given because of the typical significance<br />
of the object built or task performed. <strong>The</strong> ark in this sense is a type of salvation. This is emphasized<br />
even in the Genesis account by two first usages of significant words related to the doctrine of<br />
salvation. <strong>The</strong> first term is the Hebrew word kaphar translated “cover” and “pitch” (v. 14). This<br />
term is used most often in the Book of Leviticus where it is consistently translated “atonement.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> second usage is the word “come” which is the invitation of the Lord to Noah to enter the ark<br />
(7:1). Typical of the many invitations to salvation found in Scripture, this “come” is extended by<br />
God to man and urges him to take advantage of God’s provision for preservation in light of<br />
impending judgment. <strong>The</strong> following chart illustrates several other similarities between Noah’s ark<br />
and our salvation.<br />
THE TYPICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NOAH’S ARK<br />
1 Gopherwood speaks of death; a tree cut down; i.e., the cross (Gen. 6.14; Rom. 5:8).<br />
2 <strong>The</strong> covering of the ark illustrates the Atonement, Heb. kaphar (Gen., 6.14; Lev. 16).<br />
3 <strong>The</strong> size of the ark illustrates the sufficiency and greatness of Christ and salvation (cf.<br />
Heb. 2:3, 14; 1 John 2:2).<br />
4 <strong>The</strong> divisions of the ark and separation of the clean and unclean illustrates the law of<br />
separation (Gen. 6:14,16, 7.2, 1 Cor. 6:17).<br />
5 <strong>The</strong> window of the ark through which Noah could only look up illustrates the place of prayer in<br />
the Christian life (Gen. 6.16, Ps. 5:3).<br />
6 <strong>The</strong> single door of the ark points to Christ-the only way to God (Gen. 6.16; John 14:6).<br />
7 <strong>The</strong> ark itself illustrates the salvation experience of the believer (Heb. 11:7).
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