Parasha 6: And God Remembered Noah

"And God Remembered Noah" 

Introduction:

Have you ever pondered whether God has forgotten about you? How does it feel to be remembered by someone on a special occasion?

The message conveyed in chapter 8 is succinctly expressed in verse 1: "But God remembered Noah." These words reveal profound insights about the Lord. When the text tells us that God "remembered" Noah, it does not imply that God had forgotten him. Rather, it signifies that God remained faithful to His promises. He had promised to deliver Noah and his family from destruction.

Our Torah portion carries an essential message of hope. Amidst judgment, God always remembers mercy. Now, how did God remember Noah? Firstly, God caused the water to subside through the wind. Verse 1 emphasizes this point, as it states that God sent a wind that blew across the entire earth and caused the waters to recede. This showcases God's authority over the forces of nature. Proverbs 30:4 reveals that God holds the wind in His hands and wraps the waters in His cloak. It is reassuring to know that God is in control. While circumstances may appear chaotic at times, we must always remember that God reigns on His throne. We can continually look to Him and place our trust in Him.

Secondly, God remembered Noah by providing a sign. Noah sent out a raven. If any food was available outside the ark, the raven could survive, yet it did not return to the ark. Noah then sent a dove, which returned because the water had not receded enough. The second time the dove returned, it carried an olive leaf, indicating that vegetation was beginning to grow. The third time the dove did not return at all. But why did Noah send out these birds? God had informed Noah of when the flood would commence, but He had not revealed when it would end.

Similar to Noah, when we encounter trials or problems, we might ask when it will all end. However, nothing can hasten, alter, or obstruct God's plans for His children. In moments of doubt and confusion, we can find solace in the truth that God can make dry ground appear whenever He chooses. We may feel forgotten and abandoned amidst the flood, but the dry land will manifest in due time.

The final way in which God remembered Noah was by speaking to him once again. Although verses 15 and 16 are not part of our Torah portion, they describe how God instructed Noah to leave the ark with his family and the animals. This marked the first time God had communicated with Noah since instructing him to enter the ark. A similar experience can unfold in our lives. We may reach a point where we feel forgotten and alone. What should we do then? We must follow Noah's example. Remain faithful and obedient to the Lord. When the time comes, God will speak to us again. Until that day arrives, let us remain steadfast and fulfill our duties.

Since God remembered Noah, this is a great reminder to us that we must also remember God not only in times of difficulty but in every moment. In verse 20, Noah built an altar as a proof that he remembered God too. To remember God, we must look back at how God also remembered the other Bible characters.

Genesis 19:29

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.”

Genesis 30:22

“Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.”

Genesis 39:21

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

Exodus 2:24-25

“So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.”

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Our Haftarah portion features the prophet Habakkuk, who reflects on God's mighty acts in the past, particularly the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Habakkuk expresses his thoughts through prayer. He recalls how God crushed Pharaoh and saved His people Israel. God had informed Habakkuk that the Babylonians would invade Judah to punish them for their sins, but in the end, the Babylonians would face judgment.

Habakkuk, despite being a prophet, had questions, yet instead of fleeing from God, he prayed. Through this time of prayer and contemplation, Habakkuk eventually reaches a place of hope and confidence in God, enabling him to praise God with rejoicing, even as he anticipates challenging circumstances.

Now, what can we learn from Habakkuk's prayer? First, we ought to adore God for who He is. Second, we should praise Him for what He has done. Third, we can ask God to renew His deeds in the present. Lastly, we must recognize God's mercy.

Some of us may wrestle with the same questions as Habakkuk: "Does God care? Is God just? Is God present?" If that is the case, we need to grasp Habakkuk's vision of the God who has performed great works for His people in the past and will continue to do so in the present.

God remembers His covenant and His promise to preserve life. He remembers us in our struggles. In the same way, God remembers us in our struggles. When it feels like your prayers go unanswered or your hardships overwhelm you, take heart: God has not forgotten you. He is a covenant-keeping God. Just as He remembered Noah and brought him to dry land, He will remember you and bring you through your storm.

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Our Apostolic portion presents John's vision of the Son of Man, who is Yeshua. John found himself on the Island of Patmos because of his commitment to the word of God and his testimony about Yeshua. This teaches us that following the will of God does not always lead to comfort. Now, let us delve into John's vision of Yeshua. Firstly, Yeshua appears as one like a Son of Man, the most common title He used for Himself during His ministry. He is the Messiah standing in the midst of His "Ekklesia" (the assembly of believers). Secondly, Yeshua standing in the midst of His Ekklesia signifies that He is the true High Priest. Thirdly, Yeshua standing in the midst of His Ekklesia evokes imagery of a king or ruler who leads, governs, and reigns from His throne. Fourthly, Yeshua standing amidst His Ekklesia will return soon as the Supreme Judge of all the earth. This is the identity of Yeshua. This is the same Yeshua whom John walked with years earlier, the same Yeshua against whom he leaned during the Last Supper, and finally, the same Yeshua he witnessed died, rose again, and ascended to heaven.

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Here is the connection to our Parasha. In the Torah portion, God remembered Noah after the flood subsided. In the Haftarah portion, the prophet Habakkuk pleaded with God to remember mercy amidst His wrath. In the Apostolic portion, while John was in Patmos, he remembered and documented the visions he received about Yeshua, which he then sent to the seven Messianic communities.

Returning to my introduction, amidst judgment, God always remembers mercy. He remembers those who suffer and keeps His eyes upon them. Though they endure prolonged suffering and often feel forgotten, the Almighty will not forsake them.

Just as God remembered Noah, He will remember you and me. There is no trial so severe that can separate us from the God who loves us.

Shabbat Shalom, 

Topher

Sources:

bible strong app 

redemptivehistorytheology.com

lifemeetstheology.com

talmidimway.org

keepbelieving.com