Noach - Day #7

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Shabbat:  Genesis 11:1–32   

11 The whole earth was of one language and of one speech. 2 As they traveled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there. 3 They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”

5 Hashem came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. 6 Hashem said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. 7 Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So Hashem scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city. 9 Therefore, its name was called Babel, because there Hashem confused the language of all the earth. From there, Hashem scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

10 This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad, two years after the flood. 11 Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

12 Arpachshad lived thirty-five years and became the father of Shelah. 13 Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

14 Shelah lived thirty years and became the father of Eber. 15 Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

16 Eber lived thirty-four years and became the father of Peleg. 17 Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

18 Peleg lived thirty years and became the father of Reu. 19 Peleg lived two hundred nine years after he became the father of Reu, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

20 Reu lived thirty-two years and became the father of Serug. 21 Reu lived two hundred seven years after he became the father of Serug, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

22 Serug lived thirty years and became the father of Nahor. 23 Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years and became the father of Terah. 25 Nahor lived one hundred nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

26 Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

27 Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot. 28 Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive. 29 Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah. 30 Sarai was barren. 

She had no child. 31 Terah took Abram, his son, Lot, the son of 

Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai, his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there. 32 The days of Terah were two hundred and five years. Terah died in Haran.

Today’s Meditation: 

In Genesis 9:7, Hashem says, “Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.” I believe He wanted Noah’s family to go out and literally populate the earth. But, we see in this week’s portion that the desire of the people, a couple of generations later, is to try and make a name for themselves and build a tower that reaches heaven so that they will not be dispersed.

Instead of following their Creator’s desires to be fruitful and populate the earth, they want to huddle together in one place and be important. The result of their sin of pride and gain is to be scattered and have different languages. Some see this as the start of the 70 nations later mentioned in Scripture. 

A lesson to be learned. You may try to change what Hashem has planned for you, and because of this, you now experience the consequence you most feared. It's better to seek His plan first, follow it, and be blessed.

Today’s Challenge:

Can you think of a time when you knew you were choosing to do something that you knew was not right, but you got stubborn and did it anyway? What happened when you did that? Go back and think about what may have happened had you obeyed Hashem? What blessing do you think you missed out on? 

This Week's Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

54 “Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth; break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Hashem. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations; don’t spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left;  and your offspring will possess the nations and settle in desolate cities.

4 “Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed. Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed.

For you will forget the shame of your youth. You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.

5 For your Maker is your husband; Hashem of Armies is His name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the Elohim of the whole earth. 6 For Hashem has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your Elohim.

7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you, but I will gather you with great mercies. 8 In overflowing wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Hashem your Redeemer.

9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but My loving kindness will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be removed,” says Hashem who has mercy on you.

11 “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. 13 All your children will be taught by Hashem, and your children’s peace will be great. 14 You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by Me. Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.

16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Hashem’s servants, and their righteousness is of Me,” says Hashem.

55 “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness. 3 Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. 5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of Hashem your Elohim, and for the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Even though Hashem’s people have been dispersed throughout time, to the nations for their sins, He always gathers them back. That is just what has been happening in Israel over the past 70 years. Jews from all over the world have been brought back to Israel. And that is just the start. In the Messianic Age, we will all be gathered back to Him. And what a fantastic day that will be!

In verse 10, we read, “My loving kindness will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be removed.” That is a promise for the future, but also a promise for today. We just need to step into this promise and accept it with a thankful heart.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

There are times in our lives when we stray from Hashem. But when push comes to shove, we usually return. Look at your life today. Is there an area in your life you have strayed from Hashem and need to repent and return? Do it quickly so that you can receive His promise of the covenants of peace and kindness.

Noach - Day #6

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

         

Genesis 9:18–10:32

9:18 The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

20 Noah began to be a farmer and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness. 24 Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him. 25 He said,

“Canaan is cursed. He will be a servant of servants to his brothers.”

26 He said, “Blessed be Hashem, the Elohim of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant. 27 May Elohim enlarge Japheth. Let him dwell in the tents of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived three hundred fifty years after the flood. 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died.

10 Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.

2 The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.

6 The sons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before Hashem. Therefore, it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Hashem”. 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah. 13 Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.

15 Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth, 16 the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward, the families of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19 The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha. 20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.

21 Children were also born to Shem (the elder brother of Japheth), the father of all the children of Eber. 22 The sons of Shem were: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah. Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, 

Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30 Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations.

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these in the earth after the flood.

Today’s Meditation:

The start of a new world. Hashem literally erases the face of the earth except for this small family. Eight adults survive a catastrophic event. And eight are left to repopulate the world. Because Noah was righteous, one would assume his sons were also. And maybe they were. But what about their three wives? 

I had the thought that maybe the wives were not descendants of Adam, but instead of the “sons of man,” or of the generations of people first created in Genesis Chapter 1. I realize there isn’t much support for the idea that this could be true —that a generation of people existed before Adam and Eve were created. But to me, it makes sense that Hashem could have created man and woman, only they became disobedient and rebellious. So, He created special people—Adam and Eve—and the Garden of Eden.   

Whatever happened, could it be that the wives of the sons of Noah were not righteous? If they were not, that might explain how the earth became corrupt again so quickly. Perhaps Hashem believed they would change in the presence and teachings of Noah. It's so sad that we are given a new start and still fail. Once again. Praise Hashem, He is forgiving and full of grace.

Today’s Challenge:

Has Hashem ever given you a new start in life? A new job, or a new city to start over in? Only when you get a new start do you find yourself falling back into your old self, with its not-so-good habits? I challenge you to think of every day as a new start. When you wake up in the morning, greet Hashem. Tell Him you are thankful for today, that you love Him, and that you will try your best today to follow Him. Soon, you will make this a habit.

Noach - Day #5

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Genesis 9:8–17

9:8 Elohim spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, 9 “As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ship, even every animal of the earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 Elohim said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, 15 I will remember my covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between Elohim and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 Elohim said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Today’s Meditation: 

A covenant with Hashem is a sacred agreement. He will never break it. This covenant He makes with Noah and “every living creature of all flesh” is never to flood the earth again, never. It is said by many that this is the first formal covenant between Hashem and man. There are approximately six covenants that follow later.

A rainbow is a sign of Hashem’s promise to His creation. Various groups of people can use it at different times to mean other things, but the true Biblical and authentic meaning is a sign of Hashem’s eternal promise never to flood the earth.

When my husband and I, along with our daughters, were praying about adopting two baby brothers from Korea, we saw a double rainbow in the sky. We knew it was a sign from Hashem that adopting these two wonderful boys would be a blessing and that He would be with us every step of the way. I can personally attest to this after 35 years. My sons have blessed us and others in many special ways. 

Think about what this special covenant that Hashem made with Noah means to you. Bring what happened thousands of years ago to our present day. What have we learned?

Today’s Challenge:

Have you ever made an agreement with Hashem? Did you ever say to Him, “G-d if you give me this or if you do this, then I promise I will never -------- again.” Try to remember the time(s) you did this. And if you haven’t held fast to your agreement with Him, I would suggest you get on your knees and repent. And make it right. We should not take our commitments lightly.