Noah & The Ark

Published Oct 13, 2024, 9:00 AM

# 6 - Noah & The Ark - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein we delve into the powerful story of Noah and the Ark, exploring themes of divine judgment, mercy, and the hope found in God's promises. Witness how Noah's faith amidst a world of corruption becomes a beacon of salvation and a symbol of God's enduring grace.

Episode 6 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Genesis.

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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 91:2, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(02:04) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(03:39) Cinematic Retelling

(21:04) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

Previously on the chosen people. The earth was still young, and humanity multiplied from within small families and stretched outward. Came, driven by a restless ambition, ventured further east, carving a name for himself in the annals of history. His progeny, a dark brood, sowed the seeds of destruction, chaos, and pride, marring God's creation with their deeds. Seth, however, chose a different path, one laden with the weight of redemption. Amidst these clashing legacies, Enoch walked a righteous man, navigating the perilous expanse.

This earth has been corrupted medie.

It's been tainted, not just by the giants, but by the darkness that's spread in the hearts of men. I fear the Creator won't endure this evil much longer.

Why is that.

Evil grieves his heart? This corruption, this violence, It wasn't his intention.

Enoch left the earth, and now it was Methuselah's turn to carry the torch of God's promise.

My spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh. A hundred and twenty years is what they will have left. I will blot out Man from the face of the land, for I am sorry that I have made them.

When Matthuselah passed, Noah was the last to honor the creator. A solitary light in a dark world. A storm was coming, the purifying and terrifying work of God was at hand. Yet in the midst of it all, hope still remained. It flickered like a faint light carried carefully by Noah. Perhaps we will endure the judgment to come.

As darkness spreads across the earth, one man's faith sparks the dawn of a new hope. Shallow my friends from here in the holy Land of Israel. I'm the l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and this is the chosen people. As we continue the story of Israel, we'll discover what it means to live a life of purpose and find the calling that God has for each of us. God chose the nation of Israel. I'm Mount Sinai. But through their story we'll discover one abiding truth that we are all chosen for something great. Now, let's begin. No matter our age, gender, or political persuasion, we all sense a profound truth deep within us that something is not right. We look around and we see a broken world, a world marred by violence and destruction, a world filled with pain and suffering. Today we'll step into an ancient biblical world that mirrors our modern reality, a world corrupted beyond repair, a broken world that echoes our current struggles. But in this story straight from Genesis six, we also glimpse God's surprising plan for redemption. Let's dive right in and discover together the hope that only He can provide.

Tack Where's Jaffeth?

I'll get broken.

Father and instincts to Gova, he said under a wooden being unbolted under the archway leading out of the city. The sound of the cackling men grew louder from behind, a dreadful cause.

To his escape.

Ham obeyed his brother's command and did not look back, though he could hear the sickening sound of fists striking flesh. Shem sacrifice echoed in Ham's ears, driving him forward. Tears streamed down his face, evaporating almost as soon.

As they fell.

Their father had warm berth about lingering in the city. Hem ran like a hunter deer, his feet barely touching the ground as he crossed the grass and larns and leaped.

On her brooks.

His father's farm lay beyond the city, nestled in the protective embrace of twin mountains. Smoke curled from the chimney. A beacon of warmth and safety, ham burst through the door, collapsing in front of the dusty hearth.

Father Shem and Jaffet had been captured by the men of the city.

We only went because do you know which part of the city?

Yes, the south entrance in the towner's district.

Come with me.

Noah retrieved a bow and arrow, slung it over his shoulder. He darted toward the city, saying little to his youngest son as he paced behind him. Noah had repeatedly warned his sons about the city's dangers. It was a den of iniquity. The city's corruption was pervasive, and violence slurked in every shadow. At times, it was a necessary task, since most precious materials were hoarded there, but Noah had strictly warned them not to linger. Blood Lust corrupted every inch of the city. If he remained too long, it was only a matter of time before a passing glance or nod of the head would earn you a spear through the throat or worse, the surrounding villages weren't much safer either. Mankind was blighted by bloodshed and discord. Noah was determined to oppose the culture. Like his great grandfather Enoch, Noah possessed a heart attuned to God's voice. He wore with him daily as one would with a friend. It was a lost art, hearkening back to the ancient days. In the Great Garden, Noah and Ham reached the south entrance. Noah briskly strode around a jagged wooden totem and crouched down. Ham remained his shadow, mimicking every move. Ham could feel his father's steady breaths. Neither panicked nor frustrated, Ham, ashamed at his own stress, pointed to the large building made of bone and wood.

They should be in there. I swear, father, we didn't do anything wrong. I wanted to buy a carving knife, but didn't realize what a harsh man the tenor was. He said, our hides would make him more than the Southern gazelles.

These people fall further into darkness each day. They've become more like animals in humans. Your mistake was staying in the den too long.

Noah was not a violent man. He was not corrupted by the same evil that blighted the others. His bow was for moments like these, and these alone. Noah removed his bow, placed an arrow on the string, and stretched it backward. His arms flexed in place, perfectly still. His breath was steady as the rivers flow. He surveyed the scene through the arrow's shaft, marking the men by the rear entrance and the livestock pen nearby. A large water basin stood beside the pen. Noah breathed sharply, then released the arrow with an exhile. It whistled through the air, striking one of the thin legs underneath. The basin tumbled with a loud crash and spread water over the livestock and causing a panic. The men rushed to the scene, leaving the rear entrance unguarded. Now, Noah and Ham darted toward the back entrance. Noah's legs were lean and muscular, easily kicking down the door. Shem was tied up, face swollen, and bloodied from several beatings. Jefforth was in better shape, supposedly because the tanner wanted him unblemished. They swiftly removed their vines and helped them out. The four rushed out, nearly unnoticed until a voice catted from behind.

Is that the hermit farmer and Noah here in the city. What a rare sight this is?

Noah and his sons were cut off by some large men. Their ridged brows and serpent like eyes gave away their heritage. These men were descendants of the Nephelum. One struck more on the jaw, sending him back into the mud. The tanner skulked closer and grabbed Noah by the hair.

If I'd known these were your boys, I would have prepared them over a fire to enjoy between bread.

Let the boys go, or.

What son of Seth? What will you do to me? Will you shoot me with your tiny twigs? Nah?

I know you don't have it in ya. You wouldn't swat a fly.

The tanner removed Noah's bow and slapped it over his leg. The beastly man laughed and wiped his nose.

Your boys don't know how business' is done here. You should have taught them right.

You know.

Maybe I'll keep the youngest raisin myself.

He seized Ham's jaw, his rotten teeth bed in a smile. Noah's eyes remained steady, his palms outstretched.

Let's negotiate and find a path to peace. Hey, we've crops we've cultivated. How about three years of grain for the trouble?

Why get three ears when I could have three fine young men working my shop for Maybe I'll kill you, take them and go back for your wife and land.

The Tanner's grin widened. He pressed a blade to Noah's throat, but a distant drumbeat stilled his hand. The Tanner's smile faded as the drums grew louder, accompanied by bestial screams. The sounds intensified, causing the Tanner and his companions to shake in fear. The Tanner lowered his blade and ran back into his home. No One and his sons turned to run, but the gates burst over the split in a hundred directions, revealing warriors from Caine's line, Ferrell and Bloodthirsty come to murder and plunder. Their weapons were crudely crafted, not for noble battle.

But for torture.

Some were swords with jagged tips, others with clubs with barbed hedges.

Some came with neds and others with nothing.

Naked and giant cracked the skulls and bows unfortunate enough to cross their path. Noah and the boys hid behind the fallen water basin. Hand trembled in place, tears silently falling from his shaking cheeks. Noah turned and gave him a reassuring squeeze on the.

Arm, Trusting God, we will find a way.

Father look Shem pointed to a reservoir beside the gate. The pool was filled from a small opening in the wall, allowing water from the brook to flow freely in. Noah nodded in approval and signaled for the boys to hold. They waited until the last of the men stormed the city. They were all unhinged, like rabid dogs, people slaughtered for sport, violence for the sake of violence. They lived in a truly fallen world, a world of despair. When it seemed like they were all occupied, Noah charged his sons to run. They flew to the reservoir and dove in, then swam through the small opening leading to the other side of the gate. Noah waited for all his sons to dive in before bolting his legs were worn from years of farming, but still strong enough to pound through the mud. He dove into the water, but before reaching the opening, he was pulled out by the ankle. A man threw him backward and pressed his thumbs on Noah's neck. His hands were thick, like the paws of a bear. Noah feared he wouldn't escape them. He reached for a stick, a stone, anything to use against the man, but his fists were empty and weakening. His vision blurred at the edges, and his head throbbed from the lack of oxygen. Before succumbing to the man's grip, he was struck on the side of the head. Chafforth had returned for him.

Come on, father up.

Jaffith lifted Noah. The two stumbled into the water and swam through the hole and out the other side. Sher and Ham were already running, arrows and stones whistling part them. They escaped into the wilderness, bruised but alive, the shadow of the city left behind. Shem and Jaffath stared blankly into the crackling fire. Their mother pressed a damp cloth to their bloody cheeks, her touch tender yet firm. Sheny minced and pulled away, while Jaffath remained still, his eyes unfocused.

How many times has your father warned you about bartering in the city without him? Whose idea was it?

Shem and Jafforth's eyes shifted to Ham, then quickly back to the fire, betraying their guilt.

Ham. You three are men ready to marry and start your own families. Think about your responsibility to the future next time you think about something so foolish. Yes, mother, Tomorrow we head west to our relatives beyond the Tashar. You will meet your future wives. Do not mention any of this recklessness when we go. Do you all understand?

The boys all nodded with weary faces. Noah entered his steps, heavy with fatigue. His voice, though gruff, carried an earnestness, a commanded attention.

These are dark times, my sons.

Remaining in the light will require wisdom.

Learn to listen to the voice of God.

Noah, come here, let me look at you.

No, No, I'm fine. I'm going to walk with the Creator. I will be back before dawn.

Wrapping himself in thick fur, Noah stepped into the frigid night. The evening mist illuminated by the moonlight hovered over the valley like a specter. Noah ascended a small hill, his mind turning to the Creator. He spoke of his sons, the city, and the pervasive wickedness that plagued the sons of Adam.

What kind of world are my son's inheriting.

I fear they'll be forced to become men of bloodshed just to survive.

The grass underfoot swayed slightly. The mist followed. Noah drew a deep breath and closed his eyes. He had practiced the art of listening. He knew the Creator was about to speak. He could feel his presence in and around him.

The earth is filled with violence and corruption. I will endure it no longer.

What does that mean?

I have determined to make an end to all flesh.

Visions assailed Noah's mind, corrupt cities built by the Nephelum, war, senseless violence, and despair. Then he saw the heavens open, and a cascade of water fell from the skies through the roaring thunder.

God's voice boomed, Behold, I would destroy them with the earth. I would bring a flood to wipe this earth clean. All flesh shall drown, and the breath of life under heaven will cease.

Noah's heart tightened. He fell to his knees, the weight of God's words pressing down on him.

What am I to do with this knowledge? Do I wait in silence for it to happen? Oh, rush my family to the mountains.

You have found favor in my sight. You walk with me, speak with me, and have kept yourself from the wickedness lighting humanity. I have appointed you, Noah, to build an ark an ark. I will establish my covenant with you. Noah, you shall build a vessel of salvation for you, your wife, your sons, and their wives.

What of the others? What are the animals?

Two of every living thing shall accompany you, one male and one female. I shall charge you as their steward. You will keep them alive until the time has come to walk the earth again.

How much time do we have go?

When the sun rises, take your sons and begin the waters are coming.

The divine presence shifted with the wind, leaving Noah alone on the hill. He gazed eastward, where the distant city's light shimmered dimly through the fog. Tears glistened in his eyes. His jaw quivered, then his shoulders, and finally his knees. Noah fell to the ground and wept, grip the damp earth in his palms. The knowledge of God's will was just and true, but it did nothing to numb the pain in Noah's heart. Noah sobbed, knowing he was about to witness the destruction of the world. Ham slammed his shoulder into the side of a cedar tree. He'd been hacking away at it for over an hour, and all it needed was some applied force. Ham was glad to let out some aggression. Months of hard labor war on him. His first days as a married man were spent chopping wood and laying pitch, all because his father claimed to hear something from God. The whole thing seemed inconceivable and far fetched. Shem approached with the saw to make the tree into gopher wood.

Well done, Ham ready to smooth it out.

Ah, I suppose what's wrong. We're building a ship in the middle of the valley. Shem. That's what's wrong. Everyone from here to the desert has visited to mock us, and I don't blame them. This is insane. How are these plains going to flood? Where will the water even come from.

I don't quite understand it either, but I have little reason to doubt our father.

What a first born thing to say.

Shem and Ham stared at each other intensely for a moment, but their stairs quickly broke into brotherly smiles. Ham shook his head and sighed.

I'm tired, hungry, and feel foolish, but I'm here that you are.

Shem ruffled Han's hair, earning a playful punch on the shoulder in return. Together they smoothed out the beam and carried it to Noah and Jaffath, who were deep in discussion about the Ox construction.

Once all the gopher wood has been smoothed out and measured, we'll begin making the rooms. The outside will be covered with pitch. Remind me the dimensions again. God has shown it all to me. Three hundred cubits in length, fifty cubits wide. Its height will be thirty cubits. The roof will be finished to a cubit above. It will be made with three separate decks. We'll organize the animals accordingly. The door need to be much higher to be above the water, but it also needs to be drawn down so we can still enter precisely, sir, Yes, what about food storage? The animal's food will be stored in the bottom. Ours will be stored beside our quarters.

They looked up, charcoal clouds galloped across the sky. With them came a chilly wind that bit their cheeks. They hadn't heard the cabin of thunder before. The sound made their muscles tense, as if they were witnessing the birth of a new predator and soul.

It begins.

Wow, what a dark story. We often see Noah's story as a Sunday school tale, happy animals, bright rainbows, and a jolly bearded grandfatherly Noah a holy zoo keeper. But we forget that the story of Noah is one of the most harrowing stories in the whole Bible. This isn't just a children's story. It's a biblical narrative of God's divine justice and his loving mercy. The Bible reads like this, The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil. All the time, God's heart was deeply troubled by the state of humanity. Don't you think he grieved over his creation that has become what he says, only evil all the time. So the Lord said, straight from scriptures, I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created, for I regret that I have made them. This isn't the part of Noah's story that we like to dwell on, is it. It's not very Sunday school. And that's because it's not. It's not very comfortable or nice to hear. The story of Noah isn't just about animals and rainbows. It's about God's response to pervasive human evil. It's a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the seriousness with which God views it. And yet in the midst of this there is hope, as we say in Hebrew tik Va. Where do we see this hope? The arc a vessel of grace in a sea of death, and among the deadly waves. Noah's faith saved his family and through them all humanity. The story begins with Noah. The Bible tells us that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. As we say in Hebrew humatsachen in nea hashim. Why it says in the scriptures because Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Our sage is focus on one line from this verse Genesis, chapter six, verse nine, that Noah was blameless among the people of his time. Yes, indeed, Noah was righteous, but only among the people of his time. Our traditions seasoned this verse that Noah had one major fault. You see, when God announces to Noah that he plans to bring a flood to destroy the world, we do not hear one word from Noah, especially pointing out we don't see that Noah prayed for the people, even the wicked people of his world. He accepted God's word, which is righteous, but he did not beg God to have mercy and not bring the flood. And that was a lacking. And so we see Noah was not a perfect person, and we know that none of us are perfect. But we can learn from what Noah didn't do. And this is what he didn't do. He didn't pray, but especially let's be very specific, he didn't pray for the people of his world. Yes, they were evil, but still Noah should have prayed for them. We all know people who might not be the best of people, sometimes among our friends or even our families. But we still need to care about these people, and we need to pray for them, and if they need help, we need to help them. Doing what Noah didn't do can make us better people in front of God and in front of each other. We study these scriptures so that we can learn from the biblical characters how to be holy and how to learn from their mistakes. At the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, an organization that I lead, this is exactly what we do. We learned from the scriptures that we need to help people who are in need, and so indeed, at the Fellowship we help anyone who needs help and we pray for them. We not only have life saving programs to bring food and medicine, but we also have prayer at the wall campaigns where we pray both for our donors and our recipients. You see, when we study the story of Noah, we can see that God's definition of right and wrong here was objective, just as his judgment was not arbitrary. God was responding to a world gone horribly wrong. But even in judgment that was just, he provided a way of salvation, and he did so through Noah, because Noah was a beacon of light and life in this dark, decaying world. We are inspired by Noah. He walked faithfully with God, and we see that it's his righteousness and this evil generation which set him apart. God's judgment was severe on that generation, but it wasn't without purpose or hope, and his judgment wasn't enacted lightly. But humanity didn't listen. And so the flood was God's reset for a world that had been corrupted to its core. The flood was both an end and a beginning. It was an end to the rampant corruption and a beginning of a renewed creation through Noah's obedience and a vow that God made that he will never again destroy the world. So, while the story of Noah often gets softened into a children's tale, its true essence is a powerful narrative of judgment and grace that's very relevant to adults alike. This brings us to a question that many people have asked when they read the story of Noah. Why was God's judgment so harsh? This story raises all sorts of ethical and more implications that are difficult for our modern minds to comprehend. And this is actually a very good thing. It's a sign that God has embedded in his followers in people of faith like you and me, of value and a sanctity for human life and a desire for humanity to flourish. So it seems almost out of character for God to destroy humanity as he planned. But let's stick deeper. Even in this moment of intense judgment, God looked to a future where there will be a rescuer, a redeemer. Both Jews and Christians believe in Mashiah, in Messiah. To shed some light on the Christian symbolism of the arc of the Teva is our friend, Bishop paulineer.

Ah, Yes, El, you are so right. Our spirits are longing, and the scriptures are continuously pointing us to Mosiah or the Messiah, or the crystals the Christ. And why are we so desperate for deliverance? Why are we so desperate for the deliverer? It's because we look around, and as far back as Cain we learned that when a people refuse submission unto God, we inevitably insist upon subjugation against the people of God. Whether it's a Babylon or an Assyria, or a Rome, or an England, or a France or a Spain in fourteen ninety two, or the Holocaust or October the seventh time, and again we find it Cain and able rise up in us, oh and over. You know, there's a verse in the Christian scriptures where Jesus says, with God, all things are possible, so beautiful. But I would submit to you as well that without God all things are possible. And again I say to you, Cain and abile continue to rise up in the midst of us. But thanks be to God Heaven hears Abel's blood. And then we get to this Genesis six, with this man by the name of Noah. No even means favor or the grace of God, and he found grace in God. It moves me when I even say his name rest. There was no time for him to rest. There's nothing that indicates remotely he even rested. He's spending more than a century building a boat, and then he's in that boat when the cataclysmic storm arises. But still he was kept and sustained, protected by the hand of God, who loses nothing and no one.

But why this arc. Why this boat.

It's because yet again, as humanity began to rise, so did confusion and chaos and wickedness and lawlessness and imaginations and bizarre, peculiar, obscene absurdities that just give rise to revolutions, these cataclysmic, catastrophic uprisings of persons and people's determined to own and to rule and terragn where there's a French Revolution where Napoleon subjugates and kills millions determined to possess the earth, or Russian Revolution where there's a Stalin who kills millions of the Chinese Revolution probably thirty million, And here we are, in such a moment of revolution, crises culture. God says to his Noah, I'm going to remove the people from the earth with the earth. I'm going to destroy the world with the earth itself. And as God later instructed Moses how to build the tent the tabernacle, so this divine architect instructs Noah how to build the boat. And I'm convinced that if this contractant Noah had varied one inch, that boat would have suck. The people would have died, the plan.

Would have failed.

Lord, touch your people. Now, remind us no matter the storms, the crises, the darkness. You are the covenant God who keeps your covenant people.

Amen, Let's go back to the beginning. The beginning where Adam and Eve walked in the garden, surrounded by trees and animals, tuck safely in the presence of God. The ark, the teva is made from trees, It's filled with animals and is preserved by God. The arc is a floating eden. It's a symbol of God's protection and restoration in the middle of a broken world. And so, my friends, today you may feel broken, you may feel hopeless in the face of a corrupt world. You may feel like you're being tossed in a storm. But have hope. That word, that Hebrew word I taught you in the beginning of this podcast, tik Va. Have tik va, my friends, Our loving God is there for you, to protect you, to restore you, to provide you with his shaloon, with his peace. Today I pray that He will be your refuge and provide you shelter. And as always, I leave you with this blessing from numbers six yev re Hashem vish morehra yah heer hashempanave lera ver ye sa hashempanave.

Shaloon.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May the Lord be gracious to you, and may the Lord turn his face towards you and give you shaloon. Give you peace with blessings from the Holy Land. This is your l Extein, and you are listening to the Chosen People.

You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yil Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the Chosen Some People with Yaiel Egstein, please rate and leave a review.

The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein

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