Build the Boat

Read Genesis 6:14-16

I want you to notice the detail with which it describes the Ark. The specific instructions given to Noah by God for how he was to build the boat. Why all this detail, so much so that the ark has been reconstructed by Answers in Genesis in Kentucky? This points to the reality that Noah, and the flood was a real, historical event, we aren’t to think this way some made up myth, or simply part of some story to communicate some kind of lesson or truth, it is not a parable. 

Why must they be? Because it dishonours the truth of who God is, to say that all these stories that display his love, mercy, wrath and justice were made up. Our God is a God defined by his actions, he does not simply say he is just, but he punishes the guilty, and makes wrongs right. He does not simply say that he loves us, but he graciously creates a world for us to enjoy and when we mess it up, he has a plan to renew us, restore us and reconcile us to himself. 

God does not create this picture of himself in the Bible using stories that never actually happened, his word is a record of his deeds he has done in showing his love to his people. Some have likened the Bible as God’s love letter to humanity, of how much he loves them. Yes this is to liken him to a man who writes grandiose love letters to his wife, while he is off running around town pursuing and lusting after other women. 

There is no value in these stories, if they were not true events that came to pass. It is like texting someone you enjoyed catching up with them for coffee when you forgot about it and never rocked up.  

The beauty of the gospel is not that God is love, but that he has shown his love to us. 

Romans 5:8

“8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

 His love is love in action, he is no idle God of words only, when he says something about himself you can be sure he will do it. We respect those who walk the talk, who practice what they preach, let us not expect less of God.

All the promises, gifts and blessings of God brings us comfort and joy, because our God is a God of action, and he will never stop working to fully display who he is.

Question: 

What comfort does it bring you to know God is God who practices what he preaches?

Do you have any struggles with believing Genesis is a historical account? Why