Reading for May 4th

STARTING OVER--NOAH AND THE FLOOD

  In 6.5-8.22: Many scholars believe that two parallel versions of this flood story were woven together into the present combined single story. For example, two separate introductions to the flood story stand side by side (compare one version in6.5-8; 7.1-5 with the second version in 6.9-22). Scholars have also noted some striking parallels between the biblical flood story and the ancient stories from Babylon and Mesopotamia.

 Read Genesis 6.5- 22.In verse 5: The human heart is the point where the intellect (knowing what is right or wrong) and the will (wanting to do right or wrong) come together. In verse (: To be righteous means to be in a trusting and loyal relationship with God. To walk with God means to obey and follow Go's will (Judg 2.22; 2 Kings 21.22). In verse 14: An ark is a "chest," "box" or "basket." The baby Moses floated in the River Nile in a basket (same Hebrew word as ark). Like Noah's ark, the basket was sealed with pitch, and it saved Moses from death (Ex 2.1-10). In verse 15: A cubit is the length of a forearm, about 20 inches long. Thus, the size of the ark or large boat is about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. In verse 18: A covenant is a formal agreement or promise made between two parties. One or both of the covenant partners commit themselves to fulfill certain promises or obligations. Here God makes a covenant with Noah and his family. the content of the covenant will be spelled out more filly later (9.8-17). God makes several important covenants with his people thought out the Old testament. Comments or Questions..