14 day plan

Exceptional Bible Characters

Day 1 of 14

GNT

Genesis 6:9-10

Noah

9-10 This is the story of Noah. He had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God,

Learning from those who have come before us is an encouraging venture. There are so many characters in Scripture, many who stand out in our minds as ‘superheroes’ for one reason or the other. Yet despite their amazing achievements, often it is their weaknesses, their struggles, which resonate with us and set an example for us to learn from. These exceptional characters provide ‘superhero’ moments, as well as more ‘human’ moments, which, taken together with the way God uses them, can strengthen our faith and trust in God.

Today we begin a new series, Exceptional Bible Characters, with Karen Mudge.  Karen is a writer for Eternity News and works in Bible Society
publishing.

Reflection:  What stands out about Noah? The popular (and bizarre) facts of the story are what often stays with us: the huge boat, the pairs of animals, the devastating flood. Yet in these verses, it is Noah’s character that is taken note of.  The verse immediately preceding this passage tells us that, “Noah found
favour in the eyes of the Lord.” The context is the wickedness of all other people, and God’s regret that he had made mankind.  Yet Noah stands out from all the others. He is righteous. He is blameless among the people of his time. He walks faithfully with God. These characteristics reveal themselves as the story unfolds. Noah does everything just as God commands him, without question. He stands out from the people of his time as leading an exemplary life. And he has a vibrant and intimate relationship with God. Noah is an example of a life of faith (see Hebrews 11:6-7).

Question: From Noah’s life and character, how are
you challenged? How can we live in greater obedience to God, have lives that stand out as exemplary, and ‘walk with God’ in a relationship that is reverent and worshipful?

Prayer:  Dear Father God, thank you for Noah and the example he gives us of an obedient, faith-filled and blameless life, amidst great challenges. Thank you for your grace in saving Noah and his family, and your grace in saving us through Jesus. Please help us to walk with you in the same way that Noah did. Amen.

We are reading the Bible with Karen Mudge until 10th February.

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®

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Genesis 6:1-22

Human Wickedness

1 When people had spread all over the world, and daughters were being born, 2some of the heavenly beings saw that these young women were beautiful, so they took the ones they liked. 3Then the Lord said, “I will not allow people to live forever; they are mortal. From now on they will live no longer than 120 years.” 4 In those days, and even later, there were giants on the earth who were descendants of human women and the heavenly beings. They were the great heroes and famous men of long ago.

5 When the Lord saw how wicked everyone on earth was and how evil their thoughts were all the time, 6he was sorry that he had ever made them and put them on the earth. He was so filled with regret 7that he said, “I will wipe out these people I have created, and also the animals and the birds, because I am sorry that I made any of them.” 8But the Lord was pleased with Noah.

Noah

9-10 This is the story of Noah. He had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God, 11but everyone else was evil in God's sight, and violence had spread everywhere. 12God looked at the world and saw that it was evil, for the people were all living evil lives.

13God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people. I will destroy them completely, because the world is full of their violent deeds. 14Build a boat for yourself out of good timber; make rooms in it and cover it with tar inside and out. 15Make it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 16Make a roof for the boat and leave a space of 18 inches between the roof and the sides. Build it with three decks and put a door in the side. 17I am going to send a flood on the earth to destroy every living being. Everything on the earth will die, 18but I will make a covenant with you. Go into the boat with your wife, your sons, and their wives. 19-20Take into the boat with you a male and a female of every kind of animal and of every kind of bird, in order to keep them alive. 21Take along all kinds of food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did everything that God commanded.

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®