Finding Rest and Salvation in Yeshua: The Noah Narrative

 

Summary

In this week's Torah portion, we delve into the story of Noah, a narrative that is rich with profound insights about God's character and His plan for humanity. The name Noah, meaning "rest," sets the stage for a story that begins with anything but rest. The world, filled with corruption and violence, stands in stark contrast to the goodness of God's original creation. Yet, amidst this chaos, Noah emerges as a righteous man, not because he was sinless, but because of his faith and trust in God. His life exemplifies the importance of staying connected to God, the source of righteousness and identity.

The story of Noah and the ark is more than a historical account; it is a profound archetype of the Messiah. The ark represents salvation, a refuge from the corruption of the world, much like Yeshua, who is the ultimate Messiah. Just as Noah and his family were saved by entering the ark, we too are called to enter into a relationship with Yeshua to find salvation. This narrative underscores the necessity of obedience to God's voice, as it leads to life and preservation.

The flood, while a means of judgment, also symbolizes a cleansing, a baptism of the earth, paving the way for new beginnings. The rainbow, a sign of God's covenant, assures us that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood. This covenant is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His desire for a relationship with us. It is through Noah's obedience and God's covenant that we are all connected, a single family under God.

As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of sin and redemption throughout scripture. The narrative of Noah is a precursor to the ultimate redemption found in Yeshua. Just as Noah found rest in the ark, we find rest in Yeshua, the ark of our salvation. In a world that often mirrors the days of Noah, filled with violence and corruption, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Righteousness Through Faith: Noah's righteousness was not due to his sinlessness but his unwavering faith and trust in God. This teaches us that righteousness is about staying connected to God, the source of all goodness and identity. Our faith in God is what sets us apart in a world filled with corruption. [03:11]

2. The Ark as a Symbol of Salvation: The ark is an archetype of the Messiah, representing the refuge and salvation found in Yeshua. Just as Noah and his family were saved by entering the ark, we are called to enter into a relationship with Yeshua to find true salvation. [05:30]

3. Covenant and Relationship: The rainbow is a sign of God's covenant, a reminder of His faithfulness and desire for a relationship with us. Covenants in scripture are not mere promises but binding agreements that underscore the importance of relationship with God. [15:31]

4. Cycles of Sin and Redemption: The story of Noah highlights the cyclical nature of sin and redemption. Despite the world's corruption, God's plan for redemption through Yeshua remains steadfast. This narrative encourages us to remain hopeful and faithful, knowing that God's promises are sure. [11:09]

5. Rest in Yeshua: Noah's name, meaning "rest," points to the ultimate rest found in Yeshua. In a world that often mirrors the days of Noah, we are called to find our rest and peace in Yeshua, the ark of our salvation, trusting in His greater covenant and destiny for us. [18:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:35] - Introduction to Noah
[03:11] - Righteousness Through Faith
[04:37] - Corruption and the Flood
[05:30] - The Ark as a Symbol of Salvation
[07:51] - The Floodwaters and New Beginnings
[10:08] - The Significance of Rain
[11:09] - Cycles of Sin and Redemption
[13:45] - The Covenant of the Rainbow
[15:31] - Understanding Covenant and Relationship
[16:53] - Yeshua as the Ultimate Ark
[18:02] - Rest in Yeshua
[19:32] - Generations and God's Promise
[20:50] - Contemplating Noah and Shalom
[21:53] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Noah

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 6:9-22
- Genesis 7:1-24
- Genesis 9:12-17

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the name "Noah" mean, and how does it contrast with the state of the world during his time? [04:37]

2. How is Noah described in Genesis 6:9, and what sets him apart from the rest of his generation? [03:11]

3. What specific instructions did God give Noah regarding the ark, and how did Noah respond to these instructions? [05:30]

4. What was the significance of the rainbow in the story of Noah, and what did it symbolize in terms of God's covenant? [15:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Noah's faith and trust in God serve as an example of righteousness, despite living in a corrupt world? [03:11]

2. In what ways does the ark serve as an archetype of the Messiah, and how does this relate to the concept of salvation in the sermon? [05:30]

3. How does the flood narrative illustrate the cyclical nature of sin and redemption, and what does this suggest about God's plan for humanity? [11:09]

4. What does the covenant of the rainbow teach us about God's faithfulness and His desire for a relationship with humanity? [15:31]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on Noah's unwavering faith. In what areas of your life do you need to demonstrate more faith and trust in God, especially when facing challenges? [03:11]

2. The ark is a symbol of salvation. How can you actively seek a deeper relationship with Yeshua, the ultimate ark of salvation, in your daily life? [05:30]

3. Consider the cycles of sin and redemption in your own life. How can you break free from these cycles and embrace the redemption offered through Yeshua? [11:09]

4. The rainbow is a reminder of God's covenant. How can you remind yourself of God's promises and faithfulness in times of doubt or difficulty? [15:31]

5. Noah found rest in the ark. What practical steps can you take to find rest and peace in Yeshua amidst the chaos of the world today? [18:02]

6. How can you cultivate a sense of unity and connection with others, recognizing that we are all part of one family under God, as illustrated in the story of Noah? [10:08]

7. Reflect on the importance of obedience to God's voice. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to obey, and how can you take action on that calling this week? [05:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Righteousness Rooted in Faith
Noah's story teaches us that righteousness is not about being sinless but about having unwavering faith and trust in God. In a world filled with corruption and violence, Noah stood out because of his connection to God, the source of all goodness and identity. His life exemplifies the importance of staying connected to God, which sets us apart in a world that often mirrors the chaos of Noah's time. This connection is not about perfection but about faithfulness and trust in God's promises. As we navigate our own lives, we are reminded that our righteousness comes from our relationship with God, not our own efforts. [03:11]

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV): "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust God more deeply, even when the world around you seems chaotic and uncertain?


Day 2: The Ark as a Symbol of Salvation
The ark in Noah's story is a profound symbol of salvation, representing the refuge and safety found in a relationship with Yeshua, the ultimate Messiah. Just as Noah and his family were saved by entering the ark, we are called to enter into a relationship with Yeshua to find true salvation. This narrative underscores the necessity of obedience to God's voice, as it leads to life and preservation. In a world that often feels overwhelming, the ark reminds us of the safety and peace found in Yeshua, who offers us refuge from the storms of life. [05:30]

1 Peter 3:20-21 (ESV): "Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you actively seek refuge in your relationship with Yeshua today, especially in areas where you feel overwhelmed or lost?


Day 3: Covenant and Relationship
The rainbow in Noah's story is a sign of God's covenant, a reminder of His faithfulness and desire for a relationship with us. Covenants in scripture are not mere promises but binding agreements that underscore the importance of relationship with God. This covenant assures us that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood, highlighting His faithfulness and commitment to humanity. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining our relationship with God, who desires to be in covenant with us. [15:31]

Genesis 9:12-13 (ESV): "And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.'"

Reflection: What steps can you take today to strengthen your relationship with God and live more fully in His covenant promises?


Day 4: Cycles of Sin and Redemption
The story of Noah highlights the cyclical nature of sin and redemption throughout scripture. Despite the world's corruption, God's plan for redemption through Yeshua remains steadfast. This narrative encourages us to remain hopeful and faithful, knowing that God's promises are sure. In a world that often mirrors the days of Noah, filled with violence and corruption, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God's ultimate plan for redemption. [11:09]

Romans 5:20-21 (ESV): "Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work in the world today, even in small ways?


Day 5: Rest in Yeshua
Noah's name, meaning "rest," points to the ultimate rest found in Yeshua. In a world that often mirrors the days of Noah, we are called to find our rest and peace in Yeshua, the ark of our salvation. This rest is not about inactivity but about trusting in His greater covenant and destiny for us. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are reminded that true rest comes from our relationship with Yeshua, who offers us peace and security amidst the storms of life. [18:02]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to find rest in Yeshua, especially in areas of your life where you feel burdened or weary?

Quotes

"And so at the very beginning here, we begin to see that Noah was a righteous man. And one of the things that we learn as we understand is, does that mean that Noah didn't sin? Of course, Noah sinned. We know that Noah sinned. He lived in a sinful time and a sinful generation. But what was different? His faith and his trust in God. That he stayed connected to the source. He stayed connected to who gave identity and who gave righteousness and who from which everything is good flows through. And that's where it says that Noah walked with God." [00:03:36]

"And you can only imagine Noah's heart, that Noah's very destiny, his very name means to rest. And this is to rest as in destroy the world, destroy the earth. But that the world had grown so corrupt, the hearts of man had grown so corrupt, they could no longer hear the voice of God they could no longer even contemplate the voice of God and so Noah in his faithfulness we know that he begins to build an ark and now the ark itself and the dimensions and and all the things were were built exactly the way the Lord had commanded Noah to do and so in that we begin to see that God speaks and yet a man begins to obey a man begins to build and that there's going to be something about this ark something that that becomes profound and that is this it is the first archetype of the Messiah that in order to be saved you must come inside in order to be saved you must realize that that there's only one path and that is to follow the voice of God if Noah's sons had not obeyed they would not have been saved if Noah's son's wives had not obeyed they would not have been saved if the animals that God called both male and female had not obeyed" [00:05:15]

"And this is to put in, again, in the very foundations of the scriptures, which is going to lead all the way so we could recognize the voice of the Messiah, the voice of Yeshua, for in him, he is the final Messiah. He is HaMashiach, the Messiah. So the ark is just a archetype, a picture, a symbol of what the Messiah was going to be. But Yeshua himself is the one who is going to be the final Messiah. And so even in this, we begin to see how it comes together." [00:07:17]

"And these parties and these marriages, this wasn't the way that God called it. It was what was after their own heart. They had become their own God. They had become their own barometer of what is good and what is evil. And that the whole earth needed to go through the baptism of the Lord, needed to be washed and needed to be cleansed. And it's the irony that even as the rain and the floodwaters and the things that come that begin to destroy the earth, yet it is through that that we receive blessing. We receive promise. We receive covenant. We receive relationship. And it is through Noah's family that we are all connected." [00:09:03]

"Every man, woman, and child on earth, we are all connected through Noah. We're all connected through his sons and his son's wives. We are all one family. There's just oneness in this time. There doesn't, there doesn't have to be the separation of nations yet. And the very thing that God used to come andrael'siennear to wash the world would later become the very sign of blessing. For rain, as we go forth in scripture, we're going to begin to see is blessing that rain brings life." [00:09:45]

"And this is one of the reasons why rain becomes a blessing. Because we know now it's to nurture the earth, nurture us, and bring new life. But that it reminds us that there is a God, a God who sees, and a God who remembers, and a God who remembers us, a God who wants relationship with us. And this is what's so important. We would never come to the place where the world would forget who God is. Yeshua is the great fulfillment. Yeshua is the ark. Yeshua was the light in the ark. Yeshua is the life. Yeshua is the life. Yeshua is the life. Yeshua is the life. Yeshua is the life. Yeshua is the life. the carrier of the promises and the covenant and Yeshua is the one who is the great salvation of all things and as long as we stay in him we will survive" [00:16:04]

"Greater is he who is in us than that which is in the world. We need to know that just as Noah had his ark in which he was going to be saved from the flood, that we have Yeshua who is a much, he is the Messiah. He is the savior. He is the ark of all arcs. And as long as we stay with him, our flesh might perish, but our spirit never will. We have a greater hope, a greater covenant, a greater destiny." [00:17:32]

"And you're going to find that just as much as God reveals himself because of relationship, because of the unfolding nature of God having time in his hand and calling forth each thing that needs to happen, we're going to have this question, now what? In chapter 9 verses 12 through 16, Elohim, Adonai, our Lord, our God of gods, he says, this is the sign of the covenant that I make. Between me and you and every living creature that is with you for all future generations. Can we get any more strong?" [00:13:56]

"So when the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. This is the first time that we have a covenant. A covenant is not a promise and it's not just an agreement. It's something so much more binding. Covenant can never be understood apart from relationship. Covenant can only be received through relationship." [00:15:15]

"And at the days of Noah, the end times were violent and cruel and evil excelled. But there was also a man of righteousness and a family of righteousness. And in today's world, we always must remember that we will never be outnumbered." [00:17:08]

"in Noah who was meant to be at rest, to not be worried about what was happening in the world because of his relationship with God, so too us who stay in relationship with Yeshua do not have to worry. If we do not have Yeshua, we will not have peace. If we do not have Yeshua, we will not have covenant. If we do not have Yeshua, we will not have the relationship. If we do not have Yeshua, we will not have salvation." [00:18:02]

"The Lord sets up these little things for us to think about. So as we contemplate the end of Noah and the promise that God has kept, the rainbow in the sky, the sky and the animals that we have on the earth and the fact that we are even here. But yet there's going to be a man and a woman who are barren, who don't have any children. And we're going to think because she has no children, she must be cursed. Just as the world was cursed and God removed all the children, but something greater is going to come. God had a promise and a vision from the very beginning." [00:20:04]

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Transcript
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