Today continuing with a deeper look at the Genesis 6 & 7 description of the days of Noah and what it tells us about today. 2 Peter 3 speaks of these days as the example of the ending the old earth age and beginning the next by very plainly telling us it happens by means of the Word of God. As we saw yesterday the LORD tell us His word would not pass away, as He describes the day the age ends as being when the old heaven and earth pass away. In the same Matthew 24 description we hear the LORD tell of a generation that wouldn’t pass until all things were fulfilled.
Genesis 7 begins with telling of the House of Noah being saved by entering into the ark because the LORD saw them as righteous. “1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come you and all your house into the ark; for you have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”
2 Peter 3:13 tells us the LORD has promised us that when the old corrupted heaven and earth are replaced by the age changing it is through/to righteousness as the characteristic of the new. “13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.”
We know from Genesis 6 the age had become totally corrupted wherein all humanity’s thoughts were upon evil. The cause we are told was the sons of God (the angels), those sent to deliver God message, had intermixed with the ways of the world, and from this corruption of the message men rose in the earth to great power (giants). We know Noah and his house where the only people listening to God and heeding His warnings.
2 Peter 3 tells that in the last days of this age [of this one as in every] there shall be scoffers. They will in like manner as in the days of Noah reject the warnings, though the LORD is long suffering hoping for their repentance.
2 Peter 3
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The word Hebrew word translated “ark” in Genesis is tebah. It is said to mean, box, and to be from an uncertain origin. The word is used thirty-one times, twenty-nine in the Genesis 6 thru 9 Noah account. The other two times appear in Exodus 2 to tell of the vessel that carried Moses in the waters. In both instances we see the ark carrying and delivering for the purpose of preserving the House, and in both causes we see it being carried in the waters. We know that in these waters there is both life and death, and the life was through what was in the ark.
The origin of the word tebah is most likely from the word tebel. The word means the moist parts of the earth (opposite of deserts), and used for the inhabited parts of the earth. It derives from the word yabal meaning to flow, as in to bring forth. The deeper meaning here in the context of our discussion is in words depicting life being transport from a corrupted place of death, safely and saved in the ark, to a place in the earth where life could begin again to thrive as the next age begins. This is and has always been the plan and means for accomplishing making/creating man in Our/God’s image and likeness.
At the same time these above means of transport the message of life where ending with Moses being drawn from the water we’re told the next iteration of the ark. The word next used to described it is ‘arown, also said to mean, a box. The first appearance of the word is in Genesis 50:26 in describing Joseph’s “coffin,” and this is the only time the word is rendered in this form. The Spiritual meaning is the deliverer, the one separated from His brothers for God’s purpose of deliverance, was now placed in a different vessel, and this symbolizing changing of the age and of Moses coming in the pattern of a new Joseph. Remember, it is after Joseph died that the decline occurred under those who didn’t know him.
With the coming of Moses’ deliverance of God’s people by the hand of God we see the ark constructed according to the LORD’s instructions. Remember, the ark wasn’t only called the Ark of the Covenant, but rather it was first called the Ark of the Testimony. The Hebrew word used for covenant is briyth, meaning a compact; and testimony is `eduwth, meaning testimony as a witness or for a record. In these two words we see the transformation as it begins as the initial agreement and then becomes the continued record and witness to the implementation. The first use of the word briyth is in Genesis 6:18 as God tells Noah of the death of all living, and that He will establish His “covenant” with him as he comes into the ark. In these we see that the Covenant precedes this time. The covenant as we have already discussed is that God will create man in His image and likeness. This is the original “compact” even though man had yet to comprehend it, and compact meaning being drawn together (to the eventual same mind and humanity’s civilization).
The original use of the word ‘eduwth is in Exodus 16:34 where Moses commanded Aaron to gather manna to keep for a record, so the people would know with what bread the LORD fed them in the wilderness. The Hebrew word here translated “manna” is man, and literally means, a what-ness, as in the question the people asked about it saying, “what is it.” Again the implication is they still had no idea it was the Word of God that kept them alive. This was the testimony to be kept and passed on. This is what we are told of in Deuteronomy 8:3 and what the LORD quotes several times in telling of the written record in the Word of God. Psalms 78:26 tells of manna and describes it as “angel’s food.”
We know angels are those God’s word is given, to be delivered to others on God’s behalf in the same form it was received. This is the testimony that is kept to be delivered to future generations. We also know that altering the message or using it in a self-centered way are the traits of the fallen angels, and listening to these corrupted forms what causes the fall of humanity. When the LORD speaks to the devil quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 it is exposing this being as a fallen messenger who is using advising/tempting Him to misusing His authority as a show. Instead the LORD uses the Word for correction, as the devil then goes on to misquote the Word of God by altering the context, and the LORD corrects again.
Psalms 78
22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation:
23 Though He had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn [bread] of heaven.
25 Man did eat angels’ food: He sent them meat to the full.
Deuteronomy 8
1 All the commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers.
2 And you shalt remember all the way which the LORD your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not.
3 And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD [in the same form as it came from the source] does man live.
4 Your raiment waxed not old upon you, neither did your foot swell, these forty years.
5 You shalt also consider in your heart, that, as a man chastens [corrects] his son, so the LORD your God chastens [corrects] you.
6 Therefore you shalt keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
In John 6:31 the LORD quotes from Psalms 78:24 beginning a passage telling of His being the bread of heaven.
John 6
26 Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say unto you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what dost you work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, LORD, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
The word “sealed” in verse 27 above is from the Greek word sphragizo. It is a word literally meaning a mark of authentication and sealed to preserve – from the works of the corrupter. Here we see it is the still unknown mark of being the Word of God, sent by God to confirm and continue the work of creating man. The fact that they don’t understand is seen as they ask for a sign just after he has told them of what marks him as the one (teaching the Word of God preserved in Him as the new ark – and the world comprehended it not). The word sphragizo is only used one other time in John. It is the word translated “has set to his seal” in John 3:33.
John 3
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.
33 He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
This takes us back to the last reference to the ‘arown (Ark) of the Covenant, which appears in Jeremiah 3:16. It is used speaking of the end of the testimony being carried outside men as an external testimony, as it alludes to what we then read of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31. There it is actually speaking of the word becoming flesh as in it being written in our mind now by understanding. Christ is the forerunner showing us the way, as the word BECAME flesh, so it is the way we who believe will travel to this same becoming – the finished product made in the image and Likeness of God. It is our becoming the ark that carries and delivers the life of God’s message.
Jeremiah 3
14 Turn, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16 And it shall come to pass, when you be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the LORD, they shall say no more, The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
17 At that time they shall call [New] Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to [New] Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
19 But I said, How shall I put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, You shalt call Me, My Father; and shalt not turn away from Me.
20 Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, says the LORD.
21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.
22 Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto you; for you are the LORD our God.
23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains [the high places rising from and looming over the earth]: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.
24 For shame has devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covers us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
Jeremiah 31
31 Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, says the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
The covenant was first a spoken compact and carried forward by Noah in an Ark, then a written Covenant carried with the Testimony in an Ark, and The Testimony became Flesh and walked with man, and man never having seen the light, in his darkened world, comprehended it not. This is the same testimony now preached here, and men still wonder about the origin never having been taught in this manna – with the Word of God as delivered directly from Him.
Jeremiah 3:19 asks the question how can this happen, and the LORD answers, “You shalt call Me, My Father; and shalt not turn away from Me.” This takes us back to Isaiah 8 and the part that I have often left off. The beginning verses tells of the child named Mahershalalhashbaz being conceived and born, and before the child knows to cry My Father and my mother shall all the land and God’s people be plundered and ruined. The name translates into four words: haste, spoil, speed, prey. This chapter in this part tells of making a covenant with what corrupts the people, bringing in the way foreign to God’s ways and opposing his plan for creating man. This straying off course results in the ruin and the chapter goes on to call us back to God’s counsel. This is the sign that is told of in verse 18, which occurs after the people know to call God their Father, “I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.”
The chapter tells of comprehension restored in the children by the uncorrupted Word of God. Now read the chapter in the context of today’s conversation and understand this return of comprehension is our entering the ark as the world still sees nothing but a darkening sky.
Isaiah 8
1 Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take you a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.
2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.
4 For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
5 The LORD spoke also unto me again, saying,
6 Forasmuch as this people refuse the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
7 Now therefore, behold, the LORD brings up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
9 Associate yourselves, O you people, and you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
