Genesis 6a
Join Beth Tikkun as we continue our Torah Project series. In this lesson, we begin by zooming in on Lamech’s prophecy concerning the birth of his son Noah, and then see how his speech is echoed in God’s decision to blot out mankind. (There is an amazing parallel.) Then we zoom out to look at the big picture and how God used f individuals in the Bible to make a brand new beginning for mankind. You will find the connections are beautiful and inspiring.
Visuals: Genesis 6a
Medios Visuales: Gén 6a
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Social Networks:
7 Comments
by Scott Windus
On September 9, 2016
Hi Grant, in this teaching as you discuss Genesis 15 and the execution of the covenant between God and Abraham what is your take on versus 9-10 as to why the birds were not cut in two. (9 So God said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 So Abram brought all these to Him and cut them down the middle, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds.)
You mentioned that there are only 2 times a Dove descends in the bible, the Ark and at the baptism of Yeshua. Do you see any connection with this and the Turtle Dove not being cut in the process of the covenant with Abraham? Thanks for the lesson. Loved the connections between Adam, Noah and Isaac . 🙂 Scott
by L. Grant Luton
On September 11, 2016
Scott, This is a great question (and I don’t claim to have a definitive answer), but here are my thoughts. Birds were never “dissected” when they were offered on the altar; only the sheep and cattle were. Thus, the birds are not divided during the episode of the blood covenant. However, this still does not answer the question ‘why?’. Possibly, it may be due to the fact that the birds and land animals were not created on the same day. The birds were created on Day 5 (the same day as the fish), and the land animals on Day 6 (the same day as Adam). Birds traditionally represent spiritual entities, and in the spiritual realm divisions do no exist in the same way as they do here, thus the birds were not cut in two and entirely separated as were the sheep and cattle I know this may be somewhat of a weak answer, but I hope it will give both of us something to chew on until we get a better one! Shalom, Grant
by Scott Windus
On September 12, 2016
Thanks Grant.I like the thought about the spiritual representation of the bird and no division (not in our Greek way anyway) in the spiritual realm. Oh that we can see that kingdom come, on earth…. I will dwell on that. 🙂
by Eric Robinson
On August 22, 2018
Hi Grant. I have a bit of a different take on this text, but I’m afraid I might come across as being antagonistic, which would never be my intention. Frankly, I see what you mean about Noah and it could very well be that Noah is one who is not, morally speaking, all we often make him out to be. I am certainly willing to go there and you make excellent points. But I also know you believe very strongly, as do I, in a kind of “layering” of the text. There are multiple layers in any given story–such as the rabbis and the church fathers taught regularly. In the story of Noah’s drunkenness, I can’t help but see another Christ story. Noah is the one used to “save” the human race, as it were. All would be lost except for this righteous, blameless one who walks with God. When he disembarks, he plants a vinyard–something God does in Isaiah 5 (of course, I definitely concede you are much more fluent with all this than me and I won’t belabor any details because I know you are well aware 😉 ). The vineyard produces wine (first time in Scripture) and Noah himself drinks it, becoming drunk IN HIS OWN TENT. He has three sons–one who mocks (Ham) and will become the progenitor of all the people groups that will be the greatest thorns in the sides of God’s people throughout the Tanak. Two sons who show respect in their father’s time of great humiliation (Shem-father of the S[h]emites, and Japheth-the one who will enlarge greatly but will wind up “dwelling in the tents of Shem.” That sounds exactly like Jews and Gentiles to me. Ham would represent all who mock that father who drinks from his own vineyard and gets drunk in his own tent. (Getting drunk is of course representative, as it is throughout the Tanak, esp the Prophets, of God’s judgment as he passes the cup of wrath around to all who sin, revealing their NAKEDNESS in front of all. Jesus/God got drunk IN HIS OWN TENT and was naked before his sons. One mocked and his offspring received a great curse while the other two showed respect and received a blessing. Is this a possible layer that is also at work in this great passage, in your opinion. Submitted humbly, Eric R.
by L. Grant Luton
On August 26, 2018
Eric, Thank you for this fascinating “layer” to the Noah story. I had never seen it in this light and, I confess, I do have some difficulty with the nakedness and drunkenness on Noah’s part. I just can’t quite wrap my head around how that could picture Yeshua who was the master of self-control. I still think the ark itself is the better picture of Messiah. Indeed, Noah himself needed saving by it. No one needed to save Yeshua. Shalom, and Thank You for your comment!
by Roberto M. Avila
On December 24, 2018
Shalom Grant, This is coming a years after the fact, but if you, could I would like the correct spelling of Rabbi David Foreman so that I am able to search for him on the internet. Thank you.
by L. Grant Luton
On December 24, 2018
His name is Rabbi David Fohrman, and you must check out his website at http://www.alephbeta.org. Shalom!