Thursday: “Only Noah Was Left”
“He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark” (Gen: 7:23, RSV).
In this text one finds the first mention of the concept of “the remnant” in the Scriptures. The word translated “was left” comes from another word whose root forms are used many times in the Old Testament where the idea of a remnant is conveyed.
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
“And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.” (Gen: 45:7, RSV; emphasis supplied).
“And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, every one who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem” (Isa: 4:3, RSV; emphasis supplied).
“In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant which is left of his people” (Isa: 11:11, RSV; emphasis supplied).
In all these cases, the italicized words are linked to the similar words “was left” found in Genesis 7:23, (RSV).
Look at Genesis 7:23 and the other examples. How do you understand the concept of a remnant here? What are the surrounding conditions that led to a remnant? How does the covenant fit in with the idea of a remnant?
At the time of the Flood, the Creator of the world became the Judge of the world. The nearing worldwide judgment raised the question whether all life on earth — even human life — would be destroyed. If not, who would be the survivors? Who would be the remnant?
In this case, it was Noah and his family. Yet Noah’s salvation was linked to God’s covenant with him (Gen: 6:18) — a covenant that originated and was executed by a God of mercy and grace. They survived only because of what God did for them, however important their cooperation was. Whatever Noah’s covenant obligations were, and no matter how faithfully he executed them, his only hope was in God’s mercy.
| Based upon our understanding of last-day events, which includes a time when God will have a remnant (see Rev: 12:17), what parallels can we learn from the story of Noah that will help us prepare to be part of the remnant? In what ways are we making decisions every day that could impact just where we finally stand at that time? |
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When I went to my last graduation, those of us who were to graduate with a PhD were seated in special seats in front of all the other graduates. When it came to our turn to receive our testamurs, special music was played and the vice-chancellor made a speech pointing out that we were the creme de la creme of education, the remnant who stayed the course and who had worked hard. It was a ceremony full of pomp with special robes and floppy bonnets, and in an instant our titles were changes from Mr/Ms to Dr. It was easy to for the attention to go to our heads and to think that we ought to be treated with great respect. The next day I was back teaching students in a different institution who had not heard that I had graduated. Most of them, in the typical modern style, called me Maurice or Maurie, and I came back down to earth with the reality of my responsibility once again. I had a job to do and basking in the ephemeral joy of adulation wasn't one of them.
We often apply the term "Remnant" to our church as though it is a badge of specialness, but we need to be very careful to see ourselves, not in an egocentric way, but as having a special responsibility. The terms, "Remnant" and "Chosen" are often used in the wrong sort of way to justify our position. Perhaps it is better to let our actions do the talking for us. We are special in that we have a relationship with Jesus that we have a responsibility to share with others.
as a seventh-day adventist i learned that I was part of "the Remnant" and i learned the meaning of "the Remnant", my error occurs when i believe that it is because of anything that I had done or by being a member of any organization that i am entitled to be a member of "the Remnant." I become a Disciple when i become "born again" and realize that I am a member of "the Remnant" because of the Love of The LORD who became The LORD Jesus Christ and who lived a life without sin on earth and who was persecuted and died on the cross for forgiveness of my sin and who resurrected and ascended back to be reunited with His Father and sent The Holy Spirit to abide in me so that i can be His Disciple by my Faith in what He has done for me. Amen
'Whatever Noah’s covenant obligations were, and no matter how faithfully he executed them, his only hope was in God’s mercy.'
I dont know if this is 100% true. Bible says faith and works go together. Faith without works is dead. God's mercy never changes and is everlasting (faith), but Noah had his part to play (works). Had Noah disobey the Lord we dont know what would have happened but we knew he obey and did what was asked and he was saved.
I don't think that the idea of faith and works being co-joined twins is negated by the comment in quotes. In my understanding, even after we have done our part we still can't trust in our works. For the Bible says that that all our righteousness is like filthy rags. Yes we have to do our part in response to faith but still we have to trust solely in Christ's righteousness.
The concept of the "remnant" which we find through out the Bible and the history of the LORD's people reminds me that the true believers are often the "minority" and are persecuted and/or excluded because they are different to the majority. In my country the minority are different to those in USA and those in Australia for example.
However being in the minority or the majority does not mean we are true believers, the only way to determine that is - do we follow the Word of the LORD and has the Holy Spirit transformed our hearts and minds to be in Jesus Christ's image. Rom 8:29; Rom 12:2
Psa 19:7 KJV The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
How does studying about Noah & family being "the only ones left" help us understand the New Testament?
Jesus Christ uses Noah's experience to explain what He means when He said "one will be taken and one will be left"
Compare these two verses - after Jesus Christ's coming only the true believers will be left and saved:
Gen 7:23 MKJV And every living thing which was on the face of the earth was destroyed, from man to cattle, and to the creeping things, and the fowls of the heavens. And they were destroyed from the earth, and only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark.
Mat 24:37 MKJV But as the days of Noah were, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man.
Mat 24:39 ISV They were unaware of what was happening until the flood came and swept all of them away. That's how it will be when the Son of Man comes.
I found this reading today. What was happening that mercy was no more for the unrepentant and judgment took its stand.
Do we witness to people what we knew from the bible both with the lives we live and what we say? Do our secret lives says something different? Are we afraid to carry the message while men and women are dying in sins?
The word “remnant “ takes me back to the Kosher Market my Mother and I frequented in yesteryear. Among the open stalls of fruit and vegetables there was a store that sold sewing supplies, including patterns and fabric.
You could purchase the yardage and watch the clerk make the bolt go flop, flop as she unfolded it on the measuring table with it’s stationary measuring stick until it was the length you desired. “ How many Yards? “ Then depending on how much was left, the clerk would say, “there’s only a yard left…you want it?” As interesting as that was, I was more fascinated by a bin near the door. It had a sign: Remnants. They were all that was left of those larger bolts that had been measured and measured until it was gone…except for a short piece. Sometimes a piece no one wanted.
The remnant was not a different fabric. It was not inferior nor was it superior to it’s original source…the bolt. In fact, it was the piece that no one had purchased and now found itself in a bin with other mix-matched fabric. Mother would purchase a piece now and then and sew a small garment just my size. Sometimes I'd get a small piece to use with my dolls. It was a remnant of a remnant. Lots of spiritual lessons in that bin.
Being the Creator of the world, one can assume that His abilities and authority includes judging that which He created; 'and He saw it was very good' - Gen.1:31KJV. If one considers all of God’s creations as purposeful and meaningful, including the living beings which were formed to think and choose for themselves, this implies His functioning as a Judge; using His ‘ultimate’ power to judge right from wrong. After the fall of man, this judgement became needful as a tool to judge the intentions of the hearts of humankind and assess their choices according to the Father’s Will.
God’s Will was known to man from the Beginning, and His judgements were to distinguish the willing from the unwilling living souls. The effects of the original sin caused an ever increasing number of living beings to go their own way instead of living their lives according to the Will of God.
Yes, without our Creator Father’s Grace and love no one would have survived the destruction of the earth. Who knows if our Creator would have gone through the same process again as He first created the earth. I think that it was His all-knowing, wise choice to call Noah and his family, together with all the creatures safely deposited in the Ark, and so start life again on His world. I am fairly sure that Noah and his family members were not perfect in His eyes, but He knew that Noah was willing to listen and follow His instructions.
Looking at Noah and his simple, faithful response to the Father’s call to build the Ark and save himself, his family, and all the creatures, is the example for me and all who hear the Father’s voice to do likewise. Anyone who hears and follows the Father’s call and enters the Ark of the kingdom of heaven, living by its Light and Truth, will be protected from the ever rising tide of deception, evil and iniquity in this world. His loving Grace gathers the imperfect faithful from all corners of the world and safely deposits them in His Ark of Righteousness to save them from the coming doom.
One’s inertia is the most difficult obstacle for all of us to overcome. One’s hesitancy to adjust to life’s changed trajectory is understandable, but we are called to be faithful and continue to trust our Father. What price are we willing to pay, what are we willing to leave behind in order to enter the Father’s Ark and so be counted among the remnant of the faithful?
Priscilla, I find your story a quite interesting elaboration on the ‚remnant’ theme also with the conclusion you brought up. Thanks.
The amazing difference between those that work hard to become the remnant, is the remnant have succumbed to God's love. We know that God's love has made it hard for the heedless and headstrong to destroy ourselves. We know that because we have chosen Christ or if you prefer, consented for Him to be our guide, Christ will lead us to safety. Also we know that though the path is so narrow, so holy that sin cannot be tolerated therein, access has been secured for all, and not one doubting, trembling soul need say, I can't.
Will I be among the remnants or among the sinners if Christ was to come today? Our question for the week
Imagine the day when one realizes that church membership/attendance has nothing to do with being one of God's remnant people. We are very capable of joining and attending, while nailing Christ upon the cross yet again, just like those who condemned and crucified Jesus while keeping the passover feast and returning their tithes.
If we read prophecy correctly we see that the remnant will reflect Jesus fully just before He appears in glory. Study closely one of the chapters missing from last quarter's lesson: Isaiah 4. We have a Wonderful Example of how to "live by every word that proceeds from God", and have been personally invited to "take [His] yoke upon [us]". We cannot truly take His name while we continue eating our own bread and wearing our own apparel(Isa 4:1).