Reading 3 • September 17
Today's Scripture
Genesis 6:11–22
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up, and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (NRSVUE)
Reflection
I love animals. I lived near Lincoln Park Zoo for decades, and I used to say that the zoo looked after my pets for me. But considering these verses made me remember a slogan on a zoo tote bag I had for years: “The Ark in the Park.”
One of my favorite times to visit the zoo is still Sunday afternoon, for a walk after church. Many times, while watching young lions too small for their paws and ears; lions and tigers dozing in sunbeams like their domesticated relatives; or any glum or nervous animal who relaxed at the sound of my voice, just as my dog once had, I could see the resemblance to the ark. I could even see the family resemblance. What family? The same Creator.
Meanwhile, what struck me freshly from reading these verses to write about them was God’s clear words to Noah: “This is how you are to make it.” Noah did all that God commanded him. Wouldn’t it be lovely to hear as clearly has Noah did?
Do you hear God’s directions — and commands — that clearly? I’m not sure I do.
God has promised that all of creation will not be destroyed again. We can trust that. But we are given things to do. Maybe we’ll see an animal who needs rescuing (just one, not a whole ark-full). Maybe we’ll see a job listing that — somehow — fits everything we’ve been looking for all these months. Maybe we’ll meet someone we with whom want to spend our lives.
Then let’s make sure our ears are tuned to hearing “This is how you are to make it.” This is what to do. And on we shall go.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for directions we can trust. Help us to listen; then help us to act. Amen.
Written by Margaret Laing, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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