ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE

In Genesis 8:15,16, Yahveh said to Noah – “Leave the ark!” I thought that would be obvious to Noah and his family, once they reached dry land and they could see it was safe to leave. So why would our Most Holy God tell Noah to leave?

One of the cornerstones of reading Torah, or any other portion of Scripture, is to read it as it applies to our daily lives and not merely the daily lives of the original audience. Thus, when we read “Leave the ark!”, what we may also hear is – “Leave your daily life of study and learning and go into the world and teach!” Why would we need to be told to do that?

Many of us have been studying Torah, or other spiritual tomes, for many years; it is safe for us to remain in this life and not venture into the real world. Why would we want to influence the non-believing stranger to grasp onto a life with Adonai Yeshua? Why is that considered our role?

To answer this, we need to understand Adonai Yeshua’s great commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20 – “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKadosh and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.“ Here, His disciples are told to go into the world and begin the transformation process. They are to (a) go into the world (leave the ark), (b) gather around you disciples, students, (c) immerse them into the real world of Adonai Elohim (God the Father), Adonai Yeshua (God the Son) and Ruach HaKadosh (the Holy Spirit) and (d) teach them what commandments, principles, statutes they should learn and obey.

Are we all able to do this? Perhaps not alone but, yes, we are. When we join others in Fellowships we are entering into the Father’s world; when we share our own learnings on Face Book, Instagram, Twitter, etc., we have entered the world and we are engaged in the teaching we have been commanded to do.

Not all of us may do everything He has commanded us, but we can engage ourselves in some of the tasks required. That is what He asks of us. “Leave the ark!” is more than merely a strong message to Noah and his family; this is a message to us as well. Remember, when Noah and his family left the ark, they erected an altar for the sacrifice of clean animals, to glorify Yahveh, Himself. This was Noah’s obedience to Yahveh. The message to us is clear – when we have taken on Adonai Yeshua’s commands; when we engage ourselves in study to understand His word, we are required to “Leave the ark!” and engage others in the world with our knowledge, with our experience, with His love in our hearts.

CONSIDER: Where are you in this journey? Are you still engrossed in studying His Word but afraid to share your understandings with others? Are you leaping at the opportunity to share what you have learned, what you have experienced but unsure of the love you carry in your heart?

ACT: Seek-out God’s counsel in your desires. Speak to Him about your fears, your concerns, your desires. Listen to and heed His advice.

PRAY: Abba, Adonai Elohim, I pray for your counsel in understanding what I must do, now that I have learned the minimum of what you wish me to learn. I do not know how I may go into the world to guide and teach. I lack the confidence to stretch my wings and fly. Please give me the confidence, the courage and the power to share Your Word, to share Your Principles, the share Your Love with others. In Your Beloved Name I pray.

May the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.