Noah

[Read Genesis 6:8, 22; 1 Peter 3:20; Hebrews 11:7]

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.

Here on the island, we know the importance of finding safe passage through the waters. And we’re pretty blessed to have the ferry providing year-round service across the “Door.” It truly is our lifeline. If you’ve been on one, you know their boats are unique. They’re not cruise ships or fishing boats. Each is specifically designed to safely take vehicles, humans, and cargo to and from the mainland.

For Advent this year, as we look forward to Jesus’ Second Coming, we’re remembering Jesus’ ancestors. It turns out that one of his distant relatives also ran a ferry boat. His name was Noah and God told him to build a boat, or Ark. Its purpose? To carry people and animals to safety from a catastrophic flood (see Genesis 6:9-8:22).

This must have seemed pretty random for Noah. Yet, with no evidence but God’s word, he obeyed and built it. In the process, Noah demonstrates the importance of faith (Hebrews 11:6-7). In our weird, unpredictable world, further complicated by COVID and political tension, it’s difficult to see God at work. We wonder how to live out faith. Noah’s story directs us to trust God even in areas we’re unsure of, and then see how he uses our obedience to advance Christ’s mission of rescuing people (1 Peter 3:18-22). And that’s something to which we look forward.

Pastor Rick Smith
Bethel Evangelical Free – Washington Island



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