october 17, 2026

6 cheshvan, 5787

noach

READINGS:

Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Brit Chadashah (New Testament): 1 Peter 3:18-22

Deal with Reality; Walk by Faith

      This portion of Scripture portrays a civilization that is remarkably a lot like our civilization. Several thousand years separate Noah and our generation, but in many ways, mostly negative, they are a lot like we are. As the Old Preacher, Solomon, himself declared: "There is nothing new under the sun," (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

      Yes, we are very different from them. They traveled by donkey, or on foot—we are now designing jets that will fly from LA to Tokyo in 2 1/2 hours. They communicated by word of mouth, usually through a messenger, sometimes taking months—we communicate instantly, by phone, fax, and the internet. They used bows and arrows and swords—we use "smart bombs" and laser weapons.

            Yet, we live in a society that is almost a carbon copy of their society, morally. The words of Genesis describe our civilization to a tee—"The L‑rd saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil... Now the earth was corrupt in G‑d's sight and full of violence," (6:5, 11). It’s not a pretty picture, but it's reality and we must deal with it. It’s been estimated that there are 36 million born-again believers in the US. Regardless of the actual number, there are times when each of us can relate to Noah—immersed in a godless society that seems hell-bent on pursuing its own way, oblivious that it is a way leading to the pit. Our challenge is to emulate Noah's example—to deal with reality, but to do so by faith. We need to get quiet with the L‑rd so that we can get a sharp focus on His vision for us and bulldog it—pursue the L‑rd and His calling for us single-mindedly. Our biggest reality should be the presence of G‑d in our life and His calling upon our life. Let's go on, boldly, in faith and watch G‑d work.