As we begin today the earth is still covered by water, with Noah floating safely above it. There’s something striking about the very first line in today’s reading: “But God remembered Noah and all the animals…” Rescue wasn’t enough. Noah was rescued in order that he might thrive in some other future. Not only saved, but saved for something.

You will notice today certain human metaphors that are used to describe the LORD: He “remembers” Noah. Later on, God “smells the pleasing aroma” of Noah’s sacrifice and “says in His heart” that He will never again destroy the earth in this way.

Remember, the subject of this book is God, and this is the most personal description of the LORD we’ve seen thus far. You can ask, what is the author saying here?

At the end of the Noah story there is a troubling scene with his sons. Pay attention to the names here, and the character of the men who bore them, as well as the names in the genealogy that follows. These names would have been familiar to the Hebrews when they heard these stories and many of them will be seen again as cities, tribes, and nations later on.

Near the end of today’s reading is the story of the Tower of Babel. These nine verses have what’s called a “chiastic” structure: it’s a form of poetry where every event in the first half has a response, in reverse order, in the second half. You can even have fun mapping it yourself.

Notice again in this passage the human metaphor of God “coming down” to view the city and tower. Also pay attention to the conversation God has in the heavens: using words like “us” and “we.” You’ve seen this before – “Let us make man in our image… Behold, the man has become like us, knowing good and evil…” Let this soak in.

Again, our verse for the week is John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Genesis chapters 8 through 11. Now let’s read it!

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