Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Noach
Torah: BeReishit 6:9 – 11:32
** I was thinking about how the spiritual condition of the pre-flood earth sounds like what we are experiencing today.
The earth also was corrupt before Elohim, and the earth was filled with violence. (BeReishit 6:11)
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mt 24:12-14)
And Avinu said to Noach, The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Ge 6:13 )
** It is the sinful acts of humanity that produces the violence that allows the earth to sink deeper and deeper into irreversible ruin.
The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. (Pr 21:7 )
** We see that when “justice” is denied certain segments of the population, the frustration leads to violent protests.
Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jer 22:3 )
** Here is another source of violence.
For Avinu, Elohei Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence, Says the LORD of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously. (Mal 2:16 )
** Before women had “rights”, going through a divorce usually resulted in a life of poverty for the wife. The injustice of a divorce is a source for pent up emotions that usually play out in violence. Shaul may have had these emotional outbursts in mind when he teaches:
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)
Leave a Reply