We’ve been discussing the story of the Flood and touching different themes here, however, I think you would agree that the Ark of Noah is at the very heart of this story. Therefore, it is the Ark that becomes God’s prophetic message to future humanity. At times people have thrown a bottle containing a message, into the sea, and years later it is found and the message contained within it is read. This is the picture I have for the Ark of Noah: the prophetic message is inside this story, and it is our task to ‘unseal’ it in order to understand the message. Noah himself probably did not realize the prophetic meaning of his own story (just as people who throw a bottle into the sea don’t know when and by whom it will be found) – but God definitely did know: He threw this sealed Ark into the waves, for us to unseal and to read. Today, as we open this ancient message, what do we find there?
PURE BLOODLINE OR PURE HEART?
First of all, who was Noah? Who was this man who was chosen to give a new beginning to the whole of humanity? Why was he chosen? Scripture tells us that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.[1] Since we are dealing here with the last level of PARDES – sod, secret, mystery – we have to ask: what does it have to do with Noah? What is the secret of him finding grace in the eyes of the Lord?
After everything we’ve discussed here already, the very first, and most obvious, suggestion would concern Noah’s bloodline. Various commentators assume that the expression “perfect in his generations”[2] might be read, and even should be read, in the sense of his perfect bloodline : Noah was perfect in his genealogy. His bloodline was pure, in that it was totally human, and that was the first and most obvious reason why God chose him.
We have to remember though, that the God of the Bible is first of all God of the hearts. That is why I have no doubt that Noah’s heart was also pure and that he indeed, was righteous before God. Scripture tells us very clearly that Noah ‘walked with God’[3] (by the way, there are only two people in the whole Bible that are described in this way: Enoch and Noah). Yes, Noah had a pure bloodline, but he was also righteous before God; in fact, these two things are connected and go together: Noah’s bloodline remained uncorrupted because he was righteous. He was completely separated from the sinful world and sinful people (and half-people) around him – and that’s why he was perfect in his generations. Do you know that in Hebrew the word kadosh, קדוש holy, also means “separated”: the words “at mekudeshet lee”, את מקודשת לי, pronounced by the groom to the bride in the Jewish wedding ceremony under the chuppah, simultaneously mean “you are separated to me” and “you are holy to me.” This is exactly what God would later expect and require from His people: to be holy, and to be separated from the sin of this world. Noah, with his pure heart, was separated from the corrupted world and therefore passed on a pure human bloodline, not corrupted by the demonic seed. Thus, Noah was a perfect candidate for God’s plan.
PITCH OR ATONEMENT?
However, that is only part of the message that God is sending to us through this story. The central point of the story of the Flood – God remembered Noah[4] – reminds us that this message is not only about man, but also about God. So, what is the second part of the mystery that God wants us to see in this story?
We will find the second clue in the Ark itself. You might remember that, when God instructed Noah how to build the ark, He commanded him to pitch it within and without with pitch[5]. In English, it sounds like a mere technical description, and you may never have given much thought to this verse. However, when we read in Hebrew, we discover here the rootכפר (kafar: kaf- pei-reish) : vehafarta ota mibait umihutz bekofer. You are probably familiar with Yom Kippur – this is the same root that we have in the word “Kippur”. Yom Kippur means the Day of Atonement, therefore the meaning of this verb has to be: “to atone”. We know, however, that Yom Kippur, as well as the whole concept of atonement, will only be introduced much later. Why then, would this verb be used here, in the story of Noah? We don’t find the word “atonement,” or anything pertaining to atonement, in our translated texts, whatever language we read. So what’s going on here? Why does this amazing root word occur here in the Hebrew text – and why then does it disappear in translation? This word is too significant, too deep, too important for all its future redemptive meanings, and therefore can’t be ignored.
This is a beautiful example of how deep and multifaceted the Hebrew language is. Turn with me to a dictionary, and you will be overwhelmed (as I was, and have been ever since) by the incredible depth of His word. Since Hebrew is a root language, most of the words are formed from a three-consonant root by changing vowels and by adding different prefixes and suffixes. Thus, we find in the dictionary two verbs from the same root, with two completely different meanings:
(qal): כפר (kafar) – to pitch something with pitch; and
(piel) כיפר (kiper) – to atone, to pardon
Can you imagine? This very technical command – you shall pitch it within and without with pitch – in Hebrew, this sounds almost like a theological statement. We all know of course, that the Flood and the Ark are great symbols of punishment of the wicked and salvation of the righteous; however, without Hebrew, we completely lose something that is obvious in the original text: even phonetically, the story of Noah is the story of redemption and atonement, the word “to atone” being actually built into the original text!
Do you see what is going on here? The language of Torah is given by God, and therefore it is different from any other human language: the meanings that are yet to come are shown here through the regular meanings of the words. More often than not, the words of Torah are pregnant with these future meanings – with something that is yet to come, that was not seen by man, but was installed there by God. Here we find the Sod, the Secret that God wants us to see in the story of Noah: Yes, a man has to be separated from the corrupted world and to walk with God – and yet, even those within the ark of Noah were not ‘perfect’ and still needed to be “pitched” by God: within and without. From inside and from outside.
[1] Gen. 6:8
[2] Gen.6:9
[3] Gen.6:9
[4] Gen.8:1b
[5] Gen.6:14
If these articles whet your appetite for discovering the hidden treasures of the Hebrew Bible, I would be happy to provide more information (and also a discount) regarding eTeacher courses. I also encourage you to read my book, Abaraham had two sons: this is the only Messianic book that is written according to PARDES layers of meaning, (click here for my books: http://readjuliablum.com)
Wow! there is no end to the truth revealed by God’s Holy Spirit. It is only through this gift of God and by His grace, that we are able to ‘see’ the truth revealed. Never ceases to amaze.
Wonderful , thanks
The blood line is a very important part of the scriptures, but most people will bypass the genealogy. This bloodline definitely had to be pure if our Messiah was going to come from it. I believe that because of God’s love for us and His patience; from the start of the building of the Ark until the waters came was a time given to man to Teshuvah (repent).
I liked your thoughts on the pitch that was put on the Ark. I use the word covering when seeing the word(kafar). Going to the Exodus story we see that God told Moshe to tell the people to take the blood from the lamb and put it on the doorposts of their homes and He would Passover them when He came through to kill all the firstborn in Egypt. This to was to punish the wicked and redemption for God’s people.
All of these stories are to give us a much deeper understanding of God’s word.
I really liked your ending. As the family of Noah was not perfect and had to be pitched on the inside and the outside, so we also are not perfect and need to be pitched on the inside and the outside. As Noah showed us, we also have to separate ourselves from the corruption of this world, bind ourselves to the Word of God and it’s language, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in this darkened world.
Thank you Robin, for your wonderful comment. You are right : “All these stories give us a much deeper understanding of God’s word”. That’s why it is so important that we can see all these “little” details: they speak volumes, don’t they?
So lovely, thanks for sharing this, Shalom from Tasmania 🙂
Thank you Julia, once again for this meditation on the Torah. The ideas of “walking with the LORD”, being separated or Holy to the LORD , All of these themes finding their fulfilment in YESHUA our ark who rescues the remnant and saves us from wrath to come. This root word כפר has given me something to think about & share. Shalom. Paul
Thank you, Paul, I am glad to hear from you. I am always impressed by your knowledge and by your serious and thoughtful approach to the Scripture.
“And beginning (bereshis) at MOSES and ALL the prophets, He expounded unto them IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES the things concerning HIMSELF.” Yes, the ARK is YESHUA and He, like the Tabernacle of old was anointed WITHIN and WITHOUT, as was the Ark PITCHED WITHIN and WITHOUT. He Who taught the universal truth of HOLINESS that it begins on the INSIDE and extends to the OUTSIDE, not vice-versa, “cleanse first the INSIDE…and the OUTSIDE will be clean”! The PITCH literally kept the sea out of the Ark, and the in-dwellers SAFE! “when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ARK was a preparing, WHEREIN (i.e. INSIDE) few, that is, eight souls were saved…the like FIGURE (type) … doth also now SAVE US … by the RESURRECTION of YESHUA HAMASHIACH:” (KEPHA) All who indwell MASHIACH, being incorporated into Him, are eternally SAFE, and the WORLD can’t get in! The ARK, YESHUA, is truly our SEPARATION from the world UNTO GOD as you have stated! YESHUA is “of God made unto us wisdom, sanctification and redemption.” He is the Ark’s DOOR of entrance, just as He is the WINDOW where by His LIGHT illuminates all who are within, as the Menorah illuminated the Holy Place of the Tabernacle for the priests who ministered WITHIN. Everyone WITHIN that Ark was SAVED and all outside were LOST. The same ARK that saved Noah and his family, CONDEMNED THE WORLD, just as the Red Sea opening saved Israel but judged Pharaoh’s armies, just as this same Jesus is Savior of sinners this side of eternity, yet will be the JUDGE of all others who reject Him! The Ark was both SAVIOR and JUDGE; the Red Sea was both SAVIOR and JUDGE, and Yeshua is both SAVIOR and JUDGE! Thank you Julia for keeping our hearts attuned to this message, especially in these last days, the signs of which, Jesus said would occur once again. His coming is definitely NEAR!
So many profound and interesting parallels! Thank you James for this wonderful comment!
You have said much with which I can agree. When you state, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord I have to ask you what this means. Grace is the foundation of our relationship with God. Scripture is quite clear that there is nothing that we can do to influence God in respect to our salvation. So I have to question your use of grace as something that we bring about, for instance by walking with God. Until Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord he was without hope in the world. I would point out that the description of the world prior to Noah finding grace in the eyes of the Lord is that the people were all together under sin and without hope. That included Noah until he discovered God had overruled this in in Noah’s life by an action toward Noah of Grace. I hope I have been clear and brief, Thank-you, Rory Lennox.
Hi Rory, I am not saying that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” by “walking with God”. I just quote the Scripture that informs us of these two things side by side, in verses 8 and 9. I totally agree that there is nothing we can do to “earn” God’s grace – that is why it’s called grace; moreover, the whole point of the second half of the article is about that : even Noah, who was “righteous” and “walked with God” still needed to be “pitched” by God to be saved.
Thank you Julia, your labor is reaping a harvest of confidence in Father’s love here in each present moment.
Thank you David! I am always blessed to hear from you!
Dear Julia, you are a genius pointing your readers attention to these minute details that represent invaluable treasures in the Scriptures. Thank you again for your contribution to our understanding.
Looking eagerly forward to more!
Thank you Arend, for your kind and generous words. So glad you enjoy these articles !
‘Genius’ is a gift from the Real Genius – God our Creator Father
Very interesting.
I would like a copy of your book,
‘Abraham had 2 sons’.
Thank you Laurel! At the end of the article you can find the link to my website. Blessings!
el eterno la bendiga y le de mas sabiduria para enteder su palabra santa