The Noahic Covenant: Humanity’s Path to Redemption
Greetings, saints of the Most High. Welcome to another installment of the Messianic Torah Observer. I’m Rod Thomas, coming to you on a beautiful Shabbat in the DFW area. I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well and blessed.
Today, we delve into the Noahic Covenant, the second rung on Yehovah’s ladder leading to our redemption. This covenant, established after the Great Flood, is foundational to our understanding of redemption and renewal.
Our Torah Reading for this week is contained in Genesis 8.15-9.17, with the haftarah reading to be found in Isaiah 42.7-21, and the apostolic in 2 Timothy 2.8-19. I’ve chosen to entitle this post: “From Flood to Faith—The Enduring Promise of the Noahic Covenant – My Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 7.”
Key Concepts:
- Covenant (Brit): Yehovah’s plan to redeem humanity.
- Renewal: The command to repopulate the Earth and renew the original Edenic/Adamic Covenant.
- Burnt Offerings: Noah’s offerings on a rebuilt altar, leading Yehovah to resolve never to curse the ground or destroy all living creatures again.
Yehovah acknowledges humanity’s inherent evil but blesses Noah and his sons, reasserting human dominion over creation and lifting the prohibition against consuming animals for food. However, the consumption of blood and murder are strictly prohibited, with severe consequences for violators.
The Noahic Covenant is a unilateral covenant, with Yehovah doing the heavy lifting to restore the broken relationship between Him and humanity. This covenant lays the groundwork for humanity to develop a “yetzer tov” (good inclination) and fulfill its purpose as Yehovah’s image bearers on Earth.
Significance of the Covenant:
- Unconditional Blessings: Despite humanity’s shortcomings, Yehovah honors His covenant promises, symbolized by the rainbow.
- Foundation for Redemption: The Noahic Covenant is crucial for humanity’s full redemption, reaffirming our inherent value as Yehovah’s imagers and paving the way for future covenants.
In conclusion, the Noahic Covenant is a testament to Yehovah’s grace and commitment to humanity’s redemption. As we reflect on this covenant, let us strive to overcome our “yetzer ra” (evil inclination) and walk in righteousness, fulfilling our purpose as Yehovah’s image bearers.
Shabbat Shalom.
Faithfully submitted,
Rod Thomas, The Messianic Torah Observer
Dwelling in the Presence of God Through Physical and Spiritual Cleanness-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 86
Shabbat Shalom from the DFW on this, what promises to be a warm but beautiful Sabbath. What follows are my thoughts and reflections on this week's Torah Reading, which is the 86th reading of the 3-year Torah Reading cycle. Our portion is found in...
The Leprosy-Sin Connection-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 84
Shabbat Shalom. I pray that this post finds you and your families and fellowships well and blessed on this holy weekend. This is the Leprosy-Sin Connection. It is my thoughts and reflections on the 84th Torah Reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle....
Torah Reading 81–The Ordination of Aaron and Sons–First Steps to Humanity’s Reconciliation
Shalom! I pray that you had a meaningful and blessed Sabbath. What follows are my thoughts and reflections on Torah Reading 81 of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle on this mild, but peaceful Sabbath in North Texas. Parashah 81 Leviticus 8:1-36--The Ordination of Aharon...
Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 80
Shalom! We pray that you had a restful and meaningful Sabbath this past week. This past Sabbath’s Torah Portion was the 81st parshah of the 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. (If you are so led to participate in reading and studying the weekly Torah Readings, we have put the...
Biblical Rosh Hashanah 2023 and a TMTO Ministry Update
Greetings Saints! May this post find you, your families, and your fellowships well and blessed during these challenging times. I wanted to update you as to what's going on with The Messianic Torah Observer of late, as well as I wanted to encourage you as we enter the...
Shabbat HaChodesh-The Realities of The Sabbath Before the Biblical New Year in 2023
Welcome to Shabbat HaChodesh—The Sabbath Before the Biblical New Year of 2023 Jewish custom holds that the Shabbat that falls on or before the 1st of Aviv is Shabbat HaChodesh--or the Sabbath of the New Moon. Like its two preceding Sabbaths of Shabbat Zachor and...
Shabbat Parah-A Foreshadow of our Perpetual Cleanness Through Yeshua Messiah
Shabbat Shalom, and welcome to Shabbat Parah. Like Shabbat Zachor last week, Shabbat Parah is neither a feast day nor a Jewish holiday. But instead, it may be viewed as somewhat of a themed Sabbath, if you will. And the theme of this Sabbath is brought forth through...
The Silver and Gold of our Service to God-Post Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 73
Shalom and Greetings, Beloved of Yehovah. I trust that you had a mighty and restful Sabbath. The Gist of Torah Reading 73 Yesterday’s Sabbath Reading discussion focused on Shabbat Zachor. If you’ve not had the opportunity to read that post, I would humbly invite and...
Shabbat Zachor 2023-Our Sabbath of Remembrance
Shabbat Shalom Beloved. Our Torah and Haftorah Reading in Light of Where we are on the Calendar This is a special Shabbat, for it is the Shabbat that immediately precedes the Jewish holiday of Purim. According to our observational calendar, Purim will occur at sundown...
The Ordination of the Levitical Priest-A Foreshadow of Good things to Come-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 66
Introduction Shabbat Shalom, beloved of Elohiym. I pray that you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed on this blessed day of rest in Yeshua Messiah. This is “The Ordination of the Levitical Priests: A Foreshadow of Good Things to Come.” It will...