Another family of children has been added to our church bus route. Last Sunday, the oldest of the children asked me to tell the story of Noah to her youngest sister, who is five. Both quietly listened as I destroyed many story book generalizations of the ark-loading process.
Reflecting on Genesis 7:2, I began by saying, “I have to tell you that they have it wrong in most of the little story books and movies.” Many versions of this story lead people to believe that there were just two of each animal, male and female. However, the Bible tells us that there were seven of each “clean” animal, and two of every “unclean” animal. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to explain to the child what each of the terms meant.
That night, I could only imagine the first visual she got on that one… that she possibly gained a new perspective of “clean” and the importance of baths! Believe it or not, these things run through my mind. I tried to put myself in her little shoes…what might she be thinking? I wonder how that story will translate as a five-year –old attempts to repeat it? Oh, it could be very funny!
I am already thinking of how to begin where I left off, and I realize that an in-depth explanation of “clean” and “unclean”, as well as a discussion of God’s purposes could get pretty deep. Is that the reason why many versions of the story do not divulge these particular details? Should the depth and the level of difficulty of a story be factors that determine whether we tell the truth or a lie?
We should never alter the content of God’s Word for any reason. The truth of the Word of God is life, and if we seek to understand the details of this story, we can see life, God’s love, and provision.
In the Old Testament, "clean” animals are those that God considered suitable for consumption. “Unclean” animals include those that are predatory, preying on other animals, or those that scavenge, or consume decaying flesh or organic matter. The consumption of “unclean” animals could bring sickness and death. One of God’s purposes for bringing seven “clean” animals into the ark was in healthy provision for Noah and his family.
A “clean” animal was also considered suitable for sacrifice. In the Old Testament, God required a sacrifice to bring remembrance to sin, which separated man from God. It was a physical reminder of the consequence of sin, which is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, KJV)
The sacrifice also served to bring man to repentance. It would point to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. “Clean” is a descriptive word, representative of the life of Christ. He and He alone was without sin…the spotless Lamb of God. As Christians, we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”. (1 Peter 1:19, KJV)
The number seven is also important in the story of Noah. In the Hebrew language, the number seven is representative of completion, goodness, and perfection. Jesus Christ completely fulfilled the law. He was the complete Sacrifice…for every sin, for everyone, for all time…ONCE and FOR ALL. The sacrifice of this “seventh” animal was a type and shadow of the good things to come.
It is humbling to think that what may be considered the “minute details” of a Bible story may actually point to the atonement that Christ would make to redeem us. May we never find ourselves compromising the teaching of God’s Word for the sake of “ease”, for to do so may deny Jesus Christ.
Don’t tell tales…give them the details! Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit in sharing God’s Word. Pray for open hearts and minds. Finally, pray for our children to receive the truth, that they may not be deceived, nor miss the revelation of God’s unending love.
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