Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

GENESIS 7 THE EARTH’S PURIFICATION

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November 7

GENESIS 7

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairsof the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” 5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, 9 two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth. – Genesis 7:1-10

GENESIS 7 THE EARTH’S PURIFICATION

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

The Lord God prepared the righteous family of Noah for the flood

By the time Noah got ready for the flood, he was 600 years old

Before seven days to the rain, God instructed him to take in the animals

Seven pairs of all clean and seven pairs of unclean animals as well.

Because of the corruption and wickedness of humans, God will redo mankind

It will take God forty days and forty nights to destroy these created beings

But the Lord preserved all kinds of species to go inside the ark

The earth will be purified and cleansed from sin through blameless Noah.

There is one interesting verse that kept me wondering about the story of Noah’s ark. Verse 7 says that Noah was 600 years old when they were gathering all the animals just before the flood was to happen. In Genesis 6:32, it stated that he had his sons when he was 500 years old. Since his sons had their own wives here, I would surmise that it is probably between 50-75 years that he built the ark. The point I’m making is that God gave

Humans enough time to repent before the flood, yet they all laughed at Noah’s prophecy.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God used 40 days and 40 nights for the flood to happen?

GENESIS 6 GOD’S COVENANT WITH NOAH

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November 6

GENESIS 6

18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.   – Genesis 6:18-22

GENESIS 6 GOD’S COVENANT WITH NOAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Noah finished the ark, the Lord made a covenant with him

He further gave him instructions to bring every living thing

Each of them by two of every kind and to keep them alive

They shall be male and female each of their kind.

The Lord God asked Noah to stock up food for all of them

Including all the animals and every creeping thing

And Noah followed everything that the Lord told him

It was an honor that God made a covenant with him.

It is such an amazing illustration when Noah was instructed to bring all the animals and all living creatures in pairs in the ark. In this account, we witness how obedient and faithful Noah was. He asked no questions. He trusted the Lord God even though he had no idea what and how God was going to go through with his plan. He was as meek as a lamb who followed where his shepherd took him. Noah is the epitome of blamelessness and obedience. He is a foreshadowing of Jesus, who was humble, obedient and completely trust his Father. It is very rare to find a person like Noah in our very corrupt world nowadays. Perhaps our world is almost going back to those days when everyone was so corrupt to a point where God will blot us out. But the Lord is so good that he gave us his Son, to save us from this world’s corruption and evil. Let us cling to our Lord and Savior and repent and turn away from sin.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God chose Noah and made a covenant with him?

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GENESIS 6 GOD’S INSTRUCTION FOR THE ARK

November 5

GENESIS 6

14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a rooffor the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.

                                                                    – Genesis 6:14-17

GENESIS 6 GOD’S INSTRUCTION FOR THE ARK

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When the Lord God saw evil surrounding the earth

He decided to blot out everything that has breath

But Noah and his family was spared of the wrath of God

Because of their blameless lives and devotion to the Lord.

Noah was given specific instructions to build the ark

It was to be made of a certain kind of wood

God also gave instructions how long and high it should be

For he wanted to ensure their safety during the big flood.

What an architect God is as depicted in this account of him giving Noah instructions for the ark! Even the material and measurements were specific and detailed. We have another glimpse of God’s creativity in his functional designing of this boat that would ensure the safety of Noah and his family and all the different animal and bird species that would go with them in the ark. Just as Moses narrates this instruction to Noah, he begins to follow through with God’s ingenious creativity from the creation account. God is a master planner and designer with utmost consideration for his masterpieces.

Can you imagine if Noah didn’t have an obedient nature and started arguing with God with the designing and building the ark? It would be a disaster just like we see in many cases when architects, clients and builders do not see eye to eye on a project they are doing. Noah was carefully selected by God to carry out his plan to blot out evil on earth.

REFLECTION

  • What amazes you with this following account on the instructions to build the ark?

GENESIS 6 BLAMELESS NOAH & HIS GENERATION

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November 4

GENESIS 6

9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.   – Genesis 6:9-13

GENESIS 6 BLAMELESS NOAH & HIS GENERATION

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

God regretted having made man for they became so corrupt

He wanted to put an end to the evil that became so rampant

The Lord grieved over the sinfulness of those he made in his image

So, he planned to destroy this world that was so evil and twisted.

Noah was the only man who was uncorrupted and blameless

God found hope in restoring mankind through his righteous heart

The Lord will destroy the wicked world that it had become

Noah’s family would be the hope for a new world to come.

In this account, God focused on one man who was the only one who remained faithful in the original image that he created. Though Noah was not sinless, he and his family led a life of praise and worship to the Lord. Here, we are given a glimpse of the merciful nature of God. Despite all the evil going on in the world, he would use one single family to re-do what damage was done to his original plan in creation.

Like a virtuoso in art, God would not stop at doing everything to perfect and re-make whatever it takes if something goes wrong with his masterpiece. He found just one person to build up a world that has gone awry. The Lord God used one blameless person to start again his original purpose for mankind and his entire creation.

REFLECTION

GENESIS 6 GOD’S REGRET & GRIEF OVER MAN’S WICKEDNESS

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November 3

GENESIS 6

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them,

2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide inman forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. – Genesis 6:1-8

GENESIS 6 GOD’S REGRET & GRIEF OVER MAN’S WICKEDNESS

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

As humans grew after the fall of Adam and Eve, the curse continues

The Lord God regretted creating man for he progressed in wickedness

But He was also grieving over the image he placed on them that was defiled

Sin changed that make that God created and corrupted his mind and heart.

The Lord couldn’t bear living with man as he watched them wallow in sin

He created them so that he can walk with them, but they never did

Except for one man named Noah, who found favor in God’s eyes

The Lord decided to annihilate mankind and cleanse the world of evil.

In verses 7, we hear a God who regrets and grieves over his own creation. It is beyond my mind how a God who is in control can be affected by man’s wickedness. It only shows God’s righteousness and hatred for evil. Only someone who loves can grieve over the death of righteousness and the proliferation of evil. Can you imagine how you would feel if you created something and that thing tried to destroy your original purpose for making them? I think, we would go berserk and mad and destroy that thing we made, wouldn’t you?

REFLECTION

  • What are your thoughts on God’s decision to blot out mankind in this chapter?

GENESIS 5 FROM ENOCH TO NOAH

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November 2

GENESIS 5

18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with Godafter he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 29 and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relieffrom our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died. 32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  – Genesis 5:18-32

GENESIS 5 FROM ENOCH TO NOAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

As the earth was being filled by the Lord with humans

The world continues to bear the curse God placed on man

Until the Lord broke the pattern with Enoch whom he chose

Enoch began to walk with God and as God took him out of the world

It was from Enoch’s son Lamech that the Lord will bring about salvation

Noah was Enoch’s great grandson who will begin the new world God wanted.

This chapter is the genealogy of Adam to Noah. Even though we see names and number of years of these descendants of Adam, what is more important to focus on is the way God broke the patterns of long lives and dying. He took and snatched Enoch out from the world without him dying. Enoch is the seventh descendant from Adam. God’s perfect number is seven. Enoch walked closely with God amidst all the ungodly people around him and according to the book of Jude 14-16 he prophesied of the coming ten thousand of God’s holy people. He preached the judgment coming on the wicked.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to see how God’s hand was still in the midst of evil?

GENESIS 5 MAN’S LONG YEARS OF LIFE

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GENESIS 5 MAN’S LONG YEARS OF LIFE

November 1

GENESIS 5

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. 9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

                                                                            – Genesis 5:1-17

GENESIS 5 MAN’S LONG YEARS OF LIFE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When God created man, he wanted them to live long with him

His original purpose for humans was to be with him in bliss

Despite Adam’s sin, the Lord still gave them long years

God’s patience with mankind manifests his faithfulness

The Lord God gave them over nine-hundred years to live

God’s steadfast love is overflowing despite man’s sins.

What a faithful God we have, who is devoted to bring mankind to his original purpose for living. He gave them all the years that they will eventually serve him and be in constant relationship with him. Because God made humans in his likeness, it was probably painful to watch them change the way he made them. Man’s life expectancy was almost a thousand years which show’s God’s desire for them to serve him long.

REFLECTION

  • How does God’s faithfulness manifest in the life expectancy of Adam’s offsprings?

GENESIS 4 MORE DESCENDANTS FOR ADAM & EVE

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October 31

GENESIS 4

17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord. – Genesis 4:17-26

GENESIS 4 MORE DESCENDANTS FOR ADAM & EVE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When Cain left Eden and settled in the land of Nod

He bore Enoch and also built a city which ha named after his son

Enoch bore Irad and then Mehujael fathered Methushael

Lamech was born from Methushael and his wife

Lamech had two wives and one of them gave him Jabal and Jubal

While the other wife gave birth to Tubal-cain and daughter, Naamah

At this time Eve gave birth to another son, Seth who also bore Enosh

This was the beginning of people calling upon the name of the Lord.

It is interesting to hear an account of the first people after Cain and Abel and what the aftermath of Cain’s murder brought about.  Humans were multiplying in number and yet the aftermath of Cain’s murder of Abel is being carried out to his descendants. The sinful nature is passed on to his children.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think genealogies are included in the bible?
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GENESIS 4 THE FIRST MURDER

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October 30

GENESIS 4

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

                                                                            – Genesis 4:8-16

GENESIS 4 THE FIRST MURDER

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After the Lord rejected Cain’s lame offering, he got so angry

Out of his anger and jealousy over God accepting his brother’s offering

He rose up against Abel and plotted to kill him

Thus, the first murder happened after Adam and Eve sinned.

As a result of this heinous sin, the ground will no longer yield fruits

He also won’t see God’s presence as he settled in the land of Nod

Cain began to fear that he will be sought after to be killed

But the gracious God still protected him from those who’ll attack him.

We get to witness the first murder when Cain killed his brother. Notice that when God asked what he had done, he answered with “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Hiding and deflecting responsibility usually follow when we disobey God. Shame is responsible for this. We were made to have an open relationship with God, but sin closes that.

REFLECTION

  • Why does one sin always lead to another? How do we prevent it to worsen?

GENESIS 4 THE FIRST OFFSPRINGS

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October 29

GENESIS 4

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gottena man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”  – Genesis 4:1-7

GENESIS 4 THE FIRST OFFSPRINGS

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Adam and Eve were oust in the garden of Eden

They bore their first offsprings: Cain and Abel

Abel was a shepherd and Cain worked tending the land in agriculture

They both gave God an offering from the fruit of their labor.

Abel chose the best of his sheep to offer to the Lord

But Cain just took his harvest without even selecting the best

As a result, the Lord rejected Cain’s offering which made him mad

But God received Abel’s well selected the first born of his flock.

In the following account, we witness the birth of Eve and Adam’s first children, Cain and Abel. One tended sheep and the other cultivated the field. They both gave an offering to the Lord, but interestingly, God only accepted Abel’s offering. If you don’t know the character of God, you will not understand why God had preference as to which offering to accept. But if you know that God is the Creator and Maker of all things and deserves all the honor and the best of what you have received from him, then you will understand why the Lord rejected Cain’s offering. When Cain didn’t care to give the best to God, he didn’t honor the Lord with what he received. God doesn’t need anything, but Abel’s act of selecting the best for the offering manifests his love and honor and praise for God.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to offer to the Lord our best harvest from our work?