Genesis 8 The Hebrew Calendars
A close look at this chapter can be fascinating. We all know the waters recede, the fountains of the deep were stopped, and the rain was restrained. Noah sent four birds to test for any appearance of land. The ark of Noah (rest) rests on the mountains of Ararat on the 17th day of the 7th month. Most of us have read the first eight chapters of Genesis many times. So, I will focus on one aspect of this account only. Scholars differ according to what I am about to write, but it is so phenomenal that surely there is a reason for this. Let me explain.
There are two Hebrew calendars; one is generally considered the civil calendar. It begins with the month of Tishrei and includes parts of September and October. The first of Tishrei is called Rosh Hashanah or the “Jewish New Year.” For those of you with Jewish friends, the next Jewish New Year begins on the night of Friday, September 22, 2006. This is closely followed by Yom Kippur “The Day of Atonement” on the 10th of Tishrei, which will next occur on October 1, 2006 by U.S. calendars. The Jewish calendar is, to a degree, lunar-based over a cycle of 19 years as well as a complex set of ritual rules, so it does not follow our calendar very closely. Rabbinical scholars consider this civil calendar as the older calendar because God finished His creation on Tishrei 1. You will not find that in the Bible, I do not think, but it is a Jewish tradition, and why Tishrei 1 is historically considered the New Year.
Then there is the Hebrew religious calendar. It deviates from the Jewish civil calendar by six Jewish months. This calendar begins with Nisan 1. It is generally used for determining religious feasts, days of remembrance, etc. Nisan includes parts of our March and April. The Biblical basis for this change is found in Exodus 12. From this chapter, we can clearly see that Passover occurs in the month of Nisan, and the beginning of the year then commemorates the coming Hebrew exodus from Egypt.
What’s this got to do with Noah and Genesis 8? Glad you asked. The ark rested on the mountains of Ararat on the 17th day of the 7th month by the older civil calendar. (before Exodus 12) Therefore, by the religious calendar given to Moses, the ark rested on Nisan 17 on the mountains of Ararat; Nisan being the seventh month on the civil calendar and the first month of the religious calendar.
Passover, as determined by Exodus 12, occurs on the 14th day of Nisan. Thus, Passover can occur on days of the week other than Saturday. It is still regarded as a Sabbath because it is holy and no work is to be done. Not all Sabbaths are Saturdays but Passover is always a Sabbath, and Saturdays are always Sabbaths as well. What we call Sunday was always considered the first day of the week just as it is on our common calendars today.
Nisan is associated with holy days as well. On the 10th of Nisan, unblemished lambs are set aside. On the 14th of Nisan, they are eaten hastily as the main part of a Passover meal. There is another holy day called the Feast of First Fruits, which occurs on the morning after the Sabbath (Saturday) after Passover. It occurs on a Sunday during the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Leviticus 23:5-16
Here, then, is another way that we can relate the Genesis account of Noah with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Jesus was resurrected on the anniversary of the ark resting on the mountains of Ararat. Furthermore, He arose on the Feast of the First Fruits. Perhaps we can also see that the Hebrew holy days were not only commemorative in their purpose, but were prophetic as well.
In addition, this information lends support to the notion that Jesus was not crucified on Good Friday. Undoubtedly, the Gospels agree and are clear that He arose on Sunday, the first day of the week. But it also says that He would be in the heart of the earth for three days AND nights. Matthew 12:40
God said to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark.
Jesus says to us, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” (noah)
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'
Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
It is troubling to think that from the whole world, God chose to save only eight humans in Noah’s day. Let us consider that if we count ourselves among a large group of people heading toward a wide gate on a broad path, then we are surely headed the wrong way.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There was only one way for salvation in the days of Noah. Either you were in the ark or you were not. Those who had jeered Noah before began to scream for mercy, yet the door to the ark had been sealed by God’s hand. There is only one way to salvation now. Either you are in Christ and He is in you, or you stand in eternal peril. There was no other ark. There is no other Christ.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
There are two Hebrew calendars; one is generally considered the civil calendar. It begins with the month of Tishrei and includes parts of September and October. The first of Tishrei is called Rosh Hashanah or the “Jewish New Year.” For those of you with Jewish friends, the next Jewish New Year begins on the night of Friday, September 22, 2006. This is closely followed by Yom Kippur “The Day of Atonement” on the 10th of Tishrei, which will next occur on October 1, 2006 by U.S. calendars. The Jewish calendar is, to a degree, lunar-based over a cycle of 19 years as well as a complex set of ritual rules, so it does not follow our calendar very closely. Rabbinical scholars consider this civil calendar as the older calendar because God finished His creation on Tishrei 1. You will not find that in the Bible, I do not think, but it is a Jewish tradition, and why Tishrei 1 is historically considered the New Year.
Then there is the Hebrew religious calendar. It deviates from the Jewish civil calendar by six Jewish months. This calendar begins with Nisan 1. It is generally used for determining religious feasts, days of remembrance, etc. Nisan includes parts of our March and April. The Biblical basis for this change is found in Exodus 12. From this chapter, we can clearly see that Passover occurs in the month of Nisan, and the beginning of the year then commemorates the coming Hebrew exodus from Egypt.
What’s this got to do with Noah and Genesis 8? Glad you asked. The ark rested on the mountains of Ararat on the 17th day of the 7th month by the older civil calendar. (before Exodus 12) Therefore, by the religious calendar given to Moses, the ark rested on Nisan 17 on the mountains of Ararat; Nisan being the seventh month on the civil calendar and the first month of the religious calendar.
Passover, as determined by Exodus 12, occurs on the 14th day of Nisan. Thus, Passover can occur on days of the week other than Saturday. It is still regarded as a Sabbath because it is holy and no work is to be done. Not all Sabbaths are Saturdays but Passover is always a Sabbath, and Saturdays are always Sabbaths as well. What we call Sunday was always considered the first day of the week just as it is on our common calendars today.
Nisan is associated with holy days as well. On the 10th of Nisan, unblemished lambs are set aside. On the 14th of Nisan, they are eaten hastily as the main part of a Passover meal. There is another holy day called the Feast of First Fruits, which occurs on the morning after the Sabbath (Saturday) after Passover. It occurs on a Sunday during the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Leviticus 23:5-16
Here, then, is another way that we can relate the Genesis account of Noah with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Jesus was resurrected on the anniversary of the ark resting on the mountains of Ararat. Furthermore, He arose on the Feast of the First Fruits. Perhaps we can also see that the Hebrew holy days were not only commemorative in their purpose, but were prophetic as well.
In addition, this information lends support to the notion that Jesus was not crucified on Good Friday. Undoubtedly, the Gospels agree and are clear that He arose on Sunday, the first day of the week. But it also says that He would be in the heart of the earth for three days AND nights. Matthew 12:40
God said to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark.
Jesus says to us, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” (noah)
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'
Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
It is troubling to think that from the whole world, God chose to save only eight humans in Noah’s day. Let us consider that if we count ourselves among a large group of people heading toward a wide gate on a broad path, then we are surely headed the wrong way.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There was only one way for salvation in the days of Noah. Either you were in the ark or you were not. Those who had jeered Noah before began to scream for mercy, yet the door to the ark had been sealed by God’s hand. There is only one way to salvation now. Either you are in Christ and He is in you, or you stand in eternal peril. There was no other ark. There is no other Christ.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
posted by Nick | 4:53 PM
1 Comments:
Hello Nick,
Two Ways, Paths, and the Narrow Gate
Be aware that what I say is intended to make people uncomfortable with the status quo so we can finally forge that long promised new path to the future. Here is the chance to truly understand the Creator’s expectations. The truth will be a bitter pill to many, so remember that patience and humility are wise virtues and scoffing causes blindness.
Many Christians speak of the straight and narrow gates, doors, or paths without comprehending the true meaning of this symbolism. Thanks to historical and doctrinal errors resulting in confusing language in the New Testament and other sources, the true meaning of these verses and other philosophical discussions of dualism are so poorly and vaguely presented that people have been forced to rely on the interpretations of religious leaders, that have unfortunately been the primary sources and perpetuators of confusion.
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