This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32). Read on Shabbat, October 25, 2025 / 3 Cheshvan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.
“God saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled. So the LORD said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created’” (Genesis 6:5-7).
The opening of Noach brings us face to face with the deep brokenness of humanity. The world was overwhelmed by evil, and God’s grief was real. In response to that grief, God acted decisively. At the same time, we meet Noah, a man described as righteous and blameless in his generation, who walked with God (Genesis 6:9). His story reminds us that even in times of judgment there can still be a place of refuge, built by faith and obedience.
The flood story is more than an ancient account. It reveals both the consequences of living apart from God’s ways and the depth of His mercy toward those who trust Him. Noah entered the ark and was spared, not because he was perfect, but because he listened to God and obeyed. When the waters receded, God placed the rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant, a promise that He would never again destroy all living things by a flood (Genesis 9:13-15). Judgment and mercy, sorrow and hope, stand side by side in this passage.
As we reflect on this portion, we might ask: Where have I become complacent toward the state of my heart, my community, or my world? Where have I ignored God’s warning or voice? And where have I, like Noah, chosen faith over fear and found safety in His care? The story teaches that our lives hold both risk and rest. There is risk when we ignore God’s word, and there is rest when we respond to Him in faith.
Many of us may feel overwhelmed by life’s storms or weighed down by regret and uncertainty. The story of Noah reminds us that God’s refuge is still open. He calls us to trust Him and enter His shelter. For those living in a season of calm, let that peace inspire gratitude and faithfulness, not neglect. The rainbow remains a sign that His mercy and faithfulness endure for all generations.
This Shabbat, consider what your “ark” might look like. Perhaps it means setting aside distractions, trusting God in a decision, or building something that honors His command. Rest in His presence, knowing that safety and purpose come not from your strength but from His covenant love.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being a refuge in every storm. Teach me to trust Your voice and obey Your word. May I find rest in Your covenant and reflect Your mercy in my life. Amen.
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