We’ve got the makings of folklore and a Netflix original series, folks! The Bible makes mention – briefly, but in several places – of giants and other gods and sons of God. It’s hard to unravel the first books of the Old Testament because we don’t know what life was like back then. It’s kind of ridiculous to think that we have to rely on other people’s imaginations to be able to imagine life back then ourselves. By other people, I mean movie people, of course, but behind those producers and actors are script writers, and some of the stories that have been written were inspired from just a few short sentences in this very chapter. God rolls with the times and speaks to us on every level, even when we don’t realize it. Because of Hollywood (and I’m certainly not saying that every film ever produced is God-breathed), I am able to better picture a world of giants and gods and things I have faith existed because they are written, and because God has kept those stories alive and elaborated on them through writers. I love it! Not every detail could be stuffed into the Bible, so God allows us to be “sequel writers.” God is pretty clever, isn’t He?
I also love the themes of remnants and friendships in this chapter. These are both themes we see throughout the Bible, and this chapter really captures the heart of both. Noah is more than 500 years old now. His father, Lamech, has died. He has three sons – Shem, Ham and Japheth, but we’re positive he has more children than that. For some reason, God has chosen to name this lineage: Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth, but we know thousands of others existed on earth. These are the remnants of God’s original people. How sad is that? Noah was the only blameless person on earth, and he walked in close fellowship with God. So, out of thousands of people, Noah was God’s only friend! That’s kind of how friendship goes, though, isn’t it? Out of the thousands of people I’ve met in my life, I can think of only a handfull I call true friends. These are my remnants. They are special to me, and I hope they feel special because of me. I sure do feel special because of them. That was God and Noah. That is what being holy means. It’s being set apart, special, unique and rare.
I get very lonely in Thailand sometimes. I have no true friends here. All my true friends are in the US, and we do chat online once in a while, but we all know that’s not the same as a ladies’ day out. Ya feel me? I’m not whining (well, I guess I am a bit), but I do feel consoled knowing that I’m never alone. Just as Noah did, I can walk in close fellowship with God right here in Bangkok. When I walk to work with Him by my side, he sends me little messages and assurances that he is indeed right there. I love that feeling of being a remnant, because I am aware that out of the thousands of people I pass every day, I am one of the few walking in close fellowship with God. That is both uplifting and very sad. I can’t say I know how God felt then, but when I apply it to my life, I can at least empathize with God’s heartache a little – a remnant. The old saying is so true: sometimes less is more.
Writing prompt: There must be giants
It’s sequel time. Write your own sequel about gods and giants. Pray about it first and see where the Holy Spirit leads you. Or, write about remnants. Is there a time you felt good about being singled out yet sorry for those who were left in the crowd? Have you ever had a “WHY MEEEEE, GOD?” moment?
jugglingfire.com 