Genesis 8:18-20 gives the account of what Noah did after he, his family and the living things, went forth of the ark. It was a new world to inhabit and the curse of the ground was still in effect, and so one would think, that Noah would have first thought about how he would have to ‘work’ to make the ground yield a produce for sustenance, for it is not until a little later that we learn that, the animals were given to man as food (Genesis 9:3). But Noah does not plan his work first. His priorities were God first, goods second. Instead of working, he builds an altar and makes a burnt offering, taking every clean beast and bird, and worships God (Genesis 8:20).
Points to ponder:
Often we get caught in the hamster wheel of work/life balance that we forget the worship/life aspect altogether. We find ourselves busy with the humdrum work in this world that gives us no time for the heavenly worship. Wherein lies our priority? Is it work for the ephemeral or is it worship of the eternal (Psalm 90:2)? Noah put first things first and worshipped God before working the ground. Can we be like him? Worship before work – and that is – putting first things first.
Genesis 8:18-20 (KJV)
18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him:
19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
