THE STORY OF
NOAH
Noah was going to his Abba’s store to sweep the floor and help with restocking the shelves. When Hebrew school was out for a break next week, he could spend all day with his Abba. On school days, he could only work for a couple of hours and then help him lock up. When he arrived, things were strangely quiet. There was not a single customer inside, and his Abba was just sitting behind some bins looking unhappy. “Abba, where are your customers?”
“I don’t know Noah, I don’t know. For two days now, I have had only one customer. That is not good.”
“No, that’s not good, Abba. I heard today at school that there is a new teacher in town and the rabbi (a Jewish teacher) said he was teaching bad things. Do you think all the people are listening to him and don’t have time to shop?”
“Hmm, I have not heard that. Noah, watch the store for me, I am going to ask Rabbi Joshua what is going on.”
“I think I can handle these crowds!” Noah said sarcastically as he continued sweeping.
When Abba returned, he reported to Noah that there was indeed a new teacher in town who was claiming to be a prophet and had a message from God. The Rabbi felt that once the people realized he was a fake, life would return to normal and there was nothing to worry about.
“That’s good to know,” agreed Noah.
But each day the store remained empty except for one day when Mrs. Mahala, an old lady, came in and said she needed candles and then decided she didn’t, and left.
On Friday night Noah and his Abba locked up the store and walked slowly home. Abba reported a total of one paying customer the entire week. But Mother had the Sabbath meal ready when they arrived home, so they washed up and agreed not to fret about it.
After the little ones were tucked in bed, Noah was whittling on a toy boat for his little brother when he overheard his parents discussing the new teacher.
Mother reported hearing interesting things at the well from some who had gone to listen to the new teacher. Most of them believed he really was a prophet. They said his name was the prophet John and he was telling people that they needed to be baptized.
“Baptized!” Abba exploded. “But that’s ridiculous. This must be some new religion. You be careful what you listen to at the well!”
“You know I’m careful who I listen to! But Joab, you need to know that just about every family in the village has gone to listen and the only one who says anything bad about him is Rabbi Joshua. What if he really is a prophet from God?”
Abba spent the Sabbath fretting about his lack of customers and wondering what he should do. He knew his wife was not a gossip, and she knew which women to listen to and which ones to ignore. She was a wise woman. Maybe he should check this out.
As the family ate dinner together on Saturday night, Abba surprised everyone.
“Noah,” he said, “since you are out of school this week, I want you to open the store by yourself tomorrow morning.” Noah was only 11, but he had been helping in the store since he was seven and knew where everything was. And since the store was obviously not going to be crowded, he assured Abba that he could handle it.
Abba then stated that he was going to go and check out this teacher and see why everyone was listening to him. He wanted to determine for himself whether he was a fake or a prophet.
Noah hardly slept Saturday night. He was so excited to be allowed to run the store all by himself. That was a big responsibility. What will I do if the store becomes crowded and I can’t handle all the orders? Then he would assure himself that wasn’t going to happen and would turn over and try to get some more sleep.
On Sunday morning, he ate a quick breakfast and darted out the door with a quick goodbye to his mother. She said that she and the little ones would bring him a snack later just to make sure he was doing okay. “I’ll be fine, Mother. Don’t worry!” Noah said. But secretly he was relieved that she would be checking on him — just in case.
As he put the key in the door, Noah felt so proud of opening the shop. He carefully put the key away and began sweeping the front entrance. Opening the shop would have been a lot more fun if there was someone to see it! But there was not a single person on the street. The town was totally empty.
Noah usually was busy putting out new merchandise, but since no one was buying anything, there was no room for new things. He rearranged some shelves to make them more attractive, but really and truly — there was nothing to do.
He dusted all the shelves twice. He walked round and round and played hopscotch with himself. He counted to 1000 and recited all his Hebrew letters. He carved two more boats for his little brothers and was just about to try to stand on his head, when his mother and three little brothers arrived.
Mother sat and talked with him for a little while, but she needed to get the little ones down for a nap, so soon it was back to silence and four walls.
But Mother had brought a sack filled with grapes. Perfect! He decided that for every Hebrew Scripture he could remember from school, he would reward himself with a grape.
When he couldn’t remember any more Scriptures, he started singing songs. Finally, the sun began to set, and Noah made sure everything was put away properly. The CLOSED sign was hung, the door was locked, and then he ran as fast as his legs would carry him all the way home. He was so glad to be home. He hugged his mother and then played with his brothers while she finished dinner. He was so glad to not be stuck in a perfectly quiet store.
They had already started feeding the little ones when Abba arrived. He was strangely quiet and refused to answer any questions until the little ones were in bed.
“Noah, come to the living room and talk with your mother and me.”
“Yes, Abba.”
“How did it go at the store today?”
“There were no customers again. It was boring, but I thank you for trusting me to be in charge.”
“You are a good boy. Did you lock the door and put up the CLOSED sign?”
“Yes, Abba.” Noah felt sad that his Abba would ask. He knew the routine.
“Good. Because I want you and Mother to go with me tomorrow to hear the prophet John. I believe that he is sent from God and I want you both to hear him, too.”
“But Joab, what about the little ones? I can’t keep them quiet to listen to a teacher,” his mother said.
“No, no. It’s not like that. Whole families are going to listen to him and there are kids everywhere. No one is telling the children to be quiet. It’s not like the synagogue. It’s, it’s — well, you’ll just have to see for yourself. I would like both of you to join me tomorrow to listen.”
“But Abba, what about the store?” Noah asked.
Abba laughed, “Did you make any money today?” When Noah shook his head, Abba said, “Tomorrow we will learn things that are more important than any money we could make.”
Noah felt confused. All he’d ever heard his Abba talk about was making money so that they could buy nice things. He wondered what this prophet was teaching.
Early the next morning, Mother prepared a nice breakfast and packed some snacks for the day. They ate quickly and started out. Noah carried his baby brother. His parents had their hands full with the toddlers.
Soon they were surrounded by others headed to the Jordan River where the prophet was teaching. Families were spread out all over the riverbank. Noah couldn’t remember ever seeing this many people in his life. He recognized a lot of the townspeople, but most of them were strangers from further away. He waved at school friends.
A strange-looking man appeared near the river and began talking to the crowd. His voice was loud enough for all to hear — even though the children were playing all around. He wore animal skins for clothes and his hair was uncombed. But Noah soon forgot about his looks. He was listening to what he was saying.
Noah understood some of what he heard that day, but he also had a lot of questions that he wanted to ask Abba on the way home. One thing he understood was that this prophet was saying that he had been sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. Now that was big news! Noah knew that it had been 400 years since God had spoken to his people, the Jews, through the prophet Malachi. Noah wondered if it was even possible for God to still speak to people.
While Noah thought about those kinds of questions, he also heard the prophet John saying that being God’s special chosen people wasn’t just about being a Jew, but about how you treated other people. He talked about being kind and sharing and taking care of each other and not bullying. Noah had never heard anyone speak like this.
Noah heard John the prophet say:
...“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”1
Noah had been taught to look out for himself and to always grab the best before anyone else beat him to it. His dad had told him that he was better than everyone else and he deserved the best in life. Even Rabbi Joshua taught his students to put down people who were different from themselves. That’s just the way it was. Food was scarce and everyone looked out for themselves.
Something inside Noah’s heart felt excited and afraid all at the same time. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone started being good to each other? The world would be a much better place. But that would be impossible!
On the way home, his dad announced that he wanted to come back tomorrow and asked Mother and Noah if they wanted to come, too. They both agreed that they would like to hear more.
So, Monday morning, the store remained closed again. Noah and his parents and little brothers all went back to the Jordan River to listen to the prophet John. The crowds seemed to have doubled. They couldn’t find a place very close, but the prophet’s voice was strong enough that they could hear clearly.
About an hour later, a group of Jewish religious leaders arrived. They solemnly made their way through the crowds right up to the front.
You could tell that they were important people because they were dressed in expensive robes with long tassels and their faces were very serious and sad.
Noah’s heart stopped. He could tell that angry words were being spoken. Why would the Jewish leaders be unhappy with the prophet sent by God?
The people were getting restless because they couldn’t hear what was happening, when suddenly the prophet’s voice rang out loud and clear.
… “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”2
“Abba, what does that mean?”
“Noah, just listen and I’ll explain it on the way home. Stay here and help your mother, I’ve got some business to take care of.”
And with that, Abba whispered something to Mother and started toward the front of the crowd. Noah watched wide-eyed wondering what was going to happen. There seemed to be a long line of men waiting to talk with the prophet.
After each man would talk with him, the prophet would take them out into the Jordan River and dunk them under the water. Noah realized that was what the prophet called baptizing.
Noah kept watching until his own dad reached the front of the line. He, too, talked with the prophet, and then they went out into the water together and the prophet baptized his Abba.
Now Noah’s head was exploding with questions. What does it all mean? What is going on?
Noah watched as his Abba came dripping back to his family. He was wearing a huge smile and gave Mother a long hug. They decided it was time to leave since it was getting late in the day and the boys were getting hungry.
But of course, the toddlers took up all of Abba’s attention on the way home. Abba announced at dinner that he wanted to hear the prophet’s teaching one more day, then they had to open the store. Mother decided she would stay home with the younger boys and catch up on housework and cooking.
Noah and his Abba agreed to leave earlier than usual on Tuesday morning so they would be able to beat the crowds and see and hear the prophet better.
Noah lay awake for quite a while trying to figure out what all had happened. He knew it was big — but his eyes just wouldn’t stay awake to figure out the answers. Before the sun was up, Abba was shaking him. They ate quickly and then began to walk toward the Jordan River as the first hints of sunrise began.
“Noah, I know you have many questions. I want you to know that I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll do my best to tell you what I know. Why don’t you ask the questions and I’ll see if I can answer them for you, or maybe we can figure them out together.”
Noah was surprised to hear his Abba speak so humbly. His Abba had always had all the answers and didn’t need help with anything. Noah was so surprised he forgot what he wanted to ask. Finally, he simply asked, “What was the baptism about?”
Abba smiled and nodded approvingly at his question. “That’s a good question, but I’m not really sure of the answer.” He thought a few minutes and then said, “I think it would be easier to explain if we backed up a little bit. Do you know what repentance means?”
“I think it means being sorry for your mistakes and mess-ups.”
Abba nodded again but said, “That’s what most people think, but really repentance means turning around and going the other way. It’s like you are headed to the Jordan and you decide to turn around and go home instead.
“I was headed in a direction that didn’t make God happy. I decided to repent or turn around and head in a direction that does make God happy.”
Noah’s eyes got big. “How do you know what makes God happy?”
“Well, Son, the prophet has been teaching that it makes God happy when we follow his Laws and love other people instead of just thinking about what we need and what we want.”
“So, you repented and told the prophet you were going to change?”
“Yes. But I did it in front of a lot of people. I was baptized to make a promise to change. Does that make sense?”
“I think so. But how will you change?”
Noah’s Abba laughed deeply. “I have no idea! All I know is that I want to be more like God wants me to be. He’ll have to teach me. Maybe we can teach each other. You are studying the Hebrew Law at school, maybe you can teach me what I need to do.”
“Abba, I remembered my other question.”
“What is it, Son?”
“Why did the prophet call the Jewish leaders a brood of vipers? That’s not very nice.”
“No, it wasn’t very nice. But now that you are growing up, I guess it’s time for me to be honest with you about why I don’t go to synagogue very often and I haven’t been to the temple in Jerusalem in years.”
“You said you were too busy at the store.”
“Yes, but there is something more. You see, I agree with the prophet. I don’t like that the Jewish leaders tell us to keep the Laws, but they don’t keep them themselves. Now, I don’t want to be critical, because I’m not doing a very good job, either — but sometimes it seems that they are just cruel and mean to the poor, or the widows, or the crippled people. I don’t think that’s right.
“And I think the prophet John said it exactly right. If they want to be leaders of our people, then they should be good examples — not bad ones. I believe he was asking them to repent, too.”
“And that’s what made them mad?” asked Noah.
“I think so. You see, sometimes if I catch you doing something wrong — you quickly say you are sorry. But sometimes, when I catch you doing something wrong, you just try to hide it or blame it on your brothers — and I know that you aren’t going to quit or change. You don’t want to repent.”
“I think I understand. Thanks, Abba, for talking with me. I’ll try to listen better today. We’ve got a great place to be able to see and hear everything and it’s getting really crowded. I think the prophet will begin teaching soon.”
“Look over there, there’s even more of the Jewish leaders over to the right. I hope they aren’t going to try to stop the prophet from teaching.”
Soon the prophet John began teaching. He again said that he was preparing the way for the Messiah and that people needed to repent and get their lives right with God. Again that afternoon, a line of men formed who wanted to be baptized. Even though Noah and his dad couldn’t hear what was being said privately, Noah understood now that each man was telling the prophet that he wanted to repent and be baptized to show that he was serious about changing his life.
But then Noah noticed something strange. A man approached and talked with the prophet and the prophet fell on his knees and it looked like he was worshiping the man. There was a loud murmur coming from the Jewish leaders and everyone was watching to see what would happen next. The man helped the prophet to his feet and together they went into the Jordan River.
Noah didn’t know what to think, but he knew that his heart was doing flips. The man’s face was so kind and gentle — almost holy. Noah couldn’t find words to describe it. But as he watched, the prophet baptized the man.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”3
The crowd was perfectly silent. Even the Jewish leaders were silent.
John dismissed the crowd, and everyone headed home. Everyone was asking, “Did you hear that?” and, “Was that God’s voice?” or “Is this man the Messiah?”
“Abba, I want to come back tomorrow!”
“I know, Son. I was planning to open the store tomorrow, but I think I want to be back tomorrow, too. I just don’t want to miss seeing the Messiah. Maybe he will speak tomorrow.”
“Who knows what will happen tomorrow!” exclaimed Noah.
They excitedly told Mother what she had missed as they sat down to a wonderful meal. They agreed that they would go back together to the Jordan again tomorrow, and they would wait to open the store on Thursday.
On Wednesday morning they were so far away it was hard to hear or see what was going on. Some estimated that there were four or five thousand people along the riverbank.
It was near the middle of the morning when the crowd was rewarded by the arrival of Jesus. Everyone had been looking for him. When he appeared, it seemed that everyone’s head turned to him instead of to the prophet John.
The prophet announced loudly:
... “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! …. I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”4
Noah’s Abba motioned to Mother and Noah that it was time to head home. The crowd was going crazy shouting that the Messiah had come, and he was afraid the little ones would be trampled.
“What will happen now, Abba?”
“I don’t know, Noah. We’ll just have to wait and see. I must admit that I don’t know enough of the Jewish prophecy to know what comes next. I have looked for the Messiah all my life, but I have no idea what it all means.”
Noah took his brothers into the back yard to let them play for a while.
“Noah, I’m going to go to the store and check on things and make sure all is ready for opening tomorrow. Come with me. Mother will watch the boys.”
“Coming, Abba.” Noah raced to catch up with his Abba who was already ahead of him. Abba seemed to have something on his mind and Noah had to hurry to keep up with him.
The store was the same as when Noah left it on Sunday except for the accumulated dust. They got busy dusting and were preparing to lock up when his Abba stopped.
“Noah, go get two packages of those candles that Mrs. Mahala was looking at the other day.”
“But Abba, she changed her mind and said she didn’t want them.”
“Noah, be obedient.”
“Yes, Abba, I’m sorry.”
Abba went to the back of the store and picked up a large skin of lamp oil. It was the expensive kind that didn’t give off as much smoke as the regular oil. Now Noah was really curious.
Abba locked the door, but instead of starting home, they headed into a poorer section of town. Abba knocked on the door of a small house and Mrs. Mahala answered. She was very surprised to see them. Abba asked her where he could put the lamp oil for her so it would be easy for her to reach.
When Abba explained that the oil and candles were free, Mrs. Mahala was shocked. Abba explained that he just wanted to reward a faithful customer. He apologized for not giving her the candles when she came in earlier last week.
Mrs. Mahala was crying now. She said, “I have known you since you were a little boy and I’ve never known you to give anything away for free. You have always been a good businessman.”
Abba replied, “I may have been a good businessman, but I wasn’t a good man. I want to do what God’s Law says, and it says that we should take care of the poor and the widows. I have not done my part to take care of you since your husband died last year. You both were my faithful customers, and today I am simply saying thank you.
“Come Noah, Mother will wonder why we are late for dinner.”
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