Jan 10 – A Blessed Occupation!

“And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard.” (Genesis 9:20)

Noah’s life was truly a blessed life. He was righteous, upright, and walked with God. The Lord made a covenant with him and his family, and He blessed Noah and all his descendants.

Scripture shows us that Noah faithfully carried out three major works in his lifetime:

1. He built the ark: Constructing the ark was no simple task. It measured three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high—a massive structure. Until about A.D. 1850, no ship of such size had ever been built in the world.

When Noah worked on the ark, there was no sign of rain, let alone a flood. The people of his time would not have believed him. They would have mocked him: “Why build a ship on dry land? Shouldn’t you build it by the sea?” Yet Noah never abandoned the work. He endured the ridicule with patience and completed what God asked him to do.

2. He preached God’s word: He is called “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). Scripture doesn’t state exactly how long he preached, but many scholars believe it may have been 120 years, referring to Genesis 6:3.

However, a closer reading suggests at least 100 years: Noah was 500 years old when Shem, Ham, and Japheth were born. He was 600 years old when the flood came (Genesis 7:11). Therefore, Noah may have preached righteousness for about a century. Yet no one repented.

After the flood, Noah no longer needed to build the ark, nor did he preach as before. Instead, he began a new venture—he successfully planted a vineyard.

3. He planted a vineyard: To the Israelites, vineyards were a symbol of great blessing. Just as olive trees represented spiritual life and fig trees symbolized social side, the vineyard symbolized family blessing and fruitfulness.

Children of God, whatever work the Lord has given you—do it faithfully, uprightly, and with integrity. The Lord Himself will bless and exalt you through it.

The Lord says: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21). And again: “When you eat the labour of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:2)

Verse for further meditation: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house; your children like olive plants all around your table.” (Psalm 128:3)