Doing What God Commands: The Noah Window at Chartres (6)

Noah did all that God commanded (Gen. 6:22). I wish that I could say the same!

Noah building the ark by Jill K H Geoffrion — Noah building the ark

My Prayer

Gracious God, thank You for your commandments that lead to a fuller life. I ask Your help in following them more faithfully, especially, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

The donors of the Noah window by Jill K H Geoffrion — Two carpenters taking the bark off a tree. They represent the carpenters’ guild that donated this window and are found on the bottom directly under Noah building the ark.

Scriptural Touchstone:

God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. Genesis 6:13-22 (NRSV)

Noah's helper building the ark by Jill K H Geoffrion — A man helping Noah build the ark. It is most likely his son.

Invitation to Pray:

Reflect on the past hour and how you have or have not followed God’s precious commands. What prayers are emerging in your body, mind, heart, and imagination? Pray them now.

Photos:

The thirteenth century stained glass window (1205-1215) which relates the stories from Genesis 6-9 about Noah, his family, and the flood. It is the westernmost window in the north side aisle at the Chartres Cathedral in France. The images in this post are found in the center of the window, in the second square from the bottom.