Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
1 Peter – What is Peter’s Favorite Bible Story?
What Is Peter’s Favorite OT Story and Why?
Peter’s favorite O.T. story is….? If we read his epistles, one OT story is recounted 3 times: 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5 and 3:5-6. This OT narrative is only mentioned 6 times in the NT (Matthew 24:37–39, Luke 17:26–27, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 3:6, Hebrews 11:7). Peter is the source for 3, or half, of these.
Peter finds frequent use in his writings for Noah and the flood. Besides this being a favorite of many, why would the flood story be one of Peter’s? Personally, we identify with some stories, characters, and situations more than others. I think Peter identified with the story of Noah.
If Peter did, then the question becomes, why? The answer as to why Peter recounts the flood story 3 times in just 8 chapters in 2 epistles, may be answered by another biblical story. It personally involves Peter and is reminiscent of the flood story. The connections are numerous, some admittedly stronger and more obvious than others. This other narrative is how Peter identified with Noah.
Let me tell you two stories. As you see the comparisons, when do you first figure out the other character?
Connections between Noah and this Man:
1. As Noah found favor in God’s eyes (Gen.6:4; 7:1); so this narrative is about a devout man who feared God, along with his family.
2. As God sent a message of salvation to Noah (Gen.6:13ff); so did He to this man.
3. As Noah didn’t fit into his world (Gen.6:5); neither did this man.
Connections to animals in both narratives:
1. As animals are frequently mentioned in the flood narrative (Gen 6:7,13,17,19,20,21; 7:2,3,4,8,9,14,15,16,21,22,23; 8:1,7,8,9,10,11,12; 8:17,19,20,21; 9:2,3,4,5,10,11,12,15,16,17); so are they essential to this narrative’s interpretation.
2. As Noah collected the animals in the ark (Gen.7); so all the animals are also in an object.
3. As Noah collected the unclean 2 by 2 (and the clean by sevens (Gen.6:19-20; Gen.7:2)); so unclean animals are prominently featured and interpretively essential.
4. As animals on the ark and those which perished are described as crawling and flying (Gen.7:23; Gen.8:19); so were those which are in this narrative as crawling and flying.
5. The ark contained three floors for the animals and Noah’s family (Gen.6:16); and three is an important number involving the animals in the other story.
6. Noah was given permission to eat animals (9:3); and Peter was commanded to eat animals.
Water Connections in both Stories:
1. In the flood story, water completely covers the earth (Gen.7:19,20); and when water is mentioned, it is an immersion.
2. Noah’s family was saved in the ark, during the flood (Gen.7:13-14); and God saved this man and his family, and it involved water.
Miscellaneous Connections:
1. In Noah’s day God would remove His Spirit (Gen.6:3); while in the other God sent His Spirit.
2. Noah believed God and obeyed (Gen.6:22); so did this man end up believing.
3. Noah and his family sailed on a world-wide sea which flooded the world (Gen.7:17); and this story partially takes place geographically by the sea.
Final Connections:
1. The flood story literally changed the physical world; and this event spiritually changed Peter and changed the spiritual world for others.
If you haven’t figured it out, the first narrative is Peter’s experience in the Cornelius pericope (Acts 10). Cornelius is like Noah. This event was a spiritual awakening for Peter. A Gentile could be saved without the Law.
Going back to Peter’s epistles,
1. Peter’s audience is like Cornelius (both Gentiles), saved by God.
2. Cornelius is like Noah, both saved by God.
3. Therefore, Peter’s audience is like Noah, saved by God.
What’s your favorite story and why?
Comments