Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 31

 

https://youtu.be/h7Es1RsTu8U

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PITCH

PITCH

There are many interesting details in Scripture which never seem to be pointed out in churches. One such is the use of the word “pitch” in the Old Testament. In Genesis 6, God tells Noah to:

 

Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; 

make rooms in the ark, 

and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 

(Genesis 6:14)

In the story of the flood in Genesis, Noah and his family are saved by God via means of an ark during the time when God decided to destroy mankind by means of a flood because of the great wickedness in the world. Noah was told to make the ark as above and seal it with pitch. Now the word used for pitch in this case is “kaphar” - a word used only in this instance.  In other instances, where a word for a coating substance is used, the word “zepheth” is employed.

So why is there a change in words when essentially the same meaning is to be implied in both cases? Is it because there is an allegorical meaning in the first instance? The rain and flooding in the story of Noah's ark is representative of the wrath of God being delivered on the earth with the destruction of all living. The ark was, of course, the means by which God provided for those who had found favour with Him due to their righteousness. But even that by itself was apparently not enough, for even a well-built boat can still leak if not sealed properly and that, of course, is what pitch is for, to seal the boat thoroughly inside and out.

But the word “Kaphar” used in Genesis also means “atonement” defined as the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind*. Atonement is used for the first time in Leviticus:

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, 

and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; 

for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

(Leviticus 17:11)

As it was the pitch that kept the ark watertight and safe, so it is the blood of Christ that keeps us safe with God and the Holy Spirit. This may be why, in Ephesians, we are told:

…we have redemption through His blood [when]…

 In Him you also trusted, after you heard…

the gospel of your salvation; 

in whom also, having believed, 

you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise… 

(Ephesians 1:7,13)

The Bible has many small details such as this that makes the whole story in the Bible so much more interesting when we know about them.

Just one more thing to think about.

*Definition from Dictionary.com

Pastor Jasmine Trott - Feb. 8, 2026

 Click on the link for video.

Pastor Jasmine Trott - Feb. 8, 2026

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 30

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - GOD'S WORD

GOD'S WORD

The Bible states that In The Beginning God spoke the universe into existence. It was through His Word then that all we know came about. In Genesis 1, the phrase:

Then God said…

…is repeated a number of times as creation takes place and as the worlds come into being.

But it wasn’t long before Satan asked the question:

 

…“Has God indeed said…?”

(Genesis 3:1)

…throwing into question the validity of what God had spoken.

Perhaps this is in part the reason why when God’s spoken word became flesh he was rejected. The idea that:

Has God indeed said?

remained and so as…

Israel has rejected the good… 

(Hosea 8:3)

…the Son of Man would…

…suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 

(Luke 17:25) 

So, as people questioned the Word of God in the beginning, they also questioned and rejected the Word of God in the flesh because:

He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,

Lest they should see with their eyes,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn… 

(John 12:40)

Even after all the disciples had seen Jesus do during His ministry, they still questioned whether He had really said and done what they had experienced. And so, in Mark, He said this after doing many miracles:

Having eyes, do you not see? 

And having ears, do you not hear?

…How is it you do not understand? 

(Mark 8:18, 21)

Rejection of God and His Word has been man’s position throughout history. Even the ones who should have been most in tune with God have done so. When Moses, who was God’s chosen to lead the Israelites free, was told by God to…

…Speak to the rock before their eyes, 

and it will yield its water… 

(Numbers 20:8)

Moses did not do what he was told for he…

…lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod… 

(Numbers 20:11)

As a result, God spoke to Moses and Arron:

…Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me…

you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. 

(Numbers 20:12)

Moses was punished by not listening to God’s Word; the disciples were rebuked and humbled by not understanding what the Word of God, the Son of Man, had done during His ministry. And when we read the Bible today, the common response still seems to be:

Has God indeed said?…

…what the Bible indicates He has indeed said.

What He has said is there for us to read, what He has done is all around for us to see, and what He has prophesied is there for us to understand. As it was the duty of Moses to do God’s Word, so it is the same with us today.

Has God indeed said? Yes, He has and it is for us to consider and follow. 

And that is something to seriously think about.

Evening Service Cancelled

 

Due to the impending storm it has been decided to cancel this evening's church service.

Pastor Caroline Barclay - Feb. 1, 2026

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