BIBLICAL NOAH IN HIS MINISTRY AS A TRI-VOCATIONAL MINISTER
INTRODUCTION
Definition of Bi-Vocational.
Bi-Vocational is an adjective word which erupted from the word Bi-Vocation and this word “Bi-Vocation” in a simple term denotes Bi-Profession. This implies two different work or two different occupations or two different jobs which are being practised together by a person. Bi-Vocational simply means “pertaining to Bi-Vocation, or concerning Bi-Vocation”. Now! The word “Bi-Vocational” means “anything which is related with two different work or job or occupation”. Bi-Vocational is “of Double occupations”.
The Church Workers of double vocations as Levites are still relevant. The acts of Bi-vocational Church workers has their base in the scriptures because it has been a practice since nearly the beginning of the creation to the era of Jesus Christ and His Apostles, even till this contemporary period, there is manifestation of the practice of double vocations by Pastors and other Church workers as Levites. We should observe a biblical Minister of God that involved in double vocations in his lifetime as below.
NOAH WAS CALLED BY GOD AS A SAVIOUR OF HUMANITIES.
In the very beginning, when mankind were violent and living in wickedness which may result at destruction of the hand-work of God, the God was unpleasant with them, He (God) searched and got the man called Noah as a man who could be useful for the God’s purpose. Noah was the person whom the scripture identifies and documented as the first spiritual leader (Priest) that God used as Saviour of mankind against the first world flood around the year 2944BC to 1994BC. The scripture records that Noah was identified and recognised by God as a righteous, blameless man and a faithful man of God (Genesis 6: 9). Being righteous, blameless and faithful one are the three qualities among others which the Lord God observed in Noah and made him worthy to be called by God. Then, God called Noah and He (God) assigned Noah to serve as a Priest of redemption for the continuity of human race (Genesis 6: 14) around 2464BC. God instructed Noah how the redemptive assignment would be carried out, he (Noah) patiently listened and followed the instructions one step after the other as the Mighty God instructed him (Genesis 6: 14 – 20).
BIBLICAL NOAH – A TRI-VOCATIONAL MINISTER AS SAVIOUR, CARPENTER, PRIEST, NATIONAL LEADER AND FARMER Then, despite that Noah was the Saviour for the people of his time, he also ruled the people as a leader of a nation. Then, God knew that Noah and his household couldn’t do without feeding (food) in the process of the assignment given to him, He (God) mandated Noah to made provisions for food-stuff (edible) for mankind (including himself) and livestock kept and he did so (Genesis 6: 21). Immediately after the flood dried off from the surface of the earth, Noah (despite that he was a minister of God) began cultivation of land for food crops and cash crops as a farmer (Genesis 9: 20). Noah was also described as a national leader because the scripture identifies the sons and their descendants as nation and nations of the earth (Genesis 9: 19) and left his sons and their descendants as nations behind after his death Gen. 10: 1 – 32). So, it is clearly known and understood that Noah was a Saviour, a nation Leader and a Farmer.
There is no doubt that right from the time of Adam and Eve was the farming began as a primary and major source of mankind’s welfare till the time of Noah. Even till this present time, agricultural industries are extremely important and valuable. It is indicated in the scripture (Genesis 6: 21) that Noah practised farming even when God called him into the ministry, he was mandated to feed all the animates (human beings and animals) in the Ark with him. This implies that Noah was emerged (through God’s mandate) as Bi-vocation Minister and involved in farming as another vocation in support of Noah and his household welfare when Noah was in the ministry entrusted to him by God (Genesis 9: 3).
BASIC STUDIES:-
This study reveals that:-
i. Noah was called to be Minister of Salvation to save mankind from the first worldwide flood to sustain the continuity of the existence of humanities.
ii. Though, Noah was a farmer before he was called by God for the salvation of humanities, still yet, God didn’t stop him from being a farmer, but He (God) re-encouraged and mandated Noah to produce more and prepare enough edible food crops and meats for the saved people in the Ark because the God directly instructed Noah in the scripture and says:- You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything – Genesis 6: 21, 9: 3 (NIV).
A question to ask is that – From whom and where God was expecting Noah to get the edible substances to sustain himself, his people and all the animals in the Ark during the flood?
Answer:- The instruction came from God to Noah alone. Noah worked towards the instruction as a model for his followers in his farm because he was a farmer. Then, He (Noah) instructed his people and he led them to follow his example in anticipation to survive the worldwide flood and they all worked together harmoniously.
CONCLUSION:-
This implies that it was God Himself that instructed Noah to be involved in other job (i.e. farming) as support in his ministry for his household (Noah’s congregation) welfare so as to alleviate hunger. He who therefore is convinced by God to be a Bi-vocational Pastor should comply because being a Bi-vocational Pastor (or Bi-Vocational Church worker) is relevant in these days. It boosts and improves the welfare of the Priests (or Church workers) and the congregation as a whole. But the Priests with capable and flamboyant Church should not be covetous and should be warned of running after the lust of the world.
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