August 19, 2020 (Wednesday)
After the flood, Noah responded to God with worship. “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord…”
[Genesis 8:20a] This is difficult. Imagine the world you know has ended, you and
your family are the only ones left. It’s not just people gone, it’s everything
you once knew. What would you do?
God’s response to Noah’s worship, “…Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though
every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again
will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.” [Genesis 8:21b NIV] At
the Fall God cursed the ground. Now it seems He is reversing course. I’m
thinking the degree of the curse may have been softened at that point.
Considering the devastation of the flood, we have no clue.
God’s plan, at this point was, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” [Genesis 8:22 ESV] This is a promise “while the earth remains.” This is explained later, “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” [Genesis 9:11 ESV] Later in Scripture we find the earth is reserved for fire (see 2 Peter 3:7).
Another piece of information that ties into the creation
account, “The fear of you and the dread
of you shall be upon every (creature)…” [Genesis 9:2a ESV] It is assumed
that after the Fall, humans and animals were separated into this dichotomy. At this
point in history, God makes the note of animals fearing humans in general.
Possibly the shift happens because God appears to change the
dietary reality of humanity. “Every
moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green
plants, I give you everything.” [Genesis 9:3 ESV] Verses 4 – 6 open a
discussion of blood and its significance to life. Verse 6 institutes the death
penalty for murder. The reason, “for in the divine image God made human beings.”
[Genesis 9:6b CEB]
Then God gives them a sign, “I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant
with you and with all the earth.” [Genesis 9:13 NLT] Thus, God establishes
a covenant (legal contract, promise) with humanity and all creatures of the earth. Please note, God’s covenants
are “unilateral.”
By unilateral, I mean, God does the action. This action is
not based on human merit. God does what He does because He wants to do it. This
is the core of “grace.” Humanity is helpless, unless God takes action. God
wants us to be healthy, safe, and in right relationship. He works to make it so.
Despite humanity’s failings, God has not and will not turn
His back on us. Despite our rebellion, God loves us with an unfailing love.
Despite our self-inflicted stupidity, God is still willing to work with us to
move us to where He wants us to be…
So, why are we continually tuning our back on Him? Why are
we rejecting His love? Why are we settling for Hell when God offers Heaven?
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