Discovering Genesis, Part 10
Genesis 9:1-17
Thanks to those who participated in our prayer walk on Wed night!
Introduction
- Last week, we set up the foundation for what mankind had done
- Simply stated, we provoked God’s wrath through disobedience and rebellion
- God sent men like Enoch and Noah to preach to them; but still they rebelled
- Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”
Last week, we saw some extremely important to our understanding of God’s Grace
But, not only to knowing God’s Grace, but to understanding His undeserved mercy
- 1. First, we must obey the Lord (18) – We see that Noah came out
- God told him to come out and he sent the animals out and his family too
- 2. Second, we worship the Lord – Noah built an altar (20)
-- We must seek Him for guidance on the future; this is the result of worship
-- Noah remembers all that God had said and done – first action is worship
- 3. Third, we saw God’s covenant with Noah to never destroy the Earth again
This morning and this afternoon, we will look at God’s instructions post-flood
These are critical in our understanding of life today; and how we must live
It is a message of instruction when we take it apart at this level …
Read Genesis 9:1-17
Pray
Point 1 – A New Beginning (1-6)
- God gives Noah very clear instructions on how to live; be fruitful and replenish
- There was a civilization before the flood; now there is to be one after (v1)
-- Today, we have a population explosion; even overpopulation in some places
- However, Noah and his family were in a unique position … they were alone!
- They were not only totally alone, but given a fresh start on the Earth
- But, notice this critical part of the covenant shown to us (v2)
- Before the flood, we have an indication that animals were tame
-- Consider the fact that the animals came to Noah when the ark was ready
- But now, there is an important word used here, it is the word “dread”
-- The word used in the Hebrew here is “chathath”; literally fear or terror
-- Moses writing here is that animals now have a fear of mankind
-- There is a clear indication here that follows this with God’s instruction
- (v3-4) Prior to the flood the meals consisted of primarily a vegetarian diet
-- The indication again, is b/c the animals did not fear man; they responded
-- Now, post flood, there is to be a distinct change and everything is for food
- But, there is a prohibition against eating/drinking the blood of animals
-- The blood of all of us speaks of life (no blood = no life); it is to be revered
- The blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:11-28) is as precious as you can get
-- It is a matter of understanding that blood equals life, as Jesus’s blood cleansed
- But, then, we see this incredible reminder about the importance of life (v6)
- There is an important indication about life and government of mankind here
- Noah’s covenant given by God is populate the Earth; not to kill one another
- We can talk generally or we can talk specifically about this; but the msg is clear
-- If you kill, then your life is to be offered as well for the killing you committed
- There is much on this in reference to capital punishment; look at God’s Word
- The understanding is clear: murder is not allowed; and you can’t do it
- TRANS:
Point 2 – God’s Promise with Mankind (7-17)
- (v7-9) Now, we begin to see the true revelation of the covenant with mankind
- All of the world, to include the human race, shall benefit from God’s covenant
- It is meant to understand literally, that the destruction of the flood will not repeat
-- It doesn’t mean we won’t see storms and rain; but not a total wipe out
- God’s promise is further indicated by 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
But, Moses is given a special treat here; he is shown a visual portrayal to record
- (v12-13) The rainbow is like a sacrament; it is a visible token of the covenant
-- When we consider all that God has revealed in 9 chapters, this is a welcome sign
-- We must pay attention closely to the wording here though
-- Hebrew word is “qesheth” – literal meaning is the word “bow”, or rainbow
- IMP: Notice God’s wording: “I will look upon it”; not “we will see it …”
- Because God sees it, there is a reminder to him about His everlasting covenant
- It is not our covenant and something we need to ensure that we understand
- It plays right into the revelation we saw in Genesis 1 that life is NOT about us
- It never has been about us, it isn’t about our desires/wants; it’s about God’s will
-- James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
-- Vapor: Greek word “atmis”; which is defined as “steam” or “breath”
- God’s reminder here is to Himself; not like a post-it note; but as a signature
-- Consider a document that you have signed, and someone confronts you with it
-- When faced with your own signature/hand writing, you remember that you did it
-- This is the application here: God will remember what He has done; done for us
- (v17) When man looks at the rainbow; he remembers God’s provision over him
-- The rainbow is the sign, and our faith is attached to the sign that is revealed here
-- The merit is in what the sign speaks of; not the fact that there is a sign in the sky
- God makes a promise and attaches something visible to it that we can see
- IMP: Much like the cross reminds of Christ’s promise; the rainbow does also
Conclusion
- APP: The rainbow is God’s answer to the altar that Noah built (Genesis 8:20)
-- Because of the life that Noah lived; we see God’s response and favor on him
-- That same favor is not automatic for all; esp those living for themselves
-- The covenant that God gives is a revelation of how good He is
- It is a reminder that we are to be subject to Him
- Not because we are something awesome ….. it’s because God is
- There is more that we are going to see on this tonight; especially regarding sin
- Come back tonight and let’s delve further into the importance of the promise
- No invitation, just close in prayer
- Love ya church … see you tonight
