Genesis 6:9-9:29

Genesis 6:9-9:29

The earth was corrupted and filled with violence, but Noah was righteous, a blameless man. Noah walked (continual, habitual fellowship) with God (Gen. 6:9), just as Enoch did. God begins to give Noah instructions on the ark that he would make. He was given instructions on taking animals in to keep them alive, and storing up food for them to eat. God was leading Noah to be his hands and feet. Noah walked with God! God chooses to use and work through those that are humble, teachable, and seek God wholly. God chose to work through Noah.

The flood lasted for forty days. Those on the ark were: Noah, his wife, his sons, and his son's wives. Also, the animals that God commanded him to bring into the ark.

The Lord is the One who sustained them during this time. It is noted that "the Lord shut them in." Noah and his clan: their safety was dependent on God's action and human action. It points us back to God's special relationship with Noah. God chose to use Noah, allowing Noah to join him where he was at work!

God is acting in judgment over the earth during this time. He is removing the wickedness from the earth. After the flood is over, imagine what it would be like to walk outside the ark for the first time: to see the sun shining, no other human beings around aside from your family, and to see the land again. God chose to make a covenant with Noah and his family--promising he would never again flood the entire earth. The promise is sealed with a rainbow. God blesses Noah and his family telling them and the animals to multiply and be fruitful: to fill the earth.

Notice God's change of attitude toward humanity after the burnt offering Noah gives in Genesis 8:20-21. Think upon the sacrifice of Jesus!

Although man's heart is not changed, God's attitude has changed. He promises not to blot out all of mankind like he did with the flood. Atonement makes a peaceful relationship with God and humanity possible. We do not seek out burnt offerings for animals cannot take away our sins. (See Hebrews 10) Only God could take away our sins, which he did. The perfect, lasting sin offering: Jesus Christ came to die on the cross to make me right with God, so that I may have a right relationship with God! His attitude toward me has changed not because of what I have done: for no deed I do could make me right with God. It is through the blood of Jesus, his atonement, that I am able to experience the love relationship with God that I have! God has chosen to love me with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). My sins completely blotted out, because God sent his son Jesus to take my place on the cross. It does not stop there: God rose Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus experienced death, but death could not hold him. God's power is SO much greater!! He came to bring me deliverance, freedom, and a just relationship with God. He sought me out. God initiated a love relationship with me when I wasn't lovable.

Eph 5:2 says, "walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Think about how great God's love is. He gave up his one and only son as a sin offering: to pay the debt we could not pay. God's love is so great: reaching out to us! He is desiring to have a relationship with us. Only thing that stops us is US!