Day 4 – God’s Covenant with Noah - Genesis 8:1-9:17
In the aftermath of the Flood, God reaches out once again to humanity. In Genesis 9:1-7 God reappoints humanity as stewards of creation. This reassignment recognizes that things have changed. Fear, dread, even murder are mentioned. Yet God still chooses us.
Then God uses a word: Covenant! This is the first of a series of promises made by God throughout the Bible. The first one, known as the Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:8-17) is interesting for several reasons. First, the promise is made to all of humanity (v.9), all living creatures (v.10), and even the earth itself (v. 13). God promises to never destroy the earth again by water. Then God proclaims that the rainbow is the sign of this promise. (Covenants include some physical sign, just like the sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have physical signs. This is not a coincidence!) Finally there are no conditions placed on humanity’s response. This is a free gift of grace.
Reading this we are reminded that God is always reaching out to us. What are you facing in your own life that feels like a flood of disaster? Do you feel alone? Do you know that God already is with you in the midst of whatever the issues is? Does it help to see that God had plans for this covenant, even before the flood (see Genesis )
As you read about the Noahic Covenant there is one interesting issue which is murky. I won’t tell you what it is, but ask you to see if something bothers you about this covenant? In this case I’m asking a leading question for discussion!
Peace,
Pastor Randy
God says he won't destroy the earth by water. That does't mean that he wouldn't destroy it some other way. Am I way off?
ReplyDeleteWith Adam eternal life was in a tree (the tree of Life)and food was plants. Now God tells Noah that life is in the blood.The food can be animals but not the blood. This set the life saving way that only in Jesus' blood is Eternal Life for all, that believe and accept.
ReplyDeleteNo, Donna you are not. To parse God's promise, it seems to have some "wiggle room". But there are other indications, such as Genesis 8:22, which seem to indicate a broader intent in God's promise. And with our NT insight, God's plan is not destructive as much as transformative. Not to say the transformation is painless...
ReplyDelete