Genesis 9: A Solemn Promise
Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.
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The gloomy tone of Genesis' past few chapters brightens almost immediately as this chapter tells of Noah and the few survivors landing on earth, sprouting abundant new life. For the first time in years, people actually seek to please God, seen in Noah's first act on dry land in his preparing an offering of thanksgiving. God responds with a solemn promise, the first of several covenants in the Bible between God and the people whom He loves.
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God's covenant recognizes certain sad adjustments to the original design of the world, taking for granted that human beings will continue to sin and disobey God's laws. Even so, God promises that regardless of what might happen, never again will he destroy life on such a massive scale. In effect, God vows to find another way to deal with the rebellion and violence of humanity. What may be the most recognizable symbol in the Old Testament, the rainbow marks this first recorded covenant by God.
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Life Question: According to the story of Noah, God is discouraged by the corruption and wickedness of His creation. Do you think that the best way to fix a mistake is usually to obliterate it and start over? Or, do you believe that there is something redeeming/ good about everything that is created by God?
Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.
.
The gloomy tone of Genesis' past few chapters brightens almost immediately as this chapter tells of Noah and the few survivors landing on earth, sprouting abundant new life. For the first time in years, people actually seek to please God, seen in Noah's first act on dry land in his preparing an offering of thanksgiving. God responds with a solemn promise, the first of several covenants in the Bible between God and the people whom He loves.
.
God's covenant recognizes certain sad adjustments to the original design of the world, taking for granted that human beings will continue to sin and disobey God's laws. Even so, God promises that regardless of what might happen, never again will he destroy life on such a massive scale. In effect, God vows to find another way to deal with the rebellion and violence of humanity. What may be the most recognizable symbol in the Old Testament, the rainbow marks this first recorded covenant by God.
.
Life Question: According to the story of Noah, God is discouraged by the corruption and wickedness of His creation. Do you think that the best way to fix a mistake is usually to obliterate it and start over? Or, do you believe that there is something redeeming/ good about everything that is created by God?
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I think this question lends itself certainly to the issues of abortion and capital punishment- hot-tempered topics in today's society. The lesson here, I think, is that we ought to follow God's lead when it comes to dealing with adversity and turmoil. Distruction isn't the answer, and it certainly will not rid the world of all evils. A far greater gift that God has given us- more than brute strength- is what should be a loving heart...a loving heart that will call us to pray and look for alternative choices when we are faced with the notion of destroying God's work.
1 comment:
It seems that mistakes cannot be obliterated as far as men are concerned. Noah's family was the best of people among a wicked world and their fresh start did not remain that way as we see in the next part of their story. I see all of God's image-bearers as redeemable. When He enters our stories He enables us the freedom to really live even in the midst of a troubled and wicked world. One of my favorite phrases in this story is in Gen.6......."Noah walked with God".
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