LESSON AIM

1. We will understand that GOD always remembers HIS PROMISES

2. We will understand that even when there are consequences for wrongdoing, GOD will leave room for second chances.

KEEP IN MIND

“And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between GOD and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth” (Genesis 9:16).

GOD was grieved over the sinfulness of humanity, so HE decided to recreate humanity through the family of Noah, who pleased GOD. After constructing the ark, Noah gathered the animals according to GOD’S PLAN. When the flood came, only those in the ark were saved. After the rain, GOD called Noah, his family, and all of the animals out of the ark. Then GOD told Noah to be fruitful and multiply.

By way of background, Noah, son of Lamech, was bon into a world that had been completely corrupted. However, because Noah found favor with GOD, he was declared righteous. Through Noah and his family, GOD preserved humanity and gave to the world a new beginning. Noah can be viewed, therefore, as the second father of humankind.

Many generations separated Noah and the earth’s first couple. A canopy of water still hung in the heavens and provided shelter from the harmful effects of the sun. In that protected environment, life on earth flourished and mankind lived 900 years.

Thus, by the time of Noah’s birth, GOD described humanity as very evil: “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The descendants of Cain followed in his footsteps of sin. As they multiplied, they became a corrupting influence upon the world. The descendants of Seth, on the other hand, were to follow in his footsteps of faith. As they multiplied, they were to become a righteous witness to the world. However, all but a few of Seth’s descendants followed the way of Cain. Among other things, they twisted GOD’S WORD to justify violence as the means of dealing with disagreements. Hence, violence and evil multiplied on the earth. Because of GOD’S GRACE, they were living very long lives and were capable of very great wisdom; but they foolishly tried to use their GOD-GIVEN abilities against GOD.

The evil of man grieved GOD, and HE determined that HE would destroy all life on earth except for Noah, his family, and a set number of animals and birds.

1. GOD’S INTENSE GRIEF (Genesis 6:5-8)

GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great. HE is not so far away that HE takes no notice of what is happening. The deterioration of man into sin now comes to its greatest climax. His evil is described intensively. The intensity of the wickedness of man is shown with devastating force in the phrase “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The word “imagination” (Heb. Yetser, yay-tser) is derived from the verb “to form” (Heb. Yatsar, yaw-tsar; cf. Genesis 2:7) and implies purpose. Man was purposefully setting his mind on evil.

The verb “repented” in verse 6 has a root meaning of breathing deeply. It describes a change of mind or heart in an intransitive sense and is most frequently employed to indicate GOD’S REPENTANCE. The verse raises the question: Can GOD repent? The repentance of GOD is a human description (an anthropomorphic expression) conveying the poignancy of the situation and the serious breach that had taken place in the relationship of GOD to man. From a human limited, earthly, finite perspective, it only appears that GOD’S purposes have changed. GOD”S dealings with man are conditional upon the response of man (cf. Jeremiah 18:7-10; Deuteronomy 30:19).

The LORD decided to rub out of existence both man and his world. The verb “destroy” (heb. Machah, maw-khaw) has the meaning of wiping out or totally erasing something (see Genesis 7:4,23). It shows GOD’S characteristic way of dealing with evil. HE deals with it not with half-measure but with the simultaneous extremes of judgment and salvation.

Man’s evil affects his environment, which was created for him. Thus, both man and the world would be wiped out.

The destruction, however, would not bring the human race to an end. GOD’S MERCY is shown in the midst of HIS wrath. HE chose Noah, a man who would provide a way of salvation. GOD was pleased with, or attracted to, Noah. Noah did not deserve to be used by GOD; it was GOD’S GRACE that save him.

How sad a time this must have been for the CREATOR. After GOD had carefully brought forth a beautiful and good creation, humans foolishly turned against HIM and violated the terms of the Creation Covenant. Instead of pouring out HIS full judgment on mankind, GOD graciously established a Salvation Covenant. However, in spite of GOD’S Salvation promises, humans rejected GOD’S call to faith. GOD gave them many encouragements to be fruitful and multiply, but they refused to be obedient. Instead, mankind had become utterly depraved. Mankind had become so wicked that even at a subconscious level their imaginations and thoughts were evil. GOD was so grieved by this that HE regretted ever creating man. Finally, GOD decided to pour out HIS judgment by destroying all life on earth.

However, GOD is faithful to HIS WORD and remembers HIS PROMISE to Adam and Eve to provide a Savior and Deliverer through whom man’s broken relationship with HIM will be restored (Genesis 3:15). This presents a dilemma for GOD. How can HE wipe out life on earth and at the same time keep HIS PROMISE to provide a Savior GOD’S solution was to raise up one righteous man and preserve him and his family from the coming destruction.

2. GOD’S SAVING HAND (Genesis 7:1-5, 17, 23)

The LORD told Noah what he should do. He was to take his entire family into the ark (see Genesis 6:18). He was reminded that the reason he was being spared was his righteous walk before GOD (see Genesis 6:9). The term “righteous” (Heb. Tsaddiyq, tsad-deek) denotes conformity to an ethical or moral standard. Noah was not deviating from the norm set by GOD (cf. Ezekiel 14:14, 20).

Noah was instructed to bring into the ark seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean—added details not mentioned in Genesis 6:18-20. The distinction between clean and unclean animals was probably for eating and for sacrificial purposes (cf. 8:20-21).

Noah was then to select seven pairs of every kind of bird. The ultimate purpose of the instructions given to Noah is “to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.” Thus, every kind of living creature will survive the flood. The aquatic creatures were not mentioned, probably because they were immune from the danger presented by the flood.

Noah carried out GOD’S instructions with great care (see Genesis 6:22). His obedience expressed his faith in the LORD, and many were saved through him (see Hebrews 11:7).

The flood wiped out every existing thing as the LORD had said (Genesis 7:4; see also 6:7). The list of animals given in 7:17 is wider than the one in 6:7 and 7:14. It mentions birds and cattle as well as “the creeping things.” “The creeping things” may be understood as all the countless kinds of animals that are not included in other categories.

Noah was not a perfect man. Like all of us, he had his share of sin and shortcomings. However, when GOD looked on Noah, HE saw a man who put his trust in HIM and HIS SAVING GRACE. GOD counted this faith as righteousness. HE placed all of Noah’s sin on the coming REDEEMER, namely, HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. Through GOD’S GRACE. Noah was obedient. Thus, the human race was preserved in spite of GOD’S JUDGMENT on sin through the flood.

3. GOD’S CONTINUING GRACE (Genesis 8:14-16; 9:1)

The ground was sufficiently dry to allow men and animals to move around freely on the twenty-seventh of the second month. The word “dried” (Heb. Yabesh, yaw-bashe) is a verb used here to mean “to become dry without moisture” or “to be dry and firm” (see 8:7, 14). It is often used to portray dryness of vegetation. In Genesis 8:13 the word “dried” is a verb meaning, “to be free of water” (Heb. Charab, khaw-rab).

The initiative was from the LORD throughout (see 7:5, 9, 16; 8:1). Verse 15 points out the fact that the saving of Noah and his family is exclusively an act of GOD. The whole scheme of salvation is centered on Noah; his family members are beneficiaries. Noah had shown self-discipline as he waited patiently for GOD’S TIME AND WORD (cf. 1 Samuel 13:9-14).

Just as GOD had commanded Noah to enter the ark before the flood started, so now HE ordered him to leave it with his family and all the animals. As in Genesis 6:18, the various members of Noah’s family are listed in these final verses.

Thus, once GOD’S judgment was complete, HE gave instructions to Noah to take his family and the animals from the safety of the ark. Again, Noah obeyed GOD. Once all were safely out of the ark, GOD expressed HIS continuing grace to mankind by blessing Noah and his family and admonishing them to “be fruitful, and multiply.”

Recently, a minister made national headlines when, after learning that his son had been shot and the person apprehended, he petitioned the criminal justice system for the felon to be sentenced to serve in his church. The courts complied with his request. Once the young shooter was in the church’s custody, the pastor forgave him and helped him make a clean start.

Similarly, GOD’S justice requires judgment for sin, but HIS GRACE makes forgiveness and redemption available to us through JESUS CHRIST.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

email Dr. Lowe

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