Day 3 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Genesis 6:9–9:17
Remove and Renew
Note: Today's Bible study is also available in audio format
New Year resolutions come in different forms, but the goals are often to remove and renew. If we overate during the holidays, we might resolve to remove those extra pounds and restore our bodies. We may diet, get involved in an exercise program, or change our habits to get back into shape. Others see the New Year as a time to remove old habits or associations and begin anew. However, what happens when we do nothing? At the very least, we will not enjoy the benefits of accomplishing our goals. In extreme cases, we may destroy ourselves.
An extreme case
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth-- men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air-- for I am grieved that I have made them” (Genesis 6:5-7, NIV). The LORD Saves Some
However, in his grace, God saves Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives (eight individuals). Why does he save only Noah’s family? “Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” (Genesis 6:8-9, NIV). The LORD confides in Noah,
I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark-- you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you (Genesis 6:17-18, NIV). “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22, NIV). He was attentive to please God in even the smallest details.
A Lifeboat
The Almighty asks Noah to do some strange things in the eyes of the world. He is told to build an enormous boat, one and one-half times the length of a football field, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. But, Noah is a preacher of righteousness (2Peter 2:5). When he is not building the boat, he warns all the people to repent or be consumed by a flood, even when there are no indications of any such calamity.
Then God brings Noah every kind of land animal, creature, and bird. Is Noah starting a zoo? This is probably what the people wondered. No matter how much he was mocked, “… Noah did all that the LORD commanded him” (Genesis 7:5, NIV).
Could we do that? It is easy to live for God when surrounded by Christians, but it is challenging to live for him when surrounded by those who are profane and hate Christians. Can we obey God when we know we will be mocked and ridiculed? Do we want to be friends with the world or friends with God? (James 4:4; 1John 2:15). ). If we walk in God’s ways and do all the LORD commands us to do, he will favor us. His commands are in his Word, the Bible.
The LORD instructs Noah to build the ark to save himself and his family. He also keeps two of every male and female representative animals and birds and seven pairs of clean (unblemished) animals and birds for sacrifice to the LORD. Then he is to pack all the provisions they will need.
After God shuts them in the ark, a worldwide flood comes upon the earth, and all creatures die., save for those mentioned. For over a year, Noah, his family, and all the animals live in the ark. God is faithful to them, for they are kept safe until the ark lands on the mountains of Ararat somewhere in the Middle East. Do we want God to favor us? We must be faithful(Genesis 1:30).
A New Covenant
Here are some changes from the Adamic to the Noahic Covenants:
- In the original covenant God established with Adam and Eve, all humanity and every creature on the earth ate plants (Genesis 1:30). In the covenant he gave to Noah (Genesis 9:1-17), God now allows all people and some creatures to eat meat.
- In Eden, animals were friendly with people. Now fear exists between the two.
- Before God destroyed the earth, evil was everywhere and unabated; no government controlled peoples’ behavior. In the covenant God establishes with Noah, the LORD institutes government and capital punishment for those who kill other human beings (with premeditation, i.e., murder).
Last and most important, in this new covenant is a promise of peace. The violent judgment the Almighty shot against the world is over—he hangs up his bow in the clouds. The rainbow is a bow of peace, a sign given by God that he will never again destroy the whole world with a flood, even if men are evil. This provides us with some comfort that, although we may have local, regional flooding, it will never again be worldwide. Later, another covenant offers us peace, the new covenant given by Jesus.
Note: For insights into many of the questions regarding Noah, the ark, and the flood, read the informative article “Was There Really a Noah’s Ark & Flood?” by Ken Ham & Tim Lovett October 11, 2007 issue of Answers in Genesis.
Discussion
Why did God destroy the earth and its residents?
God only saved eight individuals on the boat. Why? How do we gain God’s favor?
What did God promise Noah that he wouldn’t do again, and what was the sign to prove it?
Note: For more insight about Noah and the ark go to more ... There you will find answers to “How could God save so many species of animals and birds and reptiles?” And, “Where did all that water come from which flooded the earth? For more insights about covenants and dispensations, also go to more…
Focus Verses
Proverbs 14:32 (NIV) “When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.”
Proverbs 20:7 (NIV) “The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Noah was a righteous man, but not all his sons followed in his footsteps. In our next lesson, we look at Family Trees. How can we better ensure our branch will be a godly line? Join us!
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagere-edited 1-3-2023
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES