After Adam and Eve’s debacle in the garden, humanity’s proclivity toward the destructive intensified. We read in the very next chapter of a murder occurring out of jealousy. As the people multiplied, though there were exceptions such as Enoch (5:21-24), the wickedness multiplied simultaneously. It got to the point that “the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth…” (6:5-6).
Though it says that God would consider wiping out the entire population, we can be confident that His ultimate purpose was to introduce a redemptive element. We know this because it was merely one small family’s faithfulness to which God responded by introducing such a redemptive plan. As we saw in chapter 3 (see previous entry), God’s redemptive plan, though culminating in Jesus, was ongoing throughout history.
As we take a look at how Noah’s life played out, a number of themes become evident to us, themes that will continue past this story. These themes teach us about how God desires to interact with His people. They show us how God used people in history to accomplish His purposes. These themes guide our lives, showing us how He can do the same for us.
God is seeking people who will go to great lengths to follow Him.
We cannot minimize the task to which God called Noah. The earth had, to this point, been watered by a mist (see 2:5-6), and God was asking Noah to build a boat, because there would be a flood! Looking back from our place in history, it seems like a good idea; but could you imagine having to go through with such a command when you had never even seen water of that magnitude before? Not only that, but I could just imagine Noah’s response to God’s command to make an ark: “Make a what? Why again?”
But Noah followed through. He followed through, even though the rest of the people did not likely treat his project with mere curiosity. He followed through, even though the ridicule lasted a great deal of time, as a boat close to 500 feet long would have taken years. He followed through, knowing that the God who was asking him to do these strange things is trustworthy.
This is the type of trust that God desires from His people. It is more than just mere belief. It is a trust in God’s words being faithful, and therefore worth following. It is the type of trust that, no matter how little sense God’s commands make to us at times, that they are good.
God enters into a covenant relationship with those who act in faith.
The idea of a covenant is an important one for our faith, and it was well understood in the ancient world. It was the way that societies could maintain stability. The way it worked is that a ruler, called a suzerain, would allow people to live on his land. He would grant those people protection, as well as the use of that land for their needs. In return, he requested loyalty, as well as that his vassals live in such a way as to promote the suzerain’s interests.
This is an understanding of how God interacts with His people, granting them protection and assistance and requiring loyalty and obedience. The interesting thing about the covenant in this chapter, though, is its unconditional nature:
“…and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature…never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh” (9:15).
In this covenant, because of Noah’s faithfulness, God binds Himself to a form of protection that will never be undone, no matter how bad the earth becomes again.
And this is how God’s covenants are. When His people act in faith, demonstrating trust in Him, He is willing to grant an unconditional covenant, unconditional promises, and unconditional blessings. We have already established that He is trustworthy; now we see that His promises are completely reliable. These are promises that offer incredible protection and favor for His people; promises such as “I am with you”; “You can ask anything in My name, and I will grant it”; “I know the plans I have for you.” It has been seen by His people throughout history: if we respond to these promises with belief, we will see them fulfilled.
God’s covenant people see His incredible purposes played out in their lives.
Noah had placed his trust in God, acting it out via following God’s prompt despite opposition and uncertainty. God responded by rewarding him. The reward he received for his trust in God cannot be underestimated.
It would have been one thing for God to reward Noah by sparing his life; it would be even more for Noah’s reward to include the lives of his family. Noah’s reward, however, did not stop there. Noah’s reward included the fact that the entire population of humanity was saved! Because Noah acted faithfully, he is forever remembered as a hero of sorts. Consider the treatment he receives in Hebrews 11:7-“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Noah acted in faith, and God was able to allow Noah’s actions to accomplish a purpose much, much bigger than Noah. Watch for this pattern throughout Genesis, and throughout Scripture: When God’s people respond to his leading in an act of faith, He allows them to see results that are much bigger than themselves. This is our God, and this is what He longs to do in our lives. If we are able to consider God trustworthy, as Noah did, He will reward us with an incredible sense of purpose that reaches far beyond ourselves.
Now, some may think, “Well, that’s good for Noah and all…but I’m not a hero like him!” This is where we reach our final theme:
God’s covenant people are flawed
Seriously, some of them are absolutely screwed up! It would have been glorious if Noah’s story had ended with a rainbow, and everyone’s happy. However, the Author of Genesis saw fit to include this next story, which seems completely out of place, except maybe to prove the point of the humanity of God’s people.
To some, it may seem an entertaining sequence of events: Land the ark, check. Offer a sacrifice, check. Listen to God say something about never again having to build this thing, check. Now, for my next order of business, I’m going to plant a vineyard and get drunk!
To those of us who celebrate Noah as a hero, we see a humanity to which we can relate (even if not fully, for the non-drinkers out there). God is not looking for people with extraordinary gifts or talents, or who thrive on high-risk behaviors. God is not even looking for people who have it all together, or who are free of serious defects. God is simply looking for people who will respond to Him in trust. Even seriously flawed people who exhibit such trust can reap the benefits of God’s rich blessings.
We will continue to track the themes in this story throughout Genesis. As we do so, we will celebrate how God takes ordinary people like us and performs incredible acts through their obedience, and little else. We will watch how He blesses them in incredible ways, infinitely returning His favor to them for their small acts of faith. We will celebrate Him as our God today, our God who continues to be “a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
3.26.2010
Genesis 3: It All Falls Apart
Chapter 3 marks a dramatic shifting point for the entire book of Genesis, and even throughout the Scriptures. Before this time, everything that had been made was good, and there was harmony between the Creator and His people, and between the created people. Unfortunately, it did not remain that way.
Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the garden. Notice in the previous chapter, they could have eaten from any tree in the entire garden, except for 1. Furthermore, they were “naked and unashamed.” The implication with this is one of innocence, and of full disclosure. They had nothing to hide from each other, and they had nothing to hide from their God.
Then along came the serpent, and tempted Eve. His strategy is one that is still employed regularly today: make that which is forbidden seem preferred. Notice Eve’s response: She was prepared to initially resist the serpent’s advances, as she sated her desire to completely stay away from the tree which God forbade. However, as the tempter spoke to her, that which she initially refused suddenly became “desirable.” She then took it, ate, gave it to her husband, and they enjoyed a moment of indulgence in something that someone had convinced them they could not live without.
Imagine a gift that you might give to someone whom you love the most. Think of this as a very special gift, something into which you put a great deal of time and effort. You would probably feel an excited anticipation to give this gift to this person, as you wait for the opportunity to arrive. Finally, you get to present it to that person, and watch eagerly as they open it…
…and immediately say, “Well, this is alright, but it’s not really good enough for me.” You would be devastated! All the energy you devoted to this person you love is returned with apathetic ingratitude.
Imagine how God felt when Adam and Eve treated His tremendous gift to them with such apathy. You have an idea of the heartbreak involved, right? Now, imagine how our own sin affects Him. Take some time to consider how it breaks the Father’s heart when we choose short-term pleasure over the immeasurable gifts he gives us. Think about how it grieves the Father’s heart when we take for granted that He sent His Son to be sacrificed for us, only to watch us treat it as if it did not matter to us.
It is only in this context that we truly see the extraordinary compassion that God has for those whom He calls His people. After noticing that the humans were no longer comfortable with complete openness and nakedness, after listening to their pathetic excuses and observing them pass the blame, God still comes up with a plan to save them, to draw people of faith toward Himself. We see this plan played out throughout Scripture, and we see it especially in Genesis.
Considering this story, we are compelled to come to a more genuine appreciation for what Jesus did for us: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:6-11, italics added).
Helpless. Ungodly. Sinners. Enemies. And God responds in love, taking the ultimate step to reconcile people to Himself while they are still in rebellion! Our minds cannot fully comprehend the immense measure of His love. However, as we consider God’s response to His people’s rebellion in Genesis, let us take time to reflect on such love, and what it speaks about the heart of the Father.
Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the garden. Notice in the previous chapter, they could have eaten from any tree in the entire garden, except for 1. Furthermore, they were “naked and unashamed.” The implication with this is one of innocence, and of full disclosure. They had nothing to hide from each other, and they had nothing to hide from their God.
Then along came the serpent, and tempted Eve. His strategy is one that is still employed regularly today: make that which is forbidden seem preferred. Notice Eve’s response: She was prepared to initially resist the serpent’s advances, as she sated her desire to completely stay away from the tree which God forbade. However, as the tempter spoke to her, that which she initially refused suddenly became “desirable.” She then took it, ate, gave it to her husband, and they enjoyed a moment of indulgence in something that someone had convinced them they could not live without.
Imagine a gift that you might give to someone whom you love the most. Think of this as a very special gift, something into which you put a great deal of time and effort. You would probably feel an excited anticipation to give this gift to this person, as you wait for the opportunity to arrive. Finally, you get to present it to that person, and watch eagerly as they open it…
…and immediately say, “Well, this is alright, but it’s not really good enough for me.” You would be devastated! All the energy you devoted to this person you love is returned with apathetic ingratitude.
Imagine how God felt when Adam and Eve treated His tremendous gift to them with such apathy. You have an idea of the heartbreak involved, right? Now, imagine how our own sin affects Him. Take some time to consider how it breaks the Father’s heart when we choose short-term pleasure over the immeasurable gifts he gives us. Think about how it grieves the Father’s heart when we take for granted that He sent His Son to be sacrificed for us, only to watch us treat it as if it did not matter to us.
It is only in this context that we truly see the extraordinary compassion that God has for those whom He calls His people. After noticing that the humans were no longer comfortable with complete openness and nakedness, after listening to their pathetic excuses and observing them pass the blame, God still comes up with a plan to save them, to draw people of faith toward Himself. We see this plan played out throughout Scripture, and we see it especially in Genesis.
Considering this story, we are compelled to come to a more genuine appreciation for what Jesus did for us: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:6-11, italics added).
Helpless. Ungodly. Sinners. Enemies. And God responds in love, taking the ultimate step to reconcile people to Himself while they are still in rebellion! Our minds cannot fully comprehend the immense measure of His love. However, as we consider God’s response to His people’s rebellion in Genesis, let us take time to reflect on such love, and what it speaks about the heart of the Father.
3.08.2010
Genesis 2: The Image of Yahweh
At the end of chapter 1, we are introduced to the concept of being made “in the image of God” (1:27). But what does it mean? Are we to infer that God has 2 arms, 2 legs and a head? Is it a reflection of the fact that we have the capacity toward thinking, imagining, and creative power? Is it similar to when we look at a baby and wonder whose eyes she has, or which of his parents had the same colored hair?
All of the above are legitimate guesses as to what this “image of God” means, and there certainly exists possibility that all could be simultaneously true. To gain an even greater appreciation for its meaning, as well as how it affects us as humans, we turn to chapter 2.
Every culture at the time had a story about how humans were created. In most of them, however, the process really did not lend humans a sense of dignity. In those stories, humans were often the by-products of some act of fornication or backstabbing by the gods toward one another. Their entire existence was completely incidental. Furthermore, in several cases, other nations considered the ultimate purpose of humanity to be servitude toward the gods, and this life was nothing more than frustrating sequence of toils dedicated to keep some deity happy.
Now, with this understanding, consider the posture God takes in Genesis 2:7. Earlier in the creation accounts, he drew things into being by his mere words. However, check out what he does here: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Can you picture what God is doing? He stoops to the ground, reaches his hands into the dirt, and takes time to sculpt a human being into the desired shape. Then, in an embrace, he puts the creature’s mouth to his own, and breathes his own life-giving breath into him.
Can you see the contrast with the other stories? What an incredible act of intimacy, that the God of the universe, who could just as easily take care of it via words alone, would give life to His people with the act of an embrace! And, unlike in the other stories, God made His people on purpose. It speaks volumes to the incredible value that God places on each one of them. This is what the image of God is. For a human to be made in the image of God immediately grants each person a sense of this purpose and value dictated by Yahweh.
The biggest problem with evolution is not in its account of the timing, whether the universe took millions of years or seven days. That is not really a crucial issue. The real problem with the theory of natural selection is this: It treats human existence as an accident. The inevitable conclusion is that humans, much as in other ancient creation accounts, have no purpose, no clearly defined reason for existing. Human life is not valuable in this mindset.
What if, on the other hand, we lived our lives with the mindset that every human being was made intentionally, with a clear sense of purpose for existing? Imagine, if we lived with an awareness of this truth, how we would view every human interaction throughout the day! If we treated every other person, including those close to us and those who make us angry, as if God Himself had breathed life into him, and as if God had given her a reason for existing, imagine how it would change us! Imagine how, then, it would affect each person in whom we came into contact!
For some of you, imaging how living with a sense of purpose would change your own self-image. If you woke up every morning with the mentality that you were created by a God who desires closeness with His people, and that this God intentionally put you on this earth, what would it do for you? How would you see yourself, as well as your sense of life events?
It is clear, then, that every human being has infinite worth, and deserves to be treated as such. Let us live with this awareness:
You were created on purpose, by a loving, embracing God, who longs for closeness with you.
You have a reason for existing.
You are not an accident.
You are made in the image of YAHWEH.
All of the above are legitimate guesses as to what this “image of God” means, and there certainly exists possibility that all could be simultaneously true. To gain an even greater appreciation for its meaning, as well as how it affects us as humans, we turn to chapter 2.
Every culture at the time had a story about how humans were created. In most of them, however, the process really did not lend humans a sense of dignity. In those stories, humans were often the by-products of some act of fornication or backstabbing by the gods toward one another. Their entire existence was completely incidental. Furthermore, in several cases, other nations considered the ultimate purpose of humanity to be servitude toward the gods, and this life was nothing more than frustrating sequence of toils dedicated to keep some deity happy.
Now, with this understanding, consider the posture God takes in Genesis 2:7. Earlier in the creation accounts, he drew things into being by his mere words. However, check out what he does here: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Can you picture what God is doing? He stoops to the ground, reaches his hands into the dirt, and takes time to sculpt a human being into the desired shape. Then, in an embrace, he puts the creature’s mouth to his own, and breathes his own life-giving breath into him.
Can you see the contrast with the other stories? What an incredible act of intimacy, that the God of the universe, who could just as easily take care of it via words alone, would give life to His people with the act of an embrace! And, unlike in the other stories, God made His people on purpose. It speaks volumes to the incredible value that God places on each one of them. This is what the image of God is. For a human to be made in the image of God immediately grants each person a sense of this purpose and value dictated by Yahweh.
The biggest problem with evolution is not in its account of the timing, whether the universe took millions of years or seven days. That is not really a crucial issue. The real problem with the theory of natural selection is this: It treats human existence as an accident. The inevitable conclusion is that humans, much as in other ancient creation accounts, have no purpose, no clearly defined reason for existing. Human life is not valuable in this mindset.
What if, on the other hand, we lived our lives with the mindset that every human being was made intentionally, with a clear sense of purpose for existing? Imagine, if we lived with an awareness of this truth, how we would view every human interaction throughout the day! If we treated every other person, including those close to us and those who make us angry, as if God Himself had breathed life into him, and as if God had given her a reason for existing, imagine how it would change us! Imagine how, then, it would affect each person in whom we came into contact!
For some of you, imaging how living with a sense of purpose would change your own self-image. If you woke up every morning with the mentality that you were created by a God who desires closeness with His people, and that this God intentionally put you on this earth, what would it do for you? How would you see yourself, as well as your sense of life events?
It is clear, then, that every human being has infinite worth, and deserves to be treated as such. Let us live with this awareness:
You were created on purpose, by a loving, embracing God, who longs for closeness with you.
You have a reason for existing.
You are not an accident.
You are made in the image of YAHWEH.
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