God of Covenant

Genesis Chapter 9. It's interesting to me that God makes covenants. A covenant is like a contract. Why would God feel a need to make a contract with us? He's God. We are His creation. He reaches to us with a covenant and He asks us to sign. It's like the Mercedes Benz CEO reaching out to you with a car contract promising you the car paid for. The CEO wanting you to take the contract. He would actually search you out hoping you will take the car. Free and clear. Here in Genesis, It looks like this contract is a contract that binds God a little. He just destroyed the human race save Noah and his family. He flooded the earth. It was a sure way to completely clear away all He had created. He couldn't completely destroy everyone, though, because He had made a covenant with Adam and Eve in the garden. He promised a "seed" that would come and reestablish the relationship between God and man. God doesn't break covenants. In this covenant He restrains Himself. In verse 11, He states the terms. He will never flood the earth again. In verses 12 - 16, we see that He places a rainbow in the sky as a reminder to Himself - not to us! You thought that rainbow you saw was a "hello" from God. Nope. It's a "these people are in bad shape and I really should start again, but I made a covenant and can't". It's His sticky note reminder He has on His big computer in the sky. "Can't destroy them today". So you have another day. I'm glad I have another day to do it right. Like anyone else, I need the promise of a new day. Notice a couple of interesting things in this chapter. Meat is introduced as okay for man to eat. The Bible says in the last days, people will be forbidden to eat meat. God, here in Genesis, establishes meat as permissible. Notice God's take on murder, or shedding of blood in verse 6. He sees each human as made in His image - so don't touch. Isn't that interesting? He approaches murder from a very personal perspective. Later in the Bible He establishes capital punishment for murder. He is the judge of a human's life, not us. His covenant is with the animals, too. We see this in verse 12. In verse 2 He places the protection and management of all animals in man's hand. It's the beginning of a fresh start! I know things will be peachy from here! After all, God has given us everything we need to survive this beautiful planet and this wonderful gift of life He has given each of us. No worries! We are good to go!

Big Giants, But A Bigger God

Genesis 6:1-4 is a bit of a guess as far as I can tell. I'll take a stab at it. The "sons of God"here are the controversy. Some believe them to be fallen angels. These angels fell when Lucifer fell from heaven after his rebellion against God. One third of the angels fell with him (Revelation 12:4,9). Some believe they took human wives and produced giants. Another interpretation is that these were ungodly people probably birthed from the sin on the earth - Cain's relatives. The word "Giants" here is the Hebrew word nephilim meaning "violent" or "causing to fall". The root word here suggests "monsters" and "wonder". However they came, archeologists have unearthed giants skeletons up to 12- 15 feet. I personally don't believe angels can reproduce. They are spirit beings. They are not human. Can man be influenced by them? Yes. these fallen angels or "demons" are quite active in the Bible and in the earth today. Psychics tap into them. They are not to be played with. Whatever the case, God was not pleased with how things were going. It was time to wipe the slate. It has to be bad for God to decide to start again. He would do the wiping away one time only with a flood. It was a great flood. Read Genesis 6- 9. Read with a fresh sense of awe at the incredible power of God. This flood caused more destruction than anything we will ever see here on earth. He is not to be reckoned with. We think of God as such the loving Father that he is. But occasionally, it's good to see Him in his power. You have a big God who, when he says He will fight your battles (giant as they seem), He's not saying some long fight He has to take on. No, no, no. This is God we are talking about here. I'm guessing His wrath on your giants doesn't take a second (in time as we know it). "The battle is the Lord's". In the midst of the flood, there remained a place of protection and peace for the single servant, his precious family and God's beautiful animals. I can see the ark taking off on the waters. A few planks of wood carried these refugees in safety. The promised seed was preserved. Promises are carried through obedience. What a great example we have in Noah. Remember saints, Jesus will come soon and His return is compared with this moment in time Matthew 24:37, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Tell someone about Jesus today. Bring them in the boat with you. Maranatha (come Lord Jesus)!

People

Hi. Back again. Lost my hard drive, but saved most all of my information. It's not easy working from someone else's computer! I must be in my "prayer room", with the lavender fragrance coming from the plug in the wall and at my green desk. In the process of discussing people here in Genesis, I am reminded that we are faced with the best and worst of people every day. Life is full of both. Honestly, I have my own moments of best and worst - how about you? I'm happy to report that in the many years I have lived, I have been privileged to know some pretty great people. I have come to appreciate their kindness. It is a dying art - kindness. When experienced, whether given or received - it fills one's tank with good warm fuzzes. It reminds us that we are not in this life alone. Yes, God is with us and He graces us with others to fill the gaps and heal the wounds. Thanks to those who have shown kindness to me and my family over the years. You have a chapter in the book of our lives. I'll be back in Genesis next week.