Departing the ark

Read Genesis 9:1-29

All over Scripture we see allusions to earlier stories or even later ones, just as much of the language the Sons of God taking as wives the daughters of men because they looked attractive mirrors the language of Eve seeing the fruit was desirable and taking it for herself. So here we see in the story of Noah and his family departing the ark, a recreation of the creation account.

Out they step into a new creation, God again reiterates his command to be fruitful and multiply and he tells them to freely enjoy everything he has given, now no longer just the green plants but the animals also.

This is a fresh start, a renewal, and in this we witness God’s preferred way of dealing with his creation and his creatures. While he does destroy, he does not do it with the purpose of bring his creation to an end forever. Instead he chooses renew, to purge the evil and bring new life.

Though he has every reason to destroy, God gives the promise to Noah that he shall never again destroy the world in such a way. God is determined not to start all over but rather to redeem and fix that which is broken.

What a gracious God that though he has every right to destroy, he chooses to redeem. Though he has every right to send us to hell for all eternity, he chose to send his son to this earth in order to redeem us, and reconcile all things to himself again.

Let us praise God for who he is, for not leaving us in the mess we made but rather coming and fixing it at an inestimable cost to himself, the life of his son. God has not left us to be given over to destruction. But rather we are being transformed from degree of glory to the next through the renewal of our minds. (2 Cor 3:18, Rom 12:2)

Do not forget also, God great concern for his creation, which also longs for the day we are glorified for then

Romans 8:21 (ESV)
21 the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

All things are being made new, let us look forward to that day with hope, wait eagerly for our Lord’s return.

Prayer:

“Thank you Father, that you did not leave us in this mess of our making. We have not been left alone to die in our sin, though we deserved death. You are a God who redeems, who fixes that which is broken. Lord you are our only hope, help us to put all our faith in you, even when our eyes would betray us, let our hope remain steadfast in you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”