Lesson 6 5 March, 2017 A Perpetual Covenant Lesson Scope: Genesis 8 and 9 Unless otherwise noted references in brackets refer to Genesis 8 & 9 Lesson Focus The previous lesson ends with God calling Noah to come out of the ark. We can only imagine the dramatic changes that greeted him and his family: topography altered by the Flood and scarred by the massive erosion as the waters receded; climate likely altered; human and most animal life limited to what just disembarked from the ark. Although every wicked, idolatrous, God-rejecting man had been destroyed from the earth, the wickedness of man's nature remained unchanged. That becomes painfully obvious almost immediately in the involvements of Noah's drunkenness and even more obvious within a few generations in the rebellion at Babel. God gave man a new opportunity after the Flood. He reassured man with unconditional promises and established principles for earthly government. The preservation of any society depends on men's response to God's fundamental laws. Man is responsible to follow those laws concerning his relationship to God, to man, and to the rest of creation. While this lesson setting is in the Old Testament, the covenant God established with Noah was to be "for perpetual generations." Unlike the Mosaic covenant, it is still in effect today. The guidelines God gave to Noah should be applied today. God's plan for how civilizations should operate has not changed. Make sure the reason for the rainbow is clear to you. God said the rainbow was for Him to see and for Him to remember the covenant. While we can also look and remember, that does not seem to be the main purpose. Lesson Aim: To present principles that God established for man's wellbeing on the earth. Theme Verses: Genesis 9:12-13. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Lesson Text An Altar and an Answer Genesis 8:20-22 20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. A Blessing and Commandments Genesis 9:1-7 1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. 4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. A Covenant and a Token Genesis 9:8-17 8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16
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. 17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. Questions for Study An Altar and an Answer 1. What is significant about the fact that Noah built an altar before God gave promises and a blessing? 2. In light of verse 22, how does the Christian's outlook differ from modern man's concern for the environment? A Blessing and Commandments 3. What is the significance of the commandment not to eat blood? 4. What modern philosophies run counter to God's plan for having children (9:1) for subduing and consuming animals (9:2-3) for protecting human life (9:5-6)? A Covenant and a Token 5. What does the bow in the cloud signify? 6. How should we respond to our covenant-keeping God? Analyzing the Passage God's covenant with Noah includes the entire human race that descended from him (9:9) and all the animals that had been in the ark with him (9:10). This covenant is unconditional, meaning that God will keep these promises regardless of man's response. This covenant is also perpetual, meaning that it will never end as long as man exists. This stands in contrast to the Mosaic covenant, which lasted only until the time of Christ. Note the promises in this lesson. God will not curse the ground again (8:21). Seasonal and diurnal cycles will continue as long as the earth remains (8:22). The earth will never again be destroyed with a worldwide flood (9:11). Note also the commandments in this lesson. Man is to be fruitful and multiply (9: 1). Blood is not to be eaten (9:4). The death penalty is required for murderers (9:5-6). There are numerous firsts in this passage: the first direct mention of an altar (8:20), the first wildness among animals (9:2), the first permission for man to eat meat (9:3), the first command for capital punishment (9:5-6), the first reference to a rainbow (9:13), and the first drunkenness (9:21).
Principles and Applications An Altar and an Answer 1. To realize his highest well-being, man must fully cooperate with God's prescribed methods of worship and atonement (8:20-21). Before God blessed Noah, Noah offered sacrifices upon an altar. As God smelled Noah's offering, He made a promise in His heart. Many today try to alter Scriptural worship patterns by bringing in entertainment, by allowing women in places of leadership, and by teaching a partial gospel. We must worship God on His terms before we can expect His fullest blessing. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). 2. For man's well-being, the natural cycles will continue as long as the earth exists (8:22). Concerns about man ruining the earth's climate patterns are greatly overemphasized. Because of God's promise, such a catastrophe will never occur. The Christian moves ahead in faith with planting and harvesting. He is assured of day and night and summer and winter. God's mercies are "new every morning: great is [His] faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23). A Blessing and Commandments 3. God reaffirmed His original intent for man to multiply and fill the earth (9:1). Only eight souls were in the ark. Now the whole earth waited for inhabitants. God's plan is for man to multiply and fill the earth. Unfortunately, man thinks he knows better and has come up with promotions that run counter to God's plan. Some have feared that the earth will become overpopulated. Others have decided that marriage and children will hinder their pursuit of wealth and pleasure. Only following God's way brings true joy and fulfillment. 4. God reaffirmed man's dominion over the resources of creation (9:2-3). Man is superior to the animal kingdom. He is to subdue the earth. Both the plants and the animals are given for his nourishment. God intends for man to utilize these resources wisely. 5. God prohibited man from eating blood (9:4). While the flesh of animals is for man to eat, the blood is not. This is mentioned again in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 3:17) and reaffirmed in the New Testament (Acts 15:20). This prohibition helps man to see the importance of blood. Blood symbolizes life. But even more important, blood is the means for redemption, providing spiritual life. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). 6. Because human life is sacred, the shedding of innocent blood must be
avenged with blood (9:5, 6). Man was created in the image of God. Therefore, when a murderer takes the life of another, he loses his own right to live. In the New Testament, God has placed this duty on the government. "For he beareth not the sword in vain" (Romans 13:4). Sadly, modern philosophy sometimes places the taking of life in a good light, rather than calling it murder. The slaughter of the unborn is viewed as acceptable. Taking one's own life to avoid physical suffering is viewed as a way of escape. God's Word remains the standard by which He will judge man. "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). A Covenant and a Token 7. God promised that He will never again destroy the earth with a worldwide flood (9:8-11). While flooding is still a common occurrence, no flood will ever destroy the entire earth. We see God's mercy and compassion in this promise. We do know however that someday the earth will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:7, 10). In this, we sense God's justice and holiness. 8. God promised to look upon the bow and remember His covenant (9:15-16). God will not forget His promise. God chose the rainbow as a token of His promise. Of course, God does not need reminders as we humans do. He could remember without the rainbow. But is it not a treasure that God chose a token that is visible to man? Surely God intends for us also to remember His promise when we see the rainbow. Important Teachings 1. To realize his highest well-being, man must fully cooperate with God's prescribed methods of worship and atonement (8:20, 21). 2. For man's well-being, the natural cycles will continue as long as the earth exists (8:22). 3. God reaffirmed His original intent for man to multiply and fill the earth (9:1). 4. God reaffirmed man's dominion over the resources of creation (9:2, 3). 5. God prohibited man from eating blood (9:4). 6. Because human life is sacred, the shedding of innocent blood must be avenged with blood (9:5, 6). 7. God promised that He will never again destroy the earth with a worldwide flood (9:8-11). 8. God promised to look upon the bow and remember His covenant (9:15, 16).
Answers to Questions 1. What is significant about the fact that Noah built an altar before God gave promises and a blessing? The fact that Noah offered a sacrifice first signifies that man must follow God's pattern of worship and atonement in order to receive His blessing. God enters into a covenant only with those who have sought Him. 2. In light of verse 22, how does the Christian's outlook differ from modern man's concern for the environment? The Christian recognizes his accountability to God. As a steward, he makes wise use of the resources that God has entrusted to him. He will not waste or carelessly misuse God's creation. Man worries that he could alter the earth so badly that it would no longer be habitable. The Christian believes that the earth will continue to experience the patterns of nature needed to sustain life. Man thinks that the earth needs to last forever. The Christian recognizes that the earth is growing old and is wearing out; and before long, it will be consumed in fire. 3. What is the significance of the commandment not to eat blood? The commandment not to eat blood is significant because the blood is "the life thereof." Not eating blood helps man realize there is something special about the blood. Blood provides the medium for both physical life and spiritual redemption. 4. What modern philosophies run counter to God's plan for saving children (9:1)? For subduing and consuming animals (9:2-3)? For protecting human life (9:5-6)? Instead of large families, modern philosophy promotes having only a few children. Men worry needlessly about overpopulating the earth. Wealth and pleasure are pursued at the expense of marrying and having a family. Modern philosophy suggests that man and animals are equal. Eating meat is sometimes viewed as morally wrong. Men often go to great lengths to protect and preserve animals. Instead of protecting human life, modern philosophy disregards human life. The slaughter of the unborn is viewed as a choice. Ending one's life to avoid physical suffering is considered acceptable. 5. What does the bow in the cloud signify? The bow in the cloud signifies God's promise to never again destroy the earth with a worldwide flood. God looks on the bow and remembers this everlasting covenant. 6. How should we respond to our covenant-keeping God?
Like Noah, our first response should be to worship Him. We should be faithful and keep the commitments we have made to Him. We should seek to live a life that is worthy of receiving God's blessings. Summarizing the Lesson The sun continues to rise in the east and set in the west. Summer and winter arrive at regular intervals as expected. Why? Our unchanging God has established a perpetual covenant with His creation. "For ever, 0 LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth" Psalm 119:89-90 Research Guide 1. Study rainbows in an encyclopedia or a science textbook. 2. Look up "Covenant" in Unger's Bible Dictionary. 3. Study Scriptures related to God's immutability.