By the time we get to Genesis 6, we find that Adam's descendants had grown so wicked it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and (for the second time, Genesis 1:2) He brought judgment upon the entire creation by way of a world-wide flood.
But there was a man named Noah who found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God called out this man and delivered his family because he was a just man and perfect in his generations (6:9), whereas the whole earth was filled with violence – broadly defined as any type of criminal activity – through the mighty men of renown (6:13; 6:4).
After over a year on the ark with all the animals, Noah and his family stepped out Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said…
In His message, God blesses Noah, his sons, and their wives with a charge to fill the earth (v. 1); reiterates man's dominion over the animal kingdom (v. 2); makes provision for the eating of meat – AMEN! (v. 3); forbids the eating of blood (v. 4; Leviticus 17:10-14; Acts 15:20); and decrees capital punishment for the murderer, thereby ordaining human government (v. 6; Romans 13:1-7).
Then He gets to the crux of the matter of this Noahic covenant. God will never again destroy the earth and its inhabitants with the waters of a flood (Genesis 9:8-17; 8:20-22). The Bible says that God placed His bow in the clouds as a sign, or a token, of this covenant.
Is it not odd that the sodomite community has laid claim to the symbol of the rainbow? Does such a choice not speak to a perverted inward condition that cries out, "I know what I am doing is wrong, but I'm clinging to a false hope that I'll not face the judgment of God." Romans 10:8 The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart…
2 Peter 3:7 says that these scoffers are willingly ignorant of how the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
God keeps His word. His promise is that He'll not destroy the earth with water. But that doesn't mean He'll not judge sin. In fact, as Peter points out, there's coming a day in which He's going to skip the whole flood thing and just torch the place.
Are you ready? What about your family? Your friends? Your job mates? Your class mates? People you come into contact with everyday?
2 Peter 3:9-15 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…
What are you doing to make sure others – in your community and around the world – enjoy deliverance from coming judgment?
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