Day 30: Genesis 6- Corruption and Covenant

​6 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Meditation
Do you wonder if God is distant, if He really cares? Today’s chapter is heavy as it shows the unhealthy sin pattern of humanity, the depth of depravity of our hearts, and the destruction of God’s just judgment. The dark backdrop serves to highlight the faithfulness of the Lord who keeps His promise through His representative. The world is corrupt and chaotic but God continues to show the hope in His covenant promises. God cares!
 
The people of the earth followed the pattern of Adam and Eve- They “saw… desired… took.” (2) This revealed the continuous evil in the hearts of humanity (5) as well as the lament of the Lord who grieved the dis-order of His good creation (6).  If I were God, I would punt the planet project out of the cosmos and begin again. But the one true God keeps His promise to redeem, restore, renew, resurrect, and revive.
 
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (8), meaning God chose Noah as He did Mary to be a vehicle for His covenant faithfulness (Luke 1:28).  The earth was corrupt (9-10) but God keeps covenant (18), the word of His promise will come true.
 
God is faithful to keep His promise through the family of Noah (9-10). Noah’s belief is demonstrated in how he followed the Divine direction in building and filling the ark. Noah did “all the Lord commanded” (22) because he “walked with God.” (9)
 
Richly Dwelling
-Which headline are you more inclined to believe: “The world is going down the tubes and it is corrupt beyond hope!” OR “God is faithful to keep His promise and is working His power of redemption and restoration!”? Why?
 
-We align with the heavenly headlines by faith demonstrated in believing God and obeying Him. How is your life different today if you believe the promise of the Lord? You will stand out as Noah did, building a boat… which could be awkward!
 
-God will save through the representative Noah, pointing to the ultimate representative, Jesus Christ. Jesus was obedient to death, taking the judgment of our corruption to redeem, restore, renew, resurrect, and revive those who have faith in Him. Jesus is the ark of our salvation and our work is to believe- do you believe?
 
Key Verse
18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.