Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....January 29, 2024
Aloha Family. This week, we are turning to the pages of Genesis, to the ninth chapter, to reflect on a narrative that is as old as time itself, yet as fresh as the morning dew. It's a story that reminds us of God's fundamental plan, our faltering faith, and His unwavering forgiveness and future promises.
Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of yesteryears, once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened." We are talking about faith that ascends the stairs, love that constructs, and hope that opens windows to the future.
Before we delve deeper, let us read the scripture together. Genesis 9:1-15 says, "Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.' Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 'I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.' And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.'" We love our Rainbows:)
Fruitfulness as God's Fundamental Plan
The narrative of Noah, as we read in Genesis, begins with a divine command, a blessing even - "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth." This is not a suggestion, not a proposal, but a command from the Creator of the universe. It is a command that echoes the first command given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is a command that underscores the fundamental plan of God for mankind - fruitfulness.
Fruitfulness, in its simplest form, means to produce fruit. But it's more than just a biological or agricultural term. It's a spiritual principle that permeates the entire Bible. It's about abundance, multiplication, growth, and productivity. It's about being a blessing to others and making a positive impact in the world. It's about living a life that is not just about survival, but about thriving and flourishing.
The first aspect of fruitfulness we see in the command to Noah is the idea of multiplication. "Increase in number," God says. This is not just about having children, although that is certainly part of it. It's about multiplying in every area of life. It's about increasing in wisdom, in understanding, in love, in kindness, in generosity, in faith, in hope, in joy, in peace. It's about growing and expanding and becoming more than we are.
The second aspect of fruitfulness is the idea of filling the earth. This is not just about geographical expansion, although that is certainly part of it. It's about filling the earth with the knowledge of God, with the love of God, with the peace of God, with the joy of God. It's about making a difference in the world, about leaving a positive legacy, about influencing others for good.
The third aspect of fruitfulness is the idea of dominion. "The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth," God says. This is not about ruling with an iron fist, but about stewardship, about taking care of the earth and everything in it. It's about responsibility, about accountability, about leadership. It's about using our gifts, our talents, our resources, our opportunities, not for our own selfish gain, but for the benefit of others and for the glory of God.
The fourth aspect of fruitfulness is the idea of covenant. "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you," God says. This is not just about a contract, but about a relationship, about a commitment, about a promise. It's about trust, about faithfulness, about loyalty. It's about walking with God, about living in obedience to His commands, about depending on His grace and mercy.
In all these aspects, we see that fruitfulness is not just a command, but a blessing. It's not just a duty, but a privilege. It's not just about doing, but about being. It's not just about what we can achieve, but about who we can become. It's not just about our efforts, but about God's grace. It's not just about our success, but about God's glory. It's not just about our life, but about God's plan.
Faltering in Faith and God's ForgivenessAs we continue to reflect on the narrative of Noah, we find ourselves in a world freshly cleansed by the flood, a world filled with promise but also with challenges. Noah and his family, the sole survivors of the flood, are faced with the daunting task of repopulating the earth. This is no small feat, and it's here that we see the first signs of faltering faith.
Noah, despite being a righteous man, was still human. He had witnessed the wrath of God in the form of a catastrophic flood, and now he was entrusted with the responsibility of starting anew. The fear and dread of this task could have easily overwhelmed him. Yet, God in His infinite mercy, reassured Noah. He promised that every creature on earth would fear and dread him and his descendants. This divine assurance was a reminder that God was with Noah, guiding and protecting him.
However, the narrative takes a turn when we see Noah planting a vineyard and indulging in its fruit to the point of drunkenness. This incident, a stark contrast to the righteous image of Noah, serves as a reminder of our human frailty. Even the most faithful among us can falter and fall. Yet, this incident also highlights the depth of God's forgiveness. Despite Noah's transgression, God did not abandon him. Instead, He continued to guide and protect Noah and his descendants.
The Hebrew word for forgiveness used in the Old Testament is "salach." This word is used exclusively of God's forgiveness. It conveys the idea of pardon and remission. In Exodus 34:7, we see God describing Himself as "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving (salach) iniquity and transgression and sin." Similarly, in Numbers 14:18, Moses describes God as "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving (salach) iniquity and transgression." These passages highlight that God's forgiveness is an integral part of His character. He is a God who pardons and remits our transgressions, a God of second chances.
As we further reflect on Noah's narrative, we see God establishing a covenant with Noah and his descendants. This covenant, marked by the rainbow, was a promise that God would never again destroy all life by a flood. Despite humanity's propensity to sin, God in His infinite mercy chose to make a covenant of protection. This covenant was not based on the righteousness of Noah or his descendants but on God's steadfast love and mercy.
Fulfillment through God's Future PromisesAs we turn our attention to the third and final point of our sermon, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of God's future promises. We've seen the blueprint of His plan and witnessed the grace that covers our failures. Now, we stand in the light of His promises, a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.
God's game plan, dear friends, is not a random assortment of rules and regulations. It's a carefully crafted strategy, designed with the end in mind. It's a plan that anticipates our failures, accommodates our frailties, and yet, never compromises on the ultimate goal - our sanctification and His glorification.
The first aspect of God's future promises we must understand is that they are unconditional. Unlike human promises, which are often contingent on circumstances or personal whims, God's promises stand firm. They are not subject to change or cancellation. In Numbers 23:19, we read, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" This scripture underscores the immutable nature of God's promises. They are not just future possibilities, but guaranteed certainties.
In the context of Noah's narrative, God's promise to never again destroy all life by a flood is a testament to this unchanging commitment. Despite humanity's continued rebellion and sin, God's promise remains steadfast. It's a promise that echoes through the ages, offering reassurance and hope to every generation.
The second aspect of God's future promises is their inclusivity. God's promises are not exclusive to a select few. They are extended to all who choose to accept them. The respected Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, once said, "The doors of heaven and hell are both locked on the inside." The keys to heaven's door are in our hands. It's our choice to accept or reject His promises.
In the narrative of Noah, God's promise was not just for Noah and his immediate family. It was for his descendants and every living creature. It was a promise that encompassed all of creation. This inclusivity reflects God's heart for all His creation and His desire for all to partake in His promises.
The third aspect of God's future promises is their transformative power. God's promises are not mere words. They have the power to transform lives. They offer hope in despair, strength in weakness, and peace in turmoil. They have the power to change our perspective, alter our priorities, and shape our purpose.
In the narrative of Noah, the promise of never again being destroyed by a flood transformed the outlook of humanity. It offered a fresh start, a new beginning. It was a promise that brought hope and instilled a sense of purpose and direction.
The final aspect of God's future promises is their eternal nature. Unlike human promises, which are often short-lived and temporary, God's promises are eternal. They transcend time and space. They are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
In the narrative of Noah, God's promise was not just for that moment in time. It was a promise for all generations to come. It was an eternal promise, a testament to God's unchanging nature and His eternal love for His creation.
As we close our teaching for this week, let's remember the profound truths we've unpacked from Genesis. We've seen God's fundamental plan for us, a plan that calls us to be fruitful and multiply, to care for the earth and all its creatures. We've seen our own faltering faith, our tendency to stray from God's plan, to act in ways that harm rather than heal. But we've also seen God's unwavering forgiveness, His promise to never again destroy the earth by a flood, His covenant marked by the rainbow in the sky.
Isn't it amazing, family, that despite our shortcomings, God's love for us remains steadfast? He doesn't give up on us, even when we give Him every reason to. Instead, He extends grace, mercy, and a promise of a future filled with hope. That's the kind of God we serve, a God who loves us with an everlasting love, a God who is for us, not against us.
So, as we go about our week, let's keep these truths in mind. Let's strive to live in alignment with God's plan, to treat others and the earth with care and respect. And when we falter, let's remember God's forgiveness and His promise of a hopeful future. Let's look to the rainbow as a reminder of His covenant with us, a sign of His unfailing love and faithfulness.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, for the truths it reveals about Your character and Your plan for us. Help us to live in accordance with Your will, to be fruitful and multiply, to care for the earth and all its creatures. When we falter, remind us of Your forgiveness and Your promise of a hopeful future. As we go about our week, may we look to the rainbow as a reminder of Your covenant with us, a sign of Your unfailing love and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen. Go in peace, serve the Lord with gladness, and remember, you are loved more than you can ever imagine. God bless you all.