AUGUST 20 , 2023 – NOAH

READ: Gen. 8:15-22: … Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, … And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake … While the earth remains, … shall not cease.

It was not Noah who saved himself and his family; it was God who did it. God redeems those whom He loves. He commanded the building of the ark, closed the door behind Noah Himself, and continued to care for Noah and the creatures in the ark (Gen. 8:1). After 150 days, God caused the water to recede from the earth. A detailed account is given of the restoration after the flood, until God calls Noah to leave the ark.

The first thing Noah does is offer a sacrifice to the LORD for the deliverance He has granted to him and his family. He realizes that this is undeserved grace from the LORD. That sacrifice is pleasing to God.

The earth has now been purified by God’s judgment. The wicked people are no longer there. Noah is a faithful man. But does that guarantee that mankind will no longer provoke God after the flood? The disappointing answer is no. Sin is still present in humanity even now. God acknowledges this when He receives Noah’s sacrifice (v. 21). It remains as it was before the flood: the thoughts of man’s heart are evil from his youth.

This becomes evident quickly in Noah’s family. So, there is no new beginning like at the start of creation. Noah is a righteous man but not sinless. His children are not sinless either. God will still be provoked by the sins of humanity.

However, God does speak a new word of grace: “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” Why does God say this? Because it is His response to the burnt offering that Noah brings, which signifies not only gratitude but also reconciliation. It points to Christ, who will one day offer His life as a ransom for many on the cross.

Is it easy to admit your own impurity?

Singing: Ps. 130:2