SUBJ: The
covenant with Noah as an example of gracious covenants in which God is
the exclusive provider of all conditions and the rainbow as a token of
the promise.
AIM: That we
look to Christ as the ultimate answer to all that God has determined
upon us and the assurance of it given us by faith.
INTR: The
flood narrative continues into this chapter and culminates in the
covenant and the assurances given in it. Remember that a lot of time is
being covered in few words. 1. Much is restored and restarted that
was before, but some changes had occurred. 2. Before the chapter ends
the observation of human depravity is seen in both Noah and Ham his son.
3. We will look to the continued narrative, then to the nature of the
covenant and apply it the pattern to other covenants, and then to
consider what we see in the token of it.
THESIS: This is not the covenant of
grace and it not a covenant of salvation, but it certainly point to both
the necessity of and the provision of grace through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
I. The Narrative continued (vv. 1-7) 1. We begin with
a mandate to fill up the earth given to Noah and his sons as it was
first given to Adam. 1) It would seem that what greeted them on
exiting the Ark was intimidating and 2) Things would have a different
appearance (consider the atmosphere before and after and be reminded
that seasons were mentioned). 2. Dominion over creation and the
animals continued with some changes. 1) There was now a fear of man
in the animals which may have been docile submission before. 2) Flesh
was now given as food and 3) Perhaps because of fear, the animals
would be dangerous in many cases. 3. A serious offense would be
eating of blood (many theories here about the blood and the life of the
body). 4. The issue of murder is herein addressed and the appropriate
reaction to it is sanctioned (v. 6a) 5. And the image of God, and the
sanctity of life is to be recognized. 6. Again, they were to fill up
the earth; they were not to destroy life.
II. The Covenant (vv.
8-11) 1. As is the nature of all gracious covenants, God is the doer
in this one and it is without recourse to men. 1) Nothing is required
of Noah (I establish; I will establish) 2) Pointing to what would
later be prophesied in Jeremiah and Ezekiel and echoed in Hebrews. 2.
This is about the divine determination for creation and the continuation
of mankind and looking on to New Heavens and New Earth. 3. While this
is gracious and points to even greater manifestations, Christ would
ultimately meet the conditions expected and demanded. 4. This
covenant remains in effect to this day – we think of the effect of rains
on Noah and us. 5. The eternal covenant made in eternity within the
Godhead is worked out in the process of several covenant expressions of
grace and mercy – God could have justifiably destroyed all men including
Noah. 6. Christ is in view in the Ark, in the redemption of Noah and
His family and the assurance of a continuing race.
III. The Token
(vv. 12-17) 1. There is a question as to whether there had even been
a rainbow before. 1) Some say yet and that this was just a matter of
designating it as a token 2) Others (me included) think it came into
being after the flood and was of great significance. 2. As often as
the rainbow appears, the promises of God are remembered by 1) God
declared that He would look from above and 2) Men see it from below.
3) It needs the rain, the sun and a cloud to appear and that speaks
volumes to us. 3. We have an even greater token in the person of
Christ our risen Lord: 1) God-given faith always points to Christ and
2) We are reminded of judgment deserved by us and endured on the cross
by Him. 3) The flood that should have consumed us for all eternity
will never come over those who are secured in Him – the flood came over
His soul and not ours. 4. The Father sees Him and what He has
accomplished and is satisfied and we see Him and are assured of our
place in Heaven with Him.
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