Reading
SAA Notes
The rainbow is the eternal sign of God’s covenant with Noah. Every time you see one it is a testimony to that covenant. This chapter contains the sad story of Noah going on an alcoholic bender. Noah, like Paul and Peter, is a sinner saved by grace just like you and me.
SJA Notes
* Faithful God, Your covenant with us is steady and sure – Please teach us more of Your faithfulness and love today from Your word.
“These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed.”
One aspect of God’s covenant with mankind spoken of in this passage is the command to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”
We might be mocked for considering that the flood was real, let alone that all of humanity were shrunk down to eight people at that time and then after the flood expanded outwards from those people (through the three sons of Noah).
If we believe God’s word is truth then we believe that at this point in history all of humanity sprung again from a single family (Adam and Eve first, then Noah and his wife).
There is much of God’s faithfulness to see in this.
He rescued out from under His wrath a portion, making a distinction, just as with Israel rescued out of Egypt.
He grew humanity from a single family. A crazy mind-bending truth that can be hard to comprehend at times.
God is faithful. And sovereign.
He decides what will happen, to us each and outwards in scale to all of humanity through time and location.
This means humanity will not be wiped out by war or poverty or human intent – God will keep us His people (He is faithful).
This is a good thing to be reminded of and to cherish (hold dear, keep close).
* God Above, Father in Heaven,
Thank You for Your word to us, a reminder of Your faithfulness and steadfast love.
Please help us to be faithful within Your faithfulness, strengthened by Your Spirit to show Your love and faithfulness to those around us.
Amen.