In Genesis 1-6, the kingdom of Satan is advancing at light speed. Satan’s dark domain is like a fast growing cancer taking over the planet. It begins in chapter 3 with one fallen angel in the Garden. Soon we read of the first Satanic couple – Adam and Eve. In chapter 4 we read the sad tale of the Satanic son who murdered his brother. He then gave birth to a lineage of vile, materialistic murderers. Throughout these chapters we see the kingdom of Satan making progress in three ways:
Original Sin – Ungodly parents are giving birth to ungodly children.
Spiritual Persecution – Ungodly children are persecuting and terminating godly children.
Spiritual Compromise – Ungodly children are intermarrying with godly children.
The result is described for us in Genesis 6:5-13:
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. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 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.” … Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 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.
However, through it all, God chose to show mercy and grace to some. Noah would be the righteous, prophetic mediator. Noah would obey, and through his obedience his family would be saved from the flood of God’s judgment. Noah’s family were sinners, but they would experience the salvation of God.
Friends, I would encourage us to contemplate five questions:
Do we recognize how easy it would be for God to give us that which we deserve? With holy wrath he flooded the earth. With holy wrath he could end our existence and send us to hell. Yet he has chosen not to do so. Humble awe should fill our hearts at this point.
Do we recognize how Noah is a picture of Jesus Christ? Noah was the somewhat righteous man who heard God’s will and obeyed. Jesus was the fully righteous man who heard God’s will and obeyed. Noah saved all in his family who were found in his boat. Jesus saved all in his family whose names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Noah then failed his family; Jesus has no such failings. Noah was a good man, but Jesus is divine. Praise and gratitude should flood our souls at this point.
Do we see our duty to save our family? Adam and Eve passed on their sin nature to Noah. Noah passed on his sin nature to Ham, Shem and Japheth. Yet in these early chapters of Genesis we see Adam and Noah teaching their children to pray and sacrifice. These men were consumed with passing along the ceremonies of God to their children. A parental, work-ethic check is in order at this point in our devotional. After all, we are responsible for birthing additional sinners into this world.
Do we see that spiritual persecution has existed from the beginning? It began with Cain and will always exist until the final judgment of Satan. As it was in the beginning, so it continues to be true today. Therefore, man up, and be ready to die for your worship and be laughed at for your boat.
Do we see the duty as individuals and parents to protect the next generation from being unequally yoked? The sons of God married the daughters of man because they were attractive. Yes, they were attractive, but they were abominable. May we keep our children and ourselves from making the same mistakes. May we be diligent at separating ourselves from that which defiles and damns.
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This devotional blog will be following a chronological reading plan. I would encourage you to read through the Bible with us this year. The daily reading section can be found at the following places:
http://www.esv.org/resources/reading-plans-devotions
Unfathomable Grace 