01-38 Sign of the Noahic Covenant
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Genesis 9:8-17
Genesis 9:8-17
We are living in an age of broken promises. They’re all around. On a national level: nations break promises to other nations (happens all the time). Nations break promises to their own people. Show me a politician who has never promised something that he couldn’t make good on (even if intentions were good and noble). We have come to expect that our own nation does this. But it becomes even more personal for us…employers break promises so do employees.
We all know that demand for electric vehicles is surging today. There’s a company called Canoo—they are suing a rival automaker for allegedly stealing company secrets. They claim that several top execs joined the company and took their trade secrets and launched a rival car maker.
Church leaders break promises. Parents break promises as do children. Husbands and wives break promises to each other—ultimately manifest in broken vows and broken marriages that have become the landscape of our society.
No one is completely faithful. In fact, unfaithfulness lies at the very core of the man-centered, sin-filled heart. Jeremiah describes the condition of man’s heart—
9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
If there is an opportunity to take advantage—the heart is capable of everything (even justifying sin). Broken promises are everywhere.
Unfaithfulness is all around us. We are unfaithful to each other. We are unfaithful to the Lord.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Arthur Pink writes in The Attributes of God
“in how many ways have we been unfaithful to Christ, and to the light and privileges which God has entrusted to us! How refreshing, then, how unspeakably blessed, to lift our eyes above this scene of ruin, and behold One who is faithful, faithful in all things, faithful at all times.”
Our vv in Gen 9 manifest the faithfulness of God, to Himself and to His creation in the aftermath of the judgment of the worldwide flood. When Noah and his family left the ark, Noah immediately worshiped God by offering a blood sacrifice (thanksgiving and atonement). God then proceeded to bind Himself to the course of action that would guarantee the stability and continuity of the earth so that He could proceed to carry out the divine purpose of redeeming fallen sinners. We call this the Noahic Covenant but not because it demanded anything from Noah. Like most biblical covenants this one is unilateral—one-sided. It depended only on God’s faithfulness to Himself—for the provisions of it to continue.
8:21-9:7—in previous studies we’ve looked at several features of this covenant. Today, we’ll return one last time to the Noahic Covenant and I want to unfold 3 additional features that are prominent...
I. The Extent of the Covenant
I. The Extent of the Covenant
8-10
There’s beautiful structure to our passage: “God spoke” (vs 8); “God said” (vs 12); “God said” (vs 17). Of the 3 speeches God makes—the middle one gets the major focus (inclusio—bookends).
Now, I’ve already mentioned this before but want to reiterate that God’s covenant was made with Noah but not exclusively with him. Vs 8—God includes Noah’s sons (Shem, Ham & Japheth) when He establishes “My covenant” (vs 9). Take note of the end of vs 9 when God adds “and with your descendants after you.” This would come to include every human of every age, until the earth no longer remains.
Vs 10… “and with every living creature [nephesh]” These were the ones Noah brought onto the ark and which came off the ark after the flood.
vs 12 “every living creature” (successive generations—eternal generations. The term is used 300x to indicate indefinite continuance into the very distant future).
vs 17 (all flesh on the earth).
In terms of the extent of the covenant—it should be clear that God makes the covenant with the entirety of the animate creation (Mathews):
Genesis 1–11:26 (2) Covenant and Sign (9:8–17)
“Every living creature” (kol nepeš haḥayyâ, v. 10a)
“Every living creature” (kol haḥayyâ, v. 10b)
“All life” (kol bāśār, v. 11b)
“Every living creature” (kol nepeš haḥayyâ, v. 12b)
“All living creatures of every kind” (kol nepeš ḥayyâ bĕkol bāśār, v. 15a)
“All life” (kol bāśār, v. 15b)
“All living creatures of every kind” (kol nepeš ḥayyâ bĕkol bāśār, v. 16b)
“All life” (kol bāśār, v. 17b)
Now this is very important b/c the flood not only destroyed the vastness of humanity (all but 8) but it also destroyed all land dwelling animals (except what went on the ark). So the creation that received the judgment of God in the flood, now they all receive the promise of God to preserve His creation. Now, remember this has the profound significance in its relation to God’s plan of redemption:
Rom 8:18-25;
God has a plan in mind, not just to redeem fallen sinners but the entirety of creation has part in His purpose. And God will in the time of “the revealing of the sons of God” God will then set this creation free from its slavery to corruption—for this purpose God is preserving creation and promised all living things that He would be faithful to His promise.
II. The Permanence of the Covenant
II. The Permanence of the Covenant
There was a universal flood—where water covered the entire earth to a depth of 15 cubits higher than the tops of the mtns—that was 4300 years ago. Not only is the Noahic Covenant a permanent promise based on the experience of every living thing since then (including us today)…the fact that there has never been a universal flood again is proof of the continuance of this covenant; but its permanence is detailed in the nature of the covenant itself.
vs 9: “establish with your descendants after you”
vs 11,15 “never again”
vs 12” all successive generations”
vs 16 “everlasting covenant”
There’s another word in this passage that expresses (in the strongest possible way) the permanence of this covenant...
vs 9 “I Myself do establish with you...” This is God’s promise, but take note of the term “establish.” It lit means “to stand or to rise up.” It is used of someone rising from a sitting position to a standing position and came to be used in the courtroom when a witness would stand up and give testimony in a trial. This was to assure the validity of what he was testifying to. Because of the condition of the heart:
15 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
The veracity of one’s testimony was signified by standing (why perjury is a terrible crime). This meaning then was used by God to assure the nature of God’s Word as never failing:
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
When God commits Himself to a course of action by establishing this covenant He is giving assurance of the truth and enduring nature of His promise (in whatever the promise pertains to).
Now, this should be of great encouragement to you b/c in the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Messiah (1st given in Eden)…That Christ becomes the assurance of the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
2co 1 20
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
Philip Hughes:
“He is the horn of salvation raised up for us by God, Luke 1:69 “69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—” In Him all things Lk 24 44 “44 Now He said to them, which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” achieve their fulfillment…to the believer therefore Christ is all, not merely as fulfilling a word of the past, but as Himself being the very living Word of God, faithful and eternal.”
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
So you have these promises of the NT:
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
Precious and magnificent promises! The reliability and endurance of God’s word is the very foundation of His covenant with Noah—permanent b/c God cannot fail/deny Himself.
III. The Grace of the Covenant
III. The Grace of the Covenant
God’s covenant with Noah (like all His covenants) are set against the backdrop of God’s grace. Though this term doesn’t appear in our passage, the Heb word for grace is the heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need. This is the word used:
8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Noah continues to find favor after the flood—so God’s covenant is set against God’s disposition of grace, favor, kindness, mercy, compassion and love toward Noah, all humanity, and even all the earth (vs 13).
Grace is evident in 3 ways:
A. Who the Covenant Depends On
A. Who the Covenant Depends On
I’ve mentioned this several times but want to revisit it once more. This covenant is unilateral (opposed to bilateral—2 parties entering into agreement). Because it is unilateral it depends on 1 person to keep the covenant terms—God Himself.
“I Myself do establish My covenant with you...” In other words, God keeps for Himself the sole responsibility of ensuring the earth will never again be destroyed by flood waters.
This reads lit “Now I—behold—I am establishing my covenant” (v 9). Moses writes this in the most emphatic way he could. The obligation rests on God alone and He alone has determined never to destroy the earth with water despite man’s on-going sinfulness and rebellion. It is “My covenant” (6:18;9:9,11,15), “my bow” (9:13).
Of course, this depends upon the character of God who is sovereign and faithful. And this great hope means that no one…no angel, no demon, no unbeliever, no disobedient believer, no universal rebel could undo the covenant promise God has made here. And if you truly want to apply God’s grace to yourself…the promises God makes to you, as believers, are fully and only dependent upon His character.
Romans 8:32–39 (NASB95)
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation [squeezed under pressure], or distress [narrow space. bottleneck], or persecution [for sake of Christ], or famine [results of 1st 3], or nakedness, or peril [threats to your life], or sword [martyrdom/execution]? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You cannot forfeit, you cannot lose, you cannot abandon, you cannot forsake or lay aside the rich redemption and salvation that is purchased by the blood Christ. Nothing can separate you (any created thing—there is nothing outside of that except God—since He will not…your salvation is secure). Many believers do not understand the profound joy of eternal security—b/c God keeps you (just like He keeps this covenant).
B. What Man Deserves
B. What Man Deserves
Grace is grace b/c man does not deserve the kindness, compassion, favor and rich mercy of God. Listen, Noah didn’t deserve God’s favor. But God showed it to him anyway. Once the flood was over, Noah comes off the ark and worships God (b/c that’s what those who are made righteous do!). But it doesn’t take long before the heart of man which is evil from his youth, begins to go astray and Noah, after a short time, falls into sin (next time).
The context is Gen 6:5—and the world deserved the judgment of God. That’s what every sinner deserves.
4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Judgment is deserved. And when it is withheld or postponed (as it was for 120 years before the flood) it is the kindness and mercy of God, leading men to repentance.
C. How We Know
C. How We Know
How we know this gracious covenant goes beyond our deservings… God gave a sign (vs 13)
This word “sign” is used different ways in Scripture.
God created the luminaries to serve as “signs” to distinguish the seasons
God set a mark (sign) on Cain
Most of the time it refers to miraculous signs. The plagues on Egypt were such signs. Even the incarnation would be in this category of miraculous signs:
14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Sometimes a sign is more like a signpost or a symbol. It pointed toward something beyond itself—clearly, when God set His bow in the sky it was for this purpose—the end is not the bow but what the bow represents.
The rainbow is a beautiful symbol (token) of the Noahic Covenant. Especially for children, but even adults are impressed with the beauty and simplicity of the rainbow.
There is an on-going debate whether this is the 1st appearance of a rainbow or if God gave new significance to it. Gen 2:5 tells us that no rain had fallen upon the earth. I believe the atmosphere was of a different constitution (water-vapor canopy). The science behind the rainbow is such that once the flood waters fell on the earth the light of the sun would be refracted and reflected (bent). Physics explains that when light enters at an angle into a substance (raindrop) where it travels more slowly, different wavelengths (colors) are bent differently. Red, orange, yellow, etc are each bent a little differently to produce the bow. Now, this may have been the 1st time it appeared or it may have gained a new significance thru God’s covenant—the matter is really not the issue. It is a sign.
Now, back in 1978 Harvey Milk (member of San Fran board of Supervisors, 1st openly gay man to be elected to public office) asked his friend Gilbert Baker to created a symbol of gay pride. He designed a flag, using the colors of a rainbow and since then the rainbow has been hijacked from its original design and intent. The gay pride rainbow only has 6 colors where God’s bow is actually an infinite number of colors (we say 7—ROYGBIV).
Does that bother you that the rainbow is hijacked? I’m not sure there’s much we’re going to do about it but I do think that whether the rainbow is on a flag, a coffee cup, bag of chips, in a storefront window—wherever you may see it—it should remind you of God’s faithfulness to His promise. Having said that—I want to show you something else about this sign.
We use the word rainbow (only NIV NKJV). The Hebrew word simply means “bow.” This is the bow of a warrior or a hunter from which arrows are shot. Now, I don’t want to press the symbolism too far (many preachers do just this). They say the bow set in the sky represents God’s judgment as He conquers His enemies. God defeats His foes with weaponry that includes flashes of lightning bolts as arrows flung by His bow.
That is not God’s purpose for the rainbow which He says in vs 16—and not really even for us but for Himself. This becomes then the symbol of peace—the end of God’s hostilities toward His creation. It is a divine promise that God will look upon it and remember the everlasting covenant (God doesn’t forget—but this means God is moved toward those He makes the covenant with to be faithful to them).
So this bow is a reminder and symbol of peace—but one cannot escape the fact that the context behind the covenant and the sign of the covenant is God’s judgment against those who are turned against Him and against righteousness.
To reject God and in the fulfillment of His plan of redemption, to reject LJC—you are inviting the judgment of God upon yourself. Now, God is being exceedingly patient toward you if you have yet to put your faith in JC. He is withholding judgment but realize that God’s patience does indeed have a limit. It is limited to your lifetime or at the 2nd coming Christ (whichever is 1st).
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.
1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”
28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.
God’s rainbow (hijacked as it may be) stands as a symbol of His commitment to preserve the earth and to bring forth redemption of sinners thru Messiah. To those who continue to provoke God’s wrath by perverting what He intends for peace for their own indulgence of the flesh, are inviting imminent judgment from God.
We know that God’s keeps His Word. May the rainbow be the evidence of God’s goodness and grace but also an urgent appeal to the lost to repent and embrace JC who gave Himself over to death for the propitiation of our sins—not only ours but the sins of the whole world.