God Remembers
Genesis 4-11 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Please turn to Genesis chapter 8. chapter 8.
And if you need a sermon handout, please raise your hand?
a couple things:
Thanks to Logan and Gabe for leading last week as we honored our high school seniors, our graduates.
I would like to take a moment and pray for VBS this next week. # of kids _____________; # of volunteers _____________
Genesis 8—2 weeks ago—we read chapters 6-7. where God sends a flood to destroy all living things except for Noah and his family—8 people in all.
it’s a sobering account, and for some of us, offensive.
so today in our passage—the floodwaters have peaked, and now we see what happens next.
1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
2 Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky.
3 The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down,
4 and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
BTW—Ararat is in Eastern Turkey.
5 The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.
6 After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark
7 and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth.
8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground.
9 But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark.
10 He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark.
11 When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.
12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
13 By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry.
14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.
15 Then God said to Noah,
16 “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.
17 Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”
18 So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives.
19 All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.
21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
you may be seated—if you are following the timeline of the Ark:
Noah built the ark for 98 - 100 years or so. (from his 500th - 600th year) (100 years!)
when Noah and his family enter the ark, and it starts raining—the floodwaters rise for 150 days.
and then the flood waters start receding for another 150 days.
and then the earth dries for another 70 day period.
all-together—Noah and his family are in the Ark 370 days! (and no Internet to keep them occupied)
let me read one more small passage:
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
2 The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.
3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
6 “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”
there’s a lot of similarities here between Genesis 1-2 when God first makes all things—Adam and Eve and now.
what are those?
Similarities between Gen. 1-2 and Gen. 8-9:
Both show a pre-creation state.
in Genesis 1:2 the Spirit is hovering over the waters. Gen. 8:1—the waters are there and the wind (same word for spirit btw—) is hovering over the waters.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
so both show what life was like before creation the 1st time and 2nd time.
Both show the days of creation (in their own way).
in Genesis 1, we see God make different things each day—day 2 sky, then dry ground, birds, creatures. in Genesis 8, we see all those things in similar as God reveals the land as the waters receded, he talks about the birds—the raven and dove, and he talks about the creatures. (of course day 4 from creation is left out in Gen. 8—no need for the sun, stars, or moon to be created)
so both show creation—Genesis 1—the original creation; now Genesis 8—new creation.
God wants to show us he is re-creating the earth.
Both show God’s mission given to humans.
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
we saw those instructions to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1. so the mission of mankind has not changed. be fruitful—increase in number—fill the earth. God has charged mankind with being his agents of rule over the earth—all under His rule. that has not changed.
4. Both show the importance of the image of God.
here in Genesis 9:6
6 “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
we are reminded that God is very pro-life—that we take all life from the womb to the tomb as important—because we are made to reflect God.
why am I bringing up these connections?
because...I want to show you what the writer of Genesis is communicating about what God is doing.
this passage may feel very repetitive, but the writer wants to show us that God de-created the earth, pushed the reset button because humans were so violent, evil and rebellious against God, and is now restarting the earth—creation 2.0
I used to think that Noah’s Ark was just a cute little story—an interesting story that you learn as a kid. but God wants us to connect all these dots in the text—and see that He takes sin seriously, He is patient, and He is re-creating and re-starting the earth.
However, here is the problem:
did you catch it in our text?
vs. 21 chapter 8.
21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
God makes a wonderful promise never to flood the earth in destruction (more on that later) but in the middle—even though God restarts the earth, he says “every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.”
God’s giving us a preview that the flood won’t actually deal with the most fundamental problem we have—our hearts. the thing beneathe the thing—the desire for us to put ourselves in the place of God. to shake our fist at God and say “you are not in charge.” “I am.” “Who are you to tell me what to do”. “I can decide for myself...”
so at the center of all our problems is us putting ourselves in the place of God. (think of the problems you have right now...how much is because I have put myself in the place of God)
The flood doesn’t provide the ultimate fix that we need. so why does God do it this way?
I can say very confidently— “I don’t know...but this is part of God’s plan.”
but I have a guess that it is to show us that even if we reset the earth, even if we get the “right” people on the earth, or the right people in power...we are still fallen and corrupt and sinners in need of a radical heart change that only Jesus can provide in the NT.
God is showing us just how fallen we are...and how much we need his Son Jesus.
and if you don’t believe me that we don’t like God telling us what to do...
just think how you react when your boss or spouse tells you something and you don’t like it.
or even at church, if I say “come forward, sit closer...” you are like “not listening to that.” or if we have name tags out and say “would everyone please wear a name tag,” at least 30% of you are like “not doing that” simply because you told us to.
so at the center of our problem is a divine authority problem—we don’t like someone else being in charge. and that leads to all the horrible consequences of sin.
****so what is the problem: The flood does not solve our sin problem.*****
but the good news is—He is showing us just how gracious He is, too, and how he will eventually solve it.
because look at chapter 8 vs. 1.
1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
that word remembered is significant.
Let me define it:
Heading: When God Remembers,
This does not mean that God forgot something. (and is now recalling it).
it wasn’t like you know God had called Noah to build the ark, and they were on it 150 days, and all of a sudden, God’s like “oh my goodness...” I forgot about Noah and his family. i got kind of busy running the universe. I guess I better to do something about helping them to let the waters recede.
it’s not that at all—God is not like us in that. You and I forget stuff all the time, and I will confess, I am at the age that unless I write stuff down or put it in my phone, I will forget. my kids make fun of me “Dad, why do you have to write it down. why can’t you just remember—I just can’t.” I have noticed this on Sunday mornings. I talk to a lot of people—if you ask me to follow-up on something, there is a good chance I will forget—unless you send me a text or email me. and I try my best to adult well and be responsible—but I STILL FORGET. I am a human.
thankfully, God is not like me. He doesn’t forget.
so what does it mean
When God remembers, He acts according to His promise.
what was the promise God made to Noah and His family?
18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
this is the language of covenant—kind of like a promise or oath or contract. God makes a promise to save Noah and His family—to save them from the flood and thru the flood. that they will endure through it, be spared, and kept alive.
and here in Genesis 8:1 and following, that’s exactly what He does. as the wind comes, the water recedes, and God relaunches humanity.
and so remembering here means that God is simply being true to His word. He is acting on His former promise. that He will act and uphold His end of the covenant or contract.
this isn’t the only place in Scripture where God does this and remembers.
in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God sends the fire of judgment upon that wicked city...just read Genesis 18 and 19 to understand that...
29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.
God had promised Abraham that He would spare Lot and His family...and God does. He upholds His end of the bargain and keeps Abraham and Lot from the fires of His judgment.
look at another one
several hundred years later, the Israelites have grown to lots and lots of people in Egypt.
Pharaoh is threatened and makes the Israelites slaves in his empire. and it’s so rough that
23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.
24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.
25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.
so when God remembered, He set his plan in motion to free Israel by raising up leaders like Moses and Aaron.
When God remembers, HE is acting to fulfill a promise—based on the covenant He made in the book of Genesis later on with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that was His covenant to bless them as they followed Him, and their descendants.
we see that same language with the story of Hannah who was unable to have children. She cried out to God and God remembered her
19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.
she becomes pregnant and has Samuel whom she would give at a young age to the priesthood—and he would lead Israel as an important prophet.
when Jesus is hanging on the cross—and there is the thief on the cross:
the thief says:
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
how does this apply to us:
3. When God remembers, it’s often during a time of great desperation.
a time of great difficult and desperation.
as Noah and His family felt like the days were getting pretty long on the ark - it felt pretty desperate
and the Israelites were in horrible slavery, and Hannah was suffering from infertility — all those were desperate
have you ever felt desperation—maybe now...
some of you are going through some pretty bleak times right now—a medical diagnosis, financial uncertainty, unknowns about the future, relationship challenges, where do you need to know in your life that God remembers?
when life often seems bleakest for us—we need to remember that God remembers.
4. When God remembers, His actions (often) take longer than we want (or the people in the Bible want)
Noah was on the Ark 150 days—before God remembered.
and it took another 220 days—before they came out of the Ark—that’s a long time to wait for God to act.
for the Israelites in slavery—God had told Abraham that they would be in slavery for over 400 years! and then God would remember and do something about it.
for Hannah—she had suffered through the pain of infertility and dishonor in her culture for years, and she cried out several times, before God remembered and did something.
so if you are going through a trial—it may take longer for God to act than you want Him to.
Why He sometimes acts suddenly or delays is a big mystery.
but God says this in 2 Peter 3:8-9
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
we have a hard time trusting during trials—but don’t forget—God remembers you. He sees you. even if it takes longer.
5. When God remembers, we also have a responsibility to trust and obey.
God was acting with Noah based on Noah’s incredible faith to build an Ark, go against the culture, and be a light in a dark place.
and the first thing Noah did on exiting the ark was offer sacrifices in worship to God! His first act — was worship!
God was acting with the Israelites who had to learn to trust Him, respond in faith, as Moses led them out of slavery.
and God was acting based on Hannah’s promise to dedicate her young son to the Lord—whom she took to the temple to live when he was young.
God acted with the thief on the cross who had to trust.
while the hard work is on God, we have a responsibility to trust, to step out in faith based on what God has promised, to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us (in His strength)
Where do you need to trust God today? Where do you need to take a bold step of faith in obedience like Noah or Hannah based on God’s promises? sometimes we don’t act because we forget that God remembers and Keeps his promises.
but if God truly keeps His end of the bargain, what is keeping us from acting, in faith?
maybe it’s to share the love of Jesus with a co-worker and friend.
maybe it’s to reach out to someone who is lonely and needs someone to listen
maybe it’s to start serving or volunteering even in small ways; maybe it’s to start something that God has called you to start and you have been neglecting...
And back to the original problem of sin...
Here is the Good news:
When God does not remember, He does not hold our sin against us. (I know English teachers and grammar people—not is used twice—not the best grammar)
notice this is slightly different. the word “NOT!”
remember we said - God remembers or acts based on his promise or covenant.
In the new covenant...God’s promise to us now that we are under the new covenant...not the old covenant..
Heb 8 talks about this new covenant...
8 But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. (that as the old covenant)
10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
This doesn’t mean that God somehow can’t recall our sins or that He totally forgets about them when He forgives us. no...
if to remember is for God to act...for him not to remember, is for him not to act, and punish us for our sins and give us what we deserve because Jesus took that punishment. Praise God.
for God not to remember our sins—means that He doesn’t hold them against us—but instead—when He sees us—if you are a follower of Jesus—He sees His beloved son, His beloved child.
Let’s pray.
where do you need to remember that God remembers in your life? how can you worship God like Noah for His remembering?
where do you need to act in faith—perhaps confess sin, deal with temptation or persistent sin, call it out surrender it to Jesus?
where do you need to act boldly?
and where do you need to thank God that He does not remember our sins anymore!
—song — goodness of God
—chairs for VBS
—be praying for VBS this week
