INTRODUCTION: Here the human race finds a new beginning. From these eight souls the world was re-populated. On all continents we find various accounts of the Flood as the story has been passed down. Only in the Scriptures we have the story told without error or false embellishments.I. A NEW START - verses 1-2.
Noah was given the same directive as Adam [Genesis 1:22]. There is, however, a change in the manner of dominion. In Genesis 1:28, man was shown that the earth was created for his good. He was therefore to take dominion, or in other words to utilize it for his good. In Genesis 9:2, it is added that for man's protection the fear of him will be in all animals. This shows that sin had produced misery and disharmony even in the physical creation [Romans 8:22].II. THE BLOOD - verses 3-4.
In the creation account, man was given herbs to eat [Genesis 1:29]. Here his diet was extended to include animal food. There is, however, one restriction. Animals were not to be eaten alive or in any form where the blood was not drained. Beginning here God was instilling in man a respect for blood. The life is in the blood [Leviticus 17:10]. Many of the Levitical ceremonies required the shedding of blood [Leviticus 17:11]. All of this was preparing us to understand redemption through the blood of Christ [Revelation 5:9].III. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - verses 5-7.
Before the Flood, capital punishment was not permitted [Genesis 3:14-15]. God left to Himself the right to judge men. Sadly man's sin filled the earth with unrestrained violence [Genesis 6:11]. We cannot with certainty know why God chose to do things in this way. Perhaps He wished to illustrate for man the depth of human depravity and the need of government as a restraining force. After the Flood, God authorized and in fact demanded the exercise of capital punishment. The reason why murder demands so serious a penalty is explained by the fact that man was made in the image of God. When this fact is forgotten human life is viewed as cheap. Notice that modern abortion is promoted by the ungodly.Let us notice several other Bible truths that go along with this topic:
A. The Bible forbids individual revenge or murder [Exodus 20:13; Romans 12:19].B. God has given to civil government the right to exercise capital punishment [Romans 13:3-4].
C. Those who think the sixth commandment forbids capital punishment have failed to study all the Scriptures [Compare Exodus 20:13 with Exodus 21:12]. Someone may ask why even an animal that slew a man was to be killed. Obviously any creature that had become a man-killer was a public menace. This law also gave a public illustration of the sacredness of human life.
IV. THE COVENANT - verses 8-17.
Before the Flood it had never rained [Genesis 2:5-6]. Man's first experience with rain was in a universal judgment. Imagine then the fear of those who coming off the Ark, or later hearing of the flood would feel every time it rained. To alleviate this fear and as a sign of God's pledge not to again destroy the earth by water, the rainbow was made to act as a sign. The rainbow was a pledge of God's covenant which He made with all men and animals. Let us today explain to our children the meaning of the rainbow.V. NOAH'S SIN - verses 18-21.
The events recorded here occurred some years after the Flood. This is proved in that Ham's son Canaan was already born and at least partially grown. Noah planted a vineyard and made wine. He was overtaken in drunkenness and because of the warmth produced by the alcohol he uncovered himself in his tent while asleep. This led to a tragedy.Note several lessons here:
A. The Bible was written by inspiration of God. In its complete honesty it exposes the faults of even the best men. Books written by men tend to hide the sins and weaknesses of those who are admired.B. No matter how long we have been saved or how faithful we have been to God, we must always be watchful. The best man will fall if he does not watch and pray [Matthew 6:13]. Only God can uphold us [Jude 24].
C. The use of wine is attended with real dangers [Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35].
D. The abuse of wine leads to other sins [Habakkuk 2:15].
VI. HAM'S SIN - verses 22-23.
The ancients were extremely modest and private. It is somewhat difficult for us to understand the degree to which this was so. Modesty is a virtue and should be instilled into children. Ham's sin was that of a lack of respect and propriety. Rather than honor his father, he gazed with satisfaction and even told others of his father's disgrace. Perhaps he had resented his father's godliness and was delighted at his fall. Contrast if you will the behavior of Ham with that of the other two brothers. Was not their loving respect and honor for Noah a rebuke to their brother.VII. NOAH'S PROPHECIES - verses 24-27.
A. The Curse On Canaan - When Noah awoke and found out about Ham's behavior, he was indignant. Ham at this time had a son named Canaan. The wicked traits of Ham seem already to have been manifested in this fellow. Rather then, than the curse fall on Ham and all his descendants it fell upon Canaan. He and his descendents were cursed with servitude.Let us now notice the Biblical information given about him and his seed:
1. Canaan was only one of Ham's sons [Genesis 10:6].2. Canaan's descendents settled in the land given to Israel [Genesis 10:15-19].
3. Canaan's descendents were of a immoral tendency [Genesis 10:19 - Sodom and Gomorrah; Genesis 15:16; Genesis 19. Genesis 34:1-2 - note Genesis 10:15-16; Leviticus 18:3-24 - note verse 3].
4. The Canaanites were subdued and enslaved by Israel and by many Gentile nations.
5. The last of the Canaanites seem to have been destroyed in 146 B.C., when Rome attacked the Phoenician city of Cart- hage. Even the Romans were shocked by the ungodliness of Carthage.
B. Shem Blessed - Shem was the father of the eastern peoples including Abraham and the Jewish people. Notice that Shem's blessing is connected with God. Through Shem came all the Jews and their prophets and finally the Lord Jesus Christ. Canaan was to be their servant.
C. Japeth Blessed - Japeth was the father of the northern or European people. Several promises are given to him: 1. Japeth would be enlarged. Note in history the world- wide conquests of Japeth's seed.
2. Japeth would dwell in the tents of Shem. This could refer to the fact that Japeth's seed has often lived in Shem's land. More important yet, this is often seen as a prophecy of the coming of the Gospel to the Gentiles [Acts 16].
3. Canaan would be his servant. The Canaanites were often enslaved and finally destroyed by Japeth's seed.
The study of Noah's prophecy and descendents is a complex and interesting one. We have merely scratched the surface.
VIII. NOAH'S LIFE-SPAN - verses 28-29.
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