Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of September 26, 2021

Weekly reading: Genesis 6-10; Psalm 51-52
Passages referenced: Genesis 2, 4, 6:5-9, 8:1-22

When we find ourselves in Genesis 6-10, we are introduced to one of the most famous characters in the Bible story: Noah. We can glean so much about God and His dealings with humanity through the history of this one man and his family. This section of scripture introduces us to a common and reoccurring theme weaved throughout the pages of scripture that will follow. It also introduces us to a particular sort of character that will be seen repeatedly throughout the scriptures.

The theme that repeats itself over and over again throughout the Bible goes like this: humanity, over a long period of time, sins… and sins BIG! God decides to send judgment for humanity’s sins. A “righteous one” or “deliverer” is found and called out to stand in the gap for humanity. Obviously, this sort of theme finds its ultimate end in our savior Jesus. But let’s look specifically at what the Bible tells us about Noah and how his story sets the stage for telling us about God and His dealings with people going forward.

In Genesis 6:5-8, we are told that God sees how great the wickedness of humanity has become. We are told that it is so great that the story specifically says, “that EVERY inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil ALL THE TIME.” (Genesis 6:5, emphasis mine) If we go back in the story and look at what happens after the fall (Cain and Abel and Cain’s ancestor Lamech in Genesis 4), we see that evil starts pretty quickly. Now imagine humanity as they are filling the earth for the next thousand or so years and the sorts of evil they could come up with. Scripture doesn’t go into a lot of other specifics, but the point is clear; humanity is not fulfilling the purpose God made them for. Humanity has sinned – and sinned greatly.

Next, we see God’s reaction to humanity’s sin: remorse, regret, and judgment. A holy and righteous God can have no other reaction. In Genesis 2, Adam was given the result of rebellion, death. Here we are told God has decided to wipe all of creation from the face of the earth because of humanity’s sin. (Genesis 6:6-7) Yet there is hope.

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8) Noah, we are told, “was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” (Genesis 6:9) So God decides to take this one man who has been set apart in his time and start over. He gives Noah a directive to build an ark, gather animals, and, with his family, begin again. God is going to flood the earth to wipe away the creation that has grieved His heart. But with Noah and his family, God is going to establish His covenant. And in response to what God said, Noah obeys.

The ark is built. The animals and family are gathered and enter the ark. Seven days later, the floodgates are opened. God does what He has said He would do. All of creation, except those sealed in, is destroyed. This seems a bit bleak (I know, understatement of all time). And yet, there is TREMENDOUS hope. God remembers… and the rains stop. God calls out… and a new creation begins. Humanity gives back in thanks, and God is pleased. (Genesis 8:1-22)

As I stated at the beginning, this theme repeats itself throughout the scriptures and points us toward Jesus. Noah is what theologians would label a “type.” He represents traits or characteristics that we will ultimately find in “the one.” This theme is why we see those who lived during Jesus’ time looking for “the one.” Every story they grew up hearing and reading has been pointing to Him. From the very beginning, God has been telling people His plan to save them.

Based on this theme, let me challenge you with a question to consider as you read character stories in scripture: what does this story say about Jesus? I think so much of our understandings of God’s Word would be shaped differently if we just asked what it told us about Him.

If you want to dig more into this theme of “people sin, God judges, and a deliverer comes to save,” check out any of the great character stories in the scriptures. Moses and David are the two most obvious. A great place to see it played out multiple times back-to-back is the book of Judges. Wherever you choose, I pray the God reveals something new about Jesus that brings you a deeper hope in who He is. – James Randall