PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Genesis 9-10
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” (Genesis 9:7)
“From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.” (Genesis 10:32)
God created Adam and Eve to multiply and spread goodness and love.
But instead of goodness the land was “filled with violence” (Genesis 6:13).
The flood does not eliminate the problem of sin, despite a fresh start for humans.
What are we filling the world with, what are we spreading through our lives?
God’s desire for us is still to multiply and spread goodness and love through us.
Since no human was able to do this, God became human in Jesus to turn the tide.
God’s covenant with Noah was surpassed by the new covenant with Jesus.
Instead of shedding human blood (9:6), Jesus offers his human blood for us.
Jesus endured the flood of sin’s curse, and like Noah overcame it.
But unlike Noah and his sons, he was not himself compromised by that sin.
Jesus has initiated the spread of goodness and love, and it is spreading!
“The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world.” (Colossians 1:6)
But the question for me is: what am I spreading, what am I filling the world with?
PRAYER
Lord, you have filled me with your Spirit, and your Spirit is filling me with good fruit. Use me to spread this good fruit wherever I am, whatever I do!
God makes a covenant to mankind not to flood the whole world again – but not to long after Noah curses his grandson Canaan’s clan saying they will be slaves. Yet it was Canaan’s father that was disrespectful! Find the judgement made to be misplaced and unfair- it should have been Ham and sure his family line is affected. But really it’s a consequence of Noah’s own drunkenness that set up the situation. Sin has creeped back in – also came on the ark and was also allowed to multiply. Original sin is real and we face temptation each day – situations that test our behaviour too – like it did for Ham. Lord help me to discern and fight temptation!
Standing on the promises of God. Be fruitful and fill the earth. Serve the Lord in all your doings. He established His desire for His people. He showed His promise that He would be with us. He blessed His children. They grew. They filled the earth. But . . once again the children, we, I have fallen away from His desire. We followed our own desires. Once again we/I need a new beginning to do His will, His bidding, His will. I need His Spirit to lead and guide me daily to do His will, serving Him and not my selfish desires.
I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour;
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain:
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.