WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:04.000 In case some of you are confused, if you're reading, that's an abridged reading. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:08.019 That's why some parts were skipped. 00:00:08.519 --> 00:00:11.900 I am going to preach on the whole passage, 6.9 to 9.29, 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:15.960 but for the sake of time, we did abridged the reading. 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:19.660 Now, many of 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.600 the world's oldest civilizations 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:27.920 preserve some kind of mythological record of a worldwide 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:30.380 flood that wiped out the earth. 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:36.359 Of these, the fullest and most similar to the account in Genesis 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:40.719 is the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, which is from about 2100 B.C. 00:00:42.400 --> 00:00:44.340 Gilgamesh is a king of 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:48.320 a region called Uruk, and he undertakes an arduous journey to discover 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:51.719 eternal life. He doesn't find eternal life, but he does meet 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:55.799 a man who has attained immortality, named 00:00:55.799 --> 00:00:58.439 Utnapishtim. And on his 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:00.099 end, he tells 00:01:00.099 --> 00:01:02.219 Gilgamesh about how he attained 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:04.479 immortality by surviving a worldwide flood 00:01:04.479 --> 00:01:06.399 by making 00:01:06.399 --> 00:01:07.920 a boat and taking shelter in it. 00:01:08.459 --> 00:01:10.399 And this story is closely paralleled by other 00:01:10.399 --> 00:01:12.299 accounts, for example, the Akkadian Epic of 00:01:12.299 --> 00:01:14.459 Atrahasis, the Sumerian Flood Epic 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:15.959 about Ziyu Sudra, 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:18.099 and there's more distant, you know, 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:20.200 culturally distant, but still similar 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:22.200 stories outside of Mesopotamia as well. 00:01:22.200 --> 00:01:26.719 For example, the ancient Hindu text Matsya Pirena tells of how King 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:31.260 Manu survives the great flood with the assistance of the god Matsya. 00:01:31.820 --> 00:01:36.680 And in Greek mythology, in Obed's Metamorphosis, it tells a story of 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:41.820 Deucalion, who is a son of Prometheus, who survives the flood brought on by an 00:01:41.820 --> 00:01:46.260 angry Zeus by building a large chest and taking shelter in it. 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:52.820 So there's some striking parallels in these stories, but the fact that these parallels 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:55.920 exist shouldn't cast doubt on the Genesis account. 00:01:56.460 --> 00:01:57.719 Instead, they should confirm it. 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:05.260 Because if the flood really happened, it's not surprising to find echoes of the reality, 00:02:05.660 --> 00:02:10.280 even if it's distant and muffled across the various mythologies of ancient civilizations. 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:11.080 Right? 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:16.719 And without the benefit of the divine revelation that Moses had, of course, 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.580 the theological interpretation of the events are wrong. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:23.900 That's why we have these variances in these accounts. 00:02:24.420 --> 00:02:29.639 But nevertheless, at the basic level, they confirm the fact that there was indeed a widespread 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:35.120 flood that wiped out the earth, a catastrophic event that changed human history. 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:40.200 And once again, as we've seen throughout the book of Genesis up to this point, it's the 00:02:40.200 --> 00:02:45.640 divergences from these other ancient Near Eastern accounts, not the convergences and similarities 00:02:45.640 --> 00:02:48.500 that make the most important theological points. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:50.860 So, for example, I'm just going to highlight a few. 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:54.379 In the other ancient Near Eastern epics, there are many gods, not one. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:01.980 And they created mankind for the purpose of relieving the gods and to feed the gods. 00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:07.899 But then they get later incensed by the fact that men are multiplying way too much. 00:03:08.299 --> 00:03:12.319 There's way too many people, and they're overpopulating the earth, and there's too much noise. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:14.359 And that's the reason why they send the flood. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:22.599 But in the Bible, the Lord God does not create men to relieve himself, but he works and provides 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:23.799 all that man needs. 00:03:24.179 --> 00:03:29.639 And he judges the earth with the flood, not because of too much noise or because of too many 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:35.759 people, but because of their thoroughgoing wickedness and violence, as it says. 00:03:37.179 --> 00:03:40.839 In the other ancient Near Eastern accounts, the gods, the many of them, can't even agree 00:03:40.839 --> 00:03:41.679 on what they're going to do. 00:03:41.859 --> 00:03:47.759 So, one or two of the gods defect from the council and inform a human being, a human subject 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:48.819 that happens to worship him. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:51.879 But in the biblical account, there's only one god. 00:03:51.959 --> 00:03:54.879 And he's, of course, he's in complete agreement with himself. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:56.639 And he decides to send the flood. 00:03:56.699 --> 00:03:58.259 There's no conflict of interest. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:05.919 And in the other accounts of the engineers, it's highlight the heroes of the tale, the 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:08.539 human heroes, about their initiative and daring. 00:04:09.019 --> 00:04:13.500 But the Bible highlights God's initiative and his provision for Noah. 00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:18.699 In fact, Noah doesn't say a single word throughout the entire narrative until after the flood when 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:19.740 he blesses his children. 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:27.660 And finally, in the other ancient Near Eastern account, when the flood comes, the gods are 00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:28.519 panic-stricken. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.579 And it says that they, quote, coward like dogs. 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:35.120 They're afraid of what they themselves have brought. 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:37.019 But you don't see that in the biblical account. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:38.720 The Lord God is in full control. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:40.160 He's all-powerful. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.460 And he's all-knowing. 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:46.620 And he's not surprised that there's a survivor because he's the one that made provision for 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:48.340 Noah's and his family's survival. 00:04:48.339 --> 00:04:54.579 Actually, one more thing, last thing, which is important, as we'll see later, is that 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:59.599 after these accounts in the ancient Near East of the flood stories, the gods decide that 00:04:59.599 --> 00:05:05.239 in order to avoid another overpopulation problem, that they decree that some women should be 00:05:05.239 --> 00:05:06.439 celibate or infertile. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:10.019 And they also decree that some infants will die soon after birth. 00:05:10.479 --> 00:05:16.279 But in stark contrast, in the Bible, the Lord God says three times and commands and blesses 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:19.939 three times meant to be fruitful and multiply, right? 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:25.859 So over and over again, in contradistinction to the other flood stories, Genesis teaches 00:05:25.859 --> 00:05:31.239 us that God is the sovereign judge over all creation who saves the righteous. 00:05:31.679 --> 00:05:32.500 That's the main point. 00:05:32.539 --> 00:05:35.859 That God is the sovereign judge over all creation who saves the righteous. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:39.139 We're going to first talk about this in three phases. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:41.879 First, we're going to talk about the decreation of earth. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:43.839 Second, about the recreation. 00:05:44.599 --> 00:05:46.599 And then third, we're going to talk about the new creation. 00:05:48.219 --> 00:05:51.939 So verse 9 begins with the phrase that leads off every major section in the book of Genesis. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:54.139 These are the generations of Noah. 00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:57.159 And then it gives us a little more detail about who this man is. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:57.459 It says, 00:05:57.459 --> 00:06:08.299 So this three-fold description really kind of builds on his righteousness. 00:06:08.739 --> 00:06:12.759 So righteousness, the word, has legal overtones that he does all that is right. 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:13.979 He follows the law of God. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:20.799 The blameless word has ceremonial overtones because sacrifices offered to God had to be 00:06:20.799 --> 00:06:21.560 without blemish. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:22.579 It had to be blameless. 00:06:22.979 --> 00:06:25.060 So he's saying that Noah is blameless in that way. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:29.019 And then the final word, walked with God, of course, has relational overtones. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:36.139 Noah walks closely with God in the same way Enoch was described as having walked with God previously. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:41.439 The rest of the earth, however, is completely different. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:43.459 It says in verses 11 to 13, 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:49.139 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:52.120 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:55.680 for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.259 And God said to Noah, 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:59.579 I have determined to make an end of all flesh, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.319 for the earth is filled with violence through them. 00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:05.560 Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.980 So in the span of these three verses, 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:10.959 the word earth is mentioned six times 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:14.459 to convey a kind of a tragic sense of loss. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:16.240 God created the earth. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:17.959 He created the earth good, 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:22.199 but this earth, the earth that he created now is corrupt. 00:07:23.219 --> 00:07:26.799 And the word corrupt can be translated as spoiled or ruined. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:32.620 It refers to kind of a defilement or deterioration of something that used to be good. 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:36.620 And it could also simultaneously mean, because of that, to destroy something. 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:39.719 So when he says that God will destroy them with the earth, 00:07:39.799 --> 00:07:45.039 it's the same word for spoil that is used to describe the corruption of the earth. 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:46.879 So we're to kind of convey that. 00:07:47.020 --> 00:07:48.980 It's just an instance of God's punishment, 00:07:49.280 --> 00:07:50.180 feeding the crime, 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.120 defeating the sin. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:53.780 It's got the inhabitants of earth, 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:55.020 trash the earth, 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:57.300 and now God will himself trash it. 00:07:58.140 --> 00:08:02.720 So, and violence itself is singled out as one of the main reasons for this, 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:04.080 for God's judgment over the earth. 00:08:04.640 --> 00:08:05.040 And it's, 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:08.900 violence in Hebrew doesn't really refer to physical violence, 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:11.900 although that's what we think of when we hear the word violence. 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:16.419 But it refers to any kind of fundamental violation of the command to love one's neighbor, 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:18.319 any kind of antisocial, 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:18.959 you know, 00:08:19.039 --> 00:08:20.079 unneighborly behavior. 00:08:21.419 --> 00:08:21.799 And so, 00:08:21.979 --> 00:08:25.019 so the earth is filled with violence and no one is exempt. 00:08:25.099 --> 00:08:27.719 It says all flesh is indicted by God. 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:29.719 And that includes not just all men, 00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:31.799 but all creatures as well. 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:32.139 They live, 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:33.600 the land animals that are, 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:36.319 that have the breath of life in them. 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:38.940 And given the corruption of the earth, 00:08:39.060 --> 00:08:40.420 God intends to destroy it. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:40.760 So, 00:08:41.140 --> 00:08:41.280 because, 00:08:41.540 --> 00:08:41.700 and, 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:42.120 but, 00:08:42.180 --> 00:08:42.320 you know, 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:43.500 because of the righteousness of Noah, 00:08:43.560 --> 00:08:44.660 he wants to preserve Noah. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:49.820 So he tells him to build an ark in verses 14 to 16. 00:08:50.520 --> 00:08:57.920 And the main thing that's important about the description of the ark is that it's parallel to the description of the tabernacle in Exodus. 00:08:58.719 --> 00:08:59.179 So, 00:08:59.279 --> 00:08:59.639 for example, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:00.719 in Exodus 25, 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:01.319 31, 00:09:02.459 --> 00:09:02.799 20, 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:03.559 25, 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:04.479 chapter 25 to 30, 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:06.360 when he describes the construction of the tabernacle, 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:10.079 and the ark is said to have three decks, 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:10.419 right, 00:09:10.479 --> 00:09:10.979 three levels. 00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:14.559 And they all have the same height as the tabernacle. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:16.879 And the ark is said to have a covering. 00:09:17.459 --> 00:09:19.979 And the tabernacle is also said to have a covering. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:24.360 So the connection that Moses is making is that like the tabernacle, 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:26.759 which is the place for the righteous to gather, 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:28.519 the safe haven for the righteous. 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:31.539 The ark is a safe haven for the righteous. 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:33.080 When God destroys the earth, 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:35.159 those who are in the ark will be spared. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:38.100 And only those who are in the ark will be spared. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.899 And so God says in verse 18, 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:45.740 but I will establish my covenant with you, 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.659 and you shall come into the ark, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:48.100 you, 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:49.139 your sons, 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:50.080 your wife, 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:52.120 and your sons' wives with you. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:53.399 Now, 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.299 God's not making a new covenant. 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:55.859 Rather, 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:58.459 he's reaffirming a covenant he's already made. 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:00.779 We know that because throughout the Old Testament, 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.399 the language of covenant is completely consistent. 00:10:03.979 --> 00:10:05.740 So when God's making a new covenant, 00:10:05.979 --> 00:10:08.019 it's used the language of cutting a covenant. 00:10:08.599 --> 00:10:11.159 When it's speaking of reaffirming an old covenant, 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:13.419 it uses the language of establishing a covenant. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:15.620 So God's reestablishing, 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:19.399 reaffirming a covenant that he already made with the rest of creation 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:20.740 to provide for it, 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.699 to rule over it. 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:22.780 And so he's saying, 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:24.020 I remember that covenant. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.580 I will care for you, 00:10:25.640 --> 00:10:28.820 and I will preserve creation in light of this. 00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:36.080 And Noah is chosen because of his obedience, 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:36.560 right? 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:40.440 And you can see in verses 21 to 22 how completely he obeys this. 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:41.759 God tells him, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:43.200 every sort of food that is eaten, 00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:44.220 he says to pack it. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:48.560 And that's kind of a supposed reminder to us of the fact that Adam and Eve 00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:51.100 took of the fruit that was not to be eaten, 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:53.639 but Noah takes all the food that is to be eaten. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.500 And then in verse 22, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.160 it's really emphatic. 00:10:57.300 --> 00:10:57.440 It says, 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.820 Noah did this. 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:02.139 He did all that God commanded him. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:04.980 In contrast to Adam and Eve, 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:07.620 who did not do what God commanded them. 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:12.799 And the fact that Noah's obeyed in this way is repeated three times in chapter 7, 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:13.740 verse 5, 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.120 9, 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:14.639 and 16. 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:17.519 He did as God had commanded him. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:20.960 And this is exactly the way creation was supposed to work. 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:25.120 So Noah is an example of how creation was supposed to function, 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:27.500 but because it hasn't been that way, 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:29.299 the rest of creation will be judged. 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:32.879 And this becomes a little more significant later, 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.379 but it's important. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:37.419 That's why you see Noah observing the seven-day week. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:40.139 He seems to be resting on the Sabbath day. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.340 So that's why God announces, 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:43.080 I'll send the flood in seven days. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:45.220 And then Noah waits for seven days. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.899 And after seven days, 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.879 the flood comes, 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.559 the rain begins. 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.779 So he seems that he works, 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:50.279 you know, 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.299 six days, 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.080 rests on the seventh day. 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:54.860 And then on the beginning of the new work week, 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.100 God sends a flood. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:12:00.559 So he's kind of this paragon of biblical obedience. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:02.599 Now, 00:12:02.739 --> 00:12:05.119 verse 11 tells us exactly when the flood began. 00:12:05.619 --> 00:12:05.759 It says, 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:08.939 In the 600th year of Noah's life, 00:12:09.099 --> 00:12:10.319 in the second month, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:11.959 in the 17th day of the month, 00:12:12.239 --> 00:12:13.159 on that day, 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:16.059 all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:19.019 and the windows of the heavens were opened. 00:12:20.239 --> 00:12:21.799 And then later, 00:12:22.099 --> 00:12:23.179 in 8.14, 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.259 it tells us when it ended, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.799 a precise date for that as well. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.619 So if you add up the days, 00:12:27.839 --> 00:12:29.319 so it took me a long time. 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:30.620 My math is rusty, 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.900 trying to calculate everything. 00:12:32.400 --> 00:12:37.100 But the entire flood lasted exactly one year and 11 days. 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:40.120 And because the Jews used a lunar calendar, 00:12:40.280 --> 00:12:43.200 which is exactly 11 days short of the solar calendar, 00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:46.340 it's saying that it lasted the entire calendar year, 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.000 solar year, 00:12:47.400 --> 00:12:50.500 to represent the completeness of God's judgment. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:54.500 And this full year of God's judgment 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:58.560 is a complete deconstruction of the world he made. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:03.079 It's a decreation of what God made. 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.299 So remember, 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.899 I told you that this is going to be important later, 00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:07.279 that he observed a seven-day week. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:10.279 So if you trace it from the seven-day week to, 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:12.279 and fast forward 150 days, 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:14.000 which is specifically mentioned in the narrative, 00:13:14.739 --> 00:13:16.719 in 7.24 and 8.3, 00:13:17.599 --> 00:13:20.079 it turns out that God began, 00:13:20.239 --> 00:13:22.199 just as God began his work of creation 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.419 on the first day, 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.059 on a Sunday, 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:27.699 now God begins his work of decreation on a Sunday. 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:32.539 And just as God completed his work of creation on Friday, 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:37.019 God completes his work of decreation also on a Friday. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:41.000 So this is kind of a systemic reversal 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:42.959 of what God did in Genesis 1. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.759 The world is being decreated. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:50.419 And verse 11 highlights this in a dramatic way. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:50.799 It says, 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:51.600 On that day, 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:54.200 all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:56.759 and the windows of the heavens were opened. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:00.279 So remember the description in Genesis 1, 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:03.019 that at the inchoate stage of God's creation, 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:05.679 there is watery chaos, right? 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.720 It's all water, 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.419 there's darkness. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:10.979 And now with the fountains of the deep bursting forth 00:14:10.979 --> 00:14:12.339 and the windows of the heavens opening, 00:14:12.719 --> 00:14:16.579 the earth is once again being reduced to watery chaos 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:19.620 before God completed his work of creation. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:23.059 This is an example of God decreating the earth. 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:27.779 And this judgment is complete, right? 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.479 It talks about the waters prevailing, 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:31.279 waters increasing. 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.599 And the word increasing is the same word 00:14:33.599 --> 00:14:35.319 that is used to say multiply, 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:36.899 be fruitful and multiply. 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:39.399 So instead of the creatures multiplying, 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:42.539 now we see the water multiplying on the earth. 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:46.299 It's again a reversal of what God did in Genesis 1. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:48.240 And why does God do this? 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:51.899 Because humanity is so incorrigible 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:54.579 and earth is so corrupt. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:57.659 God, the righteous judge, must wipe it out, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.579 must judge it all together. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.600 Destruction was total. 00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:02.419 He says every living thing was blotted out 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.379 from the face of the ground. 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:06.879 And this reminds us of the gravity of our own sins. 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:10.519 As we think about this great judgment of the flood. 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:13.340 See, God created the world, 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:15.340 created us to be his representatives, 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:18.100 yet we live without reference to God. 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:21.819 And that pride, that ignorance, 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:25.199 that faithlessness is at the heart of our sin and rebellion. 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:27.500 And of course, it's easy for us to say, 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:29.579 like, oh, God will just simply forgive everyone 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:32.779 because we're not the offended party, right? 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.579 We're the offenders. 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:35.480 And it's easy for, it's in people, 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.600 it's such a part of human nature to demand mercy for ourselves 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.159 but justice for others, is it not? 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.639 And so it's easy for us to say, 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:44.939 God should just simply forgive everyone. 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:48.740 But no, God rightly should judge the earth 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:50.959 for its corruption and rebellion and treason. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:54.980 We are really ungrateful subjects, 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:58.120 rebellion against God who generously provides all that we need. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:04.360 And so God decreates the world as a way of judging the earth. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:08.200 But God hasn't forgotten his covenant with creation. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:12.899 And he reaffirmed his covenant with Noah in 6.18. 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:16.220 And he will continue to preserve the line of Seth 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:18.960 from which he promised the Messiah will come 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:21.060 to crush the head of the serpent. 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.860 And so we see the face of recreation 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:28.019 in chapter 8 through chapter 9, verse 17. 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:31.560 Verse 1 of chapter 8 begins this way. 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:36.739 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts 00:16:36.739 --> 00:16:39.179 and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:41.859 And God made a wind blow over the earth 00:16:41.859 --> 00:16:43.819 and the waters subsided. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:49.719 There's a really clever chiasm throughout chapter 6, 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:52.359 and all throughout chapter 6.9 to 9.19. 00:16:52.979 --> 00:16:55.339 And we've seen examples of chiasm already, 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.739 which is just a literary device 00:16:56.739 --> 00:16:59.259 that uses a symmetrical structure. 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:02.039 So first, every element of the first half 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:05.680 has a corresponding matching element in the second half. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:08.720 And except for the middle element, which stands alone. 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:12.180 And that's used to highlight what's in the middle, 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.180 the main point. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:16.359 And so there's about a dozen or so corresponding elements. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.440 It's a huge chiasm. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.579 It's the best one we've seen 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.900 and the biggest one we've seen so far. 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:22.599 And I'll just highlight a few to show you what I mean. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.960 So in 6.9 to 10, it mentions Noah and his sons, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.440 Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:30.039 And then in chapter 9.18 to 19, 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:32.640 it mentions Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:35.320 And then chapter 6.11 to 17, 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.720 God vows to destroy all flesh 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:39.240 and tells Noah to build an ark, 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:41.279 which is God's sign of his preservation. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:43.920 And then in chapter 9.11 to 17, 00:17:44.080 --> 00:17:46.259 God vows never to destroy all flesh 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:48.900 and then makes a bow as a sign of their preservation. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.820 And then in chapter 7.45, 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.880 there's seven days of waiting for the flood. 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:56.340 And then in chapter 8.12 to 13, 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.920 there's seven days of waiting for the waters to subside. 00:17:59.520 --> 00:18:01.120 And then chapter 7.17, 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.520 40 days of flood. 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.860 And then 8.6, 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.300 40 days to come to an end. 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:07.600 7.17 to 18, 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:09.240 the waters multiply and prevail. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.960 And then 8.5, 00:18:11.020 --> 00:18:11.800 the waters abate. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.140 And then so on and so on. 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:15.560 So top of the mountains are hidden. 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.100 Top of the mountains are revealed. 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:19.240 150 days of water prevailing 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:21.640 and 150 days of water abating. 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:24.000 And at the center of it all is the statement, 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.960 this verse 1. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:27.980 But God remembered Noah. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:31.080 And this whole thing is intended to point out 00:18:31.080 --> 00:18:34.340 the fact that this main point is God's grace, 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:36.200 his remembering Noah. 00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:37.820 And when God remembers something, 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.940 he shows mercy. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:42.060 He reaffirms his resolute commitment to his people. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.200 And so that's what we see. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:47.340 It's the beginning of recreation in chapter 8, verse 1. 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:50.359 And remember how the Spirit of God 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:52.740 was hovering over the watery chaos, right? 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.259 And preparing the world 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.919 for the creative work of the Father. 00:18:56.459 --> 00:18:58.259 And so now we see here, again, 00:18:58.439 --> 00:18:59.779 the wind of God, it says, 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:01.159 was blowing over the earth. 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.740 Wind, the same word as Spirit. 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:06.579 Preparing the way for the recreation of the world. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.720 And that's probably why 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:10.519 Moses structured it this way, 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:13.839 to have every aspect of the decreation of the earth 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.679 have a corresponding element 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:18.319 to show that the recreation also is complete. 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:20.019 God's merciful, he's gracious. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:23.919 And so he says in chapter 8, verse 17 to Noah, 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:26.759 bring out with you every living thing 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:28.159 that is with you of all flesh, 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.119 birds and animals, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:31.139 and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:32.659 that they may swarm on the earth 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:35.119 and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:37.980 And then chapter 9, verses 1 to 3, 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:41.759 mirrors God's charge that he gave to Adam and Eve 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:44.160 after creating the heavens and the earth, 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:47.500 to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.779 And the fear of you and the dread of you 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.619 shall be upon every beast of the earth 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.539 and upon every bird of the heavens, 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.879 upon everything that creeps on the ground 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:57.160 and all the fish of the sea. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.640 Into your hand they are delivered. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:02.220 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.079 And as I gave you the green plants, 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.819 I give you everything. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:09.559 So God's now recreating the earth 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:11.179 and giving them a new cultural mandate, 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:13.919 new charge to go and rule over the earth. 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:17.079 But it's not an exact repetition 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:19.319 of the original cultural mandate. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:22.700 There seems to be a further change, 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:26.059 a further deterioration of the relationship 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.399 between man and animals. 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:30.159 And we see this in the fact that God gives mankind 00:20:30.159 --> 00:20:32.500 not only the fruit and vegetation to eat, 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.460 as he did earlier, 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:36.700 now he gives them animals to eat as well, 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:38.980 which is a change in their previous relationship 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.920 to the rest of creation. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.539 There is now, it appears, 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:44.640 a violent struggle between the animals and mankind. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.440 And this is echoing, of course, 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.759 the enmity that Genesis 3.15 predicted 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.160 between the offspring of the serpent 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:54.880 and the offspring of the woman. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:59.160 And because of that, 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:02.480 the language of fear and dread is used, 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.600 which are military terms. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.899 He says that animals will dread and fear man. 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:09.839 And, but even as in Genesis 2, 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.379 when God commanded Adam and Eve 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.419 to eat of all the fruit 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.939 and all the trees in the garden, 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:18.019 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.199 in the same way here, 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:21.480 God's generous provision to eat of all these animals 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.639 comes with a prohibition. 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:23.740 It is that, 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:26.299 but you shall not eat flesh with its life, 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.419 that is its blood. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.859 Chapter 9, verse 4, right? 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.839 Blood signifies life, right? 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.720 Just as a heartbeat and a pulse today 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:36.500 is the surest sign of someone's life, right? 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:38.379 So out of respect for life, 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.799 and more importantly, 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.000 out of respect for the author of life, 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.019 the giver of life, 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:45.279 God forbids the consumption of blood. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:48.639 And this doesn't mean just 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:50.699 that you have to worry about your soul 00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:52.419 because you've eaten a rare steak 00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:55.359 or blood pudding or blood sausage, right? 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:55.899 And you guys have, 00:21:55.959 --> 00:21:56.919 some of you guys have eaten that. 00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.519 And because reason for that 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:00.579 is that this law was intended to point to 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.400 and be fulfilled by Jesus, 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.619 as we will see later. 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.799 That's why you can eat 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.940 and elaborate on that later. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:09.480 So in order to curb this now, 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:12.619 newfound violence between animals and mankind, 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.759 in order to protect humanity, 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.240 create an image of God, 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.680 God issues this decree 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.539 in chapter 9, verses 5 to 7. 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:22.319 And for your lifeblood, 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:24.399 I will require a reckoning. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.220 From every beast, 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.220 I will require it. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.139 And from man, 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:30.000 from his fellow man, 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.899 I will require a reckoning 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.980 for the life of man. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:35.359 Whoever sheds the blood of man, 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.759 by man shall his blood be shed. 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:40.519 For God made man in his own image. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.480 And you, 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.859 be fruitful and multiply, 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.440 increase greatly on the earth 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:46.119 and multiply in it. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.000 Right? 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.039 So the proliferation of animals on the earth 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.700 is not to get in the way of 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:53.259 or impede human proliferation. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.180 And so God, 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.880 in order to make provision for that, 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.839 God says he will punish 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:59.599 even the animals who kill man. 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.319 And he demands this, 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.559 not just of animals, 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.319 but also from men. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:06.059 And there's a threefold repetition here as well. 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.779 A reckoning, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.619 of the word reckoning. 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:11.200 And the word translated fellow here 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:14.079 is actually the same word for brother. 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.579 So if you remember, 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.659 you know, 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:18.119 story of Cain and Abel, 00:23:18.199 --> 00:23:19.599 Abel murders his brother. 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.119 And so here he's saying that 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.359 the humanity is your brother. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.939 It's the family that God created. 00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:26.119 And how heinous is it then 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:29.839 to kill your fellow human? 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:32.039 And he says that God would demand 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:34.139 a reckoning from them all. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.179 And the grounds, 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:38.659 the reason for this reckoning is this. 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:42.879 For God made man in his own image. 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.280 Right. 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:45.520 The severity of the punishment 00:23:45.520 --> 00:23:46.400 is due to the fact 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:48.640 of their transcendent value 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.960 because they're created 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:51.360 in the very image of God. 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.580 And that's why, 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:53.940 you know, 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:56.000 even though animal blood may be shed, 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:58.000 human blood may not even be shed. 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.860 Like animal blood cannot be eaten, 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.800 but they can still be shed. 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:02.660 The human blood may not even be shed. 00:24:03.260 --> 00:24:03.880 And this is, 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:04.980 this biblical principle 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.400 is actually the reason why, 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:06.960 historically, 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.940 every manslaughtering animal 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.620 was put down. 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.059 Right. 00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:11.099 It's, 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.359 it's, 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:11.699 it's, 00:24:11.739 --> 00:24:13.319 it's an enactment of this decree, 00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:13.939 a commandment. 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:15.919 But because people have lost sight 00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:17.819 of the value of the human life, 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:20.239 now we now have far different sentiments. 00:24:20.239 --> 00:24:20.559 Right. 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.739 When you hear stories of, 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:21.979 you know, 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.019 animals being put down 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.899 because of interaction with humans. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.719 Some people will not say things like this. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.319 The animals are just being animals 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.819 and doing what animals do. 00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:31.419 It's the careless humans 00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:32.859 who didn't take proper precaution 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.559 that are to blame. 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:35.239 And we should spare the animals. 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.539 I mean, 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.839 you guys have probably heard this, 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.119 right, 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:38.519 from all kinds of different stories, 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:38.959 news stories. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.640 Well, 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:41.579 God does care about all animal life. 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.960 And we see this very clearly 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.620 in the story of Noah, 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.819 probably clearly here, 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.660 more clearly here 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.680 than anywhere else in scripture. 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.539 So we see this in the fact 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:50.480 that God specifically instructs Noah 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.819 to spare the animals. 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.680 He brings a pair of every animal 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.019 so that they can survive the flood. 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.819 And not only that, 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.039 does he make a covenant, 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.900 not just with Noah and his offspring, 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:02.440 but also with every living creature 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.279 that is with Noah. 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:03.940 Chapter 9, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.440 verse 10. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.140 So then animal abuse 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.400 is an abomination, 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.220 according to scripture. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:10.039 We are to be good stewards 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.000 of animals. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:14.160 But that should not keep us 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.940 from teaching the fact 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.380 that there is a clear hierarchy. 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:20.600 Human life is far more valuable 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.380 than animal life 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:23.660 because humanity is created 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.640 in the image of God. 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:27.339 And we should not risk human life, 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.620 the well-being of humanity, 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:30.980 for the sake of preserving the animals. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:33.980 There is something profoundly disordered 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:36.000 about a person 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.400 who treats animals 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.620 with greater affection 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.380 and respect 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.579 than fellow human beings. 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.940 That is outside of the creative order 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.799 that God intended. 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.279 And the fact that man and woman 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.360 are created in the image of God 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:48.160 is also why, 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.839 historically, 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.360 capital punishment 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.339 has been enforced 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.000 throughout the world. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.319 This doesn't mean 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.039 that you have to be 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.539 a political proponent 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.420 of capital punishment 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.140 today 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.779 in this precise context 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.880 because 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:03.279 just administration 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.220 of capital punishment 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.259 requires 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.740 a just government, 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.920 an equitable government. 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.640 And some people 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.380 are not convinced 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.759 that their respective governments 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.079 have a just system. 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.019 Now, with that said, 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.319 however, 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.480 this teaching does mean 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.400 that you can't, 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.440 on the principle 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.579 of sanctity of life, 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.619 oppose capital punishment. 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.739 Because it's 00:26:22.739 --> 00:26:24.419 the very sanctity of life 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.399 that is the basis 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.839 for God's decree here 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.779 of capital punishment. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.000 It's because man 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.739 is so supremely valuable 00:26:30.739 --> 00:26:31.759 as being created 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.539 in the image of God 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.559 that when you harm, 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.639 when you kill a man, 00:26:34.719 --> 00:26:35.839 you deserve to pay it 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.559 with your own blood. 00:26:37.959 --> 00:26:38.559 So then, 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.159 in this manner, 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.679 the life of 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.639 the recreated earth 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.099 begins 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.859 with the new commandments 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.799 that echo 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.099 the first commandment 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:47.279 in Genesis 2. 00:26:48.179 --> 00:26:48.859 And it seems 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.319 that Noah 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.679 has fulfilled his destiny. 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.640 If you remember 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.180 from last week, 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.920 Noah's name means rest 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.920 and it rhymes with, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.440 and it sounds like the phrase, 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.880 this one shall bring us 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.299 relief from our work. 00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:01.860 And so you see this 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.560 in chapter 8, 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.940 verses 20 to 21. 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.920 Turn that part with me, 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.900 8, 20 to 21. 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.400 Noah builds an altar 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.380 and then sacrifices 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.960 some of the clean animals 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.440 and birds. 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.860 And this seems 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.340 to be the reason 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:14.440 why he took extra 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.299 of the clean birds 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.660 and animals 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.220 into the ark, 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:17.560 not just one pair, 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.340 but seven pairs. 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:20.019 When he offers 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.019 the sacrifice, 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.859 it says that 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:23.279 the Lord smelled 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:24.459 the pleasing aroma 00:27:24.459 --> 00:27:26.339 and said in his heart, 00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:27.779 I will never again 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.519 curse the ground 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.319 because of man, 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.500 for the intention 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.319 of man's heart 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.839 is evil from his youth. 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.619 Neither will I ever again 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.220 strike down 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.039 every living creature 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:37.699 as I have done. 00:27:38.459 --> 00:27:39.899 The pleasing aroma, 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.579 the word used 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.679 to describe the aroma here, 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.019 literally means 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.980 to pacify 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.359 or propitiate, 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.679 to satisfy 00:27:46.679 --> 00:27:47.659 someone's wrath 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.119 or anger. 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.879 And more literally, 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.619 it means rest giving. 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.779 It comes from 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.799 the exact same word 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:55.039 that Noah comes from. 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:57.019 So Noah is offering 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:59.539 a Noahic sacrifice 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:01.399 and it brings rest. 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.559 God's satisfied 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.559 by his offering. 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:05.319 And in doing so, 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.979 Noah secures 00:28:05.979 --> 00:28:07.259 God's gracious disposition 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.099 toward the rest 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.619 of creation. 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:11.000 And check out 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.939 the wording here. 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.699 Previously in chapter 6, 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.279 verse 5, 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.119 it said a very similar thing. 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.480 It said that 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.500 every intention 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.220 of the thought 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.980 of man's heart 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.839 was only evil continually. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.759 You mentioned the evil 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.680 intention of the human heart. 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.399 But in chapter 6, 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.019 verse 5, 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.119 that that statement 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.879 was given 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.940 as a reason 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.960 for God's judgment. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.639 Because the man's 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.319 intention of the heart 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.740 is evil, 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.680 God will not judge 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.180 the earth. 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.519 But now here 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.700 in chapter 8, 21, 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.319 the same observation 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.759 is made. 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.559 It says the intention 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.240 of man's heart 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.879 is evil from his youth. 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.160 But instead of sending 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.960 another judgment, 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.880 God promises, 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.500 I will never again 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.460 curse the ground 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:49.120 because of man. 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.700 What happened? 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.240 What's the change? 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.680 Humanity hasn't changed. 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.579 Why does God 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.380 treat them differently? 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.380 And it seems 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.319 that narrative suggests 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.400 it's Noah's 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:59.039 rest-giving sacrifice. 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:00.240 He's interceding 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.779 on behalf of humanity, 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.940 making atonement, 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.200 really, 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.880 for the sins 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.840 of the earth. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.500 And in doing so, 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:05.980 he secures 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.440 that God 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:07.500 will never again 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.240 destroy the earth 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.840 in the same way 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:09.259 he did 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.660 with the flood. 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:12.720 And so he gives 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.240 a sign 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.259 of the covenant, 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.080 the bow, 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.800 which is referring 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.580 to the rainbow. 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:19.000 Just as rainbow appears 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.000 when it is light 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.519 penetrating the clouds, 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.060 the water, 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.860 it is reflected 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.120 by the water, 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.540 it will cause God 00:29:26.540 --> 00:29:27.540 to remember his covenant. 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.360 And this is really, 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.620 it parallels what God 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.600 does in his act 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.160 of creation, 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.080 doesn't it? 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.860 So he speaks, 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.060 let there be light 00:29:34.060 --> 00:29:35.440 into watery chaos. 00:29:35.560 --> 00:29:36.000 In the same way 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.440 the rainbow, 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.539 the light now comes 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.799 into the water, 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.839 piercing the water 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.900 and the clouds. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.200 And so again, 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.240 it's God establishing 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:45.099 his re-creation 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:46.640 of the earth. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:48.859 But, 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:53.140 if Noah brings 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.180 earthly rest, 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.480 he still fails 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.079 to bring 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.660 heavenly rest. 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:02.140 Though his intercession 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:03.460 and propitiating sacrifice 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:05.119 is good, 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.899 and he ensures 00:30:05.899 --> 00:30:06.459 that the earth 00:30:06.459 --> 00:30:07.379 will not again 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:07.919 be cursed 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.959 with a flood, 00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:11.919 the original curse 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.779 of Genesis 3 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.659 still remains. 00:30:15.459 --> 00:30:16.519 Creation is still 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.519 alienated from God. 00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:19.159 And the intention 00:30:19.159 --> 00:30:19.839 of man's heart 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.719 is still evil. 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.739 So then how can we 00:30:22.739 --> 00:30:24.000 find eternal rest? 00:30:24.719 --> 00:30:25.679 How can humanity 00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:26.359 be saved? 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:28.579 And if we think 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.019 for a moment 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.599 that Noah 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.879 can once again 00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:32.399 come to our deliverance, 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.519 we are immediately 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.919 disappointed in chapter 9, 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:36.380 verses 18 to 29, 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:38.980 Noah invents 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.800 viticulture, 00:30:40.060 --> 00:30:40.940 which is in and of 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.660 itself a blessing. 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.320 He says, 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.660 wine gladdens 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.420 the heart of man 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.279 according to Psalm 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.220 104, 15. 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.440 However, 00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:49.019 Noah becomes 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.360 a drunk. 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:53.279 And in his state 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.680 of drunkenness, 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:56.080 he exposes himself. 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.120 And Scripture 00:30:58.120 --> 00:30:59.480 consistently 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.360 and frequently 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:01.700 warns of the dangers 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.180 of wine, 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.700 even though wine 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.680 itself is not evil. 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:04.580 The dangers 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.819 of inordinate drinking 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.860 and consequent 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.759 drunkenness 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.740 are always condemned 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.480 throughout Scripture, 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.400 especially 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:13.340 when that drunkenness 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.680 leads to public exposure, 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:15.860 as it does. 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.840 Habakkuk 2, 15 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.559 talks about that. 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.920 Lamentations 4, 21 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.620 talks about that. 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.420 And so Noah 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.120 is here clearly 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.840 being condemned 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.420 with people 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.380 because it's written 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:24.860 to an audience 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.340 who knows 00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:26.720 the law of Moses. 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:29.019 And then his son, 00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.400 Ham, 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.279 commits an even 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.240 graver crime. 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.759 Instead of, 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.019 you know, 00:31:33.100 --> 00:31:33.960 discreetly covering 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.839 up his father, 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:37.120 he goes over 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.799 to his brothers 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.960 and makes a public 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.180 spectacle of his father. 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.880 But his other brothers, 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:46.019 Shem and Japheth, 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:47.819 are more honorable 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.900 and in fact, 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.960 it's a really 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.799 awkward picture, 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.799 but they're walking 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.559 in backwards, 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.440 you know, 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.519 trying not to look 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.120 at the nakedness 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.559 of their father 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.400 and he covers him. 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.039 Right? 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.559 They cover him. 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.579 And so, 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.799 and then because of, 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.880 as a result of this, 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.460 Ham, 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.259 who is the father 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.819 of Canaan, 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.539 and Canaan 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:07.720 is cursed by Noah 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.500 once he finds out 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.120 what has happened. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.759 And this account 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.539 is included here 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:13.079 to tell the Israelites 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.920 in the wilderness 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:15.740 who's the original 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.559 audience of Moses 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.799 that it is their 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.700 God-given destiny 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:20.059 to go and conquer Canaan, 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.839 which is occupied 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.700 by the descendants 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.640 of cursed Ham. 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.519 And they are 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.259 the descendants of Shem. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:24.980 So that's what's 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.100 going on 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.740 with that passage. 00:32:26.959 --> 00:32:27.759 So if this is 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.359 what happened, 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:32.439 then what Psalm 14, 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.259 2-3 teaches 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.599 is sadly all too true. 00:32:34.719 --> 00:32:35.500 And it describes 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.839 even Noah and his sons 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:38.000 that the Lord 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.559 looks down from heaven 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.559 on the children of man 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.759 to see if there are 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.899 any who understand, 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.159 who seek after God. 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:46.319 They have all turned aside. 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.639 Together, 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.000 they have become corrupt. 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:50.579 There is none 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.839 who does good, 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.839 not even one. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.259 And if God 00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:58.759 is the sovereign judge 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.659 of all creation 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:01.419 who saves the righteous, 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:04.439 how can we 00:33:04.439 --> 00:33:05.599 who are not righteous 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:07.639 be saved? 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:12.319 But praise be to God, 00:33:12.699 --> 00:33:13.579 there is someone 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:15.379 who is even more righteous 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:15.919 than Noah, 00:33:16.439 --> 00:33:18.819 one who does good 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.939 and is not corrupt. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.179 And that's Jesus, 00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:22.480 our Savior. 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.059 And in Romans 3, 00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.759 10-12, 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:26.240 Paul quotes Psalm 14. 00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.220 And he says, 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.079 None is righteous, 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.859 no, not one. 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:29.720 No one understands. 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.179 No one seeks for God. 00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:32.480 All have turned aside. 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:32.819 Together, 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:33.819 they have become worthless. 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.099 No one does good, 00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:35.879 not even one. 00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:37.159 But then later, 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.159 he continues, 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.500 verses 21-26. 00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:40.519 But now, 00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.679 the righteousness 00:33:41.679 --> 00:33:42.899 of God 00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:43.819 has been manifested 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.779 apart from the law. 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:46.279 The righteousness of God 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.039 through faith 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.940 in Jesus Christ 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.859 for all who believe. 00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:50.539 For there is no distinction 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.920 for all have sinned 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.700 and fall short 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.619 of the glory of God 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:54.579 and are justified 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.660 by His grace 00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:56.379 as a gift 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:57.420 through the redemption 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:59.099 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:00.980 whom God put forward 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.559 as a propitiation 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.740 by His blood 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:04.859 to be received 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.799 by faith. 00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.379 This was to show 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.219 God's righteousness 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.820 because in His divine forbearance 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.639 He had passed over 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.440 former sins. 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.500 It was to show 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.199 His righteousness 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.179 at the present time 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.119 so that He might be 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:16.460 the just and the justifier 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:16.960 of the one 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:19.099 who has faith in Jesus. 00:34:19.919 --> 00:34:20.440 We're asking, 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.480 how can a just, 00:34:21.839 --> 00:34:22.460 righteous God 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:24.219 spare a sinful world? 00:34:24.339 --> 00:34:25.879 How can He spare Noah 00:34:25.879 --> 00:34:26.960 and his offspring 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:28.480 who are also prone, 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.779 who are not immune to sin? 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:32.339 It's because God 00:34:32.339 --> 00:34:33.339 was looking ahead 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:35.480 forward to the propitiation, 00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:36.619 the sacrifice 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.259 that Jesus, 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.039 His Son, 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.559 would make. 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:40.419 And Noah's sacrifice 00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:40.779 is, 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:42.219 it foreshadows that, 00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:43.719 is a type of the sacrifice 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:44.659 that Christ would make. 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.579 And that's why 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.759 in Leviticus 17, 00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.139 11, 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:48.119 He explains further 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:48.779 the significance 00:34:48.779 --> 00:34:49.379 of the blood 00:34:49.379 --> 00:34:50.599 that this passage mentions. 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:51.799 It's that the life 00:34:51.799 --> 00:34:52.480 of the flesh 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.239 is in the blood 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:55.339 and God has given it to us 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:56.779 for the altar 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.659 to make atonement 00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:58.419 for our souls. 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:59.980 The blood is intended 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.980 to make atonement 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.159 for our souls 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:04.579 and Noah's propitiating sacrifice 00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:05.459 as well as all 00:35:05.459 --> 00:35:06.799 the Old Testament sacrifices 00:35:06.799 --> 00:35:07.959 point ultimately 00:35:07.959 --> 00:35:09.379 to Jesus' sacrifice 00:35:09.379 --> 00:35:10.259 on the cross 00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:12.180 as the Lamb of God 00:35:12.180 --> 00:35:13.040 who takes away 00:35:13.040 --> 00:35:14.040 the sin of the world. 00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:16.140 So then it's 00:35:16.140 --> 00:35:17.280 through His spilling 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:18.100 of His blood 00:35:18.100 --> 00:35:20.000 that we 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:22.000 are cleansed 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.500 from our sin, 00:35:22.620 --> 00:35:23.540 washed from our sins. 00:35:23.540 --> 00:35:24.420 And it's through 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.220 the expiration 00:35:25.220 --> 00:35:26.400 of His life 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:29.120 that we find 00:35:29.120 --> 00:35:30.100 heavenly rest, 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.520 eternal life, 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.160 communion 00:35:32.160 --> 00:35:33.160 with God. 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:35.340 Noah might have 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:35.980 spared humanity 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.640 from the judgment 00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:37.280 of the flood, 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:39.420 but He was not able, 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.120 He was inadequate 00:35:40.120 --> 00:35:40.980 to save them 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:42.240 from God's ultimate judgment, 00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:43.500 eternal damnation 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.740 and separation from God. 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:46.019 But Christ 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.780 is the better, 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.000 greater Noah 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.620 who could save 00:35:48.620 --> 00:35:49.320 all those 00:35:49.320 --> 00:35:50.600 who entrust themselves 00:35:50.600 --> 00:35:51.640 to Him 00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:53.220 and His blood 00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:54.340 is sufficient. 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:55.100 It's the wellspring 00:35:55.100 --> 00:35:55.760 of eternal life. 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.220 It's sufficient 00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:57.019 for all of us 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.760 no matter how 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:59.220 great a sinner we are. 00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:00.800 So I want to ask you then, 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.720 would you come to Him? 00:36:03.620 --> 00:36:04.920 Would you come to Him today? 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.900 If you're not yet 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:07.860 a follower of Jesus, 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:09.960 don't delay, 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.880 don't wait indefinitely 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.659 for a sign 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:13.480 because in Luke 17, 00:36:13.700 --> 00:36:15.059 Jesus compares 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.139 His second coming 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:17.300 to the flood. 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.200 It says, 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.800 Just as it was 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.720 in the days of Noah, 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.700 so will it be 00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:23.240 in the days 00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:24.039 of the Son of Man. 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:25.019 They were eating 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:25.940 and drinking 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.659 and marrying 00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:27.900 and being given in marriage 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.099 until the day 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:30.280 when Noah entered the ark 00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:31.240 and the flood came 00:36:31.240 --> 00:36:32.480 and destroyed them all. 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:34.719 Jesus is saying 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:35.639 that just as no one 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.639 expected the flood, 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.179 no one knows 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:39.320 when Jesus will come 00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:40.519 and He will return. 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.599 His return 00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.539 will be unexpected. 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.039 It will come 00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:44.280 when no one's expecting Him. 00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:47.179 And the biggest hindrance 00:36:47.179 --> 00:36:48.159 to our faith in Him 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.860 and following Him 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:50.260 is not some heinous evil. 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.179 It's the eating 00:36:51.179 --> 00:36:51.760 and drinking 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:52.460 and going about 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.440 our daily business. 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.800 Are you delaying? 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:58.940 Are you going about 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.699 your daily business 00:36:59.699 --> 00:37:00.440 not knowing 00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:01.039 that a flood 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.719 is upon you? 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:08.119 Today, 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:09.360 if you come 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.260 to His righteousness, 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.579 if you forsake 00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.579 your own righteousness 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.460 and come to Him 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:15.480 for His righteousness, 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:17.019 then you can find 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:18.320 salvation this day. 00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.579 If you are 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.780 already a believer, 00:37:26.059 --> 00:37:26.599 a follower of Christ, 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.079 there's encouragement 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:28.059 for us in this passage 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.480 as well. 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:31.179 1 Peter 3, 18-21, 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:31.639 it says, 00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:32.539 God's patience 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.739 waited in the days 00:37:33.739 --> 00:37:34.219 of Noah 00:37:34.219 --> 00:37:35.259 while the ark 00:37:35.259 --> 00:37:36.119 was being prepared 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:37.139 in which a few, 00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:38.159 that is eight persons, 00:37:38.239 --> 00:37:39.159 were brought safely 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:39.719 through water. 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:41.879 Actually, 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:43.099 this is an encouragement 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.019 for those who are 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.659 not yet saved 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.219 as well. 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:45.480 It says, 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:46.639 but baptism, 00:37:46.879 --> 00:37:47.739 which corresponds 00:37:47.739 --> 00:37:48.159 to this, 00:37:48.219 --> 00:37:49.219 now saves you 00:37:49.219 --> 00:37:50.279 not as a removal 00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.359 of dirt from the body 00:37:51.359 --> 00:37:52.119 but as an appeal 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.599 to God 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.579 for a good conscience 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:54.599 through the resurrection 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.679 of Jesus Christ. 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:57.819 So he's comparing here 00:37:57.819 --> 00:37:59.299 the flood 00:37:59.299 --> 00:38:00.179 and how people 00:38:00.179 --> 00:38:01.299 come through death 00:38:01.299 --> 00:38:01.799 to life, 00:38:01.899 --> 00:38:02.440 through the flood 00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.279 to baptism. 00:38:03.859 --> 00:38:04.839 And when you decide 00:38:04.839 --> 00:38:05.440 to get baptized 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.559 and to follow Jesus 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.460 by taking that step 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:07.940 of faith, 00:38:08.359 --> 00:38:09.239 you are buried 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:09.719 with Him 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.599 in His death 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.619 by going under water 00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:12.639 and then you come out 00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:14.559 to His resurrection life. 00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.899 That joy 00:38:15.899 --> 00:38:16.539 and privilege 00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:17.119 of new life 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.519 and salvation 00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.219 can be yours. 00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:20.139 And if you have 00:38:20.139 --> 00:38:20.839 entrusted yourself 00:38:20.839 --> 00:38:21.359 to Jesus, 00:38:21.619 --> 00:38:22.279 then you find 00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:23.059 encouragement 00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:24.099 in 2 Peter 2, 00:38:24.199 --> 00:38:24.759 4-10. 00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:25.400 It says, 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:27.139 God preserved Noah, 00:38:27.279 --> 00:38:28.299 a herald of righteousness, 00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:29.599 with seven others 00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:30.420 when He brought 00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:31.460 a flood upon the world 00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.579 of the ungodly. 00:38:33.219 --> 00:38:33.639 Then, 00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:35.139 the Lord knows 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:36.039 how to rescue 00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:36.679 the godly 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:37.460 from trials. 00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:40.279 Are you grieved 00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:41.639 by trials? 00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.099 Are you grieved 00:38:43.099 --> 00:38:43.980 by the injustice, 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:46.940 the immorality, 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:48.380 the violence 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.599 you see all around you? 00:38:50.799 --> 00:38:52.440 God can preserve you 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:53.599 in the midst of that 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:56.059 because He preserved Noah 00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.960 in the world 00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.820 of ungodliness, 00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.579 wickedness. 00:38:58.960 --> 00:39:00.179 So don't lose your hope. 00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:01.360 Recognize that 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.780 your momentary affliction 00:39:02.780 --> 00:39:03.940 is bearing for yourself, 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:04.559 preparing you 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.400 for the eternal weight 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:05.860 of glory 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:07.159 that will be revealed. 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:10.360 Maybe you are grieved 00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:11.579 not by your surroundings 00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:13.400 but by your own 00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:14.240 besetting sins. 00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:16.079 You struggle with guilt 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:17.780 and shame 00:39:17.780 --> 00:39:18.900 of what you've done. 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:20.380 You feel unworthy 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:21.280 to approach God 00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:21.760 in worship 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:22.860 and prayer. 00:39:24.740 --> 00:39:25.980 Then we ought to remember 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.980 that it was never 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:27.960 our righteousness 00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.300 that was the basis 00:39:29.300 --> 00:39:30.420 for our approaching God 00:39:30.420 --> 00:39:30.840 but it was 00:39:30.840 --> 00:39:31.940 Christ's righteousness. 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.460 It's the atonement 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.460 that Christ makes 00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:36.780 as the sacrificial 00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:37.460 lamb of God. 00:39:37.580 --> 00:39:38.560 That is the basis 00:39:38.560 --> 00:39:39.519 for acceptance of God. 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.900 That's the propitiation 00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:42.180 of God's wrath. 00:39:42.620 --> 00:39:43.340 So place your hope 00:39:43.340 --> 00:39:44.340 in Christ today then 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:45.500 and not on your own 00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:45.880 righteousness 00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:47.380 and go to Him 00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:48.340 unreservedly 00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:49.920 without fear 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.900 and He will prove 00:39:51.900 --> 00:39:52.380 to you 00:39:52.380 --> 00:39:53.640 to be a sure 00:39:53.640 --> 00:39:54.920 Savior and deliverer. 00:39:55.680 --> 00:39:56.760 Let's pray together. 00:39:56.760 --> 00:40:16.380 God, we want to be 00:40:16.380 --> 00:40:17.680 your subjects 00:40:17.680 --> 00:40:18.920 who fit snugly 00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:20.420 into your creation plan. 00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:28.780 we've seen 00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:30.320 your judgment 00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.320 of the creation 00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:32.340 and your grace 00:40:32.340 --> 00:40:33.300 and recreation 00:40:33.300 --> 00:40:35.200 but most importantly 00:40:35.200 --> 00:40:35.860 we have seen 00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:37.300 you have made us 00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:38.300 into a new creation 00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:39.019 through Jesus 00:40:39.019 --> 00:40:42.700 with a new heart 00:40:42.700 --> 00:40:44.940 with a new spirit. 00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:50.260 help us now 00:40:50.260 --> 00:40:50.860 to live 00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:51.800 by the power 00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:52.519 of your spirit 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:54.539 in obedience. 00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:59.340 Enable us 00:40:59.340 --> 00:41:00.599 by your preserving grace 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.320 to persevere 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.119 in this life 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:03.659 in righteousness 00:41:03.659 --> 00:41:04.519 and holiness 00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:06.240 for your glory. 00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:08.039 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:08.940 Amen.