The Next Chapter - God's Big Picture, Ch 3
The Promised Kingdom
Furthermore, He has exhibited grace in all of His dealings with the children He created; from clothing for Adam and Eve, to the mark of protection on Cain, to Enoch's intimate relationship with God. God does not abandon those He loves. There may be consequences for their rebellion, but the consequences do not mitigate His promises or His grace. He is faithful to his promises for His name's sake.
As God patiently moves forward with His plan of redemption, He forms a covenant with Noah, promising to preserve Noah and his family as He destroys the rest of the human race, then promising never to flood the world again. God gives a sign as a reminder, the rainbow. Mankind has a fresh start. Grace is on display!
Note, all the covenants formed between God and man in the Bible are initiated by God, none by man. A covenant is an agreement between two parties with the dominant party setting the guidelines and conditions and the receiving party receiving the benefit, in many cases, if he meets the terms of the covenant. In some others, the covenant is initiated by God and completed unconditionally. A covenant is not a negotiation nor is it an agreement of two equals. Covenants are in effect until the initiating party dies. God never dies. So it follows that His covenants never end. Opinions on how this works out in history vary.Another pattern of Godly character emerges. We see sin, then judgment, then grace. Notice, though, that God always chooses who receives grace (Rom 9:15-16).
We see this type of grace in God's choosing Abraham and making a covenant with him. We also see the grace-pattern in that the covenant with Abraham comes after the Tower of Babel incident. God judges the sin and pride of man in Babel but He does not destroy mankind. Instead, He shows His grace by forming a covenant with a nondescript individual, one that actually guarantees the survival of the human race. One of the blessings of that covenant is that it insures His people, God's own people, that they will become a mighty nation. God will give them land (a home) and bless them while blessing through them as well. God's people are meant to be vessels of blessing to all nations and peoples of the world. This covenant promises an everlasting kingdom of God and a home for His children in that kingdom.
Yet another pattern emerges, Abraham accepts the covenant and the promises that accompany it by faith. He believes God will do what He says He will do, just as Noah did. Both are imperfect men, chosen not because of any distinguishing characteristics or abilities, by solely by God's grace. Grace is received by faith. Later, Paul will tell us the very faith that allows us to receive His grace...comes from God (Eph 2:8) .
Points to ponder
- Is the manner in which Noah and Abraham were chosen pertinent to us?
- What implications arise when we see that God's redemptive purpose and plan were in place prior to creation?
- Here, in these early chapters, we see a number of patterns emerging. Do you see any additional patterns? How do these patterns reveal the character and nature of God?
Posts
Chapter 2 might have been Martin Luther's chapter - the hopeless sinfulness of man. Chapter 3 is John Calvin's -- the focus turns to the absolute sovereignty of God. Neither man nor Satan can overturn God's plan to live eternally with His people.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many times man rebels against God, He will choose some as His own. Having made a promise to Abraham, that promise becomes a standard which allows main to measure the faithfulness of God, and to see His hand in the unfolding of history.
Charles Orndorff
Fascinating, Charles, and well said. I'm enjoying how the book can cause us to ponder other threads that run through the Bible. I love those threads. They hold the Bible together.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 2 the author states that in his mind Genesis 3 describes an actual event using symbolism" when it comes to the talking snake. Why couldn't there be a talking snake? In numbers God opened the donkeys mouth to talk.
ReplyDeleteErnest Ariola
IMO, the mark of a good author and biblical scholar is one who does his research and presents it plainly and succinctly, making it clear when he is interjecting his opinion. The whole issue of the serpent is a fascinating one with a wide variety of informed opinions concerning the details. Robert's is clear that his perspective in only his opinion. Still, he does adhere to the historical reality of the events in the opening chapters. His actual words are that there may be "some symbolism" in the descriptions. I'm not sure Roberts is saying there wasn't a talking snake. In any event, he does emphasize this point as opinion based on how one interprets the genre of Genesis 3. If it is narrative, then the events are described literally. If Gen 3 is poetry, there is more room and likelihood for symbolism. Scholars have been debating this issue for centuries. The two primary points he's trying to get across is that the serpent, Satan, was a created being and that the rest of Scripture takes the events described as actual, historic events.
ReplyDeleteHow many of us would make something for someone knowing full well they would destroy it? Yet as we read in Ephesians, even before the creation of the world God knew that man would fall to sin and as the author states, "God had already decided on a rescue operation". I am so thankful that even in my fallen state God did not wait for me to get my life together before accepting me. In spite of ourselves, God loves us and made a way for us to escape the judgement that we deserve. All that said we must understand it doesn't give us freedom from His judgement, that is part of His character, but so also is His grace. Thank you Lord.
ReplyDeleteErnest
Very well said!
ReplyDelete