So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. (Genesis 6:7-9)
The picture of humanity painted in Genesis 6 is not a pleasant one.
When reading about it, there was a great sense of sadness at just how far the effects of humanity’s corruption impacted creation. Having been given the responsibility to look after it in creation, such is the state of humanity’s corruption that even the beasts of the field and birds of the air will be affected by God’s solution to pollution.
It goes to show again, in as much as we don’t often acknowledge it, behaviour has consequences affecting far more than the person conducting the behaviour. Episodes of injustice and unfairness impacts the very environment that we live in.
This has not changed since Noah’s day. Sadly neither has the attitude of humanity which is not towards God, but against Him. The consequences of that are very evident in a world polluted with corruption. You can understand the heart of God that had made a world that He saw to be very good, grieved by how humanity has treated it – and continues to treat it.
It says much for the character of Noah, that he and his family are chosen to be rescued from that which will affect the rest of the creatures on the earth. It highlights clearly the character God looks for in those who will be rescued from that judgement.
Thank God for being rescued by Jesus. Now filled with His Spirit, let’s express that kind of character in our relationships with each other, the wider community and the world at large. One that rejects violence and corruption. One that walks in harmony with God to spread harmony in the world.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 