Repeated phrase:
I. "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" v.1, 7. That was repeated from the 1st creation. The purpose of mankind was also repeated here, namely, all the animals "are under your authority," v.2. What was new here? Animals would be terried of mankind v.2 and they were given to us as food v.3. Why? The Bible did not explain, but I guess when mankind started to eat meat. The animals were also started to eat meat (1:30). Man would be their food easily. If they were not afraid of man then man would have been a much harder time to rule over them.
Reflection: we thank God for the animals are scare of us (especially when we go hiking or go to the wilderness).
II. "Do not eat meat with blood in it" v.4, "for your lifeblood..." v.5, "From each person...for the life of the individual" v.6. If any one shed blood of another creatures God "will surely exact punishment" v.5. The reason is given in v.6
Whoever sheds human blood,
by other humans
must his blood be shed;
for in God’s image
God has made humankind.”
Reflection: Both man's blood and animal's blood are protected (in differenet way). God wanted us to know that every human are created by God. We should respect other human as God's image bearer. In addition to that, God also protect the animal. Even when we eat their meat, we should also respect their lives. Every time we eat meat we should think about the live-protecting God.
III. From v.7-16 God mentioned the coveant with mankind for 5 times, v.9, 11,12,13, 16 and in v.12 and 13 He set up the rainbow as the guarantee of the covenant.
(NET) The Hebrew word קֶשֶׁת (qeshet) normally refers to a warrior’s bow. Some understand this to mean that God the warrior hangs up his battle bow at the end of the flood, indicating he is now at peace with humankind, but others question the legitimacy of this proposal.
Reflection:God knows that mankind will not stop sinning. The violence of man or the sin in their mind 6:5 will not stop. The desire to wiping out of mankind and their sin will be continued. Therefore, He needed to established the covenant and the guarantee of the covenant with mankind.
After Jesus' second coming and the Millennium on earth, Satan would enticed man and revolt against God and then the whole earth would be destroyed. Believers would be with God in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Therefore, note here, God said, "Never again will the waters become a flood and destroy all living things" v.15. The earth will be destroyed in the future by fire, not be flood.
Until that time, God will bear with mankind with our sins and did not wipe us out. From the rainbow, we see the longbearing of God. He knows what we deserve but He bear with us and allows us to continue to live. That is mercy.
How shall we bear with other's sins and show mercy to others?
Audrey
Comments