After the Flood

• 1^st – About the animals… vs. 1-4 (4 points)
  • 1^st – Be fruitful and multiply… vs. 1
    • The first command from God after coming off the Ark – was a repeat of the first command!
    • Genesis 1:28 – “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth…”
    • The world Noah stepped into was VERY different – but the command was the same!
    • Because although the WORLD changes – the WORD of God never does!
    • Luke 21:33 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
    • Our culture should never be used to define the Word of God…
    • It is ALWAYS the Word of God that defines our culture – the Word NEVER changes!
  • 2^nd – The FEAR and DREAD of man shall be on all animals… vs.  2
    • As with Adam in the Garden God gives Noah authority over all the animals on earth…
    • But apparently for the first time the animals had a FEAR and DREAD (first in OT) of man…
    • Chances are because of what God would say next – animals are FOOD!
    • But man does have a responsibility to take care of the resources that God has given!
    • If someone entrusts us with an expensive tool – or family heirloom…
    • We do not just throw it aside – leave it out in the rain – carelessly handle it!
    • That DOES NOT mean we worship the creation (tree hugging) – it is JUST a TOOL…
    • But we need to take care of the creation God has put us in charge of!
  • 3^rd – Animals are FOOD… vs. 3
    • After the flood God gave Noah the command that everything – including animals – was FOOD
    • There is a good possibility that men were vegetarian before the flood…
    • This is the first command that God gives allowing man to eat meat!
    • What is allowed to be eaten – if it moves – we can eat it!
    • There is nothing that is forbidden to eat – it is all good – it is all FOOD!
    • I Timothy 4:4 – “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving…”
  • 4^th – The exception of the BLOOD… vs. 4
    • The ONE thing that was not to be eaten was the BLOOD of the animal…
    • The reason why God commanded Noah not to eat the blood – it carries the life!
    • The BLOOD was to be reserved as a picture for forgiveness – pointing to the sacrifice of Jesus!
    • The wages of sin is DEATH – Romans 6:23 – but we are forgiven by the BLOOD of Christ!
    • Hebrews 9:22 – “Without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins] …”
    • I Peter 1:18-19 – “[We] were not redeemed with corruptible things… but with the precious blood of Christ.”
    • But that is a bit concerning – as BLOOD is a common dish in the Philippines…
    • Does that mean that it is wrong to eat BLOOD – no more dinuguan!
    • Matthew 15:11 – “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
    • It is not what we eat that is a problem – it is what comes out of our mouth
    • The problem is not what is in our belly – but what is in our heart!
    • Luke 6:45 – “…For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
• 2^nd – About the  sanctity of life… vs. 5-7 (2 points)
  • 1^st – The death penalty… vs. 5-6
    • It appears that before the flood there was no government – no law…
      • Men could pretty much whatever they wanted…
      • Even murder without much consequence (Cain / Lamech) …
      • God now establishes the first universal law – it is concerning murder…
    • If a man – or an animal – kills another man – then his life will also be taken…
      • The first law God gave was for the governance of men is to protect life…
      • He does it through the deterrent of the death penalty for murder…
      • God here shows that nothing is more precious than human life…
      • The reason – man is created in the image of God: body / soul / spirit!
    • The government carries the sword – the authority to judge – even death penalty…
      • Romans 13:4 – “If you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain…”
      • As a general rule – if you do bad things – steel / murder / rape / cheat…
      • You have good reason to fear the government – because you are going to get caught…
      • And when you are caught – the government has the authority by GOD to punish you…
      • That includes the obligation to execute a person when they commit murder!
  • 2^nd – Be fruitful and multiply… vs. 7
    • Rather than murder (take lives) the command was instead to be fruitful (give life) …
    • I find this contrast powerful – as there is a raging debate today over being fruitful…
    • Does a woman have a right to terminate a pregnancy with an abortion
    • There are an estimated 400,000 abortions every year in the Philippines…
    • Worldwide it is estimated over 40 million abortions – babies are killed – every year!
    • The Bible could not be clearer – an unborn child is a human life – created in the image of God!
    • If you kill a child in the womb – its murder – and deserved the death penalty!
    • Psalms 139:13 – “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
• 3^rd – The covenant of God… vs. 8-17 (3 points)
  • 1^st – God made an COVENANT… vs. 8-11
    • Seven times in in these 10 verses God uses the word COVENANT – PAY ATTENTION!
    • COVENANT – used 284x in OT – a promise between God and Man…
    • WHO was the promise to – Noah / his descendants (seed) – that would be ALL mankind…
    • AS well as EVERY living creature – birds / cattle / beasts – everyone who was on the ARK!
    • What was the promise – God would never again destroy all life with a FLOOD!
  • 2^nd – The sign of the covenant – the rainbow… vs. 12-15
    • Rainbows form when sunlight hits rain – and it is refracted into the color spectrum…
      • Up until the flood there had been no rain – Genesis 2:5 – there had never been a rainbow…
      • God made His COVENANT to never flood the earth – and then put the proof in the skies!
    • We enjoy looking at rainbows – they are beautiful part of creation…
      • But we probably do not think of COVENANT God made when we see them…
      • Yet God has been faithful to His promise – the world has never been flooded again…
      • The next time you see a rainbow remember that God keeps His PROMISES!
      • II Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.”
    • The rainbow has been used as another symbol…
      • I am amazed that the symbol for the gay movement is the rainbow…
      • They flaunt their sin – almost daring God to judge them!
      • But it is a sad and foolish to mistake the longsuffering of God – for His acceptance…
      • Just because God has not judged yet – does not mean God will not judge – Numbers 32:22
  • 3^rd – It is an everlasting covenant… vs. 16-17
    • This was not short term promise – it was an EVERLASTING promise…
    • And it was a promise that in the mind of God – was already done – ETABLISHED (perfect)
    • It was not the last PROMISE – God made other COVENANTS with Abraham / Israel / David…
    • But the most important COVENANT of all – the New COVENANT in Jesus!
    • Just like how God made a COVENANT with Noah not to destroy the earth by flood…
    • He also made a COVENANT that He would take away our sins – Jeremiah 31:31-34
    • And just like the COVENANT to Noah – it is an EVERLASTING promise – it is already done!
• 4^th – The shame of Noah… vs. 18-29 (5 points)
  • 1^st – The sons of Noah… vs. 18-19
    • The sons of Noah were Shem – name / Ham – hot / and Japheth – opened
    • From these 3 men the whole world was populated (scattered) – more on this in chapter 10!
  • 2^nd – Noah began to farm… vs. 20-21
    • After the flood Noah took up farming – and he planted a vineyard – first use in OT…
    • He then drank some of the wine – first use in OT – and was drunk – first time in OT!
    • This is the first mention of drinking alcohol in the Bible…
    • When he had a bit too much of the wine – he passed out naked in his tent!
    • Some argue that the fermentation process was something new after the flood…
    • Maybe – or perhaps Noah knew and just had a bit too much to drink!
  • 3^rd – What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol…
    • The Bible does not say that it is wrong to drink alcohol…
      • Quite famously Jesus first miracle was to turn water into wine – John 2
      • The one exception is if you are a pastor – I Timothy 3:3
      • Likely because the Pastor is an example to the church – he is to drink no wine!
    • 1 – But do not to be drunk – Ephesians 5:18
      • When full of wine you will do things you will regret (and not remember) …
      • When you are full of the Spirit you will do great things for God that never fade!
    • 2 – Do not to stumble other brothers and sisters…
      • I Corinthians 8:13 – “If [drinking] makes my brother stumble, I will never again [drink], lest I make my brother stumble.”
      • We may have the liberty – and self-control – to drink moderately – occasionally…
      • But if my freedom in Christ causes someone else to sin – then I should not drink…
      • We cannot use our freedom in Christ – to destroy the faith of someone else!
    • 3 – Do what the Holy Spirit says…
      • Can you drink – wrong question / should you drink – right question…
      • I Corinthians 10:23 – “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”
      • As with all things – pray and ask the Lord if He wants us to drink…
      • If we can drink with a clear conscience – then no problem…
      • But if our drinking is controlling us – then we should ask for the Grace to stop!
      • I Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
  • 4^th – The CURSE of Canaan… vs. 22-25
    • Ham went into the tent and saw (imperfect) Noah lying there naked…
      • Saw – we might say he stared – it was not a quick look…
      • The suggestion is that Ham knew that his father was drunk (not easy to hide) …
      • He went in not out of respect – but in jest with no thought for the dignity of Noah…
      • He then went and ANNOUNCED (hiphil) it to his brothers – so they could see as well!
    • Shem and Japheth had much more respect…
      • They walked backwards into the tent and covered the nakedness of Noah…
      • They did in a way that made sure they would not disrespect their dad!
    • When Noah woke up he found out what had happened…
      • The response of Noah was to CURSE Canaan – the son of Ham…
      • Canaan was CURSED – not because of Noah – but because of the example of his father…
      • Ham had a bad heart – one that would rather mock than help his own dad…
      • Canaan was bound to be influences by the actions of Ham in his life!
      • Our kids will not grow up to do what we TELL them to do…
      • They will grow up to do what we have SHOWN them to do by our lifestyle…
      • If we tell our children to be honest – but we lie – they will grow up to be liars…
      • If we tell our kids to be kind – but we are cruel – they will grow up to be mean…
      • Our children are watching – learning – what example do we give to them!
  • 5^th – The BLESSING of Shem and Japheth… vs. 26-29
    • Noah then blessed the Lord – the God of Shem – meaning Shem followed the Lord…
      • And God enlarge Japheth – may he dwell in the tents of Shem – follow his example…
      • But the Canaan would be the servant to them both – more on that in a moment!
    • The fulfillment of the blessing – from Shem cam the line of Jesus – Luke 3:36
      • Because he was a godly example – Jesus was his great – great – great – etc. – grandson!
      • When we are a godly example to our children – they will grow up in Jesus…
      • When we live for Jesus – chances are so will our kids when they grow up!
• The sons of Noah… vs. 1
  • This is the genealogy of the sons of Noah…
    • What might seem like just a list of names is actually an unparalleled account in history…
    • Even non-Christians marvel at the accuracy of the list of in Genesis 10…
    • The 70 names given here represent all of the nationalities on earth…
    • It is the most accurate account of the origins of the nations of the World ever recorded!
    • It is the link between the pre-flood world and modern history!
    • Ever wondered which son of Noah you came from – here we find the answer!
  • Recorded by Shem…
    • Most likely Shem is the one who kept the record of Genesis 10
    • He lists his bothers Japheth and Ham first – up to the second and third generations…
    • It is thought that at this point the Tower of Babel occurred (chapter 11) …
    • Then Shem lists his own sons – up to the sixth generation!
• 5^th – The Sons of Japheth (the oldest) … vs. 2-5 (2 points)
  • 1^st – Japheth had 7 sons – was the forefather of the people who settled in EUROPE…
    • Gomer (and 3 sons – forefathers of the Germans / Scandinavians / and Turks) …
    • Magog (place of Gog) / Tubal / and Meschech 
      • Josephus says Magog was the forefather to the Scythians – modern Russians…
      • Tubal is thought to be preserved in the modern city Tobolsk – a city in Russia…
      • Meschech is thought to be preserved in the name Muscovy – modern day Russia…
      • It may also have become the name Moscow – capitol of Russia!
    • Madai (India and Persians) / Javan (and 4 sons – Greeks) / and Tiras…
  • 2^nd – Why do we care about these names…
    • The problem with names is that we are always changing them!
      • You have heard of the country of Germany – 100 years old – used to be called Prussia…
      • Turkey / Saudi Arabia / Qatar – 80 years old – used to be called Ottoman Empire…
      • If God wants to talk about a country in the Bible – what name does He use…
      • He goes back to the beginning – Genesis 10 – and uses their first names!
    • Especially important in Bible Prophecy…
      • Ezekiel 38:2-6 God tells us about an army that will attack Israel in the last days…
      • He even gives us the names of all of the countries that will ally against them…
      • Who are – Magog / Meschech / Tubal / Persia / Cush / Put / and Gomer…
      • They are all names from the list in Genesis chapter 10!
      • Modern day – Russia / Iran / Northern Africa / Ethiopia / Turkey!
      • The VERY nations we are allying against the nation of Israel today!
      • First this tells us that Jesus is coming VERY soon – MAGOG before the RAPTURE!
      • It also shows us even seemingly unimportant names in the Bible have a purpose!

• 6^th – The Sons of Ham (the youngest) … vs. 6-20 (2 points)
  • 1^st – Ham had 4 sons – was the forefather of the people who would settle in AFRICA…
    • Cush – (with his 6 sons – settled modern day Ethiopia) …
      • Including Nimrod – who was a mighty one on earth / mighty hunter before the Lord…
      • Men became scattered after the FLOOD – they were leaderless…
      • Nimrod became a mighty one – leader of men – uniting them against God!
      • He built 4 great cities in the plains of Shinar (Iraq)…
      • He would build a tower that was meant to reach to heaven – more on that in chapter 11!
    • The grandsons of Cush – Sheba and Dedan (34x in Bible – modern day Saudi Arabia)
    • Mizraim – (7 sons) settled in Egypt – from his son Casluhim came the Philistines…
    • Put (modern day Libya) – settled northern Africa
    • Canaan – (with his 11 sons) forefather of the Canaanite tribes in the land of Canaan…
    • Two of the sons Canaan moved further east – Hittite and Sinite
      • The forefathers of the Asian Pacific peoples (Philippines)
      • Hittite = Khittae – modern day Cathay (pacific airlines – Singapore)
      • Sinite = Sinim – modern day China (sinology is the study of Chinese history)
  • 2^nd – Destruction of Canaan…
    • Because of who the father of Canaan was (Ham) – he was cursed…
      • In fact – Canaan and his descendants become so evil and wicked…
      • God told Joshua and Israel to wipe them out completely!
      • Deuteronomy 7:1-2 – “When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.”
    • Does that mean they were under a GENERATIONAL CURSE…
      • Exodus 20:5-6 – “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations…” – Deuteronomy 5:9-10
      • Note – God visits the sins of the Father to the 3^rd and 4^th Generations – BUT…
      • “[He shows] mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
      • The passage does not emphasize the judgment of God – but His Grace!
      • And since the Balance of Scripture we see that we do NOT suffer for the sins of others…
      • Ezekiel 18:20 – “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son…” – Jeremiah 31:29-30 and Deuteronomy 24:16 
      • The best interpretation would seem to again point towards example!
      • NOT that we can just say we are the way we are because of our parents…
      • That would remove our responsibility for sin – it becomes my parents fault…
      • Only when we realize we are accountable for our actions do we find the answer!
    • How can you overcome the bad example – break the chain of the generations…
      • I Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
      • We are New Creations in Christ – old things are passed away – ALL things become new!
      • We no longer carry the definition of our earthly father – we are now defined in Jesus!
      • Following Jesus is the greatest inheritance that can be passed on for generations!