The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-02-05
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 9.
eop's COVENANT WITH NOAH

eop's COVENANT WITH NOAH
LESSON TExT-Gen. s:af1.
GOLDEN TEXT do set my bow IN
the cloud and Il shall be for a token OF .
covenant between me and the EARTH
Gen. SIR
I. Verses Sill. AT the conclusion OF
the lesson Of last week Noah was en-
barked in the ark and the food was
over the earth. Between that time
and the time of this lesson Noah
made three attempt to ascertain II the
time had arrived for him to leave tho
Ark. At last God gave him COM
mand (S:15, 16) to go FORTH" but he
did not 20 empty handed. Noah had
taken his all in the ark and 1t proved
to be a most profitable investment.
Though shut up $50 days (7:24). God
must have been in the hearts Of that
little company as they stepped forth
upon the dry land. What an over
towering sense OF Gods gracious
mercy. What a recollection Of Gods
awful wrath. What a trembling least
there be q repetition OF this disaster.
And what an amazement In conten-
plating the mighty work Of founding
q new race.
Noah's Offering.
The first act OF Noahs part upon
leaving the ark was to build an altar
unto God and to offer a burnt offering
(S:20). Thus we zee that Gods COW
enant with Noah was based upon the
ground of shed blood (Heb. 9:1522).
fering. "a sweet smelling sacrifice"
(S:21), because II was an expression
of entire conservation to God. Phil
Alb. This offering is. Of course,
type Of Christ who is the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world" As
Noah's offering, see 1921, averted
rightful penalty, even so the offering
of Christ redeems us from the curse
Of sin which is our just due. Gal. S:1S.
As they look about upon the
cleAnsed earth, for there is no sin
present except that OF their own
hearts. they are to US a type OF that
new life into which we enter through
Jesus Christ. see I. Peter $500. FL.
A study of covenants and Of coven-
ant making ceremonies is always in
tensely interesting. In the Biblical
meaning a covenant is a compact or
agreement between two parties. ~
between God and man, (s) between
man and man. In this covenant God
bestowed the benefit Of an assurance.
though Noah had had certain condi-
lions imposed upon him. the fulfilling
of which brought him to this place
where he might receive this nssur~
ance.
Gods covenant with Noah was one
of eight great covenants. % the one
made in Eden, Gen. 1:2S; CD the
Adamic. Gen. 3:15; (3) this with
Noah. Gen. 1921. %; (D one with
Abraham. Gen. 1913; (5) that with
Moses. Elk. 1925: (6) one with the
Israelites. Deut. 36:3; Cd that with
David, 2 Sam. 7:16; (s) the new COW
enant, Heb. S:S. The main elements
OF this covenant are. (a) the removal
of the curse. 1921: (b) the assurance
of returning harvests and regular sea
son, 1922; (c) the promise OF an
abundant progeny, 9:1: (d) the domi-
nation of animal life. 9:2; (e) provi-
sion for food, both flesh and herd. o:
8: (D provision for sacrifice and wor>
ship, ga: (g) the safety OF human
life, 9:5: (h) the administration OF
justice. 9:6.
Gods Promise.
Noah's life of obedience before he
entered the ark had ELECTED Gods
promise that he would establish a
covenant with him. see Eph. 6:1S;
and 30 God today holds before all
men the promise of a new and better
covenant into which they also may
enter II they will, Heb. 8:S. God has
frequently used this covenant as an
illustration of his love and his faith
fitness towards his people, lisa. 5:
9. 10. and this covenant included Gods
care for the beasts as well as man.
verses 10, is, 16. see also Ps. 1865, 9;
Jonah All This is a good thought
to emphasize with the younger pupils.
II. Verses 12.17. AS though Je-
hoyah would make assurance doubly
secure, he not only made a covenant
but appointed a token, a sign, of that
covenant. whereby the covenant Is to
be remembered. read Gen. 17:11; Elk.
1918, 2:12; Matt. 26:23-2S; l. Cor
II. 1926. We must beware OF read
ing into this passage any suggestion
that this 10 the first appearance OF a
rainbow upon the earth; there Is no
such suggestion in the text. but rath-
er God took the rainbow which waa
set In the cloud and made OF 1t q
token of the covenant he had made
with Noah. Whenever we behold
rainbow we ought to remember that
his covenant was not alone to Noah,.
Blu to US. his seed.
The rainbow was formed OF that
same rain which had produced the
Good. "After the appearance OF an
entire rainbow. as rule, no rain OF
long duration follows" The rainbow
is proof that the rain Is partial and
that the sun Of Gods mercy Is shin
ing. II tights up what had just been
dark aud fateful. Rainbows can be
| .aau On All nm ria of the earth 40 IL