The Brinkley argus., 1913-02-07
INTERNATIONAL SUND6YSC[lO0L
 LESSON
(By E. o. SELLERS. Director or ry ming Department The MOODY Dio'e |" stftute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY g.
GODS COVENANT yiTH NOAH

LESSON TExT-Gen. 9:S-17.
 GOLDEN TExT-'I do set my bow m the cloud and 1t shall be for token or covenant between me and the earth Gen. 9:13
 I. Verses s-11. At the conclusion ol the lesson of last week Noah was en- barked in the ark and the flood was over the earth. Between that time and the time of this lesson Noah made three attempt to ascertain if the time had arrived for him to leave tne Ark. At last God gave him com- mand f8:15. 16) to Ego forth" but nc did not go empty handed. Noah nao taken his all in the ark and 1t proved to be a most profitable investment. Though shut up 150 days (7:2D, God must have been in the hearts of that little company as they stepped loren mon the dry land. What an over towering sense of Gods gracious mercy. What recollection of God 5 awful wrath. What trembling least there be a repetition of this disaster. And what an amazement in contem- nlating the mighty work of founding a new race.
 Noah's Offering.
 The first act on Noah's part upon leaving the ark was to build an altar unto God and to offer a burnt offering (s:2O). Thus we see that Gods GOV enant with Noah was based upon the ground of shed blood (Heb. 9:15-22), and as such it was an acceptable or fering. "a sweet smelling sacrifice" (8:2D. because 1t was an expression of entire consecration to God. Phil. 4:1S. This offering is, Of course, . type of Christ who is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" AS Noafr's offering, see 8:21, averted . rightful penalty, even so the offering of Christ redeems us from the curse of sin which is our just due, Gal. 3:1S.
 As they look about upon the cleansed earth, for there is no sin present except that of their own hearts, they are to us type of that new life into which we enter through Jesus Christ, see I. Peter 3:20, 21.
 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, CD between God and man, CD between man and man. In this covenant God bestowed the benefit of an assurance, though Noah had had certain condt tions imposed upon him, the fulfilling of which brought him to this place where he might receive this assur- ance.
 Gods covenant with Noah was one of eight great covenants, CD the one made in Eden. Gen. 1928; (2) the Adamic, Gen. 3:15; (3) this with Noah, Gen. S:21. 22; (4) one with Gen. 15:1S; (5) that with Moses, Ex. 1925; (s) one with tho Israelites, Deut. 3s:S; CD that with David, 3 Sam. 7:16; (S) the new GOV enant, Heb. S:8. The main elements of this covenant are. (a) the removal of the curse, S:21; (b) the assurance of returning harvests and regular sea son, S:22; (c) the promise of an abundant progeny, 9:1; (d) the domi nation of animal life, 9:2; Gel provi- sion for food, both flesh and herd. g.: 8; (f) provision for sacrifice and wor- ship, 9:4; (g) the safety of human life, 9:5; (h) the administration o1 justice, 9:6.
 Gods Promise.
 Noah's life of obedience before he entered the ark had elicited Gods promise that he would establish g covenant with him, see Eph. 6:18; and so God today holds before all men the promise of new and better covenant into which they also may enter If they will, Heb. 8:S. God has frequently used this covenant as an illustration of his love and his faith fitness towards his people. Isa. 5: g. 10, and this covenant included Gods care for the beasts as well as man verses 10. 15, 16. see also Ps. 36:6, 6; Jonah All. This Is good thought to emphasize with the younger pupils
 II. verses f2-17. As though Je hovah would make assurance doubly secure he not only made a covenant but appointed token. sign, of tha covenant, whereby the covenant is tt be remembered, read Gen. 17:11; Ex 12:13, 2:12; Matt, 26:23-28; I. Cor II: 23-25. We must beware of read ing into this passage any suggestion that this is the first appearance of ; rainbow upon the earth; there is nt such suggestion in the text, but rath CT God took the rainbow which wal set in the cloud and made of 1t , token of the covenant he had mad' with Noah. Whenever we behold l, rainbow we ought to remember tha his covenant was not alone to Noah bu to us. his seed.
 The rainbow was formed of tha same rain which had produced tn, flood. After the appearance of al entire rainbow. as 8 rule, no rain o long duration follows" The rainbow Is proof that the rain is partial an, that the sun of Gods mercy is shin ing. It lights up what had just beel dark and fateful Rainbows can b. seen in all parts of the earth, so i his mercy all embracing. A rainbow is beautiful and attractive. and so 1 Jesus the chief among ten thousan