The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1913-02-06

TeD. S.l5.
l. Verses Sit. AT the conclusion OF
he lesson Of last week Noah was en-
oarked In the ark and the food was
over the earth. Between that time
md the time of this lesson Noah
made three attempt to ascertain II the
time had arrived for him to leave the
Ark. At last God gave him COM
mand (S:15, 16) to "go FORTH but he
did not go empty handed. Noah hao
taken his all in the ark and it proved
to be most profitable investment.
Though shut up $50 days G:2G, Coo
must have been in the hearts OF that
little company as they stepped fortn
1pon the dry land. What an over
sense Of Gods gracious
mercy. What a recollection OF Coos
awful wrath. What trembling least
there be repetition Of this disaster.
And what an amazemcnt in contem-
plating 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 burnt Offering
(8:20). 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 Of
Pering, "a sweet smelling sacrifice"
(8:21), because it was an expression
Of entire conservation to God, Phil.
4:18. This offering is, of course,
type of Christ who is the Lamb slain
from the foundation Of the world" AS
Noah's offering, see S:21, averted
rightful penalty, even so the offering
If Christ redeems US from the curse
# sin which is our just due, Gal. 1913.
AS they look about upon the
,leansed 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::2O, Il.
A study of covenants and Of coven-
ant making ceremonies is always in
tensely interesting. In the Biblical
meaning a covenant is compact or
agreement between two parties, O
between God and man, (2) between
man and man, in this covenant God
bestowed the benefit Of an assurance,
though Noah had had certain condi-
tons imposed upon him, the fulfilling
Of which brought him to this place
where he might receive this assur-
ance. Q
Gods covenant with Noah was one
Of eight great covenants, % the one
made in Eden, Gen. 1928; (s) the
Gen. 3:15; (s) this with
Noah, Gen. S::91, %; (4) one with
Abraham, Gen. 1918: (5) that with
Moses, Elk. 1875; (s) one with the
sraeiites, Deut. 36:s; CD that with
David, 2 Sam. 7:16; (s) the new COW
snant, Heb. s:s. The main elements
of this covenant are, (a) the removal
Of the curse, s:21; (b) the assurance
u returning harvests and regular sea-
son, 1929; (c) the promise Of an
abundant progeny, 81; td) the domi-
nation Of animal life, 90; (e) provi-
sion for food, both flesh and herd. 9:
3; ID provision for sacrifice and wor-
ship, 9:4; (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
covenant with him, see Eph. 6:18;
and so God today holds before all
men the promise of a new and better
covenant into which they also may
enter if they will. Heb. SIS. God has
frequently used this covenant as an
of his love and his faith
fulness towards his people, lisa. 8:
8 10, and this covenant included God'a
care for the beasts as well as man,
verses 10, Is, 16, see also Ps, $685. 8;
Jonah All. This is a good thought
to emphasize with the younger pupils.
II. Verses 12-17. AS though Je-
hovah would make assurance douDly
secure. he not only made covenant
but appointed token. a sign, OF that
covenant. whereby the covenant is to
be remembered, read Gen. 17:1l; Ex.
1918. 2:12; Matt, 2S:23-2S;; l. Cor.
Il: 1925. We must beware of read
ing into this passage any suggestion
that this is 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 was
set in the cloud and made Of it
token of the covenant he had made
with Noah. Whenever we behold a
rainbow we ought to remember that
his covenant was not alone to Noah,
bu to US. his seed.
The rainbow was formed OF that
same rain which had produced the
food. after the appearance Of an
entire rainbow. oe 4 r;'la. no rain OF
long duration follow. lhe rainbow
is proof that the rain is partial and
that the sun of Gods mercy is shin
ing. 1t lights up what had just been
dark and fateful. Rainbows can be
seen in all parts Of the earth, SO Is
his mercy all embracing. A rainbow
is beautiful and attractive, and so is
Jesus the chief among ten thousand
and the one altogether lovely An
arch is the strongest form Of ma
sorry construction.