Re-Creation


Genesis 8:6–12 (ESV) At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. 10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. 11 And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12 Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore.

 What is really interesting about this passage is how beautifully it correlates with the Creation account in Genesis 1. The Earth is once again covered with the waters of chaos. Noah sends out a raven - symbolizing the darkness over the surface of the deep. Then Noah sent a dove - symbolizing the Spirit hovering over the waters. Noah waits seven days and sends the dove out and in the "evening" it returns with an olive leaf. God has recreated from the judgment and chaos of sin.

 God recreates no matter how bad the situation is.

 Remember God's assessment of the Earth?

Genesis 6:5–6 (ESV) The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

It was so bad God was grieved he made man. Think of how bad the world is now... and yet no mass judgment. The world of Noah had to be so extraordinarily awful we couldn't even fathom it. Never think you can equate God's activity in certain times with today's times. God was there, you weren't. 

But the point is clear here in Genesis 8. Nothing is so bad that God can't start fresh. For some of us that's the only hope we have. Some people think they are too bad for God. In fact most people think that. 

Even if you think that's the case... Genesis 8 is proof that no sinful situation is so horrible God cannot overcome it with His grace (favor) expressed upon you. Yes, the judgment of God had to take place to bring forth a new beginning, but that's exactly what happened when Christ went to the cross. He bore the judgment of God so that we could be saved from the judgment we deserved. Jesus is the true Ark that was beaten by the waves of death to provide a way through death for us.

That's why there's a rainbow, by the way. It was a sign that God will not judge the Earth again with a flood. But it's much more than that... A rainbow is a "bow", which is half of a bow and arrow. If you look at the position of a rainbow as a bow and arrow, where does the arrow point? To heaven. God aims his judgment at His Son to recreate you and I. 

That's why Paul will say:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

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