Tag: altar

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Genesis Chapter Thirteen, Lot Pitches His Tents Toward Sodom

[1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
[2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
[3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
[4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
[5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
[6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
[7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
[8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
[9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
[10] And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
[11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
[12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
[13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
[14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
[15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
[16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
[17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
[18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

Commentary on Genesis Chapter Thirteen

As we follow the life of this man, Abram, it becomes apparent that he is learning to worship this Great God who had called him out of the spiritual darkness which pervaded his birthplace, Ur of The Chaldees. It is easy to look at such a pillar of faith, as we now know him to have been, and lift him up in our thinking so that we fail to see his humanity. Abram was indeed a great man of faith, but he was most certainly a man just as you and I are.

He did have moments of doubt. He did have lapses in his trust in God. Yet he always found that the road to return unto God was open for him. At the beginning of this chapter, we find him walking that road which leads him back to the place of true worship of the One True God. It is written.

“And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
[2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
[3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
[4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.”

(Genesis 13:1-4)

We are given a few details concerning this man which help us to discern the true nature of his character. He was a man of massive wealth. Wealth during the time of Abram was usually accepted as the aggregate sum of those items of value which were portable. Note that we are told that he had much gold and silver. He also had great flocks and herds. He was favored with a most beautiful wife who walked beside him. By all measurements which the world would use, this was a successful man! Take care to understand that Abram was one who chose to worship God in spite of his wealth and not in order to attain more, nor preserve what he already possessed. His journey took him back from Egypt to the altar which he had built in Bethel.

Note three things concerning the events before us. First take note that in his journeyings God had told him to leave his family members behind and go to the place of promise which God had prepared for him and all of his posterity. Why is this important? The fact that we find mention of his nephew, Lot, among the people who came back from Egypt tells us that he had not followed the commands of God in their totality. He had been practicing only partial obedience up to this point. The result of such a state of events is that there was strife among family members and their households so that it became necessary to part ways.

We are never told that Lot participated in the worship of God. We are told that his presence caused trouble. So often in our lives as we try to follow God, it is the members of our own families who become the greatest hindrances to such worship. I have seen many people that I have known over the years who have been shipwrecked in their faith by means of those who you would have expected to be among their greatest supporters. When God calls one to follow Him it is, sadly, far too often the case that family finds a reason to disapprove of the response of one who heeds that call. Most usually the conflict will arise concerning the clash of that which God desires, which is eternal in nature and expectation of reward, with the desires of some member of one’s family who is bound to the view of current things, which caters to the desires of the fleshly nature of man. It might be a mother or father who resists the idea that their son or daughter has been called for service as a missionary to a foreign society.

It might be a brother or sister who becomes jealous of the attention which is lavished upon the one called of God and therefore diverted from them. Whatever the reason for their objections you may be sure that it is rooted in a low view of God’s character and nature. They do not view God as being sovereign and having the full authority to direct His servants as He sees fit. Let us learn from Abram’s failure to fully separate from his family as he had been told to do by God. Such action always results in trouble of some sort.

In the case before us that trouble manifested itself through the “range wars “ which erupted between the herdsmen of Lot’s house and Abram’s household. Take note of the gracious efforts on behalf of Abram to make peace. It is written;

“And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
[7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
[8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
[9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

(Genesis 13:6-9)

In the society of that day, it was customary for the elder relative of any family encounter to choose how matters of this nature would be settled. In this case that would be Abram, for he bien the uncle would have had the right of first choice. In order to make peace, however, and to prevent the strangers who dwelt alongside of these two households from perceiving them as weak, Abram graciously deferred the choice in this thing unto his nephew.

Lot wasted no time in taking what he thought was the best and most profitable portion of the land before them. His interest was strictly in the ability to advance his earthly status as we see by the following verses.

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
[11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
[12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
[13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”

(Genesis 13:10-13)

In seeing only the allure to wealth, Lot failed to recognize the great and severe threat to the spiritual health of himself and all of his household. He placed them all adjacent to the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah without any mention of consulting with God. It is often the case that the pursuit of material wealth leads to giving God a back seat to any and all endeavors which are undertaken. Do not misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong in the possession of wealth in and of itself. When that becomes the thing which drives the direction of your life instead of the worship of God Himself your wealth has become an idol and taken the place of worship reserved only for God.

This is the status in which we see lot as he is revealed here before us. He has become an Idol worshipper. By contrast let us note that after Lot departed from Abram God once again spoke with Abram to reaffirm His covenant with Him. It is written;

“And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
[15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
[16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
[17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
[18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

(Genesis 13:14-18)

Note that as long as Lot was present God did not converse thus with Abram. Let us mark the lesson here which is that as long as sin is tolerated within our lives, no matter what the source, God will not bless us as He would wish to do. As we go throughout the scriptures, we will have this principle affirmed repeatedly. It is not that God cannot bring about blessings and abundance in our lives. It is rather that we have chosen to allow those things and associations into our lives which cause the flow of His blessings to cease.

There are several things noted in this affirmation which are relevant to the world situation of our day, my friend. Note the following components of this covenant.

  •  1. The land which Abram saw in every direction was given by God unto him.
    • 2. It was given as a perpetual inheritance to all of Abram’s progeny forever.
    • 3. The descendants of Abram would be innumerable.
    • 4. Abram was to traverse this land in every direction
    • 5. Abram responded immediately by removing his house from where Lot and he parted unto the plains of Mamre, which was the opposite direction that Lot had taken. This is important to note for in doing this he removed his household from the influence of the sinful lifestyle of the cities of the plain.
    • 6. When Abram had done as commanded the first thing he did was make provision for the worship of God by building an altar.

Let us ask ourselves what we are prone to do when facing those circumstances in life which require a decision from us as to the course of action we will take. Do we consider God first? Or rather do we calculate the benefits that we can see and touch before thinking of Him? It is sad but true that far too often lives have been ruined and the faith of many individuals has been shipwrecked due to such actions. Let us learn to model Abram in our consideration of events and in doing so allow God to take care of the results which we face.

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Genesis Chapter Eight. God Remembered Noah, and Every Living Thing.

And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;
[2] The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
[3] And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
[4] And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
[5] And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
[6] And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
[7] And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
[8] Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
[9] But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
[10] And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
[11] And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
[12] And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
[13] And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
[14] And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.
[15] And God spake unto Noah, saying,
[16] Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
[17] Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
[18] And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him:
[19] Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
[20] And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
[21] And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.[22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease

Commentary On Genesis Chapter Eight

This chapter opens with an expression of great compassion on the part of God. The opening phrase concerning God remembering Noah does not indicate in any fashion that God has the capacity to become forgetful or frail as do men sometimes. What is meant to be conveyed is the attention which God gives to the care and preservation of the man, Noah, and his family after the completion of the necessary judgement which was sent upon the earth. Other instances recorded in Scripture which are similar in their intent to convey the heart of God as He interacts with people would include the following passages.

  • “And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.” (Genesis 19:29)
  • “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. [24] And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.[25] And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” (Exodus 2:23-25)
  • “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
    [3] And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
    [4] And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
    [5] And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
    [6] Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments,” (Exodus 6:2-6)
  • “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
    [40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
    [41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
    [42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
    [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Let us remember that throughout the study of Scripture we are to look for what is revealed unto us concerning God Himself. To focus intently upon other lessor matters is a common error that people make and in doing so do not see the most important things which are before their eyes. Having said this it is to be noted that throughout the Old Testament one will come upon various items which are symbolic of The Christ as events therein unfold. The familiar term “typical”, in use today, is derived from these illustrations known as “types.”

Throughout the account of God’s flood upon the earth there are several of these to be found. The ark itself is a type of Christ, for it speaks of the salvation of those who by faith entered into the safety of God’s prepared refuge for deliverance. The invitation of God to enter in was proclaimed, as we have seen, for all men to hear and yet only those who responded in faith came aboard.

In like manner the gospel of God has been proclaimed around the world for over two thousand years inviting men to enter into the safety from the wrath of God, which is to come, by faith in Jesus Christ. As we progress through the Old Testament Scriptures, we shall repeatedly see the use of this methodology to show forth the coming of The Christ.

Known as the study of typology, this method of examining the Scriptures has been employed by many to add to the understanding of the content which is set forth therein. Not only can The Christ be found set out in this manner in The Old Testament, but in the course of examining the Scriptures The Holy Spirit of God may be ascertained here as well. In the chapter which is now before us take note of the birds which were sent out by Noah. The raven represents a connection to the dead world which was rebellious against God. The raven is known to be a carrion eater and therefore very comfortable with the company of rotting flesh. It is written.

“And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
[7] And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.”

(Genesis 8:6-7)

Note that the raven did not return to the safety of the ark, but rather sought to join the remnants of the world which perished. instead. Pictured in this is the truth that there remains within those of us who have been sheltered in the Ark of Christ that old Adamic nature which still would desire the things of this world. One does not lose their salvation but rather having entered into union with Christ one still finds that as long as we are upon this earth, we do possess two natures when we have been born again. To deny that we are capable of sinning against God once we have been born anew is to deny the plain teaching of Scripture. It is written.

‘For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
[15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
[16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
[19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
[20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
[22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
[23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
[24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
[25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

(Romans 7:14-25)

The Apostle Paul wrote these words in reference to his struggle with the old nature as a believer who had been washed in the blood of Calvary’s lamb! It is for this reason that we find it necessary to come before The Lord in prayers of repentance, from time to time, in order to restore fellowship with Him. This is indicated by the following Scripture which were written unto believers.

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

(IJohn 1:4-10)

As I have stated, those who have been saved possess two natures. The second nature is symbolized, in this account of the ark coming to rest, by the employment of the dove which Noah sent forth after the raven. It is written.

Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
[9] But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
[10] And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
[11] And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

(Genesis 8:8-11)

Take note of the actions of the dove. When there was found no place suitable for the parties which had been brought safely through the waters to go forth into the new world which they would find, the dove returned to Noah thereby communicating that the timing was not right to sally forth.

Like this dove, The Holy Spirit of God will go before those who are in Christ into uncertain circumstances and discern whether or not one should go forth into a certain place or venture or even a relationship. It is the Holy Spirit who tells us that all is not right to go forth, if we would but listen. Far too often that gentle prompting of The Spirit is ignored, and the unpleasant consequences of a decision made without heed to God’s discernment, as He would reveal it unto us, is the sad result.

Seven days after the initial dispatch of the dove, Noah again sent out the bird of peace to try to discern the status of the world which awaited them. This time the dove came back and communicated that now it was safe to venture out by bringing an olive branch in its beak. When the timing is right for an endeavor in the life of a believer, there will be the witness of The Holy Spirit to affirm this to be true.

Having received affirmation of an awaiting world to be inhabited, Noah and his family did not yet rush out to a journey of discovery. We are told that they waited seven days more before taking action. It is written.

“And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
[13] And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
[14] And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.
[15] And God spake unto Noah, saying,
[16] Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
[17] Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.”

(Genesis 8:14-17)

There is set out before us here a clear pattern by which believers ought to be able to truly discern the situations of life correctly. Do not miss the fact that the affirmation of the dove was not the deciding factor concerning the matter of when the company who had been brought through the flood were to move forward into their new habitat. Learn from the typology involved that certainty of a decision made by a believer will hinge upon the affirmation of the Spirit AS WELL as the word of God!

Verse fifteen of this chapter indicates that the word of God is necessary in conjunction with the affirmation of The Spirit before taking or delaying an action. The Spirit will never contradict the word so if you find your emotions at odds with the clear teaching of the word of God you may mark it down that whatever action you are contemplating is not directed by God. In the case of Noah God spoke audibly and directly unto Him to affirm the witness of the Spirit.

In our time the witness of God’s speaking unto us is to be acknowledged by the Scriptures which we have in the form of the sixty-six books of The Holy Bible. While some do claim to have been spoken unto in dreams, emotional revelations, or some other manner granted by God as a special revelation unto them, it is a dangerous thing with potentially eternal negative consequences to accept such a declaration without searching the teachings of Scripture for affirmation of what is being said.

Often Christians complain that knowing the will of God is difficult. In reality it is not so. God intends to reveal Himself and His will unto those who will follow Him. As one searches the Scriptures it will be discovered that the phrase. the will of God, will be found over twenty times within its pages. Consider a few of these as set forth in the following passages.

  • “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
    [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
  • “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
    [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
  • “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
    [4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
    [5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. ” (II Corinthians 8:3-5)
  • “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
    [6] Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
    [7] With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
    [8] Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” (Ephesians 6:5-8)
  • ” For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
    [3] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
    [4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” (I Thessalonians 4: 2-4)
  • ” In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (Thessalonians 5:18)
  • “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
    [14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
    [15] For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
    [16] As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” (I Peter 2:13-16)

I have found that it is often the case that the issue is not knowing the will of God, but rather; submitting unto what God reveals as His will in a given circumstance due to conflict with what we desire and what that will commands us to undertake. Noah waited until he had the combined affirmations which we have noted here. It was not until God spoke that Noah and all other living creatures within the Ark of God took their leave.

Take note of the priorities which were immediately established by Noah. when he led all life from the ark. It is written.

“And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him:
[19] Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
[20] And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
[21] And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
[22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

(Genesis 8:18-22)

The first recorded act after all were set free from the confines of the ark was an act of worship directed unto the creator and sustainer of life. God was Noah’s first priority. Humanity was designed to have communion with our creator. He also is designed in such a manner that an object of worship will be sought out and acknowledged through actions which place that object or person above all else. That is the essence of worship.

It is evident that the humanity which inhabits the world in which we live has chosen to deny and defile the One True God, who we were designed to worship, by subordinating Him unto lessor, unholy things. The people of today are fulfilling the prophecy found in the book of Romans without even knowing or caring for the most part. It is written.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
[24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”

(Romans 1:18-26)

This text is plainly dealing with the same issues which we have seen demonstrated by those who perished in the great deluge. False worship always leads to a downward spiral. While not everyone engaged in this descends deep into immorality and debauchery it is to be noted that such does always lead to misery. God takes note of worship. It rightfully belongs unto Him and Him alone. Worshipping God is a fountain source of blessing for those who practice it. All else leads to loss even though there may appear to be temporal gain. Remember that all which we see, touch, and deal with daily in this life, is in the act of perishing over time. Only the worship of The One True God will acquire eternal benefit which cannot rust, rot, decay, nor be corrupted in some other manner.

In the case of Noah’s conduct of worship God blessed him with the following promise. It is written.

“And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
[22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

(Genesis 8:22)

My friend, as we end our examination of this chapter, I invite you to stand outside on a pleasant night and look upward at the stars. Look carefully at the various constellations which make their appearance during certain seasons of the year and move along across the sky until they are on longer visible to you. In many places upon this earth that certain rotation of these groups of stars is depended upon by farmers who plant their crops based upon when certain ones of them appear. As you gaze into the heavens, I urge you to remind yourself that what you are looking at is an affirmation of the promise from God to Noah at the end of Genesis chapter eight. I would also urge you to remember that this promise which benefits you and I today was made in response to an act of proper worship by one who walked with God.

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