The Noahic Covenant, Part Four
A Devotional Series from Genesis
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
7/11 Reading Portions: Joshua 14-15; Psalms 146-147; Jeremiah 7; Matthew 21
Genesis 9:5-6
“And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image.”
LIFE
Some commentators suggest that governance is established here. I can’t agree with that. Governance began with the creation of man in the beginning, as Adam and Eve were given dominion over all the earth, as well as all the creatures therein (Gen 1:26, 28). The responsibility of dominion, being in charge of the earth is a form of government. And Adam and Eve failed immediately and miserably. Now, after the flood, mankind is once again given an opportunity for responsibility. Ordained by God in the Noahic Covenant is this very simple form of government: Don’t kill one another; and if murder should happen to man, whether by the hand of man or the claws, jaws, or horns of beast, then the soul must pay for that life. But the focus is not government. There has never been a nation that has never raged against God and His Christ (Psa 2:1-3). Why? Because every nation, every government system, is made up of sinners, both reprobate and redeemed.
The purpose of this government is two-fold. First, to reveal the value of human life, because “God made man in His own image.” Human life is precious in His sight, and it should be precious in ours. Second, it is because murder is exactly what we did to the Lord Jesus Christ by our sinful lives. When the religious leaders sent Jesus to Pilate, egging the governor on, desiring the death of the Son of Man, their bloodlust boiled within them. And in the name of Yehovah God, they willingly put the Son of God to death. The edict of this part of the Covenant was not merely a guideline to make man responsible for the life of another. It was a gospel proclamation that should chill us to the core each time we look at the charge. Although Jesus came to specifically lay down His life for His sheep, the hearts of those who reject Him are murderers, just like their father Satan, who was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). Yes, you and I were murders before the Lord Jesus saved us (Eph 2:3). Yet by His grace, Jesus called us out of that murderous darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9).
Hallelujah! What a Savior!