Genesis 7-9 Notes:

7:23 – The first thought that came to mind when I read this was – “Why? Why would God wipe out everything?” As I thought about it, only one answer seem to come to mind, because He’s God and He created it,thus He can do what He thinks is best. Outside of that, I don’t know what else we can understand about it – we can’t fully know the mind of God…But we can trust that from His perspective this was the best option for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28)

9:25-27 (Someone Else’s Note I found interesting)
Genesis 9:25-27 read as a curse on Ham’s son Canaan, but it also prophesies the repopulation of the Earth. Canaan, son of Ham, established the Canaanites who built wonderful cities. (The fulfillment of them becoming slaves comes later.) Noah said in v. 27 “may God give more land to Japhath”. Japhath’s line spread abroad farther than any of his brothers and became known as the “Gentile nation”. The secon part of v. 27 reads differently in different translations. Some say “may Japhath live in Shem’s tents” while other versions say “may Japhath find the Lord in the tents of Shem”. (Hold this thought) Shem’s line leads to Abraham who becomes the founder of the “Hebrew nation”/Israel. If you follow the lines of Ham, Shem & Japhath you find that the Israelites conquered Canaan making all the survivors their slaves. Furthermore, Israel was chosen by God to be a “light to the Gentiles” (Isa. 42:6; 49:6) and “salvaton is of the Jews” (John 4:22). So the Canaanites (Ham’s line) become the slaves of Israel (Shem’s line) and the Gentiles (Japhath’s line) find the Lord through Israel.

Genesis 9:25-27 Isaiah 42:6 Isaiah 49:6 John 4:22

Matthew 6

v. 14-15
How many times have you had the opportunity to forgive someone? Did you forgive them? I think this passage is actually a bit frightening. Think about it! If you are not willing to forgive those who hurt you, God won’t forgive you. Wow! But the flip side is so encouraging. When you do forgive others then God will do the same with you. What more motivation do we need to follow His example in this? Let go of the unforgiving spirit that haunts us all from time to time and forgive like God has forgiven you.

v. 26
One of the most moving thoughts I have of God is as a Father taking care of His son. I have 4 children and I value them more than anything and I would do anything for them. In the same way God desperately loves us will all his heart, soul and strength. Why would we ever think that He will not take care of us in every way possible that is Good (Rom. 8:28)? Trust In your father in heaven and lean not on your own understanding!

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