In today's reading the narrative takes a jarring turn as sin begins to corrupt the entire society. Cain murdered his brother Abel, and wickedness grew increasingly widespread throughout the earth. But in the midst of a dire situation, God showed grace to a man named Noah.
Before you begin
Ask the Lord to give you a fresh sense of wonder as you read His Word. Pray for understanding and for an open, humble, obedient heart to receive what He wants to say to you.
Read
Review
Write a sentence or two about what you've just read. This could be a summary of the passage or an observation or highlight that stood out to you.
Reflect
In Genesis 7:1, the Lord tells Noah, "I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation." What would it mean to live to this standard of righteousness in today's corrupt world?
"Once sin entered the lives of mankind, it didn’t take long for us to turn on each other. Within a single generation of Adam and Eve’s original sin, their children were fighting over who mattered more. That particular dispute ended badly (Gen. 4:1–16), but it didn’t start with physical violence. It started with a war of words."1
Respond
Write a short prayer, based on today’s reading. This could include praise, gratitude, personal confession, agreement with the truth, or a request for yourself or someone else.
Takeaway Thought
What key verse or insight will you take with you into your day?
Thank you God for your grace and mercy
I was struck by how Cain's murder of his brother Abel in Genesis 4 started out with jealousy toward his brother Abel. God was pleased with Abel's offering but not Cain's offering. I found that dealing with jealousy and other negative emotions right away in prayer to the Lord is so important. Allowing festering of negative emotions and thoughts always leads to sinful actions.
You see how God was already showing a test of faith to Cain and even in mercy warned him that sin was creeping at the door, but Cain lost the battle and still killed his brother. Then his family line began in swarms of sin. Then in Chapter 7, when God is telling Noah which 7 pairs to take (clean and unclean) I can’t help but think that’s a sign of how God will one day have mercy on both the Jews and Gentiles. (To the Jews, the clean and the unclean).
Genesis 6:8
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
I pray I would live in such a way that this could be said of me. I am so grateful for the grace that abounds to His children.
Titus 2:11-13 💕
Offerings to the Lord were first mentioned in 4:3-4. He desires our respect and recognition of his sovereignty. We should come to his throne in worship daily with a heart posture of gracious appreciation.
Cain brought an offering to the Lord but not his best offering. How ms y times do I do that? Bring an offering but not my best offering?
Also I’m pondering the clean vs unclean animal on the Ark. Is it really just for food or is there a symbolization in there?