Monday, February 22, 2010

Genesis 6.1-7.5, Mark 3.1-19 - Lectionary for 2/22/10 - Monday, Lent 1

Today's readings are Genesis 6.1-7.5 and Mark 3.1-19.

We read today about God's sorrow that he created mankind.  This passage in Genesis 6 causes difficulty for many.  How could the all-knowing, perfect God be sorry about anything he did?  Does man's evil take God by surprise?  Maybe God isn't all-knowing after all?  

This is not the case.  Our Lord does know all.  He knew from before the creation of the earth that man would enter into sin and that God the Son would be giving himself to death on the behalf of mankind to break the curse of God upon sin.  Jesus is in fact the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the earth.  Our Lord knows all who he calls to himself, and has known them since before they were conceived.  The situation on which God reflects in Genesis 6.7 is no surprise to God, but it may be a surprise to us.  Through the narrative in verse 7 we are told that our Lord is in fact grieved by sin.

What is amazing, or rather what should be amazing in this passage is that God has mercy on mankind.  He is not finished with the human race.  Though all are heirs of Adam's sin, he does not consign all to destruction.  He chooses some and protects them.  He rescues not only the people but also the different animals.  God shows his love for his creation by delivering some from death.

How should we respond to this?  Those of us who are living by faith in Christ should rejoice.  God has not abandoned his people, but has provided for their rescue, despite the fact that they are sinful and deserve to die in their sins.   Not only has he not abandoned his people, but he has promised to be with them, never leaving them, until they reach their heavenly home.  May the Lord use this to encourage us in every way.



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