Sat.’s Devo - Change

Read: Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-23
God’s rain cleansed the earth and after 150 days, the ark came to rest on Mt. Ararat which means “the curse reversed”. It was now time to bless the earth again. Noah means “rest” which is what God did on the seventh day and why seven is mentioned so many times in this account.
The first thing Noah and his sons did when they exited the ark and set foot on dry ground was to offer God a blood sacrifice from the clean animals. They had brought seven of them for this very purpose. God promised them this: seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night as long as the earth remained. To me, this means that change will always be happening. When we are in despair we can know that it will not continue because day is coming. If everything is going well, we can know that a trial is coming. Change is good and it is how we mature and grow.
Everything changed after the flood. Lifespans shortened and even their diet changed. Before the flood, they didn’t eat meat but after the flood, they were given everything to eat. Animals that were once friendly were given the fear of man so they would have a chance. They were instructed not to eat an animal while it was still alive because that is merciless! That is also disgusting!
Moses was instructed to multiply and replenish the earth. He was also promised that God would never destroy the earth with water and to seal that promise he gave him a rainbow to remind him of that covenant.
Moses planted a vineyard and got so drunk he couldn’t dress himself. His son Canaan found his father naked and told his brothers who took a blanket and walked it backwards so they wouldn’t look on their father’s nakedness. This is a picture of honor. We are never to dishonor our parents or our leaders when they sin or make mistakes. We are to cover their sin and leave it to God to rebuke and take care of. How we speak of those in authority says much about our confidence in the Lords lordship.
Canaan and his family were cursed to serve his brothers because of what he did. What we do affects future generations for good or for bad.
In Matthew, Jesus began selecting his disciples. The first four were fishermen. They stood for the evangelists. We have to catch the fish before we can pastor or teach them. Jesus began his ministry with much freedom. He taught in the synagogues and preached and healed everyone who came to him all throughout Galilee.
Lord, may we honor you through all the changes in our lives.