Remember Covenant

The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and He saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry He had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke His heart. And the LORD said, "I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing--all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them." But Noah found favor with the LORD. (Genesis 6:5-8 NLT)

I know we’ve already covered this story as we have been working through the first five books of the Bible.  We’re coming back to it, though, because it is the first time we see a certain concept being introduced into the Scriptures.

Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, "I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth! (Genesis 6:11-13 NLT)

The corruption and violence was extensive.  “Everyone on earth was corrupt,” it says.  Beyond that, “everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.”  This was the reason God chose to wipe out all of humanity…except Noah.

"Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm My covenant with you. (Genesis 6:17-18a NLT)

Covenant is an interesting word.  It holds many layers to its meaning.  At its most basic level, a covenant is a place where at least two individuals come together to the same place.  For Noah, his family, and the animals, that same place with God was the ark.

So enter the boat--you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal--a male and a female--into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals." So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. (Genesis 6:18b-22 NLT)

Do you find yourself hiding from, fighting against, or doing things that God would consider evil?  Do you end up in the same place with God?  Do you come together with God in covenant?