Calling on the Name

Background:
After Adam and Eve, after Cain and Abel, after the third generation of humankind began calling on the name of the Lord, many, many centuries passed. Heavenly beings did whatever they wanted, creating chaos and, quite possibly, mythological creatures (Genesis 6:1-4.) Human beings did whatever they wanted, and their relationships with God and one another deteriorated (Genesis 6:5.) The whole universe had gotten into an unbearable, terrible mess!

Within this scene of deterioration and depravity, Noah stood out like a bright light of righteousness. God noticed, of course, and came to Noah with a plan and a promise. As Genesis 7-8 recorded, God used a flood to wipe out everything and start over with Noah, his family, and every animal on earth.

After the floodwaters had dried, Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice to God (Genesis 8:20.) If he prayed to God or praised and thanked God for protecting and saving him and his family, the Bible did not say. Instead Genesis 9 goes on to tell us how Noah planted a vineyard, made wine, and got drunk!

When Noah awoke after an embarrassing evening, he realized that one of his three sons had stood around, staring at the inebriated, naked father until the other two walked backwards to cover him up! If Noah felt foolish or ashamed or sorry or got mad at himself for his own behavior, the Bible made no mention. Instead Genesis 9:25-27 recorded this prayer:

“And Noah said,
‘Cursed be Canaan!
May he be the very lowest servant –
a servant of servants to his brothers.‘

“And Noah said,
‘Blessed be the LORD God of Shem.
Canaan shall be his servant.
God shall extend the borders of Japheth,
and Japheth shall live in the tents of Shem,
and Canaan shall be his servant’.”

Questions:
In what ways did the blessings and cursings of Noah affect human history? Do they affect peoples and nations today? Do I take my own words seriously? Do I bless or curse my family, my community, myself, and the world?

Prayer:
Dear LORD God, I praise and thank You for all of my blessings! Help me to become a blessing to others and myself.

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© 2012, Mary Sayler, all rights reserved.
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First Bible prayer or first complaint?

Background: In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had communion and fellowship with God similar to conversational prayer. Since they had everything they could possibly need and more, they did not ask for anything, but when they disobeyed God, everything changed. Even then, however, the Bible does not mention their asking God for forgiveness, maybe because they did not!

Regardless, the couple left the Garden as God commanded, and, outside of Eden, they eventually had a family. The Bible does not say what Adam and Eve told their children about God as they were growing up, but for some reason, both sons thought they needed to give God a gift, perhaps to get back into the Garden or into God’s good graces.

At any rate, Cain offered some of the produce from his garden, while Abel gave the very best of his flock. God accepted Abel’s gift, but not Cain’s off-hand offering, which infuriated the man so much that he killed his younger brother. God then confronted Cain, who responded with the resounding question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

“And the Lord said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries from the ground! Now you are cursed from the earth that swallowed your brother’s blood. When you till the ground, it will not yield good crops. From now on you will be a fugitive and a homeless wanderer on the earth.’

“And (in what may be the first biblically recorded prayer from a person) Cain cried out to the Lord, ‘My punishment is too great to bear! You have banished me from the face of the earth and also from Your presence. You have made me a fugitive and homeless wanderer, so whoever finds me will kill me!’

“But the Lord said, ‘I will punish sevenfold anyone who kills you.’ Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. And Cain left the Lord’s presence, settling in the land of Nod, east of Eden,” Genesis 4:10-16.

Questions: How far from Eden am I? What kind of prayer life do I have? Do I talk with God in conversational prayer as I read the Bible and listen to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? Do I frequently praise God, or like Cain, do I mainly protest and complain? Do I ask God for forgiveness, or do I think I have to earn forgiveness and love from The Most Holy, Loving, and Forgiving God?

Prayer: Dear LORD God, I praise You for Your goodness, mercy, forgiving grace, and love. Help me to offer my best to You as a pleasing gift, just because I love You. Thank You for freely loving, forgiving, and protecting me. Thank You for responding to my prayers even when I complain.

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© 2012, Mary Sayler, all rights reserved. ~~