The Rights of Men
BY PGF
2 years ago
Contained in the Noahic Covenant are the rights of men from which our duties flow. As background for context to Genesis 9, read Genesis 8 starting around verse 19.
Interestingly, verse 22 of Genesis 8 says that seedtime and harvest shall remain until God takes the earth away. All famines are man-made, manufactured.
To understand what governments men attempted to constitute after the Reformation, one must know from where the rights they spoke of stem. To say, “God gave us our rights” isn’t enough. The communists claim the same thing; they have a different god, same for the muslim man, and on and on.
The flood shows Holy God’s purposes in judgment, and it offers a view of His instruction in righteousness and God’s blessed object in grace and salvation. We contend that the Ten Commandments always existed, for they are holy and perfect, but were simply codified, written down into Law, when God handed them down to Moses and the children of Jacob.
Contained in God’s covenant with every living thing are the basic operating procedures the planet is under and an outline that men may live well one with another before God. Salvation (restoration and justification and reconciliation with God) was not by this covenant and never by the Law; it always comes by faith in Christ alone (Romans 3:28, Hebrews 11).
We’ll go through the first several verses of Genesis 9, bringing a light treatment as an outline. It’s too much to develop this fully. This is a background to understanding the laws and customs of post-reformation Western Civilization, which ended in communism and other socialist totalitarian regimes around 1900AD.
The American Church, and most Americans, are operating under the delusion that the Reformation remains the current state of affairs in the Churches and Western Civilization. They let the Church be nationalized by the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)3 in 1954, as under Constantine. They will learn the hard way. The Reformation ended, and your Churches are being made pagan dens of inequity. We can almost certainly state that more Christians in America won’t set foot in a corporate Church building than there are Christians, perhaps not total warm bodies but converted Christians, inside those buildings.
Verse 1:
“AND God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” – Genesis 9:1
In verses 1 and 7 of chapter 9, God promises that they will replenish the earth and later that every man will be descended from one of the three sons of Noah. There is a sense of regeneration here. It reminds us of God’s covenant with Adam.
From this comes the giving of lands to men and, therefore, property rights. If one is to replenish the earth, they must take it in possession.
Leviticus 25 and Numbers 34 forbade the Hebrews from releasing a paternal inheritance. The Jews weren’t to sell their family land, and all property was returned to the original family at Jubile(e) (Leviticus 25:10). That’s how important land is that God gives. The Hebrew Jubile was after 49 years.
The story of Jezebel is about a land grab and theft of lands. Naboth rejected king Ahab’s offer to buy his land, saying, “…I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers.” Instead of following the government, Naboth rightly chose duty to God instead of submission to an unlawful government decree. The story is in 1 Kings 21. When you hear of a Jezebel or an eminent domain or “federal lands,” remember that the first was about the theft of land by the government against the Law of God. How much land does the US government “own” today?
“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” – Psalm 24:1
It all belongs to God, and He has given lands to men.
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” – Psalm 115:16
The government has zero right to tax your land under the Noahic Covenant with all men. It’s God’s land given to us, not the government.
“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation” – Acts 17:26
Nations are distinct peoples, not some tower of Babel 2.0. God has set out the bounds of nations on the face of the earth.
Verse 2:
“And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.” – Genesis 9:2
Compare with Genesis 1:26
Dominion was established in fear and force, and blood after the flood. The curse of the fall continues and even deepens in some ways. The so-called animal kingdom is delivered into our hand. The power of the dominion of men is predicated on men acting like men. After the flood, dominion over the animals is re-established as the dread of man is put into them. Animal and environmental rights are evil; they attempt to dethrone God by taking our dominion. God gives us authority over animals. Being placed under our jurisdiction, they have no rights. The “animal rights” movement is picking up steam globally. When we do not uphold our duties to God, our blessings are taken. Is God chastening us by removing our ownership of land and dominion over the animal?
Animals serve us, feed us, and we even keep them for pleasure. And animals are pretty neat. Thanks be to God for the animals He has blessed us with for all purposes and those that have been our companions.
Verse 3:
“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” – Genesis 9:3
Verse 3 establishes men as carnivores, eaters of meat. This and other verses may indicate that men were vegetarian before the flood. Verse 3 sets the pre-Mosiac Law dietary rules as they are now. The separate dietary laws for the Hebrews under the Law of Moses were rescinded by the New Covenant (Acts 10:9-16, 1 Timothy 4:4-5).
You have a right to eat the fruit of the land, both plant and meat, and the right to feed yourself and your family. This covenant also establishes the duty to work to feed your family. Meat and plants take work to produce for food.
Verse 4:
“But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” Genesis 9:4
Verse 4 indicates we are not to eat (drink) blood. This is later codified in the Levitical Law, 17:11-12, 14.
Life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).
James, who most agree was the Pastoral head of the church at Jerusalem during the so-called Jerusalem Counsel, determined, by God, that the abundance of grace in Christ Jesus was found sufficient for the Gentiles. Specifically at question was circumcision of the flesh. But other questions of the Gentiles were also wisely answered. Did they refer back to the covenant with every living thing? We don’t know. But the correct choice, as God always makes, was determined.
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” – Acts 15:19-20
The death cults drink blood.
Verse 5:
“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.” – Genesis 9:5
Verse 5 further indicates that we should care for the created beings under our charge. And, each man has an appointment with death. Holy God sets this appointment (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
Further established is that we have no right to take our own life. Your life is not your own (Psalm 24:1). It belongs to God. And further yet, predation is established among the animals, and capital punishment is indicated.
Verse 6:
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:6
Capital punishment is made clear. This becomes codified in the Sixth Commandment of Holy God given to Moses: “Thou shalt not kill.” – Exodus 20:13
The Six Commandment didn’t annul Genesis 9:6; it is further established for the Hebrews and is enjoined. This means that the duty to protect life flows from the responsibility not to kill with impunity.
Verses 7-10:
“7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. 8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.” – Genesis 9:7-10
Not only is abortion murder under this covenant with every living thing, but it violates God’s command(s) to be fruitful and multiply. Women’s liberation wrecked God’s Law, destroying the subjection (roles as arranged by God) of men and women to each other (Ephesians 5). We’ll discuss subjection to each other and obedience to God (for they are not the same thing) in posts on Family and State, including Romans 13.
Every living man is under this covenant. We contend that the Noahic covenant remains in effect as evident in nature and human behavior and as established in New Covenant doctrines. For space, we didn’t cite every pertinent New Testament verse showing this covenant to remain in effect; that’s your job. Where this Law is abridged or rejected, sin abounds. America has wandered so far from its founding because she has forgotten the purposes of the duties and liberties granted under this Covenant from Holy God given to all the seed of Noah’s sons.
On April 18, 2022 at 9:15 pm, Frank Clarke said:
One of these days, HS, I hope you delve into WHY man is made in the image and likeness of God.
On April 18, 2022 at 9:23 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Frank,
Well, you can thank PGF for the post and not me.
As to your question, that would be a good study indeed.
For the time being, we need to be satisfied with the first Catechism question:
Q: What is the chief end of man?
A: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
God made mankind in His image in order to create worshippers.
I once had a seminary professor who, in spite of all of his high brow training, said once that most of the real theology he learned, he learned from the Westminster Confession of Faith and the larger and shorter Catechisms.
They had to memorize the Catechism in order to earn a MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary, among many other things.
EDIT: Dominion theology is also found in Genesis, i.e., the creation mandate (“Be fruitful and multiply”).
On April 18, 2022 at 10:33 pm, Frank Clarke said:
Not to get into a deep theological discussion (for which I am woefully unprepared), but…
“God made mankind in His image in order to create worshippers”
seems like a poor answer. God could have endowed dogs or giraffe (or anything else) with the ability to be worshippers. Why us? And why the need for worshippers at all? The notion of an insecure God who needs constant petting is a tough nut to crack.
When or if you or PGF get to this question, I hope the answers don’t raise more questions than they answer.
On April 18, 2022 at 10:42 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Simply put, because in His infinite wisdom, that’s what He chose. You must think “deontologically” in order to understand. God answers to no one concerning His choices. Thus do Calvinists have no problem with divine election.
But I see that this is fertile ground for future posts.
On April 19, 2022 at 9:01 am, PGF said:
The answer to why may be found in the ongoing revelation of the Father’s redemptive plan. Thanks for the question, it’s a good one. I’ll try to put something together. No promises though.
On April 19, 2022 at 9:30 am, Backwoods Engineer said:
“All famines are man-made, manufactured.”
Joseph son of Jacob would have been shocked to hear it. Genesis 41:
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
On April 19, 2022 at 10:30 am, montanagoose said:
The distinction between clean and unclean animals did not originate at Mount Sinai; Noah gathered both clean and unclean animals into the ark (Genesis 7:2); and, the Noahic covenant itself was sealed with the blood of clean animals (Genesis 8:20). Furthermore, the Hebrew word רֶמֶשׂ (H7431) translated as “moving thing” in Genesis 9:3 is typically used of reptiles, literally the creeping things of the ground; only here is it ever translated to mean all animals whatsoever. Anyhow, just a couple of thoughts.
On April 19, 2022 at 10:57 am, PGF said:
@BE, I should have qualified that statement. All things are under God. We see in that famine that proper preparation averted starvation. If Pharaoh had ignored the warning of God’s man, God would not be “at fault.” God always warns in long-suffering. Ultimately, God’s provision creates a great blessing in this famine as those who would become His people are made a nation for His glory.
God doesn’t enjoy the suffering of men. He gets His glory in their obedience to Him. These are His purposes in judgment to bring compliance to His Law by creating a need for Him in the heart of the disobedient. He doesn’t take away harvest as a cruel child with a magnifying glass over an anthill.
God creates a need; we can grudge against Him for it or submit to His law and word and plan. In a man’s walk with God, this is the difference between Christian maturity and a poopy diaper.
When men make of themselves a god, they mock God. God is the ultimate provider. When men claim to have control over agriculture, in this example, they mock God. They bring judgment upon themselves. God brings many famines, but warns and warns and warns first.
God creates a need from which He derives glory. This is another instance where I can’t entirely agree with dispensationalists. The workings of God in this famine are not a separate special dispensation; it’s just God getting worshipers arranged, as always.
@montanagoose, Yes. This post was not intended to bring a discourse on the apocalypse of the flood. But your point is interesting. God brings separate views of the flood (as the synoptic gospels do of when Christ walked the earth). In one instance, the Word of God says that seven clean and two unclean animals are to be brought onboard. In another, it’s just 2 of everything. That’s an example.
On April 19, 2022 at 1:55 pm, Eric said:
Further study taught me that Genesis 9.4 prohibits eating an animal that is still alive. No eating animal parts after castration. (Rocky mountain oysters). The life blood is in that animal while people eat it.
Judaism has 7 Noachide laws that are incumbent on all men. Which is an interesting study to compare to your classical exegesis.
I would question if parts of the Torah are obviated or if perhaps they do not apply to certain people groups, in certain places or only apply when there is a Temple etc.
To argue that sacrifice is obviated is problematic when the atonement’s logic is based on such a sacrifice.
We see future sacrifice in Zechariah and indeed the book of Acts records post resurrection participation in the temple cult.
Christian believers do not need to sacrifice animals today but the reason for not doing so may be different than we think.
On April 19, 2022 at 6:51 pm, PGF said:
It’s Jesus, just Jesus, only Jesus. To say that Jesus didn’t “obviate” the temple worship system is antichrist and blasphemy. His sacrifice is all sufficient.
On April 20, 2022 at 8:04 am, Eric said:
@PGF
Jesus’s disciples offered the sacrifices for a Nazirite vow in Acts 21. Were they antichrist? In Leviticus are all sacrifices for sin? Why did Jesus instruct healed lepers to go to priests and do what they say. (Instructions in Leviticus imply 2 different types of sacrifices were done.)
Jesus’s atonement is sufficient for the whole world. This is what the Bible teaches.
I sense you are passionate about what the Bible says. I call people like you friend as we are coming from the same general direction and we have a shared horizon.
On April 20, 2022 at 10:16 am, PGF said:
Amazing to me is that the Judaizers are still at it 2000 years after Jesus ended the Levitical priesthood.
Here’s the thing, I don’t own this blog, but the man who does is long-suffering. But be warned, those spreading heresies do get blocked at some point.
There is one way; His name is Jesus, who is the Christ of God. The temple in Acts 21 was destroyed in the first century. They all were, by necessity, destroyed that Christ’s followers would follow Him in spirit and truth.
If it were possible to lead me astray, I might be concerned about perhaps adding something to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. But some who read this blog may not have such a sure foundation of faith and might begin to think within themselves that perhaps Jesus didn’t complete the Law and the prophets, that perhaps His grace is not sufficient.
Salvation is not by works at all. It’s not Jesus plus dietary rules. It’s not Jesus plus Nazarite vows. It’s not Jesus plus baptism or good deeds or rites or rituals or recitations of any kind. It’s not Jesus plus literal 21st-century Pharisees claiming Noahide laws are still (or back) in effect. It’s just Jesus.
The Father seeks those that would worship Him in spirit and in truth, and that’s why He destroyed the law of sacrifice.
We reject doctrines that don’t consider the totality of the scope of the New Covenant. We don’t take random out-of-context verses and of make them our new (or old) religion. There is NO bringing forward of sacrifices into the New Covenant.
Paul would do anything, even kill a dumb animal and circumcise a gentile, to gain an audience with his fellow Jews that he might preach Christ crucified. We’re not making a religion from these instances. Missionaries to the Chinese wear Chinese garb, and missionaries in the Philippines eat rice with their hands. They do this to gain access to preach the Gospel. Many disagree with the lengths that Paul went to, and many agree, but none consider these necessities of worship today but those who deny the Father and the Son.
Having tasted of the liberty in Christ, no man would seek to revive the weak and beggarly things of the law. For this, your conversion is questionable to me.
We are free in Christ Jesus under the New Covenant with all men, the Noahic covenant being general operating principles God has set forth on the earth. After the order of Melchizedek (which was a precious glimpse at the liberty to come), Our High Priest is Jesus Christ. Jesus is seated at the right hand of Power, ruling and reigning in heaven and in earth, expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
I suppose it’s time for a “not by works” post.
This is your last warning; no Judaizing!
On April 20, 2022 at 11:12 am, Herschel Smith said:
Viz. Nazaritic vows. You must mean Acts 18:18. That wasn’t connected to Levitical law, it was separate. There was nothing unlawful about that vow. For more see the WCF on “Lawful Oaths and Vows.”
A few in the Christian Reconstruction / Theonomy movement believe in the continuing validity of the dietary laws for health reasons (e.g., Rushdoony), and I don’t really care about that.
I say continuing validity not in terms of laws that must be obeyed, but wisdom from Scripture. I don’t entirely agree with Rushdoony here.
On April 20, 2022 at 12:54 pm, Fred said:
Romans 14:1-3
On April 20, 2022 at 9:45 pm, Eric said:
I have been misunderstood and my intentions have been mischaracterized.
I apologize if I have hijacked the comments.
(Posting is the only way you will know I have read this and I want to give you that respect.)