How does our worship affect God? Do you ever wonder? In Genesis we sense that Noah’s sacrifice prompted a response from God. He made a promise not to destroy all living creatures again. Then he blessed Noah and his family. Their blessing is still ours. “Count your blessings, name them one by one . . .”
First, God blessed them with the opportunity of fruitfulness. Their work was to increase in number and fill the earth. Someone said that this is the one command of God that humankind has fulfilled. Maybe. But I tell my sons, “My job was to raise you as civilized human beings and Christians. Your job is to love God and give us grandchildren.” So far, so good.
Second, God brought fear on the animals as he placed them in the humans’ hands. When I see snakes in Hershey Park, most often, they slither to get away. When they don’t, I run the other way. Most animals have a natural fear of humans. This week I walked down a dirt road in the planetarium of the Hill Country late at night. I think I saw the Milky Way without a telescope! With my little phone flashlight, I was able to make sure my footing was secure. For a moment, I had a flash of fear. What if something out here attacks me? I kept walking. But there are places in the world, where I might have turned around and walked to safety. Not all animals have gotten the word to fear humans.
Third, God gave them food. Previously, people had eaten the green plants. Now they were allowed to eat the animals. No wonder the animals fled from them. As I ran on Monday morning, I came upon a herd of red stags. Think big, big deer with large, large antlers. It was a bachelor group of seven. The perfect number of red stags ran quickly away from me. I surmised they had come under previous fire from the humans. Likewise, the black-buck antelope made a fast exit. They thought I would eat them. Although the danger was not imminent that day, they were probably right. The squirrels in Hershey Park don’t run from me because they know I am no threat. But some of my recent ancestors have no such inhibitions about eating them.
In view of God’s blessing, we should bless his name and give him thanks. Nor should we keep these graces to ourselves. God loves to bless. People need to be blessed. God entrusts his blessing to us. Will we share it with others, today?
