To whom much is given, much is required

"Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man."  (Genesis 9:5)

This promise seems to be referring specifically to the sanctity of life, establishing a general requirement of respect, especially when blood is spilled - either human or animal.  It seems to be read by some as a complement to the "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life" crime and punishment principle set forth in the old testament.

But here is what I have found in defining the word darash  (translated here "require"):  to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require, frequent (a place), (tread a place), to consult, enquire of, seek (with a demand), investigate, ask for, practice, study, follow, seek with application, care for.

It is a word also used of God's people as they seek him out.



I have often felt that much is required of me.  Indeed, there is much required of us as the body of Christ.  This should come as no surprise - God promised to require our very lifeblood.  God requires partnership in this work of creation and redemption.  God has no one to turn to but us in seeking out this partnership to care for one another. 


He makes this promise specifically to Noah, after washing the filth of humanity off the face of the earth and promising never to do so again.  But in the promise that he will not destroy us - he promises that we have a lot of work to do.  We must care for life with every ounce of blood that we have been given.  God has promised to require this of us.



Christ did this so perfectly that it poured from his pores.  This life together and caring for one another seems really, really hard sometimes - but to my knowledge, not a one of us has yet begun to sweat blood. 


Take courage, my brothers and sisters.  We are not yet done and the road ahead seems long.  This is true.  The fulfillment of this promise - God requiring a lot of us - is evidence to me that God keeps his promises.  A few of those promises from our morning prayer book today:


From Isaiah 65...


"I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people."
"I will answer them before they even call to me.  While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"


From Revelation 21...


"To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children."