Genesis 9 - The Promise Continues

The rainbow is not a symbol of unlimited human freedom, but of God's gracious covenant.

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v1-7 - God re-establishes His creation, once again giving dominion to man, albeit in a far different way than the initial creation.
v8-19 - God enters into a covenant with not just Noah and his future offspring, but also with every living creature.
- A covenant is a solemn agreement in which two parties contract with each other (I will do this / you will do that).
- From the very beginning God has a covenantal relationship with mankind: He will be our God and we will be His people.
- This covenant is different: it's between God and all living creatures, and no stipulations are placed upon the living creatures.
  - God promises to never again destroy the world with a flood, no matter how sinful it becomes.
  - The rainbow, which has been hijacked by modern society, is the symbol of God's universal grace.
v20-28 - The first recorded incident after the Flood is an ugly one. Ham's sin could be interpreted as simply making fun of Noah, or it could be understood that Ham assaulted Noah sexually.
- In either interpretation, sin continues to prevail as society is re-established.
- The story of Noah ends in the same way as all who came before him: "And he died."
- God's salvation in the midst of the flood saved biological life, but a better Savior will be need to defeat sin and death.

Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. - v6

This verse is often used as the rationale for capital punishment. Notice that the reason a murder's life must be taken is:

NOT
- to set an example so as to discourage people from murdering each other;
- to get revenge against murderers.
IT IS:
- a recognition of the value of human life since we are image bearers of God.

ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, creator of all things, who continues to sustain all things despite our sin because of His grace;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will be fruitful and multiply the grace God's given you as His Covenant child and image bearer.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: