Genesis 9: Noah

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS ICON.

Genesis 9: God’s covenant with Noah and his descendants.

Chapter 9 is a beautiful chapter in that God in His mercy sets His covenant with Noah and his descendants. The words used in some of the verses are reminiscent of the ‘conversation’ that God had with Adam and Eve in the garden. For example: God reminds Noah to ‘Multiply, fill the earth and subdue it’, God gives Noah everything on the earth, but he reminds him that ‘He who sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God was man created.’ (Vs 6).

With these similarities, there is a feeling of starting afresh.  In His abounding generosity, God goes even further. God also sets a covenant with Noah and his descendants, (and us), and promises never to destroy the earth again, of which the rainbow will be the sign. (Vs 9-17). 

In these days of drought, we have not privileged to see the sign of the covenant, which God established with Noah very often lately.  Yet, we need to call to mind that relationship with our God and His abundant generosity.

Another couple of aspects also can be reflected upon from this chapter. Verse 6 reminds us of the sanctity of life, and how we are created in the image and likeness of God.  How does this tally with our recent law of abortion on demand or any other law, which does not respect life?

Also, later in the chapter, we see the effect of alcohol has on human behaviour on Noah and his sons.  We may wish to ponder about our behavioural patterns when alcohol is present.  What is our response to someone who has had ‘one too many’? Perhaps the writer is prompting us to remember that we are made in the image and likeness of God.

What are your thoughts on this chapter?