In the Beginning - God's Covenant with all Creation - Genesis 9:1-17

In the Beginning

God's Covenant with all Creation

Genesis 9:1-17

[Intro:]

Last time we studied how God caused the rain and springs to cease from pouring forth water to flood the earth. God protected all life within the ark during the year and ten days they were on the ark. As soon as Noah exited the ark he built an altar and worshiped the Lord through sacrifice. This is evidence of the righteousness of Noah. He desired to exalt God for His divine protection and provision.

This time we are going to learn some very important details that God communicated after the flood. The things that God said attack the foundations of the following views and practices:

• evolution – abortion, euthanasia, racism, slavery, ethnic cleansing

• premeditated murder

• feminism

• male chauvinism

• modern interpretations of history

Moses writes to describe for the nation of Israel what God promised and instructed after the flood-judgment. This gives necessary instruction for how man is to live after the flood.

[Message:]

#1 – Man's authority, food, and precious nature (1-7)

God instructs Noah and his sons to repopulate the earth (1). This command is described as a blessing from God. Man is instructed to fill the earth. Man is informed that animal life will be under his authority. In this instance God says that animal life will fear man (2). In God's earlier description of the created order there was no mention of fear, only of man's authority (cf. 1:26-28). Sin has made things different. This includes what man and animal life will eat (3). Before sin entered the human race, man and animals did not eat meat (cf. 1:29-30).

Man is instructed not to eat meat while its blood is still in it (4). Scripture describes blood synonymously with life (Lev. 17:10-14). This informs us of the significance of Scripture discussing Christ's blood so often. It refers to His life being given in death for sin. Pagans would drink/eat blood with the hopes that they would gain strength and life from it. This is untrue and satanic in origin.

God introduces the precious nature of man's life in the following verses (5-7). God declares that every animal which kills a human must die (5a). The principle is reiterated under the Mosaic Law (cf. Ex. 21:28-32). Not only that, but every man who kills another man must die (5b). The person who kills another man must be put to death by another man (in this case, a relative – kinsman redeemer). Under the Mosaic Law, individuals who were guilty of premeditated murder were to be executed without question (cf. Ex. 21:12-14; Num. 35:16-32; Rom. 13:3-4; 1 Pet. 2:13-14). God is establishing the principle that man's life is precious and murder shows contempt toward the victim and ultimately toward God (6). God is the life-giver and murder is taking something that only the Creator has the right to decide. Life is not precious because it is fragile or unique. It is not precious because man is an intelligent being or has strength. Human life is precious because man is made in God's image.

Noah and his sons are called to repopulate the earth (7). Then God gives them a positive affirmation not to take the life of another man.

#2 – God's covenant with all creation (8-17)

God declares that He is establishing a covenant with all men, animals, and the earth (8-11). Noah, his sons, and all of his descendants are included in this covenant (9). God also includes all animal life in this covenant (10). The covenant states that God will never again destroy all flesh with a flood (11). This is a gracious promise from a merciful God. Scripture tells us that one day God will judge the earth with fire (2 Pet. 3:1-7, 10-13).

God states that the sign of His covenant with all creation would be a rainbow (12-15). When a covenant was established there was always a visible seal and reminder of the agreement. In this case it was a rainbow; for Abraham it was circumcision; and for Israel under the Law it was the sabbath. Many people theorize that water baptism is the sign of the covenant between God and the Christian. This is the reason for why Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Methodists baptized babies. This is an un-biblical practice. More likely, the sign of the covenant between God and the Christian is Spirit-baptism; that is, the sign of one being a true believer is that he possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 2:29; 8:9-11). The rainbow will be a continual reminder to God not to destroy all flesh again with a flood. God describes this covenant as everlasting (16-17). God will keep His word.

[Conclusion:]

#1 – Man's authority, food, and precious nature (1-7)

#2 – God's covenant with all creation (8-17)

God judged sinful man with the flood, wiping out all but eight people. Noah's survival was based on his righteousness through faith in God's promises. God would use Noah, through his son Shem, to bring about the birth of the Messiah – Jesus (Lk. 3:36; cf. v. 23). God's redemptive plan was not halted by: Cain's murder of Abel (birth of Seth), nor by the corruption of mankind (Noah), nor by the sons of God impregnating human women (the flood), nor by the Nephilim, fallen ones (the flood). God wiped out wicked man through the flood. God chose to continue His redemptive plan through Noah's son Shem.

Man's life is precious because he is made in the image of God. When sinful man denies this truth it leads to such wickedness as: abortion, euthanasia, and premeditated murder. Evolutionary thought leads to racism, slavery, and ethnic cleansing. According to Scripture there is only one race – human (Gen. 9:18-19). Remember this truth, human life is precious because he is made in the image of God.