Genesis 9

Genesis (9:1-29): The wickedness of man was so great before the flood that violence filled the earth. This violence had to include both men and animals. Cain shed innocent blood, priming the pump of homicide for his descendants. Animals, that were intended only to be killed for a sacrifice unto the LORD (cf. Gen 3:21; 4:4; 8:20) were now being killed for food or pleasure (cf. Gen 1:29-30).  Since the fall of man, it seems that the Creator was less feared by antediluvian man (cf. Gen 6:5, 11), and animals became fearful of man (cf. Gen 9:2). This made the animal kingdom prior to the flood an easy game for the sinful desires of man. You have to wonder if the antediluvian man was ever slain by an animal (cf. Gen 9:5)? 

 How quickly sin manifested and magnified itself from the Garden to around the globe – the earth is corrupt and filled with violence (Gen 6:11; cf. Gen 9:21ff). Sin is a deadly and aggressive spiritual cancer that touches all of life, human and non-human, with death and decay; particularly lethal is it to man because it eternally separates man from God unless the spiritual treatment for sin is received. Even all of nature agonizes because of this ubiquitous malady.  

In the 371 days from the beginning of the flood until disembarking from the Ark (cf. Gen 7:11 and Gen 8:14), Noah was informed by the LORD of four additional changes that were going to take place. 

First, every moving thing that lives will be afraid of man and dread him (Gen 9:2). 

Second, every living thing that moves will be food for him (Gen 9:3), with the only restriction of not eating the blood (Gen 9:4). If all living before the flood were herbivores, was the raven’s behavior symbolic that changes were already in the wind? Animals were going to be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores in the post-flood world, and man was going to be omnivores. Failure to find a satisfactory explanation for sharp teeth in an herbivorous world before the flood does not invalidate the accuracy of the biblical record. 

Third, capital punishment was prescribed by the Creator for killing another human being whether committed by an animal or man (Gen 9:5-6). The genesis flood is compelling evidence that God had his fill of violence. 

Fourth, God will never again destroy all living with a flood (Gen 9:11, 15). Obviously, this refers to those creatures living on the earth and not under the sea. This is referred to as the Noahic Covenant or the covenant made to Noah and his sons (Gen 9:8). Actually, it extends to every living creature that was in the Ark (Gen 9:10). The word itself occurs seven times in the Divine monologue. This may suggest the completeness of this agreement. The sign of this covenant was the rainbow. Though God indicated it would be a remembrance for Him, God is all-knowing; He stated this for man’s benefit. The key to understanding this is the loss of “all,” not local flooding and the unfortunate loss of some life. 

We have the choice to listen to natural disaster alarmists of global flooding due to global warming or look to the rainbow and be reminded of what Roy G. Biv (the colors of the rainbow) has to say about that! We as believers should be good stewards of the earth and promote healthy choices to preserve the environment. But even if every man in the world chooses not to go “green,” this will not circumvent the sign of the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth (Gen 9:16). While the earth remains (Gen 8:22), this sign shall be for perpetual generations (Gen 9:12). 

Noah lived 350 years after the flood (Gen 9:28). He was one of seven that belonged to the 900-Club: Methuselah (969, Gen 5:27), Jared (962, Gen 5:20), Noah (950, Gen 9:29), Adam (930, Gen 5:5), Seth (912, Gen 5:8), Cainan (910, Gen 5:14), and Enosh (905, Gen 5:11). 

Father, why does man not see that the Genesis flood was a matter of the heart?  Is man going to reject the need for salvation because he cannot reconcile the Genesis flood to his scientific or personal satisfaction? The biblical record has stood the test of time. If a man refuses to trust Your Word, O LORD, he does so for another agenda; for men love darkness rather than light. The Ark was ridiculous to man before the flood as the cross is ludicrous to man after the flood and unto the present time. Man sees no need for salvation; he is the captain of his own ark. He does not see his need for the Ark; that we call the cross. But death will come to him sooner or later, O Father, and there will be no further rescue attempt with the closing of that door, drowning in the flood of his/her own unbelief. 

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Gen 6:8). He was a just man in an unjust world; he was a perfect man in an imperfect world; he walked with God when no one else would (Gen 6:9). He did all that God had commanded him (Gen 6:22). O, that my soul was like Noah’s was in a world flooded with darkness. Father, I am unworthy of the grace and mercy You have shown toward me on a daily basis. With a grateful spirit, help me to be more Christ-like to those around me. <><