Read Genesis 9 – Noah, his family, and all of the creatures from the ark are again commissioned to be fruitful and multiply.
God put a natural fear of man into animals, :2. This is for their protection because in verse :3 we are given God’s permission to eat them, with the admonishment to drain the blood.
Blood is life, and God will require blood for blood should a human life be taken by another human or animal, :5-6. God secured his promise to Noah with the rainbow, :15. (more on that in the bonus blog below)
In verse :20 we see that even Noah is prone to a fall. Beloved, that happens so often after a great spiritual victory. His son, Ham, sees him and tells his brothers, as if his father is deserving of ridicule. The brothers, Shem and Japheth, show such reverence as they walk in backwards, laying a robe over Noah without looking. When Noah learns what transpired, he curses Ham and his son Canaan, and we will see that play out throughout the bible, wherever the Canaanites are mentioned.
Noah dies at the age of 950, undoubtedly a great influence to all the generations through Terah (Abraham’s father).
Beloved, who do you relate to the most in this chapter? Are you the kind of person you want to be? May your walk with Jesus be one of increasing and vibrant integrity.
Bonus blog – Behold the rainbow! The LORD declared it a symbol of his everlasting covenant to Noah that He will never again cause the waters to destroy all life, :15. I’m guessing this rainbow was the first rainbow EVER. If you’re like me, every rainbow sighting is amazing!
The rainbow reminds God of his covenant, and it reminds me how much God loves me. I am a sinner, yet God loves me (and all people) so much He made a way, through Jesus Christ, to redeem us – it’s simply too beautiful a gift, John 3:16, but God says all who call upon the Name of Jesus will be saved.
Beloved, let your heart resonate with these ancient people as one who is rescued by God in heaven who loves you! And your assignment is to share this Good News. (See Acts 1:8).
Judy in the Sky 