Genesis 9

Genesis 9

9:2 If you remember, the previous edict was to rule the earth, now the animals will be afraid of men. This suggests that previously animals knew that men were their masters and were respectful and not afraid. In a sense, this was more of a curse than a blessing. The master/servant relationship was converted to owner/property or hunter/hunted.

9:3 Compare this with Genesis 1:29. Men were all vegetarian, now they are carnivorous. There is a fundamental change going on here, and they probably realized what was being said.

9:5 I wonder what this means by demanding an account:11 of the blood from every animal? Does this mean that animals will be judged or does this mean that the animal's blood is what is demanded for the blood of man? If it is the former, I don't understand, but if it is the latter then it sets up the sacrificial system quite nicely.

9:6 Capitol punishment anyone? Also we can see an application of our image-bearing nature.

9:7 God really did mean for Noah and his sons to repopulate the earth. But do you think it really needed to be said? One would think that it would be the natural thought that follows a catastrophic event.

9:11 This is something to note: another covenant made by God to Noah and his family (and, to us since we are all descendants of this one man). We will not be destroyed by flood. On the one hand, we know that the earth will not be destroyed by a meteor crashing into the ocean and destroying the planet. But on the other hand, it only means that water will not be the method of the earth's demise. The New Testament shows that we will be judged by fire. (2 Peter 3:6-7)

9:16 Rainbows are fascinating, but it is important to note that this is why we have them. Through the study of optics, we can show how a rainbow is created by simple math, but that is the method God uses to communicate to us through Creation. Remember Romans 1:20! It is amazing how many scientists see the work of Creation all around them and still deny the Creator!

9:21 Why did Noah plant a vineyard and make alcoholic beverages? They were the only ones on the planet and he did that! It is interesting here how a man that found favor with God can fall just like anyone else. Noah was found to be faithful, yet the Bible still records his misdeeds. This is one thing the Bible does that very few if any other religious texts can claim - God works through people that don't deserve it, and shows in the Bible that they were ordinary men with faith.

9:27 It never made sense to me why Noah would curse his son for looking on his nakedness by accident. It seems to be Noah's own fault for being in such a situation to allow this to happen in the first place. It does work out later since Ham was the father of Canaan, whose land was to be ruled by Israel. That still doesn't explain the curse though. For reference, Israel is of the line of Shem.

9:29 Noah actually lived almost as long as his grandfather Methuselah. After this we will see man's life deteriorating fast based on the declaration by God earlier. Now there is a big push to expand life, to understand this on a genetic level and conquer death through science. Let me tell you here and now that it will never happen. We may make advances, but death will not be conquered. It is one of the enemy's chief weapons, why would he permit that?