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Genesis 9

Good Morning “Rainbow Fans.”  Today we are in Genesis 9.

Noah and his family find themselves on and empty earth.  They are no doubt concerned.  How will they live, what will they eat?  God puts Noah’s mind to rest right away.

“Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This command likely comes with the assumption that if they’re going to be around long enough to fill the earth - Gods going to take care of them.

This command sounds oddly like the command given to Adam in the garden.  Actually we’ll find many similarities between the original creation and now the rebuilding.  There are also some differences.  

Although most of the plant life will return, most would have been destroyed in the flood.  Perhaps out of necessity for food, for the first time, Noah is allowed to kill animals and eat meat.  Noah will have to become a hunter though  - check it out…

“The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sin is still on the earth.  Noah and his descendants, literally all of humanity, will be born with a sin nature.  We all know what Cain did to his brother Abel.  Here, now we see Gods institution of Capital Punishment and by extension the birth of early form government to administer it.  

God starts by making it clear to Noah that He will demand an accounting of each life.  He then makes clear the consequence.

“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV

It’s important to note that this institution has never been rescinded by God.  Hence, Capital Punishment is still the expected consequence for taking the life of a human being.  Why?  Because we are made in the image of God.  Romans 13:1-5  makes it clear that its governments job to carry out the wrath of God - not ours.  It’s also important to note that there is no distinction between the born and unborn.  We see capital punishment reiterated regarding the unborn beginning in Exodus 21:22.  Scripture is clear.  Life begins at conception.

We also see the birth of the rainbow in this chapter.  The Rainbow is representative of Gods Covenant with Abraham and by extension us.  He will never again destroy the earth by flood.

Love you all!  Dig in!  Soak this stuff up!