The Rainbow Promise (Gen. 9)

 9:1-8 The world after the flood.

9:2 The fear of you(man) will be on every beast, bird, creeping thing, fish. Are men afraid of God’s creatures? Yes. Why? This is the effect of sin on man rather than sin in the creatures.

9:5 God’s law of the jungle – Beasts that kill man shall be killed. Men that kill men shall be killed.

9:6 The reason for capital punishment – man made in the image of God. (Exodus 20:13; 21:12.)

9:8-11 The Covenant God makes with Man.

9:8 God spoke – Not an observation after the flood. Not a conclusion man could make. Needed to hear God’s take on the situation.

9:9 God’s personal covenant with Noah and the descendants of Noah (all mankind).

9:10 God’s covenant extends to all living things – those affected by Man’s sin.

9:11 No more water judgment. Never again a universal flood. Local floods are not the judgment of God.

 9:12-17The Rainbow Sign. What is a rainbow? Does it serve a practical function? Does a rainbow do anything? Reminds us of the promise of God and His care for beauty. If there is a rainbow and nobody is there to see it – is it still visible? (Yes, God sees it.)

God Remembers Noah (Gen. 8)

8:1 God remembers – God does not forget. People forget.

8:4 The ark rested – Salvation rests upon the mountain of the promise of God

8:6 A window on Noah’s world. There was no guarantee/promise that the flood waters would recede.

8:7 Raven = long range view. hope

8:8,9 Dove = short range view. hope

8:10,11 Dove = short range view again. Olive leaf = promise fulfilled that God remembered.

8:12 Dove = no return = flood receded.

8:13-19 The water was dried up!

8:13 Noah looked = confirmed the promise.

8:14 Dry – flood receded, not desert.