Explanation - Rainbow's Promise Genesis 9

 

Explanation

Rainbow's Promise

Genesis 9 

Genesis 9 is a chapter in the book of Genesis in the Bible, and it describes events that occurred after the Great Flood.

After the floodwaters receded, God blessed Noah and his sons, instructing them to be fruitful and multiply and repopulate the earth. God gave them permission to eat animals for food, just as they had previously been permitted to eat plants. However, God commanded them not to eat the flesh with its blood, as the life of a creature is in its blood.

God established a covenant with Noah and his descendants, as well as every living creature on the earth. He promised that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. As a sign of this covenant, God set a rainbow in the sky, which would serve as a reminder of His promise.

Noah's three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, went on to have their own children and populate different regions of the world. Noah, who was a farmer, planted a vineyard and made wine. One day, he became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham, his son, saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers about it. Shem and Japheth, however, covered their father's nakedness without looking at him.

When Noah awoke from his drunkenness, he learned what had happened. He cursed Ham's son Canaan, saying that Canaan would be a servant to his brothers. Noah blessed Shem and Japheth, declaring that they would be blessed and that Canaan would serve them.

Noah lived for several more years after the flood, and the chapter concludes by providing details about his lifespan. It mentions that Noah lived for 350 years after the flood, making him a total of 950 years old before he died.

In summary, Genesis 9 highlights the establishment of a covenant between God and Noah after the flood, the permission to eat meat with certain restrictions, the sign of the rainbow as a reminder of God's promise, and an account of Noah's descendants and his final years. It also includes the story of Noah's drunkenness and the subsequent blessings and curses he pronounced upon his sons and grandson.

Rainbow's Promise

In deluge's wake, a new beginning gleams,

Genesis 9, where hope redeems.

A covenant forged, a divine decree,

A tale of Noah and his family.

 

"Be fruitful," God spoke, "and multiply,

Fill the earth, let life's wonders amplify."

Meat on their table, a newfound delight,

Yet blood, taboo, in God's sacred sight.

 

A rainbow unfurls, an arc of grace,

A sign of mercy, a promise in space.

Never again shall floods bring such dread,

The earth preserved, as God had said.

 

Noah's vineyard, its fruits so fine,

Intoxicating nectar, sweet as wine.

But drunkenness befalls, a moment's lapse,

Uncovered lies, hidden within the gaps.

 

Ham's gaze, impure, brings shame to light,

But Shem and Japheth cloak the sight.

A curse befalls Canaan, a servant's plight,

While blessings embrace those who did right.

 

Noah's years wane, his life's tale told,

A patriarch's journey, immortal and bold.

Three hundred fifty, his days extend,

A legacy left, a story to transcend.

 

"Rainbow's Promise," this chapter we find,

A covenant divine, in words enshrined.

Lessons of grace, forgiveness, and love,

Guiding humanity from Heaven above.

Explanation

 

Verse 1: "And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.'"

After the flood, God extends His blessings to Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. He instructs them to be fruitful, meaning to have children, and multiply, which refers to the growth of their descendants. The command to fill the earth implies the repopulation of the world after the devastation of the flood.

 

Verse 2: "The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered."

God declares that animals will now fear humans and have a sense of dread towards them. The dominion and authority over the animal kingdom are bestowed upon humans. This verse establishes the hierarchy and power dynamics between humans and animals.

 

Verse 3: "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."

God grants permission to Noah and his descendants to consume animals as a source of food. Prior to this, humans were only permitted to eat plants (Genesis 1:29). This expansion of the human diet allows for the inclusion of animal products as a source of sustenance.

 

Verse 4: "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood."

Although God allows the consumption of animals, He establishes a restriction on the consumption of blood. The life of a creature resides in its blood, and thus, it is deemed sacred. The prohibition against consuming blood serves as a reminder of the sanctity of life and the acknowledgment that life belongs to God.

 

Verse 5: "And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man."

God emphasizes the sanctity of human life by instituting a requirement of accountability for the shedding of blood. Both animals and humans are subject to this accountability. This verse establishes the principle that taking a life, whether human or animal, carries a moral responsibility.

 

Verse 6: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."

This verse introduces the concept of capital punishment for the act of murder. The shedding of human blood is considered a grave offense because humans are created in the image of God. Therefore, the punishment for taking a human life is deemed justifiable, as it reflects the value and significance of human beings as bearers of the divine image.

Verse 7: "And you, be fruitful and multiply, teem on the earth and multiply in it."

In this verse, God reiterates His command for Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply, encouraging them to populate and fill the earth with their descendants. This repetition emphasizes the importance of procreation and the continuation of the human race.

 

Verse 8: "Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him,"

This verse serves as an introduction to God's specific instructions and the establishment of a covenant with Noah and his sons. It sets the context for the following verses.

 

Verse 9: "Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you,"

Here, God declares His intention to establish a covenant with Noah and his future generations. The covenant is a solemn agreement, often accompanied by promises and responsibilities, in this case, between God and humanity.

 

Verse 10: "and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth."

God expands the scope of the covenant, stating that it extends not only to Noah and his descendants but also to every living creature that emerged from the ark. This inclusiveness highlights God's care and concern for His creation as a whole.

 

Verse 11: "I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."

In this verse, God outlines the main promise of the covenant. He assures Noah and his descendants, as well as all living creatures, that He will never again bring a worldwide flood to destroy all flesh and the earth. This promise demonstrates God's commitment to preserving His creation.

 

Verse 12: "And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:'"

Here, God introduces the sign of the covenant, a visible symbol that represents the covenant and serves as a reminder of His promise. The sign is to be observed by Noah, his descendants, and all living creatures throughout all future generations.

Verse 13: "I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

In this verse, God reveals the specific sign of the covenant: a rainbow. God states that He has placed His bow (referring to a rainbow) in the clouds as a visible sign and reminder of the covenant between Him and the earth. The rainbow serves as a symbol of God's faithfulness and His promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood.

 

Verse 14: "When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds,"

God explains that the appearance of clouds is associated with the presence of the rainbow. When clouds cover the earth and the rainbow becomes visible within them, it serves as a significant and recognizable sign of God's covenant.

 

Verse 15: "I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."

This verse emphasizes that the purpose of the rainbow is to remind God Himself of the covenant He made with Noah, every living creature, and all flesh. God declares that He will remember His covenant, reiterating His promise to never bring a flood that would destroy all flesh.

 

Verse 16: "When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Here, God reiterates that when He sees the rainbow in the clouds, it serves as a visual trigger for Him to remember the everlasting covenant. The rainbow's presence acts as a prompt for God to recall His promise to preserve and protect all living creatures on the earth.

 

Verse 17: "God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.'"

God confirms to Noah that the rainbow is the designated sign of the covenant. It is a visible symbol that represents the agreement between God and all living creatures on the earth. The rainbow serves as a reminder of God's mercy, faithfulness, and His commitment to His creation.

 

Verse 18: "The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.)"

This verse provides a brief genealogical note, mentioning Noah's three sons who came out of the ark: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It also specifies that Ham is the father of Canaan, which becomes relevant in the subsequent narrative in the following verses.

Verse 19: "These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed."

Verse 19 reiterates the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It emphasizes that from these three sons, the entire population of the earth spread and populated different regions. This verse highlights the significance of Noah's sons as the progenitors of humanity after the flood.

 

Verse 20: "Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard."

In this verse, we learn about Noah's occupation after the flood. He transitions to becoming a farmer and plants a vineyard. This signifies Noah's engagement in agricultural pursuits, specifically cultivating grapes for wine production.

 

Verse 21: "He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent."

This verse narrates an unfortunate incident involving Noah. After consuming the wine produced from his vineyard, Noah becomes intoxicated and ends up lying uncovered in his tent. This act of drunkenness leads to subsequent events.

 

Verse 22: "And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside."

Here, we are introduced to Ham, one of Noah's sons and the father of Canaan. Ham enters Noah's tent and sees his father's nakedness. Instead of responding with respect and covering his father, Ham goes outside and informs his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, about what he witnessed.

 

Verse 23: "Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness."

Upon hearing Ham's report, Shem and Japheth respond differently. They take a garment, place it on their shoulders, and walk backward into the tent to cover their father's nakedness. They make a deliberate effort not to look at Noah's nakedness, displaying respect and honor.

 

Verse 24: "When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him,"

After sobering up from his drunkenness, Noah becomes aware of what Ham, his youngest son, had done to him. The consequences of Ham's disrespectful action are about to be revealed in the following verses.

 

Verse 25: "he said, 'Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.'"

In this verse, Noah awakens from his drunken state and becomes aware of what Ham, his son, had done. Noah pronounces a curse upon Canaan, who is Ham's son. The curse declares that Canaan will be a servant of servants to his brothers, indicating a subordinate position or servitude to his relatives.

 

Verse 26: "He also said, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant.'"

Here, Noah offers a blessing to the Lord, specifically acknowledging God as the God of Shem, one of his sons. Noah declares that Canaan will serve Shem, implying a hierarchy or subservient relationship.

 

Verse 27: "May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant."

In this verse, Noah pronounces a blessing upon Japheth, his son. He asks God to enlarge Japheth, which could refer to prosperity, influence, or descendants. Noah also mentions that Japheth will dwell in the tents of Shem, suggesting a close relationship or benefit from Shem's prosperity. Additionally, Canaan is again mentioned as a servant, this time to Japheth.

 

Verse 28: "After the flood, Noah lived 350 years."

This verse provides information about the lifespan of Noah. It states that Noah lived for 350 years after the flood, indicating the period of time he spent on earth following the catastrophic event.

 

Verse 29: "All the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died."

The final verse of Genesis 9 concludes Noah's story. It states that Noah's total lifespan was 950 years, encompassing the time before and after the flood. The verse concludes with the note that Noah eventually died, marking the end of his earthly existence.

Important Points of this chapter

Covenant with Noah: God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising to never destroy the earth with a flood again (verse 11).

 

Rainbow as a Sign: God sets the rainbow as a sign of the covenant, serving as a reminder of His promise (verse 13-17).

 

Permission to Eat Meat: God grants permission to Noah and his descendants to eat meat, expanding their diet beyond plant-based foods (verse 3).

 

Prohibition of Consuming Blood: God prohibits the consumption of blood, emphasizing the sanctity of life (verse 4).

 

Responsibility for Shedding Blood: God holds humans accountable for shedding the blood of both animals and fellow humans (verse 5).

 

Genealogy of Noah's Sons: The chapter mentions the names of Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their role in populating the earth (verse 19).

 

Drunkenness of Noah: Noah becomes intoxicated with wine and lies uncovered in his tent (verse 21).

 

Ham's Disrespect and Curse on Canaan: Ham sees his father's nakedness and tells his brothers, leading to a curse on his son Canaan (verse 22-25).

 

Blessings on Shem and Japheth: Noah blesses Shem and Japheth, speaking of their prosperity and relationships with Canaan (verse 26-27).

 

Noah's Lifespan: The chapter provides information about Noah's lifespan, stating that he lived 350 years after the flood and had a total lifespan of 950 years (verse 28-29).

 

These points highlight the establishment of the covenant, the significance of the rainbow as a sign, dietary permissions and restrictions, the importance of respecting life, family dynamics and the consequences of Ham's actions, blessings and curses on Noah's descendants, and the lifespan of Noah.

Quotable Quotes from Genesis 9

 

"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." (Genesis 9:1)

God's command to Noah and his sons, emphasizing the importance of procreation and the repopulation of the earth.

 

"I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." (Genesis 9:13)

God's declaration about the rainbow, highlighting its significance as a symbol of His covenant with the earth.

 

"Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." (Genesis 9:11)

God's promise to never bring a worldwide flood again, assuring the preservation of all living creatures on earth.

 

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6)

A verse highlighting the principle of capital punishment and the value of human life as being made in the image of God.

 

"Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem." (Genesis 9:26)

Noah's blessing acknowledging God as the God of Shem, one of his sons.

 

"May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem." (Genesis 9:27)

Noah's prayer for God to bless Japheth, expressing the desire for his prosperity and close relationship with Shem.

 

These quotes capture key themes and significant moments from Genesis 9, including God's covenant, the symbolism of the rainbow, promises of preservation, the sanctity of human life, and the blessings pronounced by Noah.