Instructions for living in a new world

 

Instructions for living in a new world

God gave Noah the same mandate He had given Adam to multiply and fill the earth. Moreover, God permitted him to have animals as food. This highlights God’s enduring purpose for humanity as stewards over creation and having dominion over the earth. A significant difference is that Noah is permitted to eat animals. Before the flood, man’s diet is understood to have been primarily plant-based [Genesis 1:29]. This provision suggests God’s concession to human need in a changed environment, where agriculture may have been more difficult immediately after the flood.

So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth (Genesis 9:1-7).

However, man was to eat animals and not the blood of the animals, for the blood represents life [Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:11, Leviticus 17:14, and Deuteronomy 12:23].

 

Blood represents the life of the being, whether animal or human. When blood is poured out, life is removed. [Passover - Exodus 12:13, the New Covenant - Matthew 26:28, Justify man - Romans 5:9, and gives us victory over Satan - Revelation 12:11]. Killing another person through murder is a serious offense [Genesis 9:5], it defiles the land [Numbers 35:31-34]. However, man was not to eat blood, "for the blood is the life” [Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14; Deuteronomy 12:23]. This prohibition highlights the sacredness of life. Blood, as the seat of life, belonged to God alone, consuming meat without blood was therefore a reminder of man’s dependence on God as the giver of life. Moreover, this law foreshadowed the sacrificial system, where blood was reserved for atonement on the altar [Leviticus 17:11], pointing to the redemptive blood of Christ [Hebrews 9:22].

 

God affirms His covenant never to destroy the world with a flood

God set the rainbow as a visible sign of His covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. Although, God swore not to destroy the earth by flood again, Scripture teaches that the final judgment will come by fire, not water [2 Peter 3:6–7]. Compares the days of Noah with the days before Christ’s return: people will be caught unprepared, busy with daily life, when judgment suddenly falls [Matthew 24:37–39].

 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh (Genesis 9:12-17).

God promised not to destroy the world with flood but, with fire in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ [Matthew 24:37, 2 Peter 3:1-7].

 

The sin of Ham, Noah’s son

Ham’s action showed disrespect and dishonor toward his father, exposing Noah’s shame rather than preserving his dignity. In contrast, Shem and Japheth demonstrated reverence and discretion by covering their father without gazing upon his nakedness.

... Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants He shall be to his brethren. ... Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem. ... May God enlarge Japheth. ... (Genesis 9:18-29).

This event highlights the biblical principle of honoring one’s parents (Exodus 20:12) and the seriousness of showing respect within the family.

 

Wine Is a Mocker

It is only after the flood that wine is mentioned. The shameful action of taking wine shows the foolishness of drunkenness. Those misled by wine are not wise as it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper [Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-33].  Ham exposing the nakedness of his father's nakedness was a mockery and undermined his authority as a man of God. Perhaps Canaan was involved in this sin with Ham, his father, as Noah cursed Canaan.

 

People full of prejudice indicated the descendants of Canaan were Africans, to justify slavery. However, black people did not come from Canaan. However, Joshua conquered the Canaanites, allowing the Israelites to occupy the Promised Land. Noah lived for 950 years, and though a righteous man of faith [Hebrews 11:7], he had flaws.

George G. Ruheni

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