God’s Promise of Preservation • Genesis 9:1-13
By Jessica McMillan
Most of us reading this will never forget August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the entire Gulf Coast from Alabama to Louisiana, including southern and central Mississippi, as she slowly and violently left great damage in her wake. One of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, nearly 1,400 people lost their lives. Thousands were homeless and left without power or communication for months. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams were some of the first to assist as they made their way into the devastated area to help rebuild.
The first Sunday following the monster storm, many churches were eager to gather for outdoor worship with just the bare necessities. There was no sound system, air conditioning, coffee station, and in lots of cases, even bath water to get ready for church. People realized that material things don’t really hold value, and that was refreshing.
Genesis 9:1-3
Imagine the scene as Noah and his family emerged from the ark after riding out the massive flood. Refreshing, indeed! In Genesis 9, God gives them (and all the critters) a fresh start, a new beginning. He instructs them, much like he had told Adam and Eve, to multiply, and He establishes rules for eating. In the garden, plants were to be eaten. But post-flood, however, God says, “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” (v.3 NIV)
Genesis 9:4-7
No one is completely sure why God gave permission to Noah and his family to eat meat. Perhaps they needed more nutrition than the earth could produce once the flood waters receded. There was a stipulation, though. With permission to eat from all things plant and animal based, Noah (and those who came after him) were not to eat “meat that has its lifeblood still in it.” (v.4 NIV) The next couple of verses in this passage insinuate that blood equals life and that human life is special, because of being made in God’s image. “And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” (vv.5-6 NIV)
Later, Mosaic Law instructs that blood from animals must be drained before the meat can be eaten. “But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.” (Deuteronomy 15:23 NIV) The biblical principle is that the consumption of meat with blood disrespects and devalues life. While some might think all this talk about blood to be too gory, it is actually a foreshadowing not only of the value of human life, but also the precious blood of Christ, shed on the cross for us.
Genesis 9:8-13
God rescued Noah and his family from a horrible death. He provided for them as they started a fresh new life. And, as if this all were not enough, God gave Noah — and all who have come after him — a beautiful reminder of His promise of preservation. He could have left just the written reminders in His word. Instead, in addition to constant access to the Bible, He continues to show us lovely rainbows so that we can remember His goodness and that He always keeps His promises. May we never worship the creation — whether plants, animals, or scenic artistry — over the Creator!
McMillan is a member of Prentiss Church, Prentiss.
Comments are closed.