Genesis 9:8-17 (NRSV)
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Verse 8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, Verse 9"As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, Verse 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. Verse 11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
Verse 12God 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: Verse 13I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Verse 14When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, Verse 15I 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. Verse 16When 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." Verse 17God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."
Devotion
Persons who participated in the once familiar Bethel Series Bible Studies will remember the second and third teaching illustrations with their titles: "Divine Intentions" and "Disharmony." The writer of Genesis tells us that when the living and loving God created, God looked at all that was made and saw that it was very good. Genesis chapter three portrays a very different picture. Because of human rebellion against the Creator, there is chaos, conflict and death. The contrast is unmistakable. However, there is also an implied promise that there would be a restoration.
Following the chaos and destruction of the flood, God's promise becomes more specific. God promises to Noah that his family and his descendants will never face such a deluge again.
Still later, the promise of God will become even more specific when Abraham is told that his descendants will be a blessing to all the earth. Christmas and Epiphany have affirmed again that God always keeps promises that are made and made known.
Prayer
Living and Loving God, by your Holy Spirit, open up our minds and hearts to hear your promises so clearly that we grow in grace and in faith all life long. Amen.