Genesis 9 portrays a new beginning for the world. Many of the themes of Genesis 1-3 are repeated here. It is as though Noah is the new Adam. He receives the same mandate that Adam received: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” In Genesis 9:2, man’s authority over the earth is reconfirmed in similar terms to Genesis 1. But just as sin took a hold of mankind in Genesis 3 so also here sin takes a hold on mankind again. Noah becomes drunk and is shamed by his nakedness, a theme that appeared in Genesis 3. As a result, he curses one of his sons and so you get the theme of curse entering again. It is important, when reading the Bible, to be on the lookout for these sorts of patterns for they are hints at the message that is being conveyed. The message, in Genesis 9, is this: nothing has changed in the world and in man. Everything is repeated. This then serves to highlight what is going to be different this time around. For, in Genesis 9, God promises not to judge the world again as he did in the flood. This time God will begin a plan of salvation for the world. It is important for you to know that you live on this side of the flood. God’s purpose is not focused on judgement but on restoration. Whatever you have done God is willing to forgive you and restore you. God is always firmly committed to restoration. There is no point from which we cannot be restored and there is no amount of offence that God will not forgive.
Think about whether there are things that still bring a feeling of condemnation to you. Receive God’s forgiveness for these things.
Read Genesis 9
