Monday, August 5, 2019

God's Covenant with Noah (Genesis Series)

What happened to Noah and his family after they exited the ark onto dry ground? God established a covenant with Noah and his sons. God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the whole earth by flood waters. Then, God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply the earth. The rainbow that we often still see after a rainfall today was given as a sign for us to remember God's covenant with Noah.

Today, I'm reading through Genesis, chapters 9-10.

God's Covenant with Noah

As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it. - Genesis 9:7

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” - Genesis 9:7-17

Noah's three sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. In Genesis 9:19, we learn that all the people who have populated the earth came from these three sons of Noah.

The family tree which outlines the descendants of Noah is called The Table of Nations.

The Table of Nations

Noah's Sons and Grandsons

Some of the Sons and Grandsons (Nations) of Japheth

Some of the Sons and Grandsons of Japheth

Some of the Sons and Grandsons (Nations) of Ham

We learn in chapter 10 of Genesis that Noah's great grandson, Nimrod, was the builder of Nineveh. Before that, the city of Babylon was the first center of his kingdom. Babylon's ruins are in modern day Iraq.

The Canaanites were also descendants of Ham. They were scattered to Gaza and Sodom and Gomorrah.

I've never before studied the genealogy of Noah's descendants in detail. I have found this chapter much more interesting than I had anticipated.

Some of the Sons and Grandsons (Nations) of Shem

Noah's obedience was really something, wasn't it? He did exactly as God had commanded him to do. Because of Noah's obedience, he and his family were saved from the flood waters along with a number of animals. Because of Noah's obedience, God made a covenant with Noah. God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the whole earth by flood waters. God said that He would put a sign, a rainbow, in the sky. Whenever we see a rainbow, we are to remember the covenant God made with Noah and his sons. God kept his promise to Noah.

Then God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply the earth. Let's read this part again.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” - Genesis 9:12-17

Since childhood, I've been reading the story of Noah's Ark. It's a popular story even in the secular world. It is common to see a painting or print of Naoh, the Ark, and many animals hanging on the walls of pediatric doctor's offices, daycare centers, and even in some public schools. The story of Noah is a story enjoyed by children, but it is also a story for adults.

The story of Noah is a story about obedience. It's a story about a man who did exactly as God told him to do even if it didn't make sense to him. Movies often depict Noah's friends and neighbors as people who made fun of Noah. Unless I missed something, there is no record of people making fun of Noah in the Bible, not in Genesis 6-10. However, the people of the day were wicked so I imagine that those around Noah probably thought he was crazy. I think it is safe to say that people probably made fun of Noah daily. He was a righteous man surrounded by so much evil that God regretted having created humans - and he was building a giant boat - on dry land - in obedience to a God in whom the others did not believe, or at least they did not honor God.

Noah's example of obedience is one of which both children and adults should play close attention. God honored Noah's obedience by saving not only Noah, but also his family. Then, it was Noah's family who repopulated the earth and built nations. This story is also a reminder to us that God keeps His promises.

I hope that if I ever find myself standing alone in obedience to God, that I would follow Noah's example of full obedience.

Coloring Through Genesis

This post is part of my Coloring Through Genesis Series.

I'm using my Beautiful Word Coloring Bible. This is the one I have.

This item is available here.

Gods's Covenant with and The Table of Nations

Teach The Children

It is easy to find stories of Noah's Ark for children. First of all, read them the story from the Bible. Make sure your children know the story of Noah is in the Bible, a story not just about a boat filled with animals, but a story about obedience and faithfulness to God. Teach your children to always remember that God always keeps His promises.

Then, if you want to read your child a storybook about Noah's Ark with lots of pretty pictures, feel free. There are also lots of activities to accompany the story of Noah's Ark.

More Resources for Teaching and Learning About Noah's Ark


Noah's Ark Book and Jigsaw Puzzle

Piece together a wonderfully illustrated 30-piece jigsaw puzzle to complete the breathtaking picture of Noah's Ark, illustrated by John Joven, taken from the hugely successful picture book, also featured in this gift set. Puzzle measures 14 x 14 inches when completed. Check it out here!