'Whenever you see a rainbow'

Genesis 9

Clearly the flood didn't wash away sin. Soon after the flood, Noah gets drunk and his youngest son dishonours him. The earth is a place of “fear” (v2) and ‘violence is abroad’ (Kidner). This passage indicates something of what is needed in response to sin.

Firstly more law is added, both permissive and prohibitive.

The Lord permits the human consumption of meat (v3), but prohibits the eating of blood, which speaks of “life” (v4). The Mosaic law will develop this idea and it will give significance to animal  blood sacrifices, and ultimately to the blood of Christ that cleanses from sin (1 John 1:7).

Also, murder is to be punished (v5-6), and humanity is commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” (v1, 7). Growth in numbers of offspring corresponds to the New Testament commission to be fruitful in making disciples of all nations (See how this idea is developed in John 4:35-36, 13:34-35, 15:16).

Secondly, more care is required, especially to show honour.

The strange incident in which Noah’s son Ham “saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside” (v22) is full of possible implication as to what actually happened. It was serious enough for the eventually sobered up Noah to curse “Canaan”, the son of Ham (v25, 10:6). (This curse has been very misused by some and it probably only refers to what would eventually happen to the Canaanites when the children of Israel conquered the Holy Land.) The other two sons show a proper honour and respect for their father, even in a time of disgrace (v23), and this extra special care to show honour is obviously commended as better than the behavior of Ham (v26-27). To honour parents would become the fifth Commanment of the Mosaic law (Exodus 20:12)

And thirdly, more grace and mercy is given by God.

This undeserved love of God towards His fallen creation is expressed in the form of a “covenant” (v8-17), which involves God’s promise “that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood “ (v11), and includes the assuring sign of the rainbow in the clouds (v12-17). In this divinely established covenant,  the active  participant is God and the human recipients of the covenant are objects of His undeserved favour and gift. As the old children’s chorus put it, ‘Whenever you see a rainbow, remember God is good.’