‘Image of God’ and sanctity of life: Noah’s enduring lessons for the world (Genesis 8–9)

Outline of the study

Exiting the Ark and Its Symbolism (1:24)

The significance of the Ark as a symbol for the kingdom of God and the Messiah.

The Ark represents safety during the flood, and its exit symbolizes humanity’s transition from protection to restoration.

The eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles is highlighted as a new beginning, marking the end of judgment and the start of God’s dwelling with mankind.

The number eight is significant in biblical patterns, symbolizing completion and oaths, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling promises.

The Importance of Oaths and Promises (4:44)

The significance of the Hebrew word sheva (“seven” and “to make an oath”) and shavu’ah (“oath”) and its connection to the number seven.

The importance of keeping promises is emphasized, both in the Torah and the Gospels, with Messiah advising against making promises one cannot keep (“let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no”).

The concept of bonding in construction is used as an analogy for the importance of fulfilling promises, with bonding companies ensuring projects are completed.

The “bonus” celebration after the seven days of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the Eighth Day, Shemini Atzeret. From its name and descriptions from prophetic books in the Hebrew and Greek books of the Bible see gather from this mysterious celebration that it is a reminder of a promised new beginning, symbolizing the dwelling place of God with mankind forever.

Humanity’s Role Post-Flood (9:16)

The exit from the Ark parallels to Israel’s journey from Egypt, emphasizing the ultimate destination of entering the LORD’s rest (the Promised Land).

The command to “swarm” across the earth is discussed, highlighting the problems that arise when humanity does not fulfill this command.

The story of Nimrod and the confusion of languages is introduced as a solution to humanity’s failure to spread across the earth.

The concept of swarming the land is linked to Israel’s history, with the failure to conquer Philistia leading to ongoing problems.

The Legacy of the Kingdom of God (15:20)

The importance of retaining the knowledge of God from generation to generation, referencing Rom. 1:18-32 (especially Rom. 1:28).

The analogy of grafting in horticulture is used to explain the concept of being part of the Kingdom of God, with natural and wild branches being pruned and grafted.

The importance of bearing fruit and being part of the covenant through trust and obedience is emphasized.

The discussion transitions to the topic of the flood and the significance of the word “all,” highlighting the global impact of the flood.

The Global Impact of the Flood (22:09)

The significance of the Hebrew word כָּל kol (“all,” “every,” “whole”) in the context of the Flood, emphasizing that it refers to everything on the planet. Some contend from other uses of the word in the Bible that it can be hyperbole (Genesis 41:57; Exodus 9:25, 10:15; Deuteronomy 2:25; 1Kings 10:24), so the Flood could have been local and not global.²

Yet since ‘all’ is known to be used in a relative sense, the writer removes all possible ambiguity by adding the phrase ‘under all [kol] the heavens’. A double ‘all’ (kol) cannot allow for so relative a sense. It almost constitutes a Hebrew superlative.³

The global nature of the flood is contrasted with local floods, with evidence of massive damage across the planet.

The warning of a future global judgment is discussed, emphasizing that it will affect the entire planet, not just a specific region.

The importance of the altar set up by Noah and the significance of the soothing aroma of the offering is highlighted.

The Significance of the Altar and Offering (31:17)

The symbolism of the altar and the offering, emphasizing that it was a “soothing aroma to the LORD.”

The concept of offering oneself and trusting in God is discussed, with the importance of bringing the correct approach to God.

The Role of the Yetzer Hara and Yetzer Hatov (47:38)

The discussion transitions to the concept of the ground no longer being cursed, with the intent of man’s heart being evil from youth.

The importance of the yetzer ha-ra (evil inclination) and yetzer ha-tov (good inclination) is emphasized, with humanity’s inclinations being towards the raw and bad.

The challenge of the yetzer ha-ra and the concept of the noble savage, emphasizing that humanity’s inclinations are towards the raw and bad.

The importance of taking thoughts captive and bringing them into submission to the teachings of the Messiah is emphasized.

The discussion transitions to the concept of the Noahide covenant and the command to be fruitful and multiply.

The importance of the Noahide covenant and its implications for humanity’s role on the earth are discussed.

The Noahide Covenant and Its Implications (47:52)

The Noahide covenant and its implications for humanity’s role on the earth, emphasizing the command to be fruitful and multiply.

The importance of the command not to eat the flesh with its life, that is, its blood, is emphasized, with references to Acts 15.

The Fear of Mankind and Its Implications (48:13)

A study on animals’ fear of human voices⁴ points to the historical veracity of the Noahide covenant.

The Role of Circumcision and the Abrahamic Covenant (55:21)

The significance of circumcision as a sign of the Abrahamic covenant and the belief of the parents.

The Importance of Language and the Image of God (1:01:19)

The importance of language as a hallmark of the “image of God” and the distinction between humanity and animals.

Footnotes