How do we assure people we will keep our promises?
When we were children, perhaps we made a pinky promise. It was the highest method we had to certify our word. As we get older, we use certain words: promise or swear.
When it comes to getting a loan, our word isn’t enough. We must give our Social Security Number and sign a contract committing ourselves to repayment—and repercussions if we don’t. In one sense, our credit score is a mathematical representation of our ability to keep our promises.
Promises are important. People keeping their word to us is crucial.
How much more is it essential to know we can trust the Lord’s word?
We’ve been learning from Genesis 9 about the first steps taken after the Flood. Today, we’re in Genesis 9:8-11.
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 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. 11 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.”
Genesis 9:8-11, New International Version
The Lord established a covenant with post-flood humanity.
What is a “covenant”?
Depending on your exposure to the Bible, you may know more or less about covenants. The emphasis of your teaching pastors also plays a role.
“Covenants” are a type of legal arrangement. There were several covenants in the Ancient Near Eastern world. The ones the Lord makes are the type used by kings or rulers.
In the legal arrangement in today’s passage, the Lord summons witnesses to hear his proclamation. In this type of covenant, the stronger party swears by their own name and reputation. This is what the Lord is doing: He is making His covenant by His own name.
In this passage, we’re back to seeing the word “God” in English. This isn’t a generic term but an intentional switch in names. The Hebrew word behind “God” is Elohim, a Kingly title. It’s another cue that what’s happening here is the formal language of covenant-making.
In the announcement to Noah and his sons, God addressed this covenant to two groups:
- The covenant was made to all humanity: Noah, his sons, and their descendants. Noah’s descendants are every human being that will ever live.
- The covenant was also made with all the animals—birds, livestock, and all wild animals—everything they carried in the Ark. Fish were not included in this promise. This wasn’t accidental. While a global flood would certainly upset their biosphere, it did not wipe them out.
In making this covenant announcement, God promised never to kill all life because of a worldwide flood.
Some get confused and think God is saying He would not allow floods ever to happen again. That’s not what He said. We can’t hold the Lord to promises He didn’t make.
His covenant (verse 11) was not to destroy ALL life. There has never been a flood (after this point) that exterminated ALL life. God has kept His promise, and He will always keep His promises.
So, He promises to all living creatures on Earth that life will never be extinguished by a global flood again. It’s a promise from Him, and He doesn’t break His promise.
Whether it’s a global flood or our salvation, we can trust the Lord’s promise.
Life Meets Theology 