Genesis 9: God's Covenant with Humanity in Noah
GENESIS 9 – 11: GOD’S COVENANT SUMMARY AND TOWER OF BABEL
Living Faith Bible Fellowship
May 11, 2011
Discussion Items
I. Brief Recap of Covenant II. Genesis 9 • God’s Covenant with the Earth (Noahic Covenant), v.8-17 • Ham’s Sin and Noah’s Curse
III. Tower of Babel, Genesis 11
Anatomy of a Covenant (1) Parties to a covenant
(2) Prologue or covenant context
• Suzerain or great king • Vassal or lesser king
• Historical situation, e.g. a great rescue or a vulnerable situation or need of some kind
(3) Conditions or stipulations
(4a) Promises: Benefits or blessings
• Obligations of the vassal to the suzerain
• Protection • Privileges
(4b) Promises: Consequences or curses
(5) Covenant Sign
• Punishment for violation
• Witnesses or reminders of the covenant for the parties
Definition: Hebrew is berit A solemn commitment of oneself to undertake an obligation
Covenant of Works Covenant of Grace
Covenantal Analysis of Genesis 9:8-17 • Who are the parties to the covenant? • What is the prologue or covenant context?
• Conditions or stipulations? • Promises: Benefits or blessings? • Promises: Consequences or curses? • Covenant Sign?
Noah’s Drunkenness and the Curse of Ham/Canaan • Noah’s drunkenness • Is not explicitly condemned in the text, could be implied
• The context is clearly not about Noah’s sin, but Ham’s
• Ham • Looked upon his father’s nakedness and told his brothers • What exactly was his sin? Options • He dishonored his Dad • He molested Noah (The Hebrew for uncovering nakedness is a euphemism for sex • He observed his Dad and Mom together, naked and sexually
• In looking at Shem and Japheth’s response, dishonor seems to be the
offense • Noah would have been held in high esteem by his family, looking upon his
nakedness and the vulnerability of his drunkenness would have been a huge offense • We miss this today because the same degree of respect to heads of households is lost on our culture
Noah’s Drunkenness and the Curse of Ham/Canaan • The Curse • Fell on Canaan in this narrative and excluded Ham; Why? [Consider Moses’ purpose] • Why does this not imply that Africans will be the slaves to
other races?
Next Time
Tower of Babel: Human Autonomy and Pride • The Setting • Everyone spoke only one language (v.1) • As men moved eastward…(v.2) • 3:24, an angel was placed east of Eden • This eastward drift can also reflect a drifting from God and man’s roots, though the directive to fill the earth implies migrating • Shinar • In southern Mesopotamia, later location for Babylon • They settled, meaning they stopped migrating. Could this be a rebellion against God’s directive? • Who’s leading this effort?
• Some suggest Nimrod (10:8-12)
• But, this probably refers to a time after the Tower • Plus Nimrod’s project looks like a long-term success
Tower of Babel: Human Autonomy and Pride • Their project and mindset • Develop construction technology (v.3) • Build • A City: No need to leave • A Tower reaching the : A monument to their success
• Why? • Make a name for themselves: Rank pride • Not be scattered • Limit filling the earth • Possibly their insurance plan against another flood
• What does this say about human ambition? • Is it wrong to be ambitious? • When is ambition acceptable and godly? • How does this inform my career choices and motivations?
Key Milestones in Early Human Development
Creation (Genesis 1-2) • Good • Function • Vocation
Judgment and Restoration • Favor and Covenant in Noah • The Judgment Flood • Renewal of Creation
The Fall of Mankind (Genesis 3)
Expansion of Sin (Genesis 4 – 6:8)
• Sin • Judgment • Measure of Grace • Promise of Restoration
• First murder • Corruption of civilization • Sexual perversion • Widespread violence • Grieving of God
Sin Strikes Back • Ham’s Disrespect • Babel & God’s Judgment
Now What?
Living Faith Bible Fellowship
May 11, 2011
Discussion Items
I. Brief Recap of Covenant II. Genesis 9 • God’s Covenant with the Earth (Noahic Covenant), v.8-17 • Ham’s Sin and Noah’s Curse
III. Tower of Babel, Genesis 11
Anatomy of a Covenant (1) Parties to a covenant
(2) Prologue or covenant context
• Suzerain or great king • Vassal or lesser king
• Historical situation, e.g. a great rescue or a vulnerable situation or need of some kind
(3) Conditions or stipulations
(4a) Promises: Benefits or blessings
• Obligations of the vassal to the suzerain
• Protection • Privileges
(4b) Promises: Consequences or curses
(5) Covenant Sign
• Punishment for violation
• Witnesses or reminders of the covenant for the parties
Definition: Hebrew is berit A solemn commitment of oneself to undertake an obligation
Covenant of Works Covenant of Grace
Covenantal Analysis of Genesis 9:8-17 • Who are the parties to the covenant? • What is the prologue or covenant context?
• Conditions or stipulations? • Promises: Benefits or blessings? • Promises: Consequences or curses? • Covenant Sign?
Noah’s Drunkenness and the Curse of Ham/Canaan • Noah’s drunkenness • Is not explicitly condemned in the text, could be implied
• The context is clearly not about Noah’s sin, but Ham’s
• Ham • Looked upon his father’s nakedness and told his brothers • What exactly was his sin? Options • He dishonored his Dad • He molested Noah (The Hebrew for uncovering nakedness is a euphemism for sex • He observed his Dad and Mom together, naked and sexually
• In looking at Shem and Japheth’s response, dishonor seems to be the
offense • Noah would have been held in high esteem by his family, looking upon his
nakedness and the vulnerability of his drunkenness would have been a huge offense • We miss this today because the same degree of respect to heads of households is lost on our culture
Noah’s Drunkenness and the Curse of Ham/Canaan • The Curse • Fell on Canaan in this narrative and excluded Ham; Why? [Consider Moses’ purpose] • Why does this not imply that Africans will be the slaves to
other races?
Next Time
Tower of Babel: Human Autonomy and Pride • The Setting • Everyone spoke only one language (v.1) • As men moved eastward…(v.2) • 3:24, an angel was placed east of Eden • This eastward drift can also reflect a drifting from God and man’s roots, though the directive to fill the earth implies migrating • Shinar • In southern Mesopotamia, later location for Babylon • They settled, meaning they stopped migrating. Could this be a rebellion against God’s directive? • Who’s leading this effort?
• Some suggest Nimrod (10:8-12)
• But, this probably refers to a time after the Tower • Plus Nimrod’s project looks like a long-term success
Tower of Babel: Human Autonomy and Pride • Their project and mindset • Develop construction technology (v.3) • Build • A City: No need to leave • A Tower reaching the : A monument to their success
• Why? • Make a name for themselves: Rank pride • Not be scattered • Limit filling the earth • Possibly their insurance plan against another flood
• What does this say about human ambition? • Is it wrong to be ambitious? • When is ambition acceptable and godly? • How does this inform my career choices and motivations?
Key Milestones in Early Human Development
Creation (Genesis 1-2) • Good • Function • Vocation
Judgment and Restoration • Favor and Covenant in Noah • The Judgment Flood • Renewal of Creation
The Fall of Mankind (Genesis 3)
Expansion of Sin (Genesis 4 – 6:8)
• Sin • Judgment • Measure of Grace • Promise of Restoration
• First murder • Corruption of civilization • Sexual perversion • Widespread violence • Grieving of God
Sin Strikes Back • Ham’s Disrespect • Babel & God’s Judgment
Now What?
