Passage
Genesis 9:1-17 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
God's Covenant of Life
Date: Jan. 17, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 9:11
First, be fruitful and increase in number (1-3). The flood had wiped out mankind and land animals from the face of the earth. Only Noah and those with him on the ark remained. However, God wanted to see life flourish again on earth through Noah. God blessed Noah and his sons to be fruitful and increase in number. Mankind would again rule over creation but it now be based on fear and dread. The animals, together with the green plants, were given as food.
Second, life is valuable (4-17). Man was accountable for the wanton shedding of blood, especially shedding the blood of another person. A person's life is valuable because he is made in God's image. God taught this to Noah and his descendants by making murder punishable by death. Then God established a covenant with Noah, his sons and all living creatures. He promised to never again destroy all life with a flood. The rainbow was a sign of this everlasting covenant. God has been faithful to this promise.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for valuing life, including mine. Thank you for your faithfulness to your promises.
One Word: God values life
