I. Introduction

A. Foundations #1: The God of Creation

B. Foundations #2: The God Who Made Us

C. Foundations #3: The Corruption of God’s Creation

D. Foundations #4: The Fallen First Family

E. Foundations #5: The Line of the Promise

F. Foundations #6: The Flood of Noah (Part 1)

G. Foundations #6: The Flood of Noah (Part 2)

A word about Covenants

An agreement between two parties, often between a suzerain and his subjects

It includes certain elements, including a promise, stipulations, blessings, a sign/symbol

They may establish terms for loyalty or grant permission

Certain covenants are perpetual and unconditional while others may be in force for a limited time

II. The Noahic Covenant (Gen 8:20–9:17)

A. Protection from recurrence of another universal flood (Gen 8:21)

B. Protection of earth seasons and cycles (Gen 8:22)

1. seedtime and harvest

2. cold and heat

3. summer and winter

4. day and night

C. Creation Blessing re-extended (Gen 9:1, 8-11)

D. Commands about animals (Genesis 9:2-3)

1. Animals will now fear and dread you (Gen 9:2)

2. Animals will now be food for you. (Gen 9:3; cf. Deut 12:15, 1 Timothy 4:3–5)

3. Animal’s blood is not to be eaten. (Gen 9:4; cf. Lev 17:1-14; Acts 15:19-20)

E. God institutes human government (Gen 9:5-7; cf. Deut. 19:12–13; Proverbs 6:16–17; Exod 23:7; Lev 24:17; Num 35:31–34)

F. The sign of the covenant (Gen 9:12-17)

III. Foundation Importance

1. The seasons will not be removed from the earth as a sign of God’s faithfulness to His covenant. Thus the Noahic covenant is still in effect.

2. God uses universal moral government to restrain evil in the world. Human government can do good and was established to restrain evil in the world. (Rom 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13–14)

3. God values the “imago dei” even in sinful mankind.