Lesson 8: Genesis 9-10

This section is an important pivot point in the Genesis account. So far the narrative has been about God’s dealings with all of mankind. He created man (chapters 1-2), revealed the hope for man after his fall (3.15), punished all men for their wickedness (6.5-7) while saving the righteous (6.8-9). The universal scope continues in chapters 9-10 as God will make a covenant with all of mankind (9.8-17) and we note the nations which descended from Noah’s three sons (chapter 10). However, by the end of chapter 10 the chosen seed begins to come into focus; the seed that would bring redemption to all mankind!

Consider the significance of this section for the original audience, Israel. They were God’s “treasured possession among all peoples”, but these chapters should have reminded them that God was still Lord over ALL the nations. And if He is Lord over all the nations, then He cares for them too. Israel’s special status wasn’t only for their own benefit, but for the good of all mankind.

Notes From The Text

9.1-17, God’s Covenant With Man

• Vss. 1-2, the command is similar to the one found in Genesis 1.28, however there we see that man was to have dominion or rule over all creation and here we see that he would have “fear” and “dread” over the rest of creation. While we cannot be dogmatic, the difference in language likely references the changed relationship between man and the rest of creation after the fall. Where there was once order and harmony, now there is discord.
• Vs. 3, see Genesis 1.29.
• Vss. 4-6, man might have permission to eat meat (vs. 3), but man must not lose respect for life! The lives of all creatures belong to God, their Creator, thus the prohibition from eating blood. Significantly, this prohibition was reaffirmed in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 12.15-16) and by the apostles (Acts 15.20,29). Blood would play an essential role in the sacrificial system as the blood of sacrifices would make atonement (Leviticus 17.11). “Belonging to God, it could be seen as his atoning gift to sinners, not theirs to him.” (Derek Kidner) This truth would be fully revealed in the very Son of God “who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation1.5).
• Vss. 8-17, we now have the second reference to “covenant” (see Genesis 6.18), but this section provides more information regarding God’s covenants with man. First, note that God is at the center of the covenant; it was God who established the covenant (vs. 9), God who determined who would benefit from the covenant (in this case all of creation, vss. 9-10), God alone who can fulfill the promises of the covenant (vs. 11), and God who gives the sign of the covenant offering assurance that it will be kept (vss. 12-17). These principles are true in all of God’s covenants, but that does not mean all of His covenants are the same. Various covenants are made with different men or nations. Also, the covenant in this passage did not carry any stipulations (unless we view this covenant as the same one as mentioned in Genesis 6.18, then the building of the ark was the covenant stipulation). God, the originator of all covenant relationships has the right to set the terms of their fulfillment (Exodus 19.4-6).
• Vss. 12-14, regarding the sign of the covenant it is important to note its purpose. The sign is assurance that God “remembers” the promises He has made. The sign is NOT what procures the blessings of the covenant. Sadly, Israel would forget this fact and make the sign of the covenant the means by which the blessings of God were to be secured (cf. Acts 15.1).

9.18-29, The Sons Of Noah

These verses relate a disturbing episode in the life of Noah and his sons. On the surface, one might conclude that it was included to help us understand that Noah’s righteousness was not absolute perfection (see Genesis 6.8-9). However, we will see that the episode would furnish some light on Israel’s relationship to various nations both then and in the future.

• Vs. 20, some translations would indicate that Noah was the first to plant a vineyard. However, that is probably not the correct interpretation of the passage. The ESV reads, “Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.”
• Vs. 21, it could be that Noah was unaware of what affect the fermented wine would have, but that is doubtful (see Matthew 24.38). Regardless, this first mention of wine in the Biblical record does not cast its consumption in a favorable light, nor does the second mention of wine (see Genesis 19.30ff). Later revelation would warn God’s people of its dangers (see Proverbs 23.29-35; 31.4-5).
• Vs. 22, note the mention of Canaan in this passage. Israel would know the Canaanites as a people notorious for idolatry and iniquity. It may be that Canaan is here included to indicate that the immorality of the Canaanites stretched back to their ancestor, Ham.
• Vs. 25, significantly Noah’s curse was placed on Ham’s youngest son, Canaan (see Genesis 10.6) and not on Ham himself. The curse was most likely uttered prophetically and was fulfilled as Israel subjugated the Canaanites (see vs. 26; Joshua 9.23; 1Kings 9.21).
  • Note: the so called “curse of Ham” has a tragic history. Most notably, European nations would subjugate and enslave indigenous peoples in Africa and the Americas because they believed they were descendants of Ham and thus “less human”. They failed to note a few important facts in the curse: 1) it was fulfilled in Scripture, 2) the curse was only on Canaan and NOT on all the descendants of Ham, and finally 3) no association is made in Scripture between skin color and the curse.
• Vs. 26, significantly only Noah’s words to Shem included God’s personal name (the Lord, Yahweh). As we will note in chapter 11, Abram descended from Shem.
• Vs. 27, “The fulfilment of the words let him dwell in (or among) the tents of Shem (RV, RSV) is sought almost in vain in the Old Testament, but leaps to the eye in the New Testament in the ingathering of the Gentiles (Eph. 3:6), predominantly from the west.” (Derek Kidner)

10.1-32, The Nations Of The Earth

A few general comments on the chapter:

1. While Shem was the eldest son of Noah, his descendants are listed last because the focus will focus in on his family starting in chapter 12.
2. Significantly, seventy names are listed in the chapter. Perhaps this was why the Lord sent out seventy disciples to proclaim the gospel (Luke 10.1).
3. Generally, the descendants of Japheth would settle in Europe & Asia, the descendants of Ham would settle in Africa & Arabia and the descendants of Shem would settle in Mesopotamia.
   
4. Nimrod is given special attention in vss. 8-12. He was an incredibly successful warrior and founded many kingdoms, most notably Babel (vs. 10). This city will take center stage in chapter 11 and will come to represent in both OT and NT the oppressor of God’s people (see Revelation 17.5; 18.2).
5. Our attention is directed to Eber in vs. 21, even though he would be the great-grandson of Shem (see vs. 24). Abram would descend from Shem through Eber (Genesis 11.10ff).
6. The reference to the earth being divided in the days of Peleg (vs. 25) is a likely reference to the tower of Babel in chapter 11.
7. While we cannot be completely certain which nations descended from each son of Noah, the chart below provides a general picture (courtesy of Bob Waldron)