Genesis Chapter 9 Summary
Noamic covenant. Noah's shame and Ham's sin.
Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 9
- Genesis 9:2 states that all animals will fear and dread man. What are the benefits of this proclamation, and what are the negatives? Some animals have become domesticated; how was this accomplished if the fear of man is placed in them by God?
- Genesis 9:3 states that all living animals are given to mankind for food. What are some animals that you are not able to eat? Why? Based on this proclamation by God, can you be a Christian if you are a vegetarian? Why or why not?
- If an animal or fellow man takes the life of a human being, God will require their life as punishment according to Genesis 9:5-6. However, if a man provokes an animal by cornering or abusing it, should the animal be killed after it strikes back at the man? Why or why not?
- If a man kills another man according to Genesis 9:5-6, he is to lose his life. Can this scripture be used to support capital punishment? Why or why not? How do the Christian beliefs of grace and mercy align with this and other scriptures that require the loss of the murderer's life when he takes another human's life?
- Genesis 9:8-11 God establishes His covenant with humankind. Does God promise that He will never destroy the earth? If not, how does this compare to the image many have of God, that He is a God of love and peace, not of wrath?
- God creates a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant with mankind. Some non-Christian groups have adopted the rainbow as their symbol. Should non-Christian groups adopt symbols from the Bible as their own symbols? Why or why not? What should be a Christian's reaction when this takes place?
- Two times in Genesis 9:15-16, God says that He will use the rainbow as a reminder of the covenant between Him and man. Is God able to forget things and need reminders? If He is able to forget, how does this affect your faith in God?
- Noah plants and grows a vineyard in Genesis 9. Genesis 9:21 says that Noah became drunk and lay naked in his tent. Does Noah sin by becoming drunk in his own tent? Many consider drinking to be a sin. What are your thoughts? Is social drinking acceptable? Why or why not?
- Noah's youngest son, Ham, sees Noah naked and tells his brothers, who cover Noah up with their backs turned. However, it is Ham's son, Canaan, who is punished for Ham's actions. Is it fair that Canaan is punished for his father's actions while the father goes unpunished? According to Exodus 34:6-7, the father's sins can be passed on to the third and fourth generations. This would appear to confirm a generational curse. How does a person break a generational curse?
- In verse 26, Noah says, "Let Canaan be Shem's slave." (CSB) Why did Noah say this? Was it appropriate for Noah to say this? Why or why not?
Key Words/Phrase
Covenant, v. 9.
Characters
Noah and family.
Strong Verse(s)
9,13.
