Session 8

The Blessing (Genesis 9:1-4)

God’s instructions to Noah and his family.

1 God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them,
“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
2 The fear and terror of you will be in every living creature on the earth,
every bird of the sky, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea.
They are placed under your authority.
3 Every creature that lives and moves will be food for you;
as I gave the green plants, I have given you everything.
4 However, you must not eat meat with its lifeblood in it.”

Discuss:

focusing on the instruction to “be fruitful and multiply.”
what does Genesis 9:1 mean and why was it important at this point in history.

Emphasize:

Genesis 9:2-3.

Explain that God told humans that they now could eat the animals, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Describe how things had changed between people and animals.

Ask:

• Why did God put special emphasis on the blood of animals? (p. 71)

Transition:

God has called us to be wise stewards of the things He provides.
Related to that is a respect for human life.
To emphasize the incredible value of all human life,
God issued specific instructions in the event of the loss of human life.