After the Flood: God’s Four Changes

After the Flood: God’s Four Changes
(Genesis 9:1–7)

Introduction (Genesis 9:1–7)
After the flood, God blessed Noah and set four world-shaping directives: animal dread of man, permission to eat flesh without blood, the sanctity of life in God’s image, and accountability for murder. These verses explain our world and call us to faithful obedience.

A Changed World and a Needed Blessing
The ark rested, the waters receded, and the landscape was new. God blessed Noah and his sons and charged them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). Survival in a harsher world would require divine favor and renewed purpose. God’s blessing anchors their work, families, and future.

Dominion and the Dread of Man
“The fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast…” (Genesis 9:2). God adjusted mankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom for protection and stewardship. Scripture affirms human dominion: “You have put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:6–8). Humanity also tames creatures (James 3:7), displaying ordered rule under God.

The Provision of Meat—Without Blood
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you… only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Genesis 9:3–4). Meat is given for nourishment and received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:3–5). Yet blood is reserved to God, for “the blood is the life” (Deuteronomy 12:23). This reverence appears later among Christians who were instructed to abstain from blood (Acts 15:20, 29). Draining blood recognizes life as sacred before God.

Life Is Sacred—Made in God’s Image
God declares a reckoning for shed blood: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Human life bears a unique stamp—God’s image—which establishes incomparable worth and solemn accountability.

Justice in Human Government
The law given after the flood introduces a life-for-life principle to restrain violence (Genesis 9:5–6). Scripture distinguishes murder from lawful execution: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13); civil penalties could include execution (Deuteronomy 13:9). God authorizes governing authorities to punish evildoers: “He does not bear the sword in vain… an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:1–4). Justice protects image-bearers and preserves peace.

Multiply and Fill the Earth
God repeats the creation charge: “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 9:7). From eight souls, nations would arise. History moves forward under God’s providence toward a final day when the present order gives way to a spiritual, imperishable existence (1 Corinthians 15:42–53). Each soul must be prepared.

Eternal Realities and Present Choices
Scripture shows two destinies (Luke 16:19–31; Matthew 25:21, 41). Today is the day to seek cleansing, confess sins, and live under God’s order (1 John 1:7–9). The covenant after the flood calls us to honor life, practice justice, and receive every gift with thanksgiving.

After the Flood: God’s Four Changes Sermon Outline:
Text: Genesis 9:1–7

Title: After the Flood: God’s Four Changes Sermon Outline:

Big Idea: God resets human life after the flood with blessing, dominion, provision, and justice to preserve His image and order in the world.
Purpose: To honor God’s image in every person, receive His gifts with gratitude, exercise stewardship under His rule, and uphold justice.

Introduction (Set the Scene)

• Situation: New world after the flood; eight souls step into a changed creation (Genesis 8:18–22; 9:1).

• Need: People seek answers in many places; Scripture explains why the world is as it is and how we must live.

• Text Focus: Genesis 9:1–7—four directives that shape human society.

I. God’s Blessing and the Human Mandate (Genesis 9:1, 7)
A. Blessing stated: “God blessed Noah and his sons” (v. 1).

• Blessing = divine favor for life, work, family, and future in a harsher world.
  B. Mandate repeated: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (vv. 1, 7).

• Continuation of Genesis 1:28 under changed conditions; families and communities are central to God’s plan.
  C. Application

• Build God-honoring homes; receive children as a blessing (Psalm 127:3–5).

• Multiply spiritually through disciple-making (Matthew 28:18–20).

II. Dominion Recalibrated: Animal Dread and Human Stewardship (Genesis 9:2)
A. New reality: “The fear and dread of you” upon beasts, birds, and fish.

• Protective boundary for humanity in a rugged world.
  B. Biblical affirmation of dominion

• Psalm 8:6–8—“You have put all things under his feet.”

• James 3:7—Creatures are tamed by mankind.
  C. Stewardship implications

• Exercise rule as caretakers under God, with wisdom and restraint (Proverbs 12:10).
  D. Application

• Treat creatures humanely; manage resources responsibly; give thanks for God’s ordered world.

III. Provision Expanded with a Holy Boundary: Meat Permitted, Blood Prohibited (Genesis 9:3–4)
A. Gift: “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you… as the green herbs.”

• Shift from plant-only diet (pre-flood) to inclusion of animal flesh (post-flood).
  B. Boundary: “You shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”

• Blood signifies life (Deuteronomy 12:16, 23); pour it out on the ground.

• New-covenant echo: abstain from blood (Acts 15:20, 29).

• Foods are sanctified by the word and prayer (1 Timothy 4:3–5).
  C. Application

• Receive food with thanksgiving; respect life as God’s gift; avoid practices that trivialize blood.

IV. The Sanctity of Human Life and Capital Accountability (Genesis 9:5–6)
A. Sacredness declared: God will require a reckoning for human blood.

• Reason: “For in the image of God He made man” (v. 6).

• Human life bears unique, God-given worth (Genesis 1:26–27).
  B. Principle stated: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed” (v. 6).

• Purpose: restrain violence in the post-flood world (cf. Genesis 6:11–13).
  C. Biblical distinctions

• Murder is forbidden (Exodus 20:13).

• Lawful execution under civil authority is distinguished from murder (Deuteronomy 13:9).

• Civil government bears the sword as God’s servant to punish evil (Romans 13:1–4).
  D. Application

• Honor life from conception to old age; seek justice; reject personal vengeance; pray for rulers (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

V. From Noah to Eternity: Live Ready
A. Humanity spreads under providence (Genesis 9:7).
B. History moves toward resurrection and judgment (1 Corinthians 15:42–53; Matthew 25:21, 41; Luke 16:19–31).
C. Ongoing response for believers: Walk in the light; confess sins; receive cleansing (1 John 1:7–9).

Transitions / Illustrations (Use as Needed)

• Contrast the pre-flood world of violence with God’s post-flood restraints (Genesis 6:5, 11).

• Illustration: A visible “boundary line” keeps life safe; God’s boundaries preserve life and order.

• Gratitude at the table: pausing to pray embodies Genesis 9:3 and 1 Timothy 4:4–5.

Application Grid (Hear / Believe / Do)

• Hear: God orders a broken world through blessing, stewardship, provision, and justice.

• Believe: Every person bears God’s image and therefore carries immeasurable worth.

• Do: Lead your home in gratitude and holiness; pursue just living; intercede for authorities; confess sin promptly.

Conclusion (Summation)

• Four changes after the flood: blessing and multiplication; animal dread and stewardship; meat permitted with reverence for blood; sacred human life with just accountability.

• These remain guideposts for faithful living in a fallen world.

Invitation / Call to Response

• If your conscience is heavy, come to the cleansing Christ offers (1 John 1:7–9).

• If you have not obeyed the gospel, be born again in Christ today (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4).

• If you need prayer, strength, or restoration, respond while we sing.

Key Scriptures for Preaching

• Genesis 9:1–7; Psalm 8:6–8; James 3:7; Deuteronomy 12:16, 23; Acts 15:20, 29; 1 Timothy 4:3–5; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 13:9; Romans 13:1–4; 1 Corinthians 15:42–53; Luke 16:19–31; Matthew 25:21, 41; 1 John 1:7–9.

Call to Action
Honor God’s image in every person, uphold justice, and receive God’s gifts with gratitude. If sin rests on your conscience, confess it to God and seek cleansing through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7–9). Choose today to live under God’s order and prepare for eternity.

Key Takeaways

• God’s post-flood blessing gives purpose and direction (Genesis 9:1).

• Dominion includes ordered stewardship and animal dread (Genesis 9:2; Psalm 8:6–8; James 3:7).

• Meat is permitted; blood belongs to God and must be drained (Genesis 9:3–4; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:29; 1 Timothy 4:4–5).

• Human life is sacred due to God’s image; murder incurs capital accountability (Genesis 9:5–6; Exodus 20:13).

• Civil authority is ordained by God to restrain evil (Romans 13:1–4).

• History moves toward resurrection and judgment; prepare now (1 Corinthians 15:42–53; Matthew 25:21, 41).

Scripture Reference List

• Genesis 9:1–7 – Blessing, animal dread, permission to eat flesh, ban on blood, justice for murder.

• Psalm 8:6–8 – Human dominion under God.

• James 3:7 – Mankind’s taming of creatures.

• Deuteronomy 12:16, 23 – Blood signifies life; pour it out.

• Acts 15:20, 29 – Gentile instruction to abstain from blood.

• 1 Timothy 4:3–5 – Foods received with thanksgiving.

• Exodus 20:13 – Prohibition of murder.

• Deuteronomy 13:9 – Example of lawful execution under the law.

• Romans 13:1–4 – Civil authority as God’s servant, bearing the sword.

• 1 Corinthians 15:42–53 – Resurrection and spiritual bodies.

• Luke 16:19–31 – Destinies beyond death.

• Matthew 25:21, 41 – Final commendation or condemnation.

• 1 John 1:7–9 – Walking in the light; confession and cleansing.

Online KJV Bible
Expository Sermons from Genesis

YouTube Playlist of Sermons from Genesis