“Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.”
Context: Genesis 8 is part of the account of Noah and the Great Flood. God had sent the flood to cleanse the earth of its wickedness, and Noah, along with his family and a selection of animals, were preserved in the ark. After the floodwaters receded, God commanded Noah to bring out all the living creatures from the ark.
Preservation and New Beginnings: The flood was a cataclysmic event that brought destruction upon the earth. However, in the midst of judgment, God also provided a means of salvation and preservation for Noah and the animals. This verse highlights God’s care for all living creatures, ensuring their survival and the continuation of life after the flood.
Stewardship and Responsibility: Noah was given the responsibility of caring for the creatures that came out of the ark. God commanded him to bring out every living thing that was with him, indicating that Noah had to be diligent in fulfilling his role as a steward of God’s creation. This demonstrates the importance of responsible stewardship over the natural world, as entrusted to humanity by God.
Fruitfulness and Multiplication: God’s command to the living creatures brought out of the ark was to be fruitful and multiply upon the earth. This echoes the original command given to humanity in Genesis 1:28 to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” It emphasizes the continuation of life and the restoration of creation after the flood.
God’s Covenant with Creation: After Noah and his family came out of the ark, God established a covenant with them, symbolized by the rainbow. This covenant encompassed not only humanity but also every living creature on the earth (Genesis 9:8-17). It revealed God’s faithfulness and commitment to preserving and sustaining His creation.
Lessons for Today: Genesis 8:17 teaches us several important lessons. It reminds us of the significance of stewardship and our responsibility to care for the environment and the living creatures entrusted to us. It emphasizes the importance of fruitfulness and multiplication, promoting the preservation and continuation of life. Furthermore, it points to God’s faithfulness and His desire to establish a covenant of grace with His creation.
As you delve further into the book of Genesis and the Bible as a whole, you will find a rich tapestry of God’s redemptive plan and His interactions with humanity and the natural world.
