Having survived the floodwaters of God's righteous wrath, Noah acts as the human representative for a series of covenant renewal rituals. Genesis 8:20-22 establishes the covenant between God and humanity despite any evil thoughts or deeds that human beings may enact in the future. In chapter 9:1-7 God reiterates the role of humans as the gardeners of Eden. The third covenant, the so-called "covenant of the rainbow," is the subject of this week's First Testament text.

The text begins with God re-affirming a special covenantal relationship between God and humans, as well as with "every living creature" (verse 9). God's promise at this point is specific - that no flood of water will ever again annihilate all forms of life, including the very earth itself (verse 11).

It is in verse 12 that t…