Genesis 9:1-17  God made a covenant with Noah and his sons.. and with everyone that followed.  In verse 10 it tells us that this covenant includes "every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth." 

God pledges to never again cut off all flesh "by water of the flood".  The earth will not be destroyed by a flood ever again. The sign of the covenant was the "bow in the cloud".  God tells Noah that when He sees the bow, He will remember His covenant between Him and all living creatures.  God sets the bow.. the rainbow in the clouds.. and He remembers His own pledge to not flood the earth again. 

The Lord also established certain laws for mankind after the flood.  He told Noah and his family to be fruitful and multiply.  He told them that they would have rule over all the animals. He told them that they could eat meat and not just plants.  And, He told them that He would "require" the "lifeblood" from every animal or man that took a human life. 

Verses 18-28  Noah's three sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  From these three sons all the population of the world would come. It doesn't take long until sin rears its ugly head.  Whatever it was that Ham did when he came across Noah, drunk and naked in his tent... was unacceptable and sinful.  Noah reacts to this violation by issuing a curse upon Ham's offspring, starting with Canaan, his grandson.  

Noah also issued a blessing.. upon his oldest son Shem and upon Japheth, his third son. ( More on that later!)

Noah lived another 350 years after the flood, so he was 950 years old when he died.  He was the last of any man to live such a long life. 

Father in heaven, teach us to walk in Your ways, to do Your will, and to seek Your face.  Help us to raise our children to love and praise You. Help us to be faithful in all we do, to give You first place in everything. Thank You for the Word that reminds us that You are a God who makes and keeps covenant with Your creations.  You will not forget any of Your promises!  We bless Your Name and cling to Your Truth.  In Your grace and goodness we rest ... for You are faithful!  Be glorified in all the earth we pray. In Jesus' name Amen.