The End of the Flood and God's Covenant with NoahIntroduction In the context of the entire book of Genesis, the Flood and the Noahic Covenant are of great importance. Not only do we see a two-act blessing and the fulfillment of the Lord's promises. The two acts of blessing are one given directly by Noah to his sons Shem and Japheth and he also curses his other Ham. This demonstrated the authority that Noah had, at least from a human perspective, the authority that God had given him. Secondly, God's direct blessing and the fulfillment of his promise which is not yet seen but which will be seen later throughout the book of Genesis. In this article I will take a closer look at chapters 8 and 9 and how they connect to the previous chapters and the next chapter in the book of Genesis. Main body Genesis Chapters 8 and 9 literary structureGod remembers Noah (8:1) The flood recedes 150 days and the mountains are visible (8:2-5)The earth dries up (8:6-14)God commands the remnant to leave the ark (8:15-19)Noah builds an altar (8:20)The Lord decides not to destroy humanity (8:21-22)God's speech to Noah; Blessings, Covenant, Sign of the Covenant (9:1-17)Key Passages in These Chapters/Meaning 8:15-22 God blesses Noah and Noah in return worships God by offering sacrifice Noah fulfills Lamech's word by being the one who provides rest ( Blessings). The Covenant was established and Noah receives instructions about it 9:1-17, the way he shows his covenant is through a rainbow in the clouds. When there is a rainbow and you see "God will remember His covenant" (Kidner 102)Description of the relationship of this section in chapter 8-9 to what precedes (Gen. 1-7) and to what follows (esp. Gen. 10-11; and more generally the rest of Genesis) Noah finds favor in the eyes of God and together with some of his family members is spared from the destruction caused by the flood. The Lord tells