Observations as I follow God through the Chronological Bible 

Read Genesis 8:15-9:7 

Upon exiting the ark, Noah built an altar and offered a burnt sacrifice. The sacrifice pleased God, prompting a decision as extreme as flooding the earth to start over. Never again would God curse the ground or destroy all living creatures. As long as the earth endures there will be planting and harvesting, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night (Genesis 8:22).  

Once again humanity is appointed as ruler of planet earth with the same command God gave Adam and Eve.  

Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. Genesis 9:1 

But things won’t be the same. God made modifications for this new beginning. He put the fear and dread of humanity upon the animals. There won’t be any more serpents spouting lies about God. He added meat to the human diet. The only exception is eating meat that has its lifeblood still in it. He also promised every animal and every human who took the life of another human being will give an account to God and one’s peers. God gave humanity the right to take the life of any person who shed innocent human blood.  

This is the first time I see God make a covenant. His decision had affected all living creatures. Therefore, he made his covenant with “all life on earth.” God’s concern for all living things is consistent with his claim he created all things.  

God’s character is slowly coming into focus. He regretted what he started, but he also made a promise to destroy the serpent’s lie about him. His promise remained unfulfilled when he approached Noah about building an ark. If God had destroyed everything he created his actions would justify the serpent. His integrity is the only reason he had to continue. His integrity dictated how he solved the problem. He started over by salvaging what he could, wiping the slate clean, and making adjustments.  

Sometimes starting over is the best solution.