God’s Promise to All Living Things

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.” (Genesis 8:20–22)

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The Covenant

Following Noah's sacrifice, God established a covenant with both man and animals. He promised to never again bring a global flood to wipe out all life from the earth.

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth.” (Genesis 9:8–10)

Rainbow Sign

The Lord used the rainbow as a sign of his promise that he would never again flood the entire earth. Each rainbow is a reminder of God’s promise to all living things.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:12–13)

God’s Character

God has established his reputation on his ability to fulfill his promises. If the flood in the days of Noah were merely a regional event rather than global, then with every local flood, the Lord has broken his promise to never again flood the earth.

“When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:14–15)

Start planning your trip to the Ark Encounter today, and learn more about God’s promise to Noah and to us!