Noah’s first action upon leaving the ark is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for the fulfillment of His promises. This worship of faith is pleasing to the LORD, who responds with further divine service to His creation. Even though He knows that man’s heart remains sinful, the LORD promises that He will never again curse the earth or destroy every living creature as He has done, but He will instead cause the seasons to continue until the Last Day. God blesses Noah and His family in this renewed creation, and He provides that they may now eat meat. Such consumption must not be done flippantly or idolatrously, but rather deliberately and with thanksgiving to God. Human life is God’s gift, originally created in His image, and is not ours to destroy, but ours to preserve. Rev. Jared Nies, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Lapeer, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 8:20-9:7. To learn more about St. Paul's Lutheran, visit stpaul-lapeer.org.“In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God’s entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy’s head. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]