After the flood, God speaks to Noah and his family. His goals seem to be three-fold. First, to establish blessings similar to those he gave to Adam and Eve (9:1-4). Second, to establish some new responsibilities (9:5-7), and third, to reassure Noah's family after the ordeal of the flood (9:8-17). Let's have a look at each of these
In 9:1, God repeats the blessing of Genesis 1:28: "Be fruitful and increase in number". Notice, however that instead of subduing the earth, God tells Noah and his family that their rule over the animals will be one characterized by fear. And, notice that God includes the animals as food for mankind while in Genesis 1:29 God only included plants as food. There are many speculative things we could say about these differences but the thing to grasp is that things will be different for mankind after the flood.
In 9:5 it looks like God will hold man (and animals) accountable for the life of "his fellow man". This makes sense since the examples of Cain and Lamech earlier in Genesis suggest that there may have been a murder problem among the people of Noah's day. God follows this up in verse 6 by delegating to mankind the authority to punish bloodshed (murder). The second part of the verse makes a justification for this change: "for in the image of God has God made man." This has three effects. First, it places importance upon mankind as image bearers of God. It is no small thing to kill a human being. Second, there is an implication that previously, mankind did not deal with murderers, God did directly (as with Cain). Third, there is a suggestion that God is justified in delegating the task to mankind (since they bear his image).
From verses 9:11 through 9:17, God establishes a covenant to never flood the earth again. He designates the rainbow as a sign of this covenant/contract/promise. Notice that this contract is one-sided. God initiates the contract, provides terms, and is the enforcer of the promise. God will be merciful.
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