A Fresh Start: God Remembers Noah (Genesis 8:1-22)

Imagine being stuck on a giant boat for over a year with your family and a bunch of smelly animals! That’s what Noah and his crew went through during the great flood. But in Genesis 8, we see a ray of hope – God remembers Noah and sets in motion a plan for a brand-new beginning.

What Happened?

• God Remembers: Even in the midst of chaos, God didn’t forget Noah. He sent a wind to dry up the floodwaters, and the ark finally came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
• Waiting and Watching: Noah waited patiently, sending out a raven and then a dove to see if the earth was dry. Finally, the dove returned with an olive leaf, a sign of new life!
• Stepping Out in Faith: God told Noah it was time to leave the ark. Noah, his family, and all the animals stepped out into a fresh, clean world.
• A Thankful Heart: Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices to God, expressing his gratitude for being saved.
• God’s Promise: God made a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. As a sign of this promise, He placed a rainbow in the sky.

What Does This Mean for Us?

• God’s Faithfulness: Even when things seem hopeless, God is always in control. He remembers His people and keeps His promises.
• Patience and Obedience: Noah waited patiently for God’s instructions, even when it seemed like the flood would never end. We can learn from his example to trust God’s timing and follow His commands.
• Gratitude: Noah expressed his thanks to God through sacrifices. We should also take time to appreciate God’s blessings and express our gratitude to Him.
• Hope for the Future: The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood. It’s a symbol of hope and a reminder that God is always with us.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do you think Noah felt after being on the ark for so long?
2. What does the olive leaf symbolise in this story?
3. Why was it important for Noah to offer sacrifices to God?
4. What does the rainbow represent to you?
5. How can we apply the lessons from this story to our own lives?

Challenge

Think of a time when you felt like God had forgotten you. How did you overcome that feeling? Remember, God is always with you, even when things are tough. Take some time today to thank Him for His faithfulness and love.

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Verse 1: “But God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.”  

• Matthew Henry: “God’s remembering Noah was the return of his mercy to mankind, of whom he would not make a full end.”
• Spurgeon: “God had not forgotten Noah; he never does forget his people, but there are times when he comes nearer to them, and manifests himself more clearly to them. It was so now with Noah.”

The waters of judgement had prevailed, but God, in His unfailing covenant love, remembered Noah. This divine remembrance signals the turning point; the destruction gives way to restoration. God’s active intervention through the wind further demonstrates His sovereign control over creation and His commitment to fulfil His promises.

Verses 2-5: The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven are closed, the rain ceases, and the ark rests on the mountains of Ararat.

• Matthew Henry: “When afflictions have done the work for which they are sent…they shall be removed.”

The waters recede gradually, a process signifying that God’s deliverance, though assured, often unfolds in stages. This invites patience and trust in His timing.

Verses 6-12: Noah sends out a raven and a dove to assess the situation.

• Spurgeon: “The raven…pictures the formal professor who delights in ceremonies, but has no heart for Christ. The dove is the emblem of the true believer, simple, gentle, and always returning to Jesus.”

The contrasting behaviours of the raven and dove offer spiritual insights. The raven, content to scavenge amidst the remnants of the flood, represents those who lack a genuine relationship with God. The dove, persistently seeking a resting place, symbolises the believer’s longing for communion with the divine.

Verses 13-19: The earth dries, and Noah and the animals leave the ark.

• Matthew Henry: “As the earth was not drowned in a day, so it was not dried in a day.”
• Spurgeon: “The preservation of Noah and his family is a picture of the salvation of the elect. As Noah was brought safely through the flood, so shall all believers be brought safely through the trials of this life.”

The gradual drying of the earth parallels the progressive nature of sanctification. Noah’s emergence from the ark, a type of resurrection, points to the believer’s ultimate hope of eternal life.

Verses 20-22: Noah builds an altar and offers sacrifices. God promises never again to curse the ground or destroy all living things with a flood.

• Matthew Henry: “God usually works deliverance for his people gradually, that the day of small things may not be despised, nor the day of great things despaired of.”  
• Spurgeon: “The rainbow…is a token of God’s covenant faithfulness. It reminds us that, though he may chasten his people, he will never forsake them.”

Noah’s act of worship acknowledges God’s sovereignty and grace. The divine response, a covenant of preservation symbolised by the rainbow, assures humanity of God’s enduring love despite human sinfulness. The regular cycle of seasons further underscores God’s faithfulness and His commitment to sustain His creation.

This passage encapsulates the biblical narrative of judgment and redemption. It serves as a reminder of God’s holiness, His righteous anger against sin, and His unfailing mercy toward those who trust in Him. It also foreshadows the ultimate salvation offered through Jesus Christ, the true Ark of safety.