God never forgets what He is doing. He gives things time to work out according to His plan. The waters needed to remain upon the entire earth for a certain time period in order to fulfil God’s judgment. Chapter 8 begins with a summary of events that had taken place and were taking place.
The word “assuaged” means “to subside, decrease”. In verse 2 we are reminded that the fountains of the deep were stopped as well as the rains from above.
Back in Genesis 1 God separated the waters from the dry land. God showed us how much water is being held in the earth as well as above the earth. Today we are being reminded that Alberta is facing quite a drought. Of course the false scientists and politicians are immediately telling us this is due to ‘man-made climate change’. The only thing that man is accountable for in this is his rebellion against God. God is judging man for his rebellion against Him. It is not that Alberta is more wicked than the rest of Canada. God chooses His judgments according to His plan.
In verse 3 we read that the waters returned from off the earth continually. When you have enough water to cover the entire earth fifteen cubits above the highest mountain, that would take some time to remove. Of course God could remove it immediately, but He allowed normal processes to put that water back where He had it.
In verse 4 we read that the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month on the mountains of Ararat. God gave some specific details here regarding the time when the ark stopped floating. In verse 5 we read that the waters decreased until the tenth month, on the first day of the month. At that time the tops of the mountains appeared. Things were changing rapidly. That would be a lot of water being displaced in a relatively short time.
Verse 6 tells us that forty days after this, Noah opened the window of the ark and sent forth the raven. The raven flew around but never came back into the ark. There was no rain now and the sun would be shining and drying things up. Ravens are scavengers and there would have been much scavenging to do after that time. Many dead creatures would be floating on the water and some would have rested on the mountain tops that were showing. We know that many of the dead creatures were buried in the mud due to the turbulence of the waters during the time of the flood. However, not all of them would be buried.
God also directed Noah to send forth a dove. The dove is quite a contrast to a raven. The raven is a scavenger, while a dove is a clean animal. The raven does not mind the stench of rotting meat. It does not mind standing in the mud. The dove is a clean animal and it needs a much cleaner environment. It does not sit on rotting flesh. It does not settle for standing in mud. The nature of the dove is quite different. The difference between these two birds would have changed at the fall. Prior to the fall there was no death. Thus the raven would not have scavenged for dead animals. That changed after the fall.
In our text, the dove flew around but did not find any place to land and rest. The ground would be quite saturated with water, even after the waters would be removed from the surface. Thus the dove returned to Noah into the ark. The dove was still tame enough at this time for Noah to be able to take her back into the ark.
In verse 10 we read that after seven more days, Noah released the dove again and this time the dove was able to find vegetation and she brought an olive leaf back to Noah in the evening. God was using the dove to give Noah an indication of what was happening outside. After another seven days Noah released the dove once again and she did not return this time.
Things were changing. God was making a place for Noah to once again be able to leave the ark and to begin to establish himself upon the earth. It had been a time of testing for Noah. He needed to learn patience and he also needed to continue to trust God during uncertain times. Noah had no options. He was confined to the ark for the duration of the flood. There was no place for him to go. We do not read that he became anxious and restless. He trusted in God and he was blessed in doing so.
God’s salvation is good. It is the only viable option for man. It is the place for man to rest. The soul of man needs that rest. It is not at rest until the person trusts in the Lord for salvation. The raven is a picture of the wandering that people do without Christ. The lost will settle for all kinds of filth. The Prodigal son gives us a picture of that. He was almost ready to eat the slop that he was feeding to the pigs. At that point, he was finally ready to listen to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. He remembered there was something better available for him.
There are many false religions today. Each one offers its little differences. All are heading the wrong way. They all are the work of the devil to fit the many imaginations of lost people. None completely satisfy. That is why false religions have to bring in many different speakers and other attractions to keep the people from leaving. Some will leave and find some other distraction. A few will actually listen to the Holy Spirit and be drawn to true salvation. They then will be led to a good church where they can begin to grow in the Lord.
It is important to know the Lord and to trust Him. It is a blessing to wait on Him and follow His leading. That is what we learn from Noah at this time.
Pastor Bartel