INTRODUCTION: Noah and his family must have wondered if they would ever get off the ark. In God's time, however, the work of judgment was complete and the earth became dry. This was a new start for the human race. Sadly man's character was not improved. God did, however, give new manifestations of His grace and long-suffering.I. GOD REMEMBERS - verses 1-3.
As day followed day, Noah probably felt forgotten. This is a common malady of God's servants. The Hebrew phrase "God remembered" means that God began to act on their behalf. Not only does God never forget His people [Isaiah 49:15], but at the right time He will rise up on their behalf. In this case, God remembered the inhabitants of the Ark by drying the earth for their habitation. The question of what happened to all the water cannot positively be answered. We do not know what changes took place on the land masses or ocean basins, nor how much water went back under the earth's surface. It is enough for us to know that God took care of all this. The Bible does speak of a wind which aided the drying process.II. THE ARK AT REST - verses 4-5.
It seems that God is never in a hurry. His ways require our patience. Rather than just dry the earth in a day, God allowed things to progress a step at a time. Six months after the flood had begun, they finally came to rest somewhere in the mountains of Ararat. Slowly the waters receded until three months later the first land is seen.III. THE RAVEN - verses 6-7.
After nearly ten months, Noah opened the window and sent out a raven. We presume that he wished to learn the condition of the land. The raven as an unclean bird [Leviticus 11:15] is often seen here as a type of the apostate. It was glad to escape from the Ark and was contented with whatever perch was available. This reminds us of the professing Christian, who never having been born again, soon ends up back in sin and worldliness [II Peter 2:20-22].IV. THE DOVE - verses 8-12.
Noah now continued his test with the gentle and clean dove. The dove is a type of the Holy Spirit [Matthew 3:16]. This type is usually applied in the following way:A. The dove, unlike the raven, was not content to perch in filth or upon a bloated, dead body. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is offended by sin and uncleanness [Ephesians 4:30].
B. The dove by returning with an olive leaf was bringing hope and assurance to Noah that the flood was over. Likewise, the Spirit brings joy and assurance to the hearts of Christians [Romans 8:16, 5:5]. Interestingly, the olive tree has been noted to put out leaves even when the tree is submerged in a flooded lake.
V. THE DRY EARTH - verses 13-14.
Noah and his family were in the ark for over a year before the earth was finally dry. (Compare verses 13-14 with Genesis 7:11 and 7:1-4). Doubtless God kept them confined for their own good. There must be time for plants to grow as food for the animals. Also the mud would have been dangerous and unhealthy for most of the Ark's inhabitants. In our frustrations let us remember that God does what is best for us.VI. LEAVING THE ARK - verses 15-19.
Finally the day came that they might leave the ark. There was much joy and relief. Two things here are worthy of note:A. Before sending them from the Ark, God said "Go forth" not "come forth." He was in the Ark when they arrived [Genesis 7:1] and had stayed with them the entire time [Romans 8:35].
B. All that went in the Ark came out safely. This reminds us of the security we have in Christ. No one in the ark perished under God's wrath [John 5:24]. They were safely sealed in the Ark [Ephesians 4:30; Genesis 7:16]. No one fell overboard, jumped off and drowned, or was made to walk the plank [John 10:27-28].
VII. GOD'S PROMISE - verses 20-22.
Now we see the purpose for the seventh clean animal. These animals, without a mate, were kept to be offered to God as a sacrifice. Notice the result of these offerings:A. These sacrifices were a sweet savour unto the Lord. In wrath He had destroyed the earth. The offerings reminded Him of Christ's future death through which mercy would be shown to sinners [Ephesians 5:2]. God remembered His purpose of grace and the redeemed multitudes that would glorify Him forever. (Remember that we are using language about God that we can understand. We often describe God as though He were a man as when we say "He remembered." This is not to be taken in a literal fashion.)
B. God determined that "neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth" [9:11b]. Note that this was not because of the sacrifices. In fact, verse 21 reveals that God recognized that man's inbred depravity could not be corrected by judgment. Man's heart is the same in all ages. The Tower of Babel was built before Shem was dead. Only salvation in Christ changes man's nature. God's promise was based solely on His long-suffering through Christ. Because He has an elect and blood-bought people He permits the world to continue while this purpose of grace is carried out.
C. Note lastly that one day this world will be destroyed by fire. Until then there will not be any universal judgments [II Peter 3:5-12].
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