Genesis Chapter 8
Reading the account of the Great Flood leaves an impression that Noah and his family were only in the ark for a short time. What we actually discover is that they were in the ark for more than just the 40 days and nights, but quite possibly as long as a full calendar year. That’s a long time to be shut up in a floating barn with animals! God had done as He had said He would. He destroyed every living creature on the face of the earth, but He preserved the life of Noah and his family and also the animals that will once again repopulate the earth.
God did not forget about Noah, but in verse one we learn that He remembered Noah and the animals. There was an appointed time when God said this is the time that I will rescue them, He remembered them. God never forgets about you either. It may seem as if there are seasons in your life when He has forgotten you, but there will be a day when you will recognize the rescuing hand of God working in your life.
Let's Reflect
1. God knew what to do to cause the flood waters that covered the earth to dry up. What did He do?
2. There came a day when the ark stopped floating, and it landed. Can you imagine the look on their faces when they felt the ark hit something solid? Where did God cause the ark to go aground?
3. Noah was a very smart man. He knew that just because they hit solid ground it would not mean the earth was dried up completely. The first bird he sent out to test the dryness of the earth was a scavenger bird. It probably found some floating dead things to feed on. What kind of bird was it?
4. The second bird he sent out, a dove, returned not being able to land. The second time he sent the dove out she came back with what in her beak? (Notice it is not quite what artists have depicted.) Imagine how elated they were to see what she brought back.
5. The third time Noah sent out the dove she did not return. That would have been great news. Noah then removed some type of covering that allowed him to look out and see dry land. How much longer did Noah and his family remain on the ark before God said it was safe for them to exit?
6. What command did God give to Noah upon exiting the ark?
7. What was the first expression of gratefulness and worship that Noah performed when he got on dry land? Was God pleased with him sacrificing what there were so few of?
8. Things would be different on the earth now, after that Great Flood. The quickly receding waters would cause an ice age as God blew the waters with His wind. The earth would now experience seasons, cold and heat. Man’s lifespan would shorten drastically. But God made a covenant promise that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood even though He knew what about every human heart?
“How faithfully God fulfils his covenant with the earth! How truly will he keep his covenant with every believing sinner! Oh, trust ye in him, for his promise will stand fast forever!” [Spurgeon]
