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THE NEW BEGINNING
GENESIS 8:1-22
(Book study series – Genesis) Message no. 24
September 12, 2021 - SUN a.m.
The Four Purposes of Divine Judgment based on the Bible:
1. Purpose that wicked will be destroyed (Genesis 6:5-7)
2, Purpose that the righteous will be separated from the wicked (Matthew 13:30)
3. Purpose that the righteous will be vindicated from all wrongs done against him (Revelation 6:10-11)
4. Purpose that the righteous will be preserved (Genesis 6:17-18)
PROPOSITION: WHEN THE TIME GOD POUR HIS WRATH TO DESTROY THE WICKED, GOD WILL PRESERVES AND PROTECTS THOSE WHO FOUND GRACE OF GOD. The swift and devastating wrath of God covers the whole world thus destroying all life in this earth (Genesis 6:19-23). I – THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GOD – v.1-5 Here we will tackle what God did. A. Remembering Noah as God promised – v.1a
God remembered Noah, as He cares and shows His kindness to Him. God accomplished to remember Noah.
Genesis 8:1 “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark”
Genesis 8:1 “Hindi kinalimutan ng Diyos si Noe, at ang lahat ng may buhay, at ang lahat ng hayop na kasama niya sa sasakyan“ FILIPINO VERSION
It says in verse 1 “God remembered Noah.” The word “remember”, not only describing an act of memory, it is a word frequently used in Scripture to convey the ideas of care and kindness, after a delay or suspension, there was a manifestation or a renewal of the divine favor. Example: When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, God remembered Abraham (Genesis 19:29 “And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.”; God remembered Rachel Genesis 30:22 “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.”; This is Zacharias prophecy that God remembered His covenant with the forefathers Luke 1:72 “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;”).
The Hebrew word “remember” carries with it the idea of preserving and contemplating something with one’s mind with the idea of preserving what you contemplated. It is not that God had forgotten about Noah during the time of the flood, it was that now at this point, He was contemplating and focusing on the promises He had made to Noah in (Genesis 6:19-20 “And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.”).
In this narrative, God is represented as wholly occupied with His “strange work of judgment”; but at length, when the inundation had already accomplished its goal, God described here as focusing to take care of the situation of Noah and his companion in the ark, God is providing, according to His promise, for the deliverance of Noah and his family from the deluge.
Notice the words in verse 1 “every living thing…in the ark”. This is a beautiful illustration of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” God preserves and protects every living thing in the ark because God remembered His promises He had made to Noah.
B. Removing of the water as God performed – v.1b-5
God accomplished as He remembered His promised to Noah and by the removing of water.
Genesis 8:1b-2 “and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged; 2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;”
Genesis 8:1b-2 “Pinahihip ng Diyos ang isang hangin sa ibabaw ng lupa, at humupa ang tubig. 2 Natakpan din ang mga bukal ng kalaliman at ang mga bintana ng langit, at napigil ang ulan sa langit.” FILIPINO VERSION
Notice the later phrase of verse 1, “God made a wind to pass over.” God by His Divine will could have dried up the liquid mass in an instant if He wants to, but the agency of a wind was employed here. God caused the wind to pass over the land, which caused the waters to subside. What wind is this? (Psalm 104:4 “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:”), this is probably refers to a hot wind, which by a process of evaporation, would again absorb one portion of the waters into the atmosphere, while the other would be gradually drained off by outlets beneath, as seems to be clearly intimated by the words described in verse 3. Now the words in verse 2, “the rain from heaven” is not to be considered as an additional cause of the flood, hitherto was omitted. The rain from heaven is merely stated in the style of the Hebrew Scriptures, as exegetical (understanding the interpretation of the texts) of “the windows of heaven.” mentioned in verse 2. What an amazing performance of God’s power that He caused the gushing fountains of the deep and the raining waters from the sky to stop as portrayed in verse 2. Genesis 8:3 “And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.”
Genesis 8:3 “Patuloy na bumabaw ang tubig sa lupa at humupa ang tubig pagkaraan ng isandaan at limampung araw.” FILIPINO VERSION
Notice in verse 3 the word, “returned”, that is what happened to the waters. It says that the waters return, how? notice the word in verse 3 “continually.” It means literally, the waters going and returning. The clause should be rendered, “the waters continually subsided from off the earth; and at the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were much abated.” God systematically removed the water from the earth. This translation removes the alleged contradiction between the present passage chapter 8 and of the preceding chapter 7. The waters returned from off the earth continually it means that by the change of the land again, which would produce slopes and channels. And at the end of 150 days the waters which had flowed from the seas toward the central sunken region began to flow outward, leaving the whole district in the state in which it has ever since remained. Genesis 8:4 “And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.”
Genesis 8:4 “Nang ikalabimpitong araw ng ikapitong buwan, sumadsad ang daong sa ibabaw ng mga bundok ng Ararat.” FILIPINO VERSION
Notice in verse 4, “And the ark rested in the seventh month”. It refers to the seventh month of the year (Genesis 7:11 “In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.”), not seventh month of the flood, but seventh month of the year, which the flood lasted only five months, that is from the second month of the six hundred year of Noah’s life, therefore seventh month of the year, with a thirty days in a month with total of 150 days (verse 3). The specific day the ark came to rest on the dry ground was exactly 150 days after the rain began to fall, on the 17th day of the second month (Genesis 7:11), which would be the 17th day of the seventh month. This computation which seems to have prevailed in Noah’s time, since the sacred narrative was probably derived from some Noahic document, is the same as the unintercalated solar year of the Egyptians; and its adoption here by Moses is remarkable, as the lunar year, consisting of twelve months, which began with the appearance of the new moon, and varied in length was the mode of reckoning used by the early Hebrews.
The ark rested in the seventh month. The word “rested”, evidently it is indicating a calm and gentle motion
Notice also the specific day when the ark rested on the seventh month as it says, “on the seventeenth day of the month.” We could stress here on the remarkable coincidence, that the ark rested on the seventeenth day of the seventh month, being the very time on which Christ rose from the dead.
Where is the location when the ark rested on the seventeenth day of the seventh month? In verse 4 it says, “upon the mountains of Ararat.” It was rendered Armenia in II Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38 “the land of Armenia” (KJV) or “the land of Ararat” (NASB, ESV, NKJV, NLT, NIV, ASV). Ararat is a high plateau located on the far eastern boarder of modern Turkey. In the Bible, Ararat refers to a mountain (Genesis 8:4); a country (Armenia) (II Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38); and a Kingdoms (Jeremiah 51:27). Ararat is known for its two large mountain peaks which ascend high into the sky. The mountain which tradition points to as the one upon which the ark rested is now called Ara Dagh- the finger mountain. The height of the greater Ararat has been variously estimated at 17,750 or 17, 323 feet above sea level, and 14,300 feet above the plain. The lesser or little Ararat is 13,420 or as it has been recently measured 13,093 feet above the level of the sea. The summit of the highest peak is nearly level, and of a triangular shape, the base being about 200 yards in length, and the perpendicular height from the base of the cone to the top is about 6,000 feet, covered with perpetual snow, which is as dry as powder. Can you imagine how a family of eight persons with a group of the inferior animals, could safely descend from such an high mountain, it’s hard for them to descend. The scaling of the mountains of Ararat, though often attempted by various foreign nationals, has been successfully performed only by a very adventurous persons in modern times, is a problem and hard task of no easy solution, if the mountain was as lofty and precipitous in Noah’s time. The traditional Mount Ararat is supported neither by evidence nor probability. But the narrative mentions, not the mountain of Ararat, but in verse 4 says, “the mountains of Ararat.” God caused the ark to sit on the mountains of Ararat, the highest districts of Armenia, lying north of Mesopotamia and Assyria, and east of Asia Minor-namely, the Gordyaeau or Kurdish chain of hills, which are of low elevation, and this mountains of Ararat known in the present day by the name of Jebel Giodi or Judi. Jewish Targumist (the specialist, writer or translator of a targum. Targum is a translation or paraphrase of some portion of the Old Testament Scriptures in the Chaldee or Aramaic language or dialect) named, Jonathan, in his gloss on this passage, says that the ark rested on the mountains of Kurdon or Gordon, thus almost identifying Judi as the resting-place. At the western extremity of the Gordyaean chain of hills, where were found coins bearing a representation of the ark, with a raven and a dove, and on the reverse the name of Noe or No. There have been many expeditions to explore these areas in an attempt to find Noah’s ark and a large wooden structure has been spotted which is encased in ice on the Great Ararat.
Genesis 8:5 “And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.”
Genesis 8:5 “Ang tubig ay nagpatuloy ng paghupa hanggang sa ikasampung buwan. Nang unang araw ng ikasampung buwan, nakita ang mga taluktok ng mga bundok.” FILIPINO VERSION
In verse 5 says, “the tops of the mountains seen”. The waters had abated so much that in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested on (one of) the mountains of Ararat. And the waters were continually decreasing until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains (the Armenian highlands) were visible. The entire duration of the deluge comprised, a solar year, that is according to John Lightfoot (who is a 17th-century English churchman and Jewish scholar, was famous for his biblical commentaries and exegeticals). Forty-six days were occupied in storing the ark with provisions, and seven in receiving the inferior animals. The rains, which began to fall on the 17th of the Hebrew month Marchesyan, continued forty days, and the waters were on the increase for one hundred and fifty days. The decrease commenced on the first of Sivan (Sivan is the first month of the summer in Hebrew calendar. It's start around May and end in June.), and continued one hundred and twenty days. Thus, we trace the counsel of heaven, in allowing Noah time to reap the harvest before the rain, and in bringing Noah out of the ark at a season proper for following the waters with the seeds for the succeeding year (Genesis 7:11). It is highly probable that it was a solar year, not a lunar year. But there are difficulties that oppose this conclusion.
Continuation...PART 2.... II - THE ATTEMPTS OF NOAH – v.6-14 After we discussed about What God did, this time, we will know what Noah did.
We have learned that the faith of Noah was not just a matter of belief but the faith of Noah was one of obedience.
A. Revealing of the opened window – v.6
We can see that the first thing Noah did, he opened the window
Genesis 8:6 “And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:”
Genesis 8:6 “Sa katapusan ng apatnapung araw, binuksan ni Noe ang bintana ng daong na kanyang ginawa.” FILIPINO VERSION
It says in verse 6 “at the end of forty days,” Noah waited forty days, after the decrease of the waters, corresponding to the forty days during which the waters had increased. Noah and his family are ardent longing to enjoy again the sight of the land, as well longing to breathe the fresh air outside, and all of these was perfectly consistent with their faith and patience to make enquiries whether the earth was now ready.
After Noah waited forty days, after the decrease of the waters, it says in verse 6, Noah “opened the window” of the ark [Hebrew, “chalown” (H2474), a different word from the word that was used in (Genesis 6:16 “A window shalt thou make to the ark, …and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof”), and as it elsewhere denotes a narrow opening for the light (Joshua 2:15; Joshua 2:18; Joshua 2:21; Ezekiel 40:16; Ezekiel 41:16; Ezekiel 41:26. These references given was a description that this type of narrow window was probably a small division or portion of the sky-light, that extended upon the roof along the whole length of the ark. Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made after he waited forty days, after the decrease of the waters.
Imagine, 40 days and nights of rain, 110 more days of rising water (150 days), 74 more days of water going and decreasing (Genesis 8:4-5) (224 days), and 40 more days until Noah sends out the raven (Genesis 8:6), which means he has been in this ark connected with water for 264 days when he opened this window. Think of the fact that Noah has been locked in this ark with his family and the animals and the muck and sewage for 264 days plus 7 days before the flood which equals 271 days. Noah and his family in the ark enthusiastic to see all the views outside and needed the fresh air outside of the ark. Noah with full excitement and eagerness opened he window.
A. Releasing to send a raven – v.7
Then after Noah opened the window, Noah sent a raven to find something.
Genesis 8:7 “And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.”
Genesis 8:7 “Siya'y nagpalipad ng isang uwak, at ito'y nagparoo't parito hanggang sa natuyo ang tubig sa lupa.” FILIPINO VERSION
Notice in verse 7 that Noah, “sent forth a raven.” This is literally, the raven. We see here the force of a certain, of a particular raven. Raven is adventurous bird, hardy, and was unaffected by the coldest atmosphere, delighting to wade in mud and to feed on the carcasses of animals.
What happened to the raven after Noah sent forth the raven? It says in verse 7, the raven “which went forth to and fro,” literally the raven went forth going and returning. The raven keeps on roving on the heights and also emerged from the waters, or sometimes the raven perched on the external covering of the ark, therefore the raven was no loss for a resting-place, and the raven has no problem for his voracious appetite because the raven would find plenty of carrion floating, after so long an abstinence, now he would greedily prey.
Noah must go through exasperation, boredom before he and his family gets out of the ark which demands patience. Noah remained faithful to God even in the midst of monotonous life he endured. Sometimes life is not exciting and there were monotonous days we experienced, but all of us can still walk with God, wait on God and work for God. God in his wisdom, guided Noah to use the bird that is fitted with the purpose. A raven is a known scavenger bird that will land anywhere, even in dirty, muddy places and eat about anything. If the raven found a place to land and a corpse of some sort to eat, the raven would no longer return to the ark.
B. Retrying to send a dove – v. 8-12
When the dove did not return, Noah tries again, this time Noah sent a dove.
Genesis 8:8-12 “Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more."
Genesis 8:8-12 “Nagpalipad din siya ng isang kalapati upang tingnan kung humupa na ang tubig sa ibabaw ng lupa. 9 Ngunit ang kalapati ay hindi nakakita ng madadapuan ng kanyang paa, kaya't ito'y nagbalik sa kanya sa daong sapagkat ang tubig ay nasa ibabaw pa ng buong lupa. Kaya't inilabas niya ang kanyang kamay, kinuha niya ito at ipinasok sa daong. 10 Muli siyang naghintay ng pitong araw at muling pinalipad ang kalapati sa labas ng daong, 11 at nang malapit nang gumabi, ang kalapati ay nagbalik sa kanya. Sa kanyang tuka ay may isang bagong pitas na dahon ng olibo. Kaya't nalaman ni Noe na humupa na ang tubig sa lupa. 12 Muli siyang naghintay ng pitong araw, at pinalipad ang kalapati at ito ay hindi na muling nagbalik sa kanya.” FILIPINO VERSION
Since Noah was disappointed with the raven, that is why in verse 8 says, “Also he sent forth a dove.” Noah made choice of a bird who has a docile nature and possessed with a characteristics habits whom Noah could considered so he can obtain a hope that can bring him an intelligence report. Noah decided to use dove because the dove is capable of continuous long on the wing and flying into far places, however the range of flight is extensive, that is natural for the dove when disposed surely would return to its dwelling place or habitat. In addition, the dove flies low, and it does not land its foot except on clean and dry places opposite with the nature of raven. As Noah is looking for animals to do the aim of the job, Noah would think of those animals which possessed the ability to pass rapidly over an extensive country; and by Noah selection of raven and the dove, Noah would be guided by his knowledge of the different habits of each bird.
The Septuagint (An ancient translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek) renders the words in verse 8 “from him” as “after him” that means after the raven. However, the Hebrew idiom requires that we should consider the dove as sent from Noah himself. Although it is not stated here how long a time Noah allowed to elapse, it may be inferred that it was after an interval of seven days (Genesis 8:10 “And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark”).
Then in verse 8, Noah purposely wants “to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground”, That is Noah wants to be sure that the waters were abated from the plains, from the low country, which the instinct of the dove would lead the dove to seek the plains the low land.
But in verse 9, the dove found no place to plant her foot, so the dove returned to Noah into the ark because the waters were still on the face of the whole earth: So Noah took the dove and “pulled her” in unto him “into the ark”, the Bible does not say that Noah did that to the raven. Noah pulled the dove into the ark but Noah did not pull the raven into the ark because the raven did not return.
It says in verse 10, Noah stayed another seven days and for the second time around, “Again he sent forth the dove.” Judging by the time, the flight of the dove continued abroad into a much great distance because the dove returned “in the evening” (verse 11). If several trees had appeared above the water, it was natural for the dove to get to the olive plantation where the doves in the East prefer to perch and to feed. Since the olive is a pale evergreen, which like other evergreens trees, it changes and every season renews its foliage, where the old leaves displaced by the young leaves. The olive tree have a moderate height and seldom exceeding thirty feet and will not grow on high latitudes. Some scholars said the olive trees have the power of living under water as they said there were olive trees in the Red Sea. The olive trees grow in the country of Armenia but only in the valleys on the south of Ararat but not on the slopes of the mountains.
The olive trees will not flourish at an elevation location unlike the mulberry, walnut, and apricot are found on an elevated place. The olive tree, are among the latest vegetation uncovered by the decreasing waters. The dove plucked the leaf that is why the olive tree must have stood in the plains or on a low declivity. The leaf plucked off by the dove (verse 11 “her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off”) was [Taaraap (H2965)] which is a sprout of flesh foliage, the tree must have flourished, shed its old leaves and therefore renewed its leafy growth, in spite that was immersed for a whole year period. The effect of the oil of the olive tree in supplying, relaxing, and preventing or mitigating pain, have been adopted since the earliest period as an emblem of the kindness of the divine nature. Particularly after man’s fall into sinful disobedience, the oil of the olive tree have represented the goodness and placability of God through the Savior Jesus Christ, and of the blessed influences of the power of the Holy Spirit in relieving and healing our disordered sinful nature, and destroying the poison of the old (spiritual) serpent from our inherited disordered sinful nature, likewise the olive oil does the relieving, healing of the natural serpent. Because of this, we can see a special propriety in the olive leaf or olive branch being chosen by the providence of God as a sign to Noah concerning, the abatement of the flood.
In verse 12, Noah stayed yet “other seven days.” This is a strong and clear presumptive evidence that Noah observed the Sabbath during his residence in the ark.
After Noah stayed another seven days, it says in verse 12, Noah “sent forth the dove; which returned not again…any more.” At this time the dove did not returned again to the ark anymore, hence we perceive a wisdom and a prudence far superior. We discern that God is guiding all the movements of the dove for the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hope of his family.
Hence, the sequence is that seven days after sending out the raven, Noah sent out a dove (Genesis 8:8, 10). Do not forget that the total flood time is 271 days and if Noah sent out a dove three times in seven-day intervals (Genesis 8:10, 12) therefore the total elapsed time is 285 days (271 plus 14 days). The nature of a dove does not like muddy, wet land. However, the doves delighted in a very dry places, in other words the dove would bring Noah a reliable source of report because the dove would testify what is the condition of the ground.
D. Removing of the ark covering – v.13-14
This time Noah removed the covering.
Genesis 8:13, 14 “And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. 14 And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.”
Genesis 8:13-14 “At nang taong ikaanimnaraan at isa, nang unang araw ng unang buwan, ay natuyo ang tubig sa ibabaw ng lupa. Inalis ni Noe ang takip ng daong at tumingin siya, at nakita niyang ang ibabaw ng lupa ay natuyo na. 14 At nang ikadalawampu't pitong araw ng ikalawang buwan ay natuyo ang lupa.” FILIPINO VERSION
It says in verse 13 that during the six hundredth and one year, in the first day of the first month, the waters were dried up from the earth, and “Noah removed the covering” this probably only as much of it to give Noah a view of the earth around. Yet for about two months Noah never stirred from his appointed residence until Noah received the permission from the announcement of God. This is an important thing that we should learn in our lives, that we also should watch the leading of God’s providence to lead and direct us in every step of the journey in the path of life.
Most Bible expositors assume that Noah had made a covering of animal skins as kind of a rain tarp for the top of the ark because the Hebrew word used for “covering” in verse 13 is the same word used for covering in connection with the tabernacle in Exodus 26:14 ““And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.”
There are 371 days total of water time. How this computation happened? There are 29 more days after Noah sent the dove had elapsed from 17th day of second month during the year 600 (Genesis 7:11) until the first day of the first month in the year 601 (Genesis 8:13) until the land is dry, and then additional of 57 days passed by before Noah comes out from the ark (Genesis 8:14). That is why there are 371 days (285 days plus 29 days plus 57 days) computed proof of total water time.
However, Morris calculates that the 371 days is the total time that Noah and his family were in the ark and not the total days of water time. If this is true, if we are going to add the seven days that Noah and his family was already in the ark prior to God sending the flood waters in (Genesis 7:4, 10), this will have an equivalent of 378 days grand total amount of time that Noah and his family were in the ark.
III – THE ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD – v.15-17
God gave the arrangement in His instruction that He said to Noah.
Genesis 8:15-17 “And God spake unto Noah, saying, 16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. 17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.”
Genesis 8:15-17 “At nagsalita ang Diyos kay Noe, 16 Lumabas ka sa daong, ikaw at ang iyong asawa, ang iyong mga anak, ang mga asawa ng iyong mga anak na kasama mo. 17 Ilabas mong kasama mo ang bawat isa na may buhay: ang mga ibon, at ang mga hayop, ang bawat gumagapang sa ibabaw ng lupa upang sila'y dumami sa ibabaw ng lupa, at magkaroon ng mga anak at dumami sa ibabaw ng lupa.” FILIPINO VERSION
Look the opening words in verse 15, “And God spake” then in verse 16, “Go forth”. The marching order of going out from the ark is given. They went forth in the most orderly manner. First, the human inmates, then each species “after their kinds,” that is literally according to their families, so that as they had gone into the ark in pairs, they will also go out by couple. This an arrangement which evidently started from miraculous influence.
It had been over a year since God spoke to Noah and that delay probably prompted Noah to think he was floating in unconsciousness. The first commission of God to Noah over one year ago was to get into the ark, and now the instruction of God to Noah was to get out of the ark. The important truth to consider is that what God does and demands at one time changes for another time for it depends on what is going on in God’s plan and in His program. The emphasis in verse 15 is on God speaking. Did you see that, God is speaking to a righteous man, and Noah was the righteous man whom God was directing. May God speaks in you as He directs you. What is the thing that God is speaking to your heart? Is there any thing that God has commanded you to do so? Would you Him?
We can see the picture as Noah and his family, come out of the ark as they were stepping into a new different world that had been cleansed by God’s judgment. The world consists of Asia to the east, Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Americas to the west. Some observed that after some considerable lowering of water levels, there were land bridges at one time existed.
For a new beginning, God commanded Noah and his family to be fruitful and multiply. There is God inauguration for the new blessings. Therefore, to be fruitless and isolated is not the purpose of God for any living beings upon the earth.
Continuation...PART 3.... IV –THE ACTION OF NOAH – v.18-20
As God gave instruction to Noah, then Noah did everything God had said.
A. Total Obedience of Noah – v.18-19 Genesis 8:18-19 “And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: 19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.”
Genesis 8:18-19 “Kaya't lumabas si Noe, ang kanyang mga anak, ang kanyang asawa, at ang mga asawa ng kanyang mga anak na kasama niya; 19 bawat hayop, bawat gumagapang, at bawat ibon, anumang gumagalaw sa ibabaw ng lupa ayon sa kanyang angkan ay lumabas sa daong.” FILIPINO VERSION
Noah believed God and obeyed God completely, no matter how tough the assignment becomes, Noah obeyed according to everything that God had commanded Him to do. B. Thanksgiving worship of Noah – v. 20 Genesis 8:20 “And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
Genesis 8:20 “Ipinagtayo ni Noe ng isang dambana ang Panginoon. Kumuha siya sa lahat ng malinis na hayop, at sa lahat na malinis na ibon, at nag-alay ng mga handog na susunugin sa dambana.” FILIPINO VERSION
Not only Noah obeyed God completely but also it says in verse 20 “Noah builded an altar”, that is literally a high place, probably a mound of earth or unhewn stones on which a sacrifice was offered. (Exodus 20:24-25 “An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon” 25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone”; Joshua 8:31 “As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones…and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings.”). The first thing in Noah’s mind was toward God. This is the first notice of an altar in the Scripture and it is recognized particularly because the paradisiacal place of worship (Genesis 4:3-4 “Cain brought…an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought…his offering”; Genesis 4:16 “And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord…”) had probably been removed by the flood. Ever since Eden, the only way of access to God has been through a blood sacrifice. That is why after the flood, Noah built an altar and offered, as sacrifice, one of all the clean animals and birds. Significantly, we have no record that to this point that God commanded Noah to do this, which means Noah is building the altar, offering sacrifices, it is because Noah has a heart that truly wants to thank and worship God. It is so beautiful and interestingly to know that Noah shows the first care by returning back the thanksgiving for the sake of God’s mercy and goodness which Noah and his family had experienced for a long period of time inside the ark. Before Noah and his family ventured out in this new life, they began with worship. Their relationship with God was based on blood sacrifice. This worship service was one of thanksgiving and dedication, rather than propitiation. Likewise, let us regards worship a highest aim of our lives, give Him the reverence, reasonable worship. Sometimes we allow anxieties, trials, difficulties, pressures to hinder our worship to God. How’s your personal quiet time with the Lord? How your family worship? How do you participate in corporate worship in your church?
Notice in verse 20, that Noah “took of every clean beast, and…fowl” it was so unparalleled beast and fowl, offered for a purpose of a deliverance for the life of Noah and his family, and a special acknowledgment for the mercy and grace of God was due. How about you, what is the best thing and the highest and special thing you give and offer to God? The Hebrew word [olaah (H5930), here was used which described holocaust, as the victim being wholly consumed or the sacrificial animals was fully consumed.]
In later part of verse 20 it says, “offered burnt offerings on the altar.” this is referring either to the sacrifices being carried up to the altar, or to the smoke ascending to heaven. During the times of the patriarchs, usually the head of a family acted the role as priest, and the solemn act of devotion of Noah for himself and for his small household was purposely designed to be his full expression of his religious feelings. It is Noah’s acknowledgement of his sinfulness and repentance, faith, and thanksgiving for all temporal blessings as well as spiritual mercies of God. Every kind of animal was included in the sacrificial offering that was required to give completeness to the ritual design. The sacrificial animal offering was both expiatory offering and a thank-offering. It was interestingly observed that the sacrifice was offered not to God [Elohiym (H430)], the Creator and Judge, but the sacrifice was offered to the Lord [Yahweh (H3068)], the God of grace, who by the instructions given to Noah, had Himself provided the materials (Genesis 7:1 “And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”).
Now, how about us, do we honor the Lord with our substance? (Proverbs 3:9 “Honour the Lord with thy substance”). Are you consistent of your thanksgiving offering to the Lord? Are you faithful in giving your offerings to the Lord consistently? God knows your need more than you knows your need, He controls everything and knows your tomorrow. Give your offerings to Him with a sincere heart as a very important part of your worship to God. May we have a thanksgiving worship.
V – THE ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE TO GOD – v. 21-22 A. Accepted sacrifices to God – v. 21a Genesis 8:21a “And the Lord smelled a sweet savour.”
Genesis 8:21a “At sinamyo ng Panginoon ang masarap na amoy.” FILIPINO VERSION
It says in verse 21, “the Lord smelled a sweet savour”, The LORD was pleased with the sacrifices offered to Him; they were a “sweet-smelling” aroma. It was the sacrifice offered by a righteous man like Noah, in faith, was acceptable as the most fragrant incense, (Exodus 29:18 “it is a burnt offering… a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”; Leviticus 1:9 “the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering… a sweet savour unto the Lord.”; Leviticus 1:13 “the priest…burnt sacrifice, an offering…a sweet savour unto the Lord.”; Leviticus 1:17 “the priest shall burnt sacrifice, an offering…a sweet savour unto the Lord”; Leviticus 2:9 “the priest shall take from the meat offering…and shall burn it…an offering…a sweet savour unto the Lord.”; Leviticus 3:5 “Aaron's sons shall…burnt sacrifice…an offering…sweet savour unto the Lord.”). Even the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”, here Paul has applied this strong eastern figure as he described the acceptable nature of the offered blood-shed sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his death, burial and resurrection, and this must led us to see in Noah and his preservation in the ark as a type of Christ and the salvation which is only to be obtained through the Gospel. B. Assured promise of no judgment by God – v. 21b-22 Genesis 8:21b-22 “and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:21b-22 “at sinabi ng Panginoon sa kanyang puso, “Hindi ko na muling susumpain ang lupa dahil sa tao, sapagkat ang haka ng puso ng tao ay masama mula sa kanyang pagkabata. Hindi ko na rin muling lilipulin ang lahat ng nabubuhay na gaya ng aking ginawa. 22 Habang ang lupa ay nananatili, ang paghahasik at pag-aani, ang tag-init at taglamig, ang araw at gabi ay hindi hihinto.” FILIPINO VERSION
In verse 21, “the Lord said in his heart,” it is the same as in Isaiah 54:9…“I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth…” We notice that words here express God determination or secret decree before it was revealed to Noah.
Look again in verse 21, the phrase “For the imagination of man’s heart is evil.” The Hebrew term “for,” is rendered “though”. Here it is clear that considering man’s proneness to corruption and sin “from his youth” up. The Scriptures reveals in verse 21 that God knows that man’s heart is evil from his youth. Depravity of man is not just an interesting doctrine, it is a personal reality. The bible says in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” and this man’s problem is in a person from his youth. That is why every sinful man must be born again to have a divine nature from his new spiritual relationship from God through Jesus Christ. The Bible says, physical birth and physical works will never make a sinner righteous with a Holy God. There is the need of a blood sacrifice that is required for sinners to be right with God. Righteousness of God by faith on the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. A sacrifice has been made at the altar of the cross and if you will by faith believe on Jesus Christ, you will be spared from the wrath of God, even though you are a sinner from your youth. In spite of hereditary and inherent evil of man’s sinful nature, still God exercise forbearance toward sinful man; and instead of destroying the world again by flood, God is so gracious and merciful to man, and allow man to enjoy a continuance of fruitful seasons, filled with food and gladness. “For” in verse 21 which means “though” the imagination of man is continuously and habitually evil, but instead of inflicting the world with another destructive and devastative flood in verse 21 “neither will I again smite any more every thing living as I have done”, God said “I shall spare man, to enjoy the blessings of grace through a Saviour.”
God promised never again to destroy the world by a flood. What a gracious God!
Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22 “Habang ang lupa ay nananatili, ang paghahasik at pag-aani, ang tag-init at taglamig, ang araw at gabi ay hindi hihinto.” FILIPINO VERSION
Notice in verse 22, it says “While the earth remaineth.” The year is here divided into six seasons that was experienced as the course of nature in Eastern countries. The same arrangement, although this is not seen in the Scripture, was afterward adopted by the Jewish people as appears by a passage quoted from an old Rabbinical work of John Lightfoot, who is a 17th century English churchman and Jewish scholar, was famous for his biblical commentaries and exegeticals. According to John Lightfoot best-known work, ('Horae Hebraicae' – a volume of commentary on the New Testament gospels of Matthew and Mark). These are the arrangement, adopted by the Jews:
Other people from Oriental also reckon six seasons, as the Hindus, the Arabians, and the inhabitants of the neighboring regions.
Although, during the non-stop, unceasing rains of the deluge, then there is the total darkness that prevailed, but still the distinction between “day and night” would be restored, and the character and succession of the season remains the same before as after that world-wide dispensation. The seed time and the harvest time was restored again to the earth, we enjoy again the summer, winter, cold, hot, spring as the written by the author of Genesis. Thanks God for His graciousness, greatness, kindness, and every blessings for the man to exists. Amen!
The ardent faith and devotion of Noah, has ascended to heaven with the smoke of his sacrifice he offered as a sweet-smelling aroma, which were highly acceptable to the holy purpose of his worship. The typical offering of Noah, by which the whole earth was purified and consecrated as man’s residence, was the instances that God’s promise had made, and as long as the present providence of God continues or stays in the world, the nature’s way of this world shall not be arrested, neither human life be universally destroyed again. That’s the faithfulness and heartily dedication Noah, who ardently offered the acceptable sacrifice as sweet-smelling savor that ascended into heaven and caused the providence of God to keep and assures His promise that the world will never be destroyed again by the world with the flood.
The old curse was fully executed and accomplished in the flood. Then there is a new blessing that is immediately pronounced upon the earth. THERE IS THE NEW BEGINNING! Amen.
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