You [God] covered it [the earth] with the deep as with a garment; The waters were standing above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away in alarm. - Psalm 104:6-7
Due to the extreme corruption and wickedness of mankind, God sent a worldwide flood to blot out humanity. He instructed Noah to build an ark upon which he, certain members of his family, and the animals would be saved. After its construction was complete and they were all safely aboard, the flood began. Heavy rain poured continuously for 40 days and 40 nights, flooding the earth and killing every living thing other than those on the ark. By the end of chapter 7, Noah and those with him had been afloat on the waters for 150 days.
In this morning's message we will continue our study of The Great Flood. We will discuss the period during which the flood waters decreased and finally dried up all together. I’ve titled the sermon “The Flood Subsides”. The focal passage for this message is found in Genesis 8:1-13.
I. THE WATERS BEGIN TO RECEDE (v1-5)
God remembered Noah and the animals with him on the ark and caused a wind to begin bellowing over the earth that would evaporate or dry up all the waters. In addition, flooding waters that had sprung up from below the earth and rainwaters that had fallen from above finally ceased. So at the end of 150 days, the waters began to slowly subside. In the 7th month, on the 17th day of the month, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to steadily decrease and the mountaintops became visible on the 1st day of the 10th month.
When Scripture states that God “remembered” Noah, this doesn’t mean that He had forgotten about him. The LORD does not forget about His people or His promises (Isaiah 49:15-16). Rather, God determined it was time to fulfill that which He had promised to Noah, to save him from the flood.
Although the initial phase of the flood was marked by 40 days and nights of continuous rainfall, apparently the rains continued and waters kept springing up from the earth, perhaps less intensely or sporadically, for another 110 days. As such, the waters continued to rise for 150 days until the entire earth was covered. At this point, the floodgates were closed and God caused a wind to begin blowing that would dry up the earth (Psalm 135:7).
As the waters began to recede, Noah’s ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. After about 2 ½ months of gradual decline, the mountaintops of Ararat became visible. The exact whereabouts of these mountains is unknown, but the most widely accepted theory is that they are located near the border between Turkey and Armenia, between the Black and Caspian Sea. While there have been many expeditions to find the ark and numerous claims of its discovery, respected ministries like Answers in Genesis maintain that no credible evidence of Noah’s ark has yet been found.
II. THE RAVEN AND THE DOVES (v6-12)
40 days after the mountaintops appeared, as the floodwaters slowly receded, Noah opened the window of the ark and released a raven. It flew back and forth continuously until the waters had completely dried up. Afterward, he released a dove in order to see if the waters had abated, but the dove returned to Noah when it couldn’t find dry land. 7 days later he released a 2nd dove which also returned, but this time with an olive leaf in its beak, indicating the waters had abated somewhat. Still 7 days later he released a 3rd dove, but this time it did not return at all clearly signifying that dry ground had appeared.
Noah sent both the raven and the doves out from the ark to determine if the flood waters had sufficiently subsided, which suggests that he couldn’t see clearly from the window. He used these birds to evaluate the situation, to literally test the waters, before taking any additional action. We are wise to learn from this example.
Ravens are scavengers that can feed on floating debris and the decaying carcasses of animals. On the contrary, doves need a sure and safe place to land and prefer fresh, green vegetation. Some commentators have suggested that the raven symbolized God’s judgment and the lingering death that would persist even after the flood while the doves symbolized peace, purity, and the restoration of humanity following the flood.
III. THE WATERS ARE DRIED UP (v13)
In the 601st year of Noah’s life, on the 1st day of the 1st month, the waters had dried up from the earth. Noah removed the cover of the ark and looked out for himself. Now he had an unobstructed view and could see clearly that the surface of the ground was dry.
The Hebrew word mikseh used in this passage translates as covering. It is not the same word used for door. Some interpret this to mean that Noah actually removed the wooden planks that made up the top deck or ceiling of the ark. There is no indication that he ever reopened the door in the side of the ark which God had earlier closed and sealed shut. Perhaps Noah used the removed boards from the covering to construct ramps by which the animals would later exit. Removing the cover also provided light and ventilation to the animals inside.
Whatever the cover was exactly, its removal marked the end of God’s judgment. The shield of protection was no longer necessary. The danger was no more. The flood was over and now restoration could begin. This can be likened to eternity, when Satan and his followers are forever vanquished to the Lake of Fire and there is no more death or peril, but only peace and tranquility forevermore.
CONCLUSION
Let’s wrap up this morning’s sermon by reviewing a few of the major points. First, the LORD remembers His people and His promises. I’ll admit, sometimes it seems that He has forgotten, but He hasn’t. Though the storms of life rage, the rain falls, and the waters rise, the flood will not last forever. We can trust that in God’s perfect time the waters will recede and the sun will shine again.
Second, when you are uncertain about your circumstances, it is wise to assess the situation before taking the next step. As believers, we should seek God’s direction through prayer, Bible study, and talking with other believers. These strategies can help us to know how and when to rightly proceed.
Finally, those who have trusted in Christ for salvation will not need protection forever. The day is coming when the enemies of God will be no more, and the dangers they pose will disappear. We will be able to remove the covering so to speak, and will experience blissful harmony for all of eternity, without any fear of or threat of harm.
The flood has ended and the surface of the earth is dry. That said, Noah, his family, and the animals are all still aboard the ark. Next week we will talk about their departure from the ark and the events that immediately follow. Until then, may the LORD richly bless you.
Due to the extreme corruption and wickedness of mankind, God sent a worldwide flood to blot out humanity. He instructed Noah to build an ark upon which he, certain members of his family, and the animals would be saved. After its construction was complete and they were all safely aboard, the flood began. Heavy rain poured continuously for 40 days and 40 nights, flooding the earth and killing every living thing other than those on the ark. By the end of chapter 7, Noah and those with him had been afloat on the waters for 150 days.
In this morning's message we will continue our study of The Great Flood. We will discuss the period during which the flood waters decreased and finally dried up all together. I’ve titled the sermon “The Flood Subsides”. The focal passage for this message is found in Genesis 8:1-13.
I. THE WATERS BEGIN TO RECEDE (v1-5)
God remembered Noah and the animals with him on the ark and caused a wind to begin bellowing over the earth that would evaporate or dry up all the waters. In addition, flooding waters that had sprung up from below the earth and rainwaters that had fallen from above finally ceased. So at the end of 150 days, the waters began to slowly subside. In the 7th month, on the 17th day of the month, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to steadily decrease and the mountaintops became visible on the 1st day of the 10th month.
When Scripture states that God “remembered” Noah, this doesn’t mean that He had forgotten about him. The LORD does not forget about His people or His promises (Isaiah 49:15-16). Rather, God determined it was time to fulfill that which He had promised to Noah, to save him from the flood.
Although the initial phase of the flood was marked by 40 days and nights of continuous rainfall, apparently the rains continued and waters kept springing up from the earth, perhaps less intensely or sporadically, for another 110 days. As such, the waters continued to rise for 150 days until the entire earth was covered. At this point, the floodgates were closed and God caused a wind to begin blowing that would dry up the earth (Psalm 135:7).
As the waters began to recede, Noah’s ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. After about 2 ½ months of gradual decline, the mountaintops of Ararat became visible. The exact whereabouts of these mountains is unknown, but the most widely accepted theory is that they are located near the border between Turkey and Armenia, between the Black and Caspian Sea. While there have been many expeditions to find the ark and numerous claims of its discovery, respected ministries like Answers in Genesis maintain that no credible evidence of Noah’s ark has yet been found.
II. THE RAVEN AND THE DOVES (v6-12)
40 days after the mountaintops appeared, as the floodwaters slowly receded, Noah opened the window of the ark and released a raven. It flew back and forth continuously until the waters had completely dried up. Afterward, he released a dove in order to see if the waters had abated, but the dove returned to Noah when it couldn’t find dry land. 7 days later he released a 2nd dove which also returned, but this time with an olive leaf in its beak, indicating the waters had abated somewhat. Still 7 days later he released a 3rd dove, but this time it did not return at all clearly signifying that dry ground had appeared.
Noah sent both the raven and the doves out from the ark to determine if the flood waters had sufficiently subsided, which suggests that he couldn’t see clearly from the window. He used these birds to evaluate the situation, to literally test the waters, before taking any additional action. We are wise to learn from this example.
Ravens are scavengers that can feed on floating debris and the decaying carcasses of animals. On the contrary, doves need a sure and safe place to land and prefer fresh, green vegetation. Some commentators have suggested that the raven symbolized God’s judgment and the lingering death that would persist even after the flood while the doves symbolized peace, purity, and the restoration of humanity following the flood.
III. THE WATERS ARE DRIED UP (v13)
In the 601st year of Noah’s life, on the 1st day of the 1st month, the waters had dried up from the earth. Noah removed the cover of the ark and looked out for himself. Now he had an unobstructed view and could see clearly that the surface of the ground was dry.
The Hebrew word mikseh used in this passage translates as covering. It is not the same word used for door. Some interpret this to mean that Noah actually removed the wooden planks that made up the top deck or ceiling of the ark. There is no indication that he ever reopened the door in the side of the ark which God had earlier closed and sealed shut. Perhaps Noah used the removed boards from the covering to construct ramps by which the animals would later exit. Removing the cover also provided light and ventilation to the animals inside.
Whatever the cover was exactly, its removal marked the end of God’s judgment. The shield of protection was no longer necessary. The danger was no more. The flood was over and now restoration could begin. This can be likened to eternity, when Satan and his followers are forever vanquished to the Lake of Fire and there is no more death or peril, but only peace and tranquility forevermore.
CONCLUSION
Let’s wrap up this morning’s sermon by reviewing a few of the major points. First, the LORD remembers His people and His promises. I’ll admit, sometimes it seems that He has forgotten, but He hasn’t. Though the storms of life rage, the rain falls, and the waters rise, the flood will not last forever. We can trust that in God’s perfect time the waters will recede and the sun will shine again.
Second, when you are uncertain about your circumstances, it is wise to assess the situation before taking the next step. As believers, we should seek God’s direction through prayer, Bible study, and talking with other believers. These strategies can help us to know how and when to rightly proceed.
Finally, those who have trusted in Christ for salvation will not need protection forever. The day is coming when the enemies of God will be no more, and the dangers they pose will disappear. We will be able to remove the covering so to speak, and will experience blissful harmony for all of eternity, without any fear of or threat of harm.
The flood has ended and the surface of the earth is dry. That said, Noah, his family, and the animals are all still aboard the ark. Next week we will talk about their departure from the ark and the events that immediately follow. Until then, may the LORD richly bless you.