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Flood
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moment during that frightful storm of forty days and forty nights
the preservation of the ark was a miracle of almighty power.
The animals exposed to the tempest rushed toward man, choosing
the society of human beings, as though expecting help of them. Some
of the people bound their children and themselves upon powerful
beasts, knowing that they would be tenacious for life, and would
climb to the highest points to escape the rising water. The storm did
not abate its fury—the waters increased faster than at first. Some
fastened themselves to lofty trees upon the highest points of land,
but these trees were torn up by the roots and carried with violence
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through the air and appeared as though angrily hurled, with stones
and earth, into the swelling, boiling billows. Upon the loftiest heights
human beings and beasts strove to hold their position until all were
hurled together into the foaming waters, which nearly reached the
highest points of land. The loftiest heights were at length reached,
and man and beast alike perished by the waters of the Flood.
Anxiously did Noah and his family watch the decrease of the
waters. He desired to go forth upon the earth again. He sent out a
raven which flew back and forth to and from the ark. He did not
receive the information he desired, and he sent forth a dove, which,
finding no rest, returned to the ark again. After seven days the dove
was sent forth again, and when the olive leaf was seen in its mouth,
there was great rejoicing by this family of eight, which had so long
been shut up in the ark.
Again an angel descended and opened the door of the ark. Noah
could remove the top, but he could not open the door which God had
shut. God spoke to Noah through the angel who opened the door,
and bade the family of Noah go forth out of the ark and bring forth
with them every living thing.
Noah’s Sacrifice and God’s Promise
Noah did not forget God, who had so graciously preserved them,
but immediately erected an altar and took of every clean beast, and
of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar, showing
his faith in Christ the great sacrifice, and manifesting his gratitude to
God for their wonderful preservation. The offering of Noah came up
before God like a sweet savor. He accepted the offering and blessed