Flood
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noises the wildest terror, yet amid all the warring of the elements, the
surging of the waters, and the hurling about of trees and rocks, the ark
rode safely. Angels that excel in strength guided the ark and preserved
it from harm. Every 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
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of the people would bind their children and themselves upon powerful
beasts knowing that they would be tenacious for life; and would climb
the highest points to escape the rising water. The storm does not
abate its fury—the waters increase faster than at first. Some fasten
themselves to lofty trees upon the highest points of land, but these
trees are torn up by the roots, and carried with violence through the air,
and appear as though angrily hurled, with stones and earth, into the
swelling, boiling billows. Upon the loftiest heights human beings and
beasts would strive to hold their position until all were hurled together
into the foaming waters which nearly reached the highest points of
land. The loftiest highs are at length reached, and man and beast alike
perish 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 descends and opens the door of the ark. Noah
could remove the top, but he could not open the door which God had
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shut. God spoke to Noah through the angel who opened the door and
bade the family of Noah to go forth out of the ark, and to bring forth
with them every living thing.
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 Noah