Chapter 8—After the Flood, a New Beginning
This chapter is based on
Genesis 7:20
to 9:7.
The waters rose above the highest mountains. It often seemed to
the family within the ark that they must perish, as for five long months
their boat was tossed about. It was a trying ordeal, but Noah’s faith
did not waver.
As the waters began to subside, the Lord caused the ark to drift
into a spot protected by a group of mountains preserved by His power.
These mountains were but a little distance apart, and the ark moved
about in this quiet haven. This gave great relief to the weary, tempest-
tossed voyagers.
Noah and his family longed to go forth again upon the earth. Forty
days after the tops of the mountains became visible they sent out a
raven to discover whether the earth had become dry. This bird, finding
nothing but water, continued to fly to and from the ark. Seven days
later a dove was sent forth, which finding no footing, returned to the
ark. Noah waited seven days longer and again sent forth the dove.
When she returned at evening with an olive leaf in her mouth, there
was great rejoicing. Still Noah waited patiently for special directions
to depart.
At last an angel opened the massive door and bade the patriarch
and his household go forth upon the earth and take with them every
living thing. Noah did not forget Him by whose gracious care they had
been preserved. His first act was to build an altar and offer sacrifice,
thus manifesting his gratitude to God for deliverance and his faith in
Christ, the great sacrifice. This offering was pleasing to the Lord, and
a blessing resulted not only to the patriarch and his family, but to all
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who should live upon the earth. “The Lord said in His heart, I will not
again curse the ground any more for man’s sake... . While the earth
remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and
winter, and day and night, shall not cease.” Noah had come forth upon
a desolate earth, but before preparing a house for himself, he built an
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