Genesis 8: Disembarking

Summary: The Lord remember Noah. The ark beaches on the top of Mt. Ararat. Noah sends a raven out of the ark. It comes back. He then sends a dove. First, it just comes back; next, it brings an olive leaf back with it; finally, it doesn't come back. Noah and his family leave the ark. The Lord makes a covenant with Noah that he will never destroy all mankind by flood again.

Personal Reflection: The Lord remembers Noah, and all the animals that are with him. I wonder if the Lord really ever forgot Noah. Sometimes, though, I think that we believe God has forgotten us. We think that he doesn't care anymore, but no matter how long the floods in our lives endure, the Lord will remember us too.

In later scripture there are a lot of incidents where people build boats and take them on the seas, trusting in the Lord to guide their journey. I think there must be times in all of their stories where they wonder if the Lord has forgotten them. I think of the fact that Noah's first act when he exits the ark is to build an altar and sacrifice to the Lord. He is so grateful for his life and the intervention of the Lord in his life.

Finally, the Lord covenants with Noah that he won't destroy man off the face of the earth again. Noah and his family were given plenty of time to develop their sea-legs before the Lord covenanted with them. I know that God will make sacred covenants with us if we will remember him during the times of our greatest trials. He will bless us when we prove our trust in Him.