Read Genesis 8.
The vast reservoirs of water beneath the earth's surface and the waters in the
atmosphere were all unleashed in torrents to flood the entire earth. This
involved much more than the 40 days and nights of rain. Not only did Noah
have to wait until the rain stopped, but he had to be sure that the earth was
dry. Genesis 8 records the 1 year and 17 days that Noah's family and the
animals were on the Ark.
Those who entered the Ark did so on God's command (7:16) and the LORD shut them
in (7:17). It was not until the earth was completely dry that the LORD
commanded them all to leave the Ark (8:16). From the mountains of Ararat,
all air breathing life began to disseminate on earth.
In an act of thanksgiving for their safety, Noah worshiped God. He built
an altar for offering sacrifices to the LORD. Blood sacrifices had been
mentioned since Genesis 3:21, but this is the first mention in the Bible of a
formal altar. God had prepared for this in advance by having these
particular animals enter the Ark in seven pairs, rather than just two
(7:2-3).
God then made a promise. He had destroyed the earth because the
overwhelming evil of human intentions and actions. The LORD said He would
never again "strike down every living creature as I have done"
(v.21). That part of the promise protects the earth. The second
part of the promise provides for the earth. To this day God sovereignly
regulates "seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and
night" (v.22). Indeed, our food sources and life itself depend upon
the LORD being faithful to this commitment made to Noah.
The hymn writer
took this portion of Genesis 8 when he wrote the second verse of Great is Thy
Faithfulness:
"Summer
and winter, and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and
stars in their courses above,
Join with all
nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great
faithfulness, mercy and love."
His trustworthiness and faithfulness to us are evident every day.
Take notice and
allow that to stimulate our worship and obedience.
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