365 Reflections

Genesis 8:6–12 (ESV) At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. 10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. 11 And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12 Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore. What is really interesting about this passage is how beautifully it correlates with the Creation account in Genesis 1. The Earth is o...

Three times we are told in the last part of Genesis 7 that the Waters prevailed... Genesis 7:18  (ESV)   The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. Genesis 7:20  (ESV)   The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.   Genesis 7:24  (ESV)   And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days. Water was a symbol of chaos and evil in the ancient world. The sea was a fearful place not many wanted to be around. Think of the days before nautical equipment, floatation devices, large ships, and navigational instruments! Apart from those items, the sea is scary! But notice the first verse of Genesis 8: Genesis 8:1 (ESV)   But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark.  The vivid detail of the Earth's destruction is portrayed and then contrasted by God's remembrance of Noah. Remembrance is not what we thi...

Genesis 6:6–8 (ESV) 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord . Why was Noah saved?  The word "favor" in verse 8 can also be translated "grace." It is important to note the verb before it as well. Noah FOUND favor, he did not earn favor. Verse 9 comes after verse 8 here with no connecting participle between them.  God had every right to judge Noah along with his entire generation. Noah in no way earned salvation, for that would make it a work. Noah was declared righteous and blameless by the God who gave him His grace. But you may say, "Yes, but look at Noah's righteous acts! He built the ark, he preached righteousness, he was zealous for God's word ...

Genesis 1-6 is often refered to as a microcosm of world history. God creates, man sins, God selects a form of redemption for some, they escape His wrath while the Earth is judged, a new creation mandate is given (to Noah), and life with God is made possible. Here's how the chapter describes the corruption of the Earth which demanded judgment. Genesis 6:1–8 (ESV)   When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of ...