05.013. Chapter 8

Genesis 8:1-22 The chronology of the flood is as follows:

(a) 7 days—from the time Noah entered the ark until the flood began (Genesis 7:10) (b) 40 days and nights—duration of the rain (Genesis 7:12).

(c) 150 days—from the time the rain began until the waters abated (Genesis 8:3) and the ark rested on Mount Ararat (compare Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:4).

(d) 224 days—from the beginning of the flood until the mountaintops appeared (compare Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:5).

(e) 40 days—from the time the mountaintops were seen until Noah sent out the raven (Genesis 8:6).

(f) 7 days—from the sending of the raven to the first sending forth of the dove (Genesis 8:6-10; Genesis 8:10 NASB, “yet another seven days”).

(g) 7 more days—until the dove was sent forth a second time (Genesis 8:10).

(h) 7 more days—until the final sending forth of the dove.

(i) 314 days—from the beginning of the flood until the covering was removed from the ark (compare Genesis 7:14 and Genesis 8:13).

(j) 371 days—from the beginning of the flood until the earth was dried (compare Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:14). At this time, Noah was commanded to go forth from the ark (Genesis 8:16) The unclean raven (Genesis 8:7) and the clean dove (Genesis 8:8) picture the believer’s old and new natures. The old nature loves to feed on garbage and carrion whereas the new nature cannot find satisfaction in a scene of death and judgment. It finds no rest until it sets its feet on resurrection ground.

Noah responded to God’s saving grace by building an altar (Genesis 8:20). Those of us who have been saved from the wrath to come should likewise bring to God our heartfelt worship, it is as acceptable and pleasing today as it was in Noah’s day (Genesis 8:21). The Lord made a covenant that He would never again curse the ground or destroy every living creature, as He had done; also, He would provide regular seasons as long as the earth endured.