Genesis 8

Genesis 8:1

All Go into the Ark – The LORD Closes the Door

On the same day that the flood begins, Noah with his house and the animals enter the ark. Only Noah and his house, which are “a few, that is, eight persons”, enter the ark (1 Peter 3:20b), no one else. The LORD closes the door behind him. Everyone who is outside at that moment is lost beyond redemption (cf. Matthew 25:10-13).

The devastating judgments of the future will not come until God has provided for the safety of His people (Revelation 7:3; Genesis 19:22). When the devout men are taken away, the judgments are not far away, for they are taken away before evil (Isaiah 57:1). This also applies to the church which will be raptured before the great tribulation comes upon all the earth (Revelation 3:10). We have seen this in the picture of Enoch, who was taken away before the judgment of the flood (Genesis 5:24).

Genesis 8:2

All Go into the Ark – The LORD Closes the Door

On the same day that the flood begins, Noah with his house and the animals enter the ark. Only Noah and his house, which are “a few, that is, eight persons”, enter the ark (1 Peter 3:20b), no one else. The LORD closes the door behind him. Everyone who is outside at that moment is lost beyond redemption (cf. Matthew 25:10-13).

The devastating judgments of the future will not come until God has provided for the safety of His people (Revelation 7:3; Genesis 19:22). When the devout men are taken away, the judgments are not far away, for they are taken away before evil (Isaiah 57:1). This also applies to the church which will be raptured before the great tribulation comes upon all the earth (Revelation 3:10). We have seen this in the picture of Enoch, who was taken away before the judgment of the flood (Genesis 5:24).

Genesis 8:3

On the Water and under the Water

For forty days the water rises – and the ark and its contents rise with it – until the highest mountains are covered by the water. It takes no imagination to imagine the terrible scenes that have taken place in those days. When it begins one may have been surprised by the heavy rainfall, but an explanation might be sought and found why.

When it keeps raining, there will be some who started to go to the ark. They will have banged on the door and begged to enter, but it is too late (cf. Luke 13:25). Then they fled to the hills, but the water has chased them and hunted them higher and higher. There is less and less space available. The battles for survival will have been numerous, both between humans and between humans and animals and between animals. Until the highest mountain is finally covered by water.

It is clear that this flood has been global and not just a local flood. It says that “all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered”. The fact that the water rises to fifteen cubits above the highest mountains may have something to do with the depth of the ark.

Genesis 8:4

On the Water and under the Water

For forty days the water rises – and the ark and its contents rise with it – until the highest mountains are covered by the water. It takes no imagination to imagine the terrible scenes that have taken place in those days. When it begins one may have been surprised by the heavy rainfall, but an explanation might be sought and found why.

When it keeps raining, there will be some who started to go to the ark. They will have banged on the door and begged to enter, but it is too late (cf. Luke 13:25). Then they fled to the hills, but the water has chased them and hunted them higher and higher. There is less and less space available. The battles for survival will have been numerous, both between humans and between humans and animals and between animals. Until the highest mountain is finally covered by water.

It is clear that this flood has been global and not just a local flood. It says that “all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered”. The fact that the water rises to fifteen cubits above the highest mountains may have something to do with the depth of the ark.

Genesis 8:5

On the Water and under the Water

For forty days the water rises – and the ark and its contents rise with it – until the highest mountains are covered by the water. It takes no imagination to imagine the terrible scenes that have taken place in those days. When it begins one may have been surprised by the heavy rainfall, but an explanation might be sought and found why.

When it keeps raining, there will be some who started to go to the ark. They will have banged on the door and begged to enter, but it is too late (cf. Luke 13:25). Then they fled to the hills, but the water has chased them and hunted them higher and higher. There is less and less space available. The battles for survival will have been numerous, both between humans and between humans and animals and between animals. Until the highest mountain is finally covered by water.

It is clear that this flood has been global and not just a local flood. It says that “all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered”. The fact that the water rises to fifteen cubits above the highest mountains may have something to do with the depth of the ark.

Genesis 8:6

On the Water and under the Water

For forty days the water rises – and the ark and its contents rise with it – until the highest mountains are covered by the water. It takes no imagination to imagine the terrible scenes that have taken place in those days. When it begins one may have been surprised by the heavy rainfall, but an explanation might be sought and found why.

When it keeps raining, there will be some who started to go to the ark. They will have banged on the door and begged to enter, but it is too late (cf. Luke 13:25). Then they fled to the hills, but the water has chased them and hunted them higher and higher. There is less and less space available. The battles for survival will have been numerous, both between humans and between humans and animals and between animals. Until the highest mountain is finally covered by water.

It is clear that this flood has been global and not just a local flood. It says that “all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered”. The fact that the water rises to fifteen cubits above the highest mountains may have something to do with the depth of the ark.

Genesis 8:7

All Blotted out Except What Is in the Ark

This is how an end comes to “every living thing that was upon the face of the land”. Only Noah and what is with him in the ark are left. What judgment means for the world means salvation for them. The waters that destroy the world lift up the ark and place it on a land cleaned by judgment. The ark undergoes the judgments of God, while those who are in it are spared.

This is an impressive picture of the Lord Jesus during the three hours of darkness on the cross, over Whom God pours out the waters of His judgment in those hours (Psalms 42:7). All sinners who take refuge in Him are spared thereby, and are not struck by judgment, for He bore it in their place.

In 1 Peter 3 the flood and the ark are used as a picture of baptism: “Who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through [the] water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20-21). One who is immersed in the water of baptism undergoes, in picture, the judgment of God. But just as Noah is safe in the ark, so is such a person safe in Christ. In the case of Noah, judgment strikes the ark; he who is baptized knows that the judgment has struck Christ.

Only through the flood could Noah enter a new world; only through the death of Christ can the believer be with Him on earth. In 1 Peter 3 it is not about being saved by baptism (1 Peter 3:21) to be in heaven with Christ, but to be with Christ on earth. As long as a believer is not baptized, he has not yet openly shown that he belongs to Him on earth.

Genesis 8:8

All Blotted out Except What Is in the Ark

This is how an end comes to “every living thing that was upon the face of the land”. Only Noah and what is with him in the ark are left. What judgment means for the world means salvation for them. The waters that destroy the world lift up the ark and place it on a land cleaned by judgment. The ark undergoes the judgments of God, while those who are in it are spared.

This is an impressive picture of the Lord Jesus during the three hours of darkness on the cross, over Whom God pours out the waters of His judgment in those hours (Psalms 42:7). All sinners who take refuge in Him are spared thereby, and are not struck by judgment, for He bore it in their place.

In 1 Peter 3 the flood and the ark are used as a picture of baptism: “Who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through [the] water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20-21). One who is immersed in the water of baptism undergoes, in picture, the judgment of God. But just as Noah is safe in the ark, so is such a person safe in Christ. In the case of Noah, judgment strikes the ark; he who is baptized knows that the judgment has struck Christ.

Only through the flood could Noah enter a new world; only through the death of Christ can the believer be with Him on earth. In 1 Peter 3 it is not about being saved by baptism (1 Peter 3:21) to be in heaven with Christ, but to be with Christ on earth. As long as a believer is not baptized, he has not yet openly shown that he belongs to Him on earth.

Genesis 8:9

All Blotted out Except What Is in the Ark

This is how an end comes to “every living thing that was upon the face of the land”. Only Noah and what is with him in the ark are left. What judgment means for the world means salvation for them. The waters that destroy the world lift up the ark and place it on a land cleaned by judgment. The ark undergoes the judgments of God, while those who are in it are spared.

This is an impressive picture of the Lord Jesus during the three hours of darkness on the cross, over Whom God pours out the waters of His judgment in those hours (Psalms 42:7). All sinners who take refuge in Him are spared thereby, and are not struck by judgment, for He bore it in their place.

In 1 Peter 3 the flood and the ark are used as a picture of baptism: “Who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through [the] water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20-21). One who is immersed in the water of baptism undergoes, in picture, the judgment of God. But just as Noah is safe in the ark, so is such a person safe in Christ. In the case of Noah, judgment strikes the ark; he who is baptized knows that the judgment has struck Christ.

Only through the flood could Noah enter a new world; only through the death of Christ can the believer be with Him on earth. In 1 Peter 3 it is not about being saved by baptism (1 Peter 3:21) to be in heaven with Christ, but to be with Christ on earth. As long as a believer is not baptized, he has not yet openly shown that he belongs to Him on earth.

Genesis 8:10

The Earth Under Water

After forty days of raining from the floodgates of heaven and the great water floods having been pushed up from water sources under the earth, the water reaches its final height. At this level, the water remains standing for one hundred and fifty days.

Genesis 8:12

The Water Decreases – The Ark upon the Ararat

God thinks of Noah and therefore of all that is with him in the ark. In wrath He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Here Noah is a picture of the Lord Jesus. As God here thinks of Noah, God will for the sake of the Lord Jesus once put an end to the great tribulation in which the faithful remnant of His people will find itself. God always thinks of Him and in connection with Him.

Personal application: God thinks of each of His own who is in trouble and trials. He does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond ability, “but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The waters of the judgment recede steadily from the earth. God does not let the water disappear at once. First the ark “rested on the mountains of Ararat”. Ararat means ‘holy ground’. Someone ends up there because of his conversion. In the life of a person who repents, the first consequence is rest for his conscience. He may rest in knowing that his sins are forgiven. This does not mean that all the consequences of his life in sin are immediately gone. It often takes some time. Sometimes certain consequences are even permanent.

Genesis 8:13

The Water Decreases – The Ark upon the Ararat

God thinks of Noah and therefore of all that is with him in the ark. In wrath He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Here Noah is a picture of the Lord Jesus. As God here thinks of Noah, God will for the sake of the Lord Jesus once put an end to the great tribulation in which the faithful remnant of His people will find itself. God always thinks of Him and in connection with Him.

Personal application: God thinks of each of His own who is in trouble and trials. He does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond ability, “but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The waters of the judgment recede steadily from the earth. God does not let the water disappear at once. First the ark “rested on the mountains of Ararat”. Ararat means ‘holy ground’. Someone ends up there because of his conversion. In the life of a person who repents, the first consequence is rest for his conscience. He may rest in knowing that his sins are forgiven. This does not mean that all the consequences of his life in sin are immediately gone. It often takes some time. Sometimes certain consequences are even permanent.

Genesis 8:14

The Water Decreases – The Ark upon the Ararat

God thinks of Noah and therefore of all that is with him in the ark. In wrath He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Here Noah is a picture of the Lord Jesus. As God here thinks of Noah, God will for the sake of the Lord Jesus once put an end to the great tribulation in which the faithful remnant of His people will find itself. God always thinks of Him and in connection with Him.

Personal application: God thinks of each of His own who is in trouble and trials. He does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond ability, “but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The waters of the judgment recede steadily from the earth. God does not let the water disappear at once. First the ark “rested on the mountains of Ararat”. Ararat means ‘holy ground’. Someone ends up there because of his conversion. In the life of a person who repents, the first consequence is rest for his conscience. He may rest in knowing that his sins are forgiven. This does not mean that all the consequences of his life in sin are immediately gone. It often takes some time. Sometimes certain consequences are even permanent.

Genesis 8:15

The Water Decreases – The Ark upon the Ararat

God thinks of Noah and therefore of all that is with him in the ark. In wrath He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Here Noah is a picture of the Lord Jesus. As God here thinks of Noah, God will for the sake of the Lord Jesus once put an end to the great tribulation in which the faithful remnant of His people will find itself. God always thinks of Him and in connection with Him.

Personal application: God thinks of each of His own who is in trouble and trials. He does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond ability, “but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The waters of the judgment recede steadily from the earth. God does not let the water disappear at once. First the ark “rested on the mountains of Ararat”. Ararat means ‘holy ground’. Someone ends up there because of his conversion. In the life of a person who repents, the first consequence is rest for his conscience. He may rest in knowing that his sins are forgiven. This does not mean that all the consequences of his life in sin are immediately gone. It often takes some time. Sometimes certain consequences are even permanent.

Genesis 8:16

The Water Decreases – The Ark upon the Ararat

God thinks of Noah and therefore of all that is with him in the ark. In wrath He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Here Noah is a picture of the Lord Jesus. As God here thinks of Noah, God will for the sake of the Lord Jesus once put an end to the great tribulation in which the faithful remnant of His people will find itself. God always thinks of Him and in connection with Him.

Personal application: God thinks of each of His own who is in trouble and trials. He does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond ability, “but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The waters of the judgment recede steadily from the earth. God does not let the water disappear at once. First the ark “rested on the mountains of Ararat”. Ararat means ‘holy ground’. Someone ends up there because of his conversion. In the life of a person who repents, the first consequence is rest for his conscience. He may rest in knowing that his sins are forgiven. This does not mean that all the consequences of his life in sin are immediately gone. It often takes some time. Sometimes certain consequences are even permanent.

Genesis 8:17

Noah Sends out a Raven

Noah opens the window in the ark and sends out a raven. The window at the top of the ark is the only opening (Genesis 6:16) that can be opened; the door is closed and remains closed. The opening at the top of the ark represents the connection with heaven, with God. Only by being in contact with God it can become clear whether the earth is dry, whether all the water is gone, whether the judgment has been raged out completely.

It seems that the raven has flown back and forth between the ark and the water, without really getting back into the ark. Once the water has dried from the earth, the raven no longer comes to the ark. The raven is an unclean animal (Leviticus 11:13; 15). It is a bird of prey that lives from death. The raven is a picture of the flesh, the restless, old nature of the believer.

Genesis 8:18

Noah Sends out a Raven

Noah opens the window in the ark and sends out a raven. The window at the top of the ark is the only opening (Genesis 6:16) that can be opened; the door is closed and remains closed. The opening at the top of the ark represents the connection with heaven, with God. Only by being in contact with God it can become clear whether the earth is dry, whether all the water is gone, whether the judgment has been raged out completely.

It seems that the raven has flown back and forth between the ark and the water, without really getting back into the ark. Once the water has dried from the earth, the raven no longer comes to the ark. The raven is an unclean animal (Leviticus 11:13; 15). It is a bird of prey that lives from death. The raven is a picture of the flesh, the restless, old nature of the believer.

Genesis 8:19

Noah Sends out a Dove Three Times

Noah sends out a dove three times. The dove is a clean animal, a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who can only find rest with Christ (Matthew 3:16) and with the believer, because he has Christ as his life (1 Corinthians 6:19).

When Noah sends her out the first time, most likely seven days after the raven was sent out – because the second time it says that he waits “yet another seven days” (Genesis 8:10) –, she returns, because she can’t find rest anywhere. The second time, seven days later, Noah sends out the dove again. Then she comes back with a freshly picked olive leaf. That points to new life.

In the life of the believer, spiritual fruit will be discernible. God’s goal is that the new earth, the new life, produces fruit, fruit worked by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; 23a). This fruit we see here in the picture of the freshly picked olive leaf of the olive tree. The olive tree produces oil. Oil was later used for the anointing of priests, kings, and occasionally a prophet. Thus is the believer anointed with the Holy Spirit, he has the “anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20; 27; 2 Corinthians 1:21), through which he can produce the fruit of the Spirit.

When Noah sends out the dove for the third time, she does not return. Now he knows that the earth is dry.

Genesis 8:20

Noah Sends out a Dove Three Times

Noah sends out a dove three times. The dove is a clean animal, a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who can only find rest with Christ (Matthew 3:16) and with the believer, because he has Christ as his life (1 Corinthians 6:19).

When Noah sends her out the first time, most likely seven days after the raven was sent out – because the second time it says that he waits “yet another seven days” (Genesis 8:10) –, she returns, because she can’t find rest anywhere. The second time, seven days later, Noah sends out the dove again. Then she comes back with a freshly picked olive leaf. That points to new life.

In the life of the believer, spiritual fruit will be discernible. God’s goal is that the new earth, the new life, produces fruit, fruit worked by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; 23a). This fruit we see here in the picture of the freshly picked olive leaf of the olive tree. The olive tree produces oil. Oil was later used for the anointing of priests, kings, and occasionally a prophet. Thus is the believer anointed with the Holy Spirit, he has the “anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20; 27; 2 Corinthians 1:21), through which he can produce the fruit of the Spirit.

When Noah sends out the dove for the third time, she does not return. Now he knows that the earth is dry.

Genesis 8:21

Noah Sends out a Dove Three Times

Noah sends out a dove three times. The dove is a clean animal, a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who can only find rest with Christ (Matthew 3:16) and with the believer, because he has Christ as his life (1 Corinthians 6:19).

When Noah sends her out the first time, most likely seven days after the raven was sent out – because the second time it says that he waits “yet another seven days” (Genesis 8:10) –, she returns, because she can’t find rest anywhere. The second time, seven days later, Noah sends out the dove again. Then she comes back with a freshly picked olive leaf. That points to new life.

In the life of the believer, spiritual fruit will be discernible. God’s goal is that the new earth, the new life, produces fruit, fruit worked by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; 23a). This fruit we see here in the picture of the freshly picked olive leaf of the olive tree. The olive tree produces oil. Oil was later used for the anointing of priests, kings, and occasionally a prophet. Thus is the believer anointed with the Holy Spirit, he has the “anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20; 27; 2 Corinthians 1:21), through which he can produce the fruit of the Spirit.

When Noah sends out the dove for the third time, she does not return. Now he knows that the earth is dry.

Genesis 8:22

Noah Sends out a Dove Three Times

Noah sends out a dove three times. The dove is a clean animal, a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who can only find rest with Christ (Matthew 3:16) and with the believer, because he has Christ as his life (1 Corinthians 6:19).

When Noah sends her out the first time, most likely seven days after the raven was sent out – because the second time it says that he waits “yet another seven days” (Genesis 8:10) –, she returns, because she can’t find rest anywhere. The second time, seven days later, Noah sends out the dove again. Then she comes back with a freshly picked olive leaf. That points to new life.

In the life of the believer, spiritual fruit will be discernible. God’s goal is that the new earth, the new life, produces fruit, fruit worked by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; 23a). This fruit we see here in the picture of the freshly picked olive leaf of the olive tree. The olive tree produces oil. Oil was later used for the anointing of priests, kings, and occasionally a prophet. Thus is the believer anointed with the Holy Spirit, he has the “anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20; 27; 2 Corinthians 1:21), through which he can produce the fruit of the Spirit.

When Noah sends out the dove for the third time, she does not return. Now he knows that the earth is dry.