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Category: Genesis Page 31 of 41

The Dove Flies Thrice

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On February 17, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

The Bible states that after the raven, which Noah sent out failed to return to the ark, Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground and the first time this dove flew, it found no rest for the sole of her foot, and so she retuned to the ark. Noah waited for a period of seven days and then sent that dove again for the second time. This time the dove returned with an olive leaf and so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. Noah waited another seven days and then sent the dove again, for the third time. This time the dove did not return to Noah anymore.

While this may seem cursorily to be merely an incident in the life of Noah, closer scrutiny of Genesis 8:8-12, reveals a possible analogy to the nature and working of the Holy Spirit of God, but before we delve into that, let us first recognize that the Holy Spirit was seen in the form of a dove, descending upon Jesus Christ at the time of Jesus’ baptism.

Now let us move on to recognize the nature and working of the Holy Spirit of God.
First, just as the dove did not find rest for the sole of her feet, when there was nothing but death in the watery grave outside the ark, so also the Holy Spirit of God, cannot find rest among the dead, who are found outside of Christ Jesus – The Ark.

Second, the dove flew and brought back an olive leaf. An olive branch is an universal symbol for peace and the phrase “to extend an olive branch” means to make an offer of peace or reconciliation. The Holy Spirit of God speaks to us (in the mouth of the dove was the olive leaf), bringing us the olive leaf, from the anointed olive trees that stand before the LORD (Zechariah 4:10-12), to make peace and to reconcile us back to God, forever.

Third, the dove flew once it had brought the olive leaf to Noah and his family, just as the Holy Spirit of God goes forth from those who believe, to the rest of the world.

Points to ponder:
The Dove (Holy Spirit) flies thrice. When he visits your life, would it be his first, his second or his third?

Genesis 8:8-12 (KJV)
8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

Quoth the raven, ‘Nevermore’

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On February 13, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Poetic Prompts, Through the Bible

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), American author, critic, editor and poet, is well known for his short stories in the mystery and macabre genre. One of the poems that he is well known for is ‘The Raven’, first published in 1845, four years before his death in the Evening Mirror. The Raven is a poem about the a mysterious raven that visits a man who has just lost the love of his life, a lady name Lenore and for each question, he poses, the answer that the raven gives is “Nevermore” (meaning never again). Poe refers to the raven as an ominous bird of yore. Now, I must admit that I enjoyed reading the poem, despite its melancholy tone and sense of hopelessness undertone, because of its literary composition as a trochaic octameter (8 trochaic feet per line, with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables) and especially because of its references to Biblical words (Seraphim, Balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22), and Aidenn (for Eden i.e., Paradise). However, I would be careful to not call one of God’s creation, ominous, for after God created the fowls of the air (the raven being one of them), he called it good (Genesis 1:21) and it was ravens that brought food to God’s servant, Elijah, to sustain him by the Cherith brook, before the Jordan river (1 Kings 17:1-6).

So there is something we can learn from the raven, as we can from any of the animals mentioned in the Bible.

The Raven was the first creature, after the flood of Noah, to be sent on a mission, most likely for the same reason, he sends out a dove subsequently in a weeks time, which is to determine the readiness of the earth for the inhabitants of the ark. However, the Bible records that the raven flew  to and fro (vacillating) until the waters were dried up from the earth, meaning that it did not return back to Noah. Though, the Bible does not explicitly state the reason for this behavior of the raven that was sent from the ark of Noah, the most plausible explanation is that the raven, an unclean bird (Leviticus 11:15), would have settled to gorge on the dead flesh from the flood, satisfying its appetite, possibly settling on the mountain tops that were seen (Genesis 8:5), instead of fulfilling its mission and returning to Noah. It was to “nevermore” (never again) return to Noah.

Points to ponder:
They that are after the flesh (like the raven that Noah sent out) do mind (commune with) the things of the flesh, which is death, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit, which is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6). Let us not be like that of the raven, vacillating, nevermore!

Genesis 8:5-7 (KJV)
5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.

Romans 8:5-6 (KJV)
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The Ark rested upon a mountain top

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On February 12, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 8:4 reads that after it had stopped raining for a hundred and fifty days, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. We do not know for sure if it was on mount Ararat or upon one of the mountains in that region, where the ark rested. However, that detail is not as significant as recognizing that the ark did rest upon a mountain top and from within it, came out life to worship God first (Genesis 8:20) and be entered into a new covenant relationship with God (Genesis 8:21-22).

Jesus was crucified upon a hill (mountain top) called Calvary, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha (Luke 23:33; John 19:17) and on the Cross, he commended his spirit into the hands of God the Father (Luke 23:46) and rested in the Father’s hands. From him came out life for all who believe in him, shall not die but have passed over from death to life (John 5:24), a life that is not only abundant (John 10:10) but eternal as well, to worship God (Matthew 4:10) and be restored into a new covenant relationship with God. Jesus is The Ark who rested upon a mountain top!

Points to ponder:
Has Jesus Christ, The Ark of God, rested upon your life and soul? In other words, have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, to find rest, upon the mountain top of your heart/life?

Genesis 8:4, 20-22 (KJV)
4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
…
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Every living thing (in the Ark) – not forgotten!

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On February 11, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 8:1 reads “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;”

Did you notice, that God not only remembered the living things in the ark, but he remembered each and every one of them? What is of importance, is to recognize, that there was life in the ark and they were in the thoughts of God. In fact, it is only in the ark that you could find life for all those who were not in it, perished in the flood.

Points to ponder:
Anyone who is in Jesus Christ, The Ark of God, given for man’s Salvation is passed from death to life (John 5:24) and those who abide in him have life, not just abundantly (John 10:10), but everlasting as well (John 5:24; John 3:16). The question is “Are you of the living?” i.e., “Do you have life?” i.e., “Are you abiding in the Ark (in Jesus Christ), having believed in him? If you have, you can be certain that even if the world has forsaken and forgotten you, and you feel lonely, you are not alone for you are not forgotten by God and his thoughts toward you is indeed wonderful and previous (Psalm 40:5; Psalm 139:17). Not only do we, who have believed in Jesus Christ, have life, but we are in the very thoughts of God – and that is wonderful and precious.

Genesis 8:1 (KJV)
1. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;

John 5:24 (KJV)
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Psalm 40:5 (KJV)
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 139:17 (KJV)
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Wind pass over the earth

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On February 7, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 1:2 says that the earth was without form and void and the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters and God began his work of creation. After the flood, once again the earth was in a sense without form and void of all living outside the ark, and God made a wind to pass over the face of the earth and to make the waters recede (Genesis 8:1), so that the world could be recreated. This wind made the waters to recede.

The word ‘spirit’ in both Hebrew and Greek means breathe or breeze (i.e., wind). Jesus likens the Holy Spirit of God to be like the wind, who like air is needed to be the breathe of life for a believer, who is invisible, yet audible and whose presence is experienced (John 3:8) like a wind breeze.

Points to ponder:
Without the wind that God made to pass over the earth, the waters would not have receded. Without the Holy Spirit of Jesus, who is the passover lamb of God, the things that can drown us will not recede. Have you experienced the Holy Spirit wind of God pass over you?

Genesis 8:1 (KJV)
1. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;

John 3:8 (KJV)
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

And God remembered Noah

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On February 6, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

After it started to rain for forty days and forty nights, during the time of Noah, the waters prevailed for a little less than half an year (hundred and fifty days) when Noah and his family were in the ark along with the creatures that Noah had taken into it. Genesis 8:1 says that “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him [Noah] in the ark …” What does this mean?

Close scrutiny of this text bring to surface certain treasures hidden in it — about the very nature of God.

First and foremost, it tells us of the unforgetting nature of God. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, does not imply that God had forgotten about Noah or any of the living residents in the ark, for God does not forget his people, let alone even a small bird like a sparrow (Luke 12:6).
Second, God’s righteous nature is demonstrated in this, for God not only cares for his people but also for his creation (all living creatures) as the Bible says that a righteous man (who is made in God’s image) regards the life of his beast (Proverbs 12:10).

Points to ponder:
Life may seem tumultuous and waves of despair and discouragement may buffet against our lives, but if you are feeling lonely and desolate, you can be assured of one thing … that you are not forgotten nor forsaken … for God remembers you. You may feel lonely, but you are not alone. Infact, even a mother can forget her child, but God will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15). God is righteous and kind toward his creatures and so we can be assured that he is righteous and is kind towards you and me. When we have to tide over the waves of life, as long as we are in Christ (The Ark), we can be assured that God will not forget us.  Just as it is written, “And God remembered Noah …”, since God’s people are engraved in the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16), you can be assured and say, “And God remembered [insert your name here].” The question that remains, which demands an answer is “Do you/I remember God?” (Deuteronomy 8:18; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Proverbs 3:5-6)

Genesis 8:1 (KJV)
1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;

Luke 12:6 (KJV)
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Isaiah 49:15-16 (KJV)
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

The Ark lifted up (above all the earth)

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On February 5, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus)

Genesis 7:27 states that during the flood in Noah’s time, the waters increased (filled the whole earth covering the highest of mountains) and bore the ark up and lifted it above the earth.

The Bible says that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover (fills) the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Jesus Christ is the Ark of salvation for all of mankind, for whoever is/abides in him, by faith, shall not perish like those who were outside the ark that Noah built for God (John 3:16, Genesis 7:23). Jesus willing chose and submitted himself to the will of God and became obedient, even unto death (Philippians 2:8). So, God exalted (lifted) him up and gave him a Name that is above all names – at whose name the entire world shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Points to ponder:
The waters bore the ark up and lifted it above all the earth. With the knowledge of the glory of God, evident in Jesus Christ, do we lift him up above all other things in our life?

Genesis 7:17-24 (KJV)
17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.
18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:
22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

The LORD God commanded Noah

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On January 30, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

As we go through a systematic study of the Holy Bible, it is easy to get caught up with the big picture and major accounts, that sometimes, we overlook some of the details that are extremely significant. We are journeying through the study of Genesis and I almost overlooked the name/title by which the sovereign God of the universe is referred to in the account of Noah’s flood.

Genesis 6:22 states that Noah did all that God commanded him.
Genesis 7:5  states that Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.

God is used interchangeably with the word LORD and one of the main reasons for the LORD being used in place of God’s name is attributed to the Israelite custom of not spelling or pronouncing the Hebrew name of God (“YHWH”).

Merriam-Websters dictionary defines the word “God” as the one who is perfect and all-powerful spirit and it defines the word “LORD” as a ruler with power and authority over others.
So Noah was commanded by the perfect, all=powerful, ruler with authority over all – the LORD God and Noah did all that he was commanded to.

Point to ponder:
How do we respond to the LORD God i.e., the perfect, all-powerful, ruler who has power and authority over all? Do we respond as Noah did – totally/completely?

Genesis 6:5 (KJV)
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Genesis 7:5 (KJV)
5 And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.

40 days and 40 nights :: Prostrate and Praying

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On January 17, 2014

In 40 days & 40 nights, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

This is part of the 40 days and 40 nights series.

To fall prostrate before someone voluntarily is a expression that juxtaposes an attitude of adoration (or worship) and submission simultaneously. The Bible says that Moses was prostrate before the Lord for forty days and forty nights, as an intercessor for the people of God, for God had told Moses that he was going to destroy them for their wickedness and evil practices (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25).

Points to ponder:
Do we humble ourselves and totally submit to God, falling on our faces, prostrate before him in an attitude of adoring and worship God for who he is?
Do we stand in the gap praying and interceding for God’s people, so that those who are not in Christ Jesus, the Ark of God, may not be destroyed?
Do we prostrate and pray?

Deuteronomy 9:25-26 (KJV)
25 Thus I fell down (prostrated myself) before the Lord forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the Lord had said he would destroy you.
26 I prayed therefore unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

40 days and 40 nights :: Fed or Fueled

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On January 16, 2014

In 40 days & 40 nights, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

This is part of the 40 days and 40 nights series.
The Bible states that Moses was in the presence of the Lord for forty days and forty nights and he neither ate bread nor drank water during that time and at the end of that timeframe, the Law of the Lord was given for his people, through Moses. (Exodus 24:18, Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 9:9,11).

Points to ponder:
It is only in the presence of the Lord, do we have fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Our strength does not come from the food that we intake but by the fuel of the Spirit of God when we spend time in his presence and our power come from fasting and praying (Mark 9:29). Like Moses, do we spend time with the Lord, gazing upon his beautiful glory (Psalm 27:4), so much so, that basic carnal necessities such as food become secondary, for to do the will of God the Father should be our sustenance, as it was for Jesus (John 4:34).  Are you fed or fueled?

John 4:31-34 (KJV)
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Mark 9:29 (KJV)
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

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