Noah's Ark Series - Part 3 (Genesis 8)

​Hi friends,

     How are you?  I hope you are enjoying this look into the possible thoughts and feelings of Noah. I like to consider the thoughts and feelings of others.  I believe it helps you to get to know them better.  We can even learn from the thoughts and feelings of those from long ago.

     In Genesis 8, Noah and his family, and the animals with him, mainly ride out the flood and wait for the waters to recede after the flood.  However, at the end of the chapter, they are able to disembark and touch land once again.  Then, Noah builds an altar and sacrifices a burnt offering to God.  God is pleased with Noah’s sacrifice and enjoys the aroma, and thinks to Himself that we will never again destroy the earth.
  
     So, it is raining and raining and it probably feels to Noah and his family that the rains are never going to stop.  How do you think they feel at this point?  Do you think they are getting restless and maybe getting on each other’s nerves a bit?  How do you think you and your family would do cooped up on an ark for days, weeks, and even months?  (And, remember, there are no TVs, video games, or cellphones.)

     One thing that stood out for me when reading Genesis 8 was that Noah sent out a raven and a dove.  I am not sure the meaning, but I wonder if it has to do with unrighteous versus righteous, anxious versus meek, human’s spirit versus God’s.  What do you think?  Any thoughts?

     Can you imagine everyone’s feeling when the dove didn’t come back and everyone was finally able to get off the ark after about a year of being cooped up? How would you feel?  What would you think?  Would you be tired?  Happy? Apprehensive?  Curious?  Thankful?

     What would you want to do first after you got off the ark?  Look for a place to set up your tent or build some sort of shelter? The Bible doesn’t mention Noah doing that in Genesis 8.  It says that Noah built and altar and sacrificed some of the clean animals for God. I don’t know, but I can imagine that Noah was so thankful to be alive, to be saved from the flood, to have his family safely with him, and to be on dry ground again, that he just wanted to thank and praise God for it all.  What are your thoughts?
 
Heavenly Father,
     Oh, Lord, thank you for new beginnings and new adventures.  Thank you for being our protector and our provider.  Thank you for remembering us as we go through difficult times.  Help us to be thankful, to praise you and glorify you for all that you do.  And, help us to give you our first and best thoughts, prayers, praises, and thanks, just as Noah did when he first got off the ark so many years ago.  Help us to learn all that you want us to learn from your words in Genesis 8.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus. Amen.
 
   *    *     *     *    *     *     *    *     *     *    *     *    *     *     *     *     *
 
Reflective questions for Genesis 8:
*What does Genesis 8 mean to me?
*How would I feel after being in an ark with seven other people and many 
 animals for about a year?
*What can I learn from Genesis 8?
*Am I apt to give thanks to God for everything He provides and does for me?

Now, it is your turn.
     Friends, I am so glad you are here.  I look forward to reading your thoughts.  I learn from you as well.  God often uses others to inspire us.  Please, leave a comment below.  (Feel free to contact me, if you don't want to share publicly.)  If you find value in what I write, please consider sharing the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations with your friends and family.  Also, if you haven't already, please consider signing up to receive the Faith Blog in you inbox as well as other faith content.  Thank you.
   
Note:  Remember, for those who are signed up next week when I post the Faith Blog and send out the email, there will be some Noah's Ark word searches with your email. 

---