Genesis 8
Theme: After The End
Key Text: Verse 3

            We learned previously of God's decree, “The end of all flesh is at hand” (6:13). And, through the calamitous event of the flood, this prediction was fulfilled. But, what about Noah, his family, and all the animals? “God remembered” him and “every living thing . . . that was in the ark” (8:1). In reality, the end was not the end! As is often the case in His dealings with men, the end was just the beginning with the Lord!

1. The Flood’s Termination
            Without question, the great judgment had ended!  The Sovereign Judge Himself “made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged,” or ceased (8:1). Every source of water from below and above was “stopped” and “restrained” (8:2). Thus, as our key-text sets forth, “after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated” (8:3). And, as they decreased, the big shoebox of a boat “rested upon the mountains of Ararat” (8:4), and the “tops” of the other “mountains” began to reappear (8:5). It was evident that God’s wrath had run its course.

2. The Father’s Triumph
            After sending out a “raven” (8:7), which perhaps signifies the former unclean era, and a dove, possibly reflecting the new dispensation of grace and peace, “Noah removed the covering of the ark” (8:13). What he saw, and what he “and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives” (8:18) entered, was a brand new world. The “world of the ungodly” (2 Pet. 2:5) had been destroyed, and the mighty God had triumphed in judgment! The words of the Psalmist agree! “The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever” (Psa. 29:10).

3. The Family’s Thanksgiving
            Once the ark was vacated, Noah proceeded to build “an altar unto the Lord” (8:20). Certainly, other members of the godly line had been thankful! But, since this is the first altar mentioned in the Scriptures, we might call this “The First Thanksgiving.” Not only did the many sacrifices manifest Noah’s faith in the future sacrificial work of Christ, but they also clearly expressed his and his family’s gratitude. Oh, how they must have been overwhelmed with God’s faithfulness, grace, and delivering power! The Lord accepted the “sweet savour” of the offerings, “for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:16).

Illustration

            To come to the end of a circular object is to come to the starting point again. When an octave on the musical scale is completed, the next octave is just begun. To look forward to the weekend is to anticipate the initiation of the next week. Similarly, dear friend, after the end - - after death - - there is more! A new beginning with Christ now prepares us for the future, when we leave the ark of time and step out into eternity!