Reading Genesis 8-9:17
If you count the number of days that Noah stayed in the ark, it totals ~370 days (I don’t want to debate the exact number of days as it’s meaningless). God only informed Noah that the rain that He was going to sent is 40 days (and nights). Little did Noah expect that he would spend 370 days in the ark.
Noah sent out 3 doves, the third never return because it found land to perch. However, Noah remained in the ark for another ~100 days. Having already spent 200+ days with animals stuck in an ark, Noah continued to wait for God’s instructions before leaving the ark. Notice that God didn’t instruct Noah specifically on when he can come out of the ark, neither did God say, “stay inside till I tell you to come out.” Yet, Noah waited for God despite having knowledge of dry land.
This reminds me of Circuit Breaker. We complain when we are instructed to stay at home for about 2 months. Imagine the discipline that Noah has for staying in the ark for close to a year. Part of spiritual discipline is following instructions and waiting patiently. How many of us, when put in the same position will use our own knowledge? Granted, God was the one who shut the door to the ark and I am sure he continued to keep it shut until the right time. Are we patiently waiting for God to open the door? Or are we going to force the door open?
Note that the flood was NOT an attempt by God to remove sin, it was His judgement against evil. This was even emphasised in Chapter 8:21. God has a way of dealing with sin and that will be revealed, but this time, he gave a glimpse of the result of this judgement against wickedness and evil. God’s judgement of sin begets death. Sin will continue to stay on earth because it is in the nature of mankind, since the fall, to sin. Yet God continues to work his salvation plan, and that will come through the line of Adam and through Noah.
The story of the flood also reveal that God made a covenant with EVERY living creature. The Noahic covenant is sealed with the sign of a rainbow. This rainbow is not so much for God, it is more so for us. The rainbow points us to this covenant that God has made with us and all living creatures. It reminds us that God remembers. The rainbow is still present so remember… God continues to keep his promise.
Joel Lai's Webpage 