We all know the relief and excitement of finally reaching the end of a long tiring trip. I have an idea that Noah, his family, and all the animals felt a great sense of relief and excitement when the flood ended.

Transition

The eighth chapter of Genesis covers three main events at the end of the flood, which we will examine this morning.

God Remembered Noah, v.1-14

1. God had not forgotten Noah, v.1
   1. The word “remembered” does not imply that God had forgotten Noah and suddenly thought, “Oh no, I forgot about Noah.” Instead, the idea is that God cared about Noah and calmed the storm for him.
      1. God shut off the three sources of water (v.2): the fountains of the deep, windows of heaven, and rain.
      2. God calmed the violent storms that had prevailed for 150 days (7:24).
      3. For another 150 days the waters ran off the ground and into the oceans, v.3.
   2. God in kindness stopped the storm and began settling the earth to form its present state. Last week we read in Psalm 104:6-9, that God pushed down the oceans and forced up the mountains and caused the water to remain in the oceans.

      Life is full of storms – emotional storms, health storms, relationship storms, financial storms, etc. In times of storm, if you are a Christian, you can be sure that God has not forgotten you. The book of Job tells us of the great storm Job endured. He lost all his possessions, his 10 children died, he was covered in boils, and his wife became bitter at God. Yet Job was wise enough to say, when God “hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10). If we draw close to God in our trials, we will become better not bitter.

2. The ark rested, v.4
   1. The struggle to endure rough seas for five full months was finally over in the 7th month, 17th day.
      1. The ark landed on the mountains of Ararat. Most people believe that this was in the mountain range in the upland regions of what is now Armenia. Henry Morris, The Genesis Flood,p.208
      2. This high mountain “abounds in what is known as pillow lava, a dense lava rock formed under great depths of water.” Ibid.
      3. Then nearly 3 months after the ark landed, in the 10th month on the 10th day, the tops of the mountains could be seen, v.5.
   2. Noah and his family got excited.
      1. Just 40 days after seeing the mountain tops, Noah opened the window and sent out a raven, v.6-7.
      2. Again, he sent out a dove to see if the ground was dry yet, v.8-9. The dove found no truly dry ground and came back to Noah.
      3. Seven days later he again sent out a dove and it returned with an olive leaf, v.10-11.
      4. After another week, he sent out the dove and it did not return, v.12.
3. The earth dried up, v.13
   1. On the 601st year, 1st month, 1st day, Noah removed the cover of the ark and looked out on the drying ground, v.13.
   2. Almost two months later, in the 601st year of Noah’s life, the 2nd month, and the 27th day, the earth was truly dry.
   3. The flood lasted one year and 11 days. The flood was finally over! The excitement of Noah’s family must have been almost uncontainable.
      1. As far as we know, God had not told Noah how long he would be in the ark. Perhaps he began to wonder if it would ever end!
      2. When trials of life are long and drawn out, remember God is still in control. Cast your burden on Him!

         Cast your burden on the Lord and He will keep you. He has promised He will never ever leave you. He will always be there ready to uphold you. Cast your burden on the Lord for Jesus cares. Scott Childs, based on Psalm 55:22

God Spoke to Noah, v.15-19

1. Finally, God spoke to Noah again, v.15
   1. This is the first that we are told that God spoke with Noah since He told him to enter the ark (Ge 7:1). Was God silent during the storm? We do not know. Often during our trials, it seems that God is silent, BUT He has not forgotten us!
   2. Finally, God told Noah to leave the ark. Evidently, God opened the door that He had shut so tightly.

      Every storm or trial in life has an end. Some last a lifetime, but God promises Christians that there will be no storms or trials in heaven. Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

2. Noah, his family, and the animals exit the ark, v.18.
   1. The new world they entered was very different from the one they had last seen. It was a new beginning!
   2. The old earth was buried under sediment. The new earth was fresh, clean, and sprouting with new life.

      This reminds me of the Rapture. Death of Christian loved ones and trials of life weigh heavy on our hearts, but one day Jesus is coming to take all true Christians to be with Him. Troubles will be over. We will have a great reunion in heaven. Today is Mother’s Day and we remember our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers. If they knew Christ and you do as well, one day you will see them again.

Noah Worshipped God, v.20-22

1. He built an altar unto the LORD.
   1. The first thing that Noah was to build an altar to offer a sacrifice for his sins and to thank and worship God. Remember, he was a man who walked with God, Ge 6:9.
   2. Noah sacrificed at least one of every clean beast and every clean bird. This is one of the reasons he took 7 pairs of the clean animals and birds on the ark. We no longer sacrifice animals to atone for sin and to thank God because Christ became the final sacrifice for us. We are so privileged!

      When God delivers us from a trial, we ought to express to Him our sincere appreciation. When God meets a need or blesses us in some way, we ought to thank Him. I don’t know about you, but often I am quick to beg God but slow to bless God. I frequently pray but often forget to praise.

2. God was pleased with Noah’s sacrifices.
   1. He smelled the sacrifices as a sweet savour. This is an indication that God was pleased.
   2. God promised never to destroy all life in this way again.
   3. The new earth had summer and winter seasons, as well as cold and heat. This was new as the pre-flood earth was tropical. Many creation scientists believe that the ice age was caused by the flood as evaporation from the yet warm oceans turned to snow which piled deeply and turned to ice in the cold regions of the new world. The ice age probably lasted about 700 years after the flood.

Conclusion

The flood was a long and difficult trial for Noah, his family, and all the animals on the ark. However, the flood eventually ended and God’s purpose was fulfilled.

The flood pictures the burdens and trials that we face today. During trials, keep in mind that God has not forgotten you. Your trial will eventually come to an end, if not in this life, at the Rapture. When God meets our needs, we must remember to thank Him.

If you are a Christian, this message ought to be an encouragement to you. Knowing Christ as our Saviour assures us of a happy ending. If you have never repented of your sins and trusted Christ alone to save you, you can do so today. You can leave today with the same assurance of a happy eternal future.

Song: Only One Life – 395
—
Noah’s Flood: The End
11 May 2014 AM – Genesis 8:1-22 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs