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Genesis 8: All things new

The days of Noah were dark days but there was a bright future. There were people reaching for forbidden fruit and everything was falling apart in the world, and yet there was also a glimmer of hope in Noah. We live in very similar times. Moses, who compiled Genesis, gives us certain clues in the text which show forth this hope amidst the horror. Our Lord Jesus spoke of Noah’s day and said that when He would return it would be just like the days of Noah. People would strive after the things of this world only, and they were grasping at things they shouldn’t have grasped at. And then Noah was called to make the way of escape, of salvation. Now we too are called to get into the ark, but this time our ark is Christ Jesus Himself. We are called to come out of the old world doomed to death and destruction, and to enter in to the ark which is Christ.

We have two graphic pictures here. First, we have our great need for salvation. There was gross wickedness which deserved judgment out of which man needed rescue. These were real historical events that we read of in Genesis but they also paint a picture of what the world is truly like in all ages. Second, we have two pictures of how this salvation from judgment was to be accomplished. Noah is placed for us in the text as a righteous man who leads others to safety. Then also we have the ark which bore the full force of the waters of judgment given to us as a type of Christ too. Now in Genesis 8 we have a new picture. Again we have real historical events that actually happened, but we are also taught something about the goal or end of salvation. Where does it all lead to? What happens when the rain stops? What comes after judgement? Well, the answer is: to a place where everything is made new. This scratches an itch we all experience doesn’t it? We often look for a fresh new start when things have gone wrong don’t we? Do we not feel like this old dead world that is destined for destruction? And do we not have this thought: ‘there must be more to life’? There is this inner desire for a fresh start, to make all things new. We don’t often get this chance to make a fresh start. Often we have to continue with the disaster we have all around us. But there is always this wish that things will be made new. Well of course the Scriptures give us the response to this longing. The Lord is making all things new.

• How do things turn out for Noah and the ark?

The first thing we read of in Genesis 8 is that God “remembered” Noah (Genesis 8:1). At the end of Genesis 7 everything dies and was wiped off the face of the earth. But Noah was in the ark on the surface of the flood waters. Did Noah think that God had forgotten him? In relation to the entire globe covered in water, Noah and the ark were simply a tiny box floating on the surface. Even large tankers out on the Atlantic ocean are no match for the waters and seem insignificant. So was Noah worried that God had forgotten him? Well God had most certainly not forgotten him! It was impossible for God to forget Noah. After all it was God who called Noah to build the ark and gather the animals. And it was God who secured Noah and his family in the ark. Remember that Noah had found grace and so was favoured of the Lord. How could God forget the one whom He had called and instructed. This opening verse of Genesis 8 is an encouragement to us. God is mindful of His people. He thinks upon them always. It is not possible for the omniscient God to forget! What about us? Who are we? Does God forget us and abandon us? What is man that God should be mindful of him? We may be small and insignificant, just as Noah and the ark were on the water covered earth. Yet God remembers me, and you. He takes thought of you as He did of Noah and the ark.

• What was the new world like?

In Genesis 1:2 we have an unformed and unfilled watery mass which speaks of the raw materials from which God created all things. Now here in Genesis 8 the old created order has been judged and we have another watery mass once again. Then we read that God made a “wind” to blow on the waters to make them recede (Genesis 8:1). The word for “wind” can also be rendered as “Spirit.” So we have the same situation we read of in Genesis 1. In Genesis 1 the Spirit hovers over the watery mass, and here in Genesis 8 we have the wind (the Spirit) blowing the eaters to cause them to recede. So here in Genesis 8 we have a kind of recreation. Later on we read about a dove being sent out. The dove is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. So Moses, in recounting the revealed history of the flood, gives us hints along the way to show that God is doing the same type of work – creation. The God who made the raw materials at first and then made all things from those raw materials is now re-creating this new world. See also that signs of life emerge. We have the olive branch brought back by the dove. We have the land appearing once again like it did in the original creation. We have the waters being bounded and sent to their original place once again. All these things are meant to remind us of how God created in the beginning. Note also that the dove is sent out after a seven day period. Further, that the ark rested on the mountains. The ark finally comes to its grounded resting place. The floating zoo is like a second little Eden. The world eventually dries out and then when the ark is opened an abundance of life bursts forth to spread out over the new world. Thus we have a new world. All of this is a picture pointing us towards the new heaven and the new earth to come.

Noah is presented to us as another Adam. He is the head over creation. This points us to the true second and last Adam, Christ Jesus the Lord. What does Noah do? He plays the part as-it-were of the first Adam. He leads his people out into the new earth (Genesis 8:16). As Noah obeys the Lord doing all that

He commanded, we see the blessing of his obedience is passed on to the others who follow him (Genesis 8:18). In genesis 8:17 we see that Noah is (like Adam) ruler over the animals. The animals went out according to their families over the earth (Genesis 8:19). So Noah is pictured as lord of creation and brings the animals out at the command of the Lord. Noah also leads his people (his family) straight away to the throne of God, for the first thing he does is to build an altar and offer burnt offerings (Genesis 8:20). When Noah made this offering the Lord was pleased with it (Genesis 8:21). Noah is acting like a priest. He brings people into the new world and into the presence of God through sacrifice. They find real life here. It appears that the Lord was delighted with this action. In the same way we see also the Lord Jesus Christ as our high priest whose sacrifice leads us into the new creation. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are granted new life. Even though we do not inhabit this new heavens and earth, through His once-for-all sacrifice we are made new creatures. The Lord was pleased to bruise our Saviour and delights in the sacrifice made. God the Father is thrilled for Christ our Pioneer leads the way to glory through His sacrificial gift.

• A new and lasting hope.

In Genesis 1 & 2 we read of life and blessings. In Genesis 3 to 6 we read of death and the curse. In Genesis 7 we read of judgement. In Genesis 8 we read of life and blessing once more. Noah is commanded to be fruitful and to multiply (Genesis 8:17). Note that the Lord gives order in the seasons once again. For a year and ten days the world has been covered in water. But now there will be seed-time and harvest, winter and summer to order life on this new earth (Genesis 8:22). The ancient blessing of God cannot be overturned or undone. His delight in Christ never ends, so His plan and His blessings in Christ will never end. What the Lord had done in and through Noah and the ark, prefigures what He will do perfectly in Christ, so this new creation will not suffer such a judgement again and the seasons will remain true. See how this promise to continue the new world is offered despite the fact that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). The everlasting covenant is not based upon the works of man. Our sin does not stop the blessing of God. He has made a way whereby the sin is once and forever judged and a new order is made.

A word of application.

How shall we respond to these thoughts? Well make sure that you are on the ark, which is Christ. Make sure that you partake of the new world to come through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ which is pictured here wonderfully in the ark which preserved creation amidst the judgment of God by the waters of the flood. Do not remain in this old world of sin and corruption. Do not be content with this cursed world and earth. It is destined for destruction (although next time by fire). Make sure that you enter the ark which I Christ, for in Him is true salvation and safety.