Genesis 8:1-5 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark… I. THAT IT IS MARKED BY A RICH MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE MERCY TO THOSE WHO HAVE SURVIVED THE TERRIBLE RETRIBUTION. 1. God's remembrance of His creatures during the cessation of retribution is merciful. 2. God's remembrance of His creatures during the cessation of retribution is welcome. 3. God's remembrance of His creatures during the cessation of retribution is condescending. II. THAT IT IS MARKED BY THE OUTGOING AND OPERATION OF APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL AGENCIES. "And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged." There have been many conjectures in reference to the nature and operation of this wind; some writers say that it was the Divine Spirit moving upon the waters, and others that it was the heat of the sun whereby the waters were dried up. We think controversy on this matter quite unnecessary, as there can be little doubt that the wind was miraculous, sent by God to the purpose it accomplished. He controls the winds. The Divine Being generally works by instrumentality. 1. Appropriate. 2. Effective. 3. Natural. Anti in this way is the cessation of Divine retribution brought about. III. THAT IT IS MARKED BY A STAYING AND REMOVAL OF THE DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES WHICH HAVE HITHERTO PREVAILED. Here we see — 1. That the destructive agencies of the universe are awakened by sin. 2. That the destructive agencies of the universe are subdued by the power and grace of God. 3. That the destructive agencies of the universe are occasional and not habitual in their rule. IV. THAT IT IS MARKED BY A GRADUAL RETURN TO THE ORDINARY THINGS AND METHOD OF LIFE. This return to the ordinary condition of nature is — 1. Continuous. 2. Rapid. 3. Minutely chronicled.The world is careful to note the day on which appeared the first indication of returning joy, when after a long period of sorrow the mountain tops of hope were again visible. It is fixed in the memory. It is written in the book. It is celebrated as a festival. Lessons — 1. That the judgments of God, though long and severe, will come to an end. 2. That the cessation of Divine judgment is a time of hope for the good. 3. That the cessation of Divine judgment is the commencement of a new era in the life of man. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) The ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. — Parallel Verses KJV: And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; |
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