A New Beginning

God remembered Noah. These words are the turning point of the flood account. To remember, in the Bible, is not just to recall something; it means to act faithfully on a covenant promise. God made a wind pass over the earth, stopped the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven, and the waters steadily went down. On a specific day, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat.

Noah used birds to test the land. The raven went back and forth. The dove found no rest at first, then returned with a fresh olive leaf, and finally did not return at all. Still, Noah removed the covering of the ark and waited until God spoke. Faith listens for God's direction instead of rushing ahead.

God told Noah to go out and to let the animals be fruitful and multiply, echoing Genesis 1. The world was getting a fresh start. Noah built an altar and offered burnt offerings from the clean animals. The Lord received the pleasing aroma and promised never again to curse the ground or destroy every living creature as He had done, even though the human heart is still inclined toward evil. Seasons, harvests, and day and night would continue as long as the earth remains.