CHAPTER 8
. ASSUAGING OF THE
WATERS.
1. And God remembered Noah—The
divine purpose in this awful dispensation had been accomplished, and
the world had undergone those changes necessary to fit it for
becoming the residence of man under a new economy of Providence.
and every living thing . . .
in the ark—a beautiful illustration of .
and God made a wind to pass
over the earth—Though the divine will could have dried up the
liquid mass in an instant, the agency of a wind was employed () —probably a hot wind, which, by rapid evaporation, would
again absorb one portion of the waters into the atmosphere; and by
which, the other would be gradually drained off by outlets beneath.
4. seventh month—of the
year—not of the flood—which lasted only five months.
rested—evidently
indicating a calm and gentle motion.
upon the mountains of
Ararat—or Armenia, as the word is rendered (2 Kings 19:37;
Isaiah 37:38). The mountain which
tradition points to as the one on which the ark rested is now called
Ara Dagh, the "finger mountain." Its summit consists of two
peaks, the higher of which is 17,750 feet and the other 13,420 above
the level of the sea.
5. And the waters decreased
continually—The decrease of the waters was for wise reasons
exceedingly slow and gradual—the period of their return being
nearly twice as long as that of their rise.
6. at the end of forty days—It
is easy to imagine the ardent longing Noah and his family must have
felt to enjoy again the sight of land as well as breathe the fresh
air; and it was perfectly consistent with faith and patience to make
inquiries whether the earth was yet ready.
7. And he sent forth a raven—The
smell of carrion would allure it to remain if the earth were in a
habitable state. But it kept hovering about the spot, and, being a
solitary bird, probably perched on the covering.
8-11. Also he sent forth a dove—a
bird flying low and naturally disposed to return to the place of her
abode.
10. again he sent forth the dove—Her
flight, judging by the time she was abroad, was pursued to a great
distance, and the newly plucked olive leaf, she no doubt by
supernatural impulse brought in her bill, afforded a welcome proof
that the declivities of the hills were clear.
8-11. Also he sent forth a dove—a
bird flying low and naturally disposed to return to the place of her
abode.
12. he . . . sent forth the dove:
which returned not . . . any more—In these results, we perceive
a wisdom and prudence far superior to the inspiration of instinct—we
discern the agency of God guiding all the movements of this bird for
the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hopes of his household.
other seven days—a
strong presumptive proof that Noah observed the Sabbath during his
residence in the ark.
13, 14. Noah removed the covering of
the ark—probably only as much of it as would afford him a
prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never
stirred from his appointed abode till he had received the express
permission of God. We should watch the leading of Providence to
direct us in every step of the journey of life.
. DEPARTURE FROM THE
ARK.
15, 16. And God spake . . . Go
forth—They went forth in the most orderly manner—the human
occupants first, then each species "after their kinds" [], literally, "according to their families,"
implying that there had been an increase in the ark.
20. Noah builded an altar—literally,
"a high place"—probably a mound of earth, on which a
sacrifice was offered. There is something exceedingly beautiful and
interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was
to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which
he and his family had experienced.
took of every clean beast . .
. fowl—For so unparalleled a deliverance, a special
acknowledgment was due.
21. And the Lord smelled a sweet
savour—The sacrifice offered by a righteous man like Noah in
faith was acceptable as the most fragrant incense.
Lord said in his heart—same
as "I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over
the earth" (Isaiah 54:9).
for—that is, "though
the imagination is evil"; instead of inflicting another
destructive flood, I shall spare them—to enjoy the blessings of
grace, through a Saviour.
22. While the earth remaineth—The
consummation, as intimated in , does not frustrate a promise which held good only during the
continuance of that system. There will be no flood between this and
that day, when the earth therein shall be burnt up [CHALMERS].
CHAPTER 8
. ASSUAGING OF THE WATERS.
1. And God remembered Noah—The divine purpose in this awful dispensation had been accomplished, and the world had undergone those changes necessary to fit it for becoming the residence of man under a new economy of Providence.
and every living thing . . . in the ark—a beautiful illustration of .
and God made a wind to pass over the earth—Though the divine will could have dried up the liquid mass in an instant, the agency of a wind was employed () —probably a hot wind, which, by rapid evaporation, would again absorb one portion of the waters into the atmosphere; and by which, the other would be gradually drained off by outlets beneath.
4. seventh month—of the year—not of the flood—which lasted only five months.
rested—evidently indicating a calm and gentle motion.
upon the mountains of Ararat—or Armenia, as the word is rendered (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38). The mountain which tradition points to as the one on which the ark rested is now called Ara Dagh, the "finger mountain." Its summit consists of two peaks, the higher of which is 17,750 feet and the other 13,420 above the level of the sea.
5. And the waters decreased continually—The decrease of the waters was for wise reasons exceedingly slow and gradual—the period of their return being nearly twice as long as that of their rise.
6. at the end of forty days—It is easy to imagine the ardent longing Noah and his family must have felt to enjoy again the sight of land as well as breathe the fresh air; and it was perfectly consistent with faith and patience to make inquiries whether the earth was yet ready.
7. And he sent forth a raven—The smell of carrion would allure it to remain if the earth were in a habitable state. But it kept hovering about the spot, and, being a solitary bird, probably perched on the covering.
8-11. Also he sent forth a dove—a bird flying low and naturally disposed to return to the place of her abode.
10. again he sent forth the dove—Her flight, judging by the time she was abroad, was pursued to a great distance, and the newly plucked olive leaf, she no doubt by supernatural impulse brought in her bill, afforded a welcome proof that the declivities of the hills were clear.
8-11. Also he sent forth a dove—a bird flying low and naturally disposed to return to the place of her abode.
12. he . . . sent forth the dove: which returned not . . . any more—In these results, we perceive a wisdom and prudence far superior to the inspiration of instinct—we discern the agency of God guiding all the movements of this bird for the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hopes of his household.
other seven days—a strong presumptive proof that Noah observed the Sabbath during his residence in the ark.
13, 14. Noah removed the covering of the ark—probably only as much of it as would afford him a prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never stirred from his appointed abode till he had received the express permission of God. We should watch the leading of Providence to direct us in every step of the journey of life.
. DEPARTURE FROM THE ARK.
15, 16. And God spake . . . Go forth—They went forth in the most orderly manner—the human occupants first, then each species "after their kinds" [], literally, "according to their families," implying that there had been an increase in the ark.
20. Noah builded an altar—literally, "a high place"—probably a mound of earth, on which a sacrifice was offered. There is something exceedingly beautiful and interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which he and his family had experienced.
took of every clean beast . . . fowl—For so unparalleled a deliverance, a special acknowledgment was due.
21. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour—The sacrifice offered by a righteous man like Noah in faith was acceptable as the most fragrant incense.
Lord said in his heart—same as "I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth" (Isaiah 54:9).
for—that is, "though the imagination is evil"; instead of inflicting another destructive flood, I shall spare them—to enjoy the blessings of grace, through a Saviour.
22. While the earth remaineth—The consummation, as intimated in , does not frustrate a promise which held good only during the continuance of that system. There will be no flood between this and that day, when the earth therein shall be burnt up [CHALMERS].