The ark had come to rest on the mountains of Ararat, but Noah still could not tell if the land was dry. So he sent out two different birds.
The window. “So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made” (8:6). He had waited forty days after the mountain tops appeared.
The raven. First Noah sent out a raven, “which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth” (8:7). Ravens are tough birds that can live outside almost anywhere, so this one kept flying back and forth until the land was dry.
The dove. Then Noah sent out a dove “to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground” (8:8). Receded means gone back down.
No place to rest. “But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot” (8:9). There was nowhere safe to land, so she flew back to the ark.
Noah's hand. “So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself” (8:9). Noah gently caught the tired bird and brought her home.
A picture of God's care. God cares for tired and worried people in a similar way. “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge” (Psalm 91:4). Refuge means a safe place.
Jesus gives rest. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Heavy laden means carrying a heavy load.
Rest for your soul. He added, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). A yoke is a wooden bar that joins two animals so they can pull together.
Restless hearts. Many things look like a good place to land: being popular, owning lots of things, or staying busy all the time. None of them can hold a heart. Only Jesus gives real rest.
Waiting again. Noah did not give up when the dove came back. “And he waited yet another seven days” (8:10). Patient waiting is part of trusting God.
What we learn. When you feel tired, worried or lost, you can fly back to Jesus. He reaches out His hand and draws you close.
What to do. This week, when you feel worried, stop and pray. Tell Jesus what feels heavy, and ask Him for His rest.
Seven days after the dove came back, Noah sent her out again. This time she came back with something wonderful.
In the evening. “Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth” (8:11). Behold means look!
Freshly plucked. The leaf was not an old leaf floating on the water. It had just been picked from a living tree. Plants were growing again!
Noah knew. “And Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth” (8:11). One small leaf told him that the new world God promised was close.
The olive tree. Olive trees grow slowly and live a very long time. In Bible lands their fruit was food, and their oil gave light in lamps.
The last flight. Seven days later Noah sent the dove out once more, and she “did not return again to him anymore” (8:12). She had found a home on the dry land.
Still waiting. Noah did not jump out of the ark when he saw the leaf. He waited until God told him to go out (8:15-16). Hope trusts God's timing.
A sign of hope. The olive leaf was a small sign that God's promise was coming true. Hope is trusting that God will do what He said, even before we see all of it.
A tree that stays green. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters… But its leaf will be green” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
Peace today. Today people often use a dove with an olive branch as a picture of peace. Jesus tells us where real peace comes from: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace” (John 16:33).
Peace with God. Jesus made peace between us and God at the cross. “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Chastisement means punishment.
The dove at the river. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came down on Him like a dove (Matthew 3:16). Then the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
What to do. Look for small signs of God's goodness this week, like a new leaf, an answered prayer or a kind word. Thank God for each one, and ask the God of hope to fill you with joy and peace (Romans 15:13).
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.