Genesis Chapter Eight

A point of interest I would like to draw the reader to before beginning Genesis is a passage in Psalm 104. This Psalm begins with the greatness and glory of God, and then moves on to describe the events of Creation, beginning with a parallel between Genesis 1:3-8 and Psalm 104:2-3: “Who coverest thyself with light as a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind.” This passage agrees with the Genesis account regarding days one and two of Creation. Yet the psalmist adds in verse 4, “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.” The verb “maketh” in the Hebrew means “to form or create.” In this inspired interlude that parallels the Genesis account do we possibly find mention of the creation of the angelic majesties before the third day?

It is testified in Job that the angels were formed in time to witness the creation of the earth: “To what were its (the earth’s) foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:6-7. Morning stars and sons of God are terms for angelic beings; see Genesis 6:2; Job 1:6; 2:1. To further corroborate the fact, Psalm 104:5 continues it’s parallel with Genesis again, “Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.” Compare with Genesis 1:9-10. I do not suggest anything more than an interesting observation. I do not wish to spark controversy or create dogma, but excite a little godly interest and examination. Without further ado, let’s press on to Genesis.

8:1 And God remembered Noah
God did not remember Noah due to his innate righteousness, but due to the Lord’s promise, Genesis 6:18. He told Noah that He would preserve him; and to show Himself faithful to His servant, He did just as He told Noah would be done. The unjust were punished with a judgment worthy of their sins, while Noah and his family escaped judgment because of the Lord’s grace, Genesis 6:8. For the same reason that God saved Noah, He remembered Noah: and that reason was grace. “For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever,” Psalm 37:28. Noah’s faith is to be commended, but the salvation and preservation wrought were of the Lord.

8:1 and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged (lowered)
There would be a future time in which God would likewise perform this miracle of superseding the laws of nature to subdue them to His will. In Mark 4:35-41 we read that while Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea a terrible wind storm arose and threatened to sink their small boat. When the disciples woke Jesus He rose and said, “Peace, be still!” and the wind and waters ceased their activity. The disciples asked a very important question: “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” The answer is apparent to an honest seeker.

8:3 And the waters returned (receded) from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
Massive changes had occurred over the face of the entire globe during the Flood. Continents rose while ocean beds sank as the chambers of the deep emptied themselves. Colliding continental plates formed mountain ranges while the newly formed ocean beds, deeper than the shallow oceans of antediluvian times, took in the excess of water that had been forcefully ejected during the eruption from below. This would be largely how the earth (dry land) had the water recede from it; there were newly formed “pockets” for it to drain into. Some postulate that this triggered the creation of canyons: rapid erosion of water from higher to lower elevations. It also explains why so many marine fossils have been found on the heights of mountain chains the world over. The hundred and fifty days are 5 months of 30 day months, or nearly one half an ancient year.
To be Continued.