In the Bible, the number eight is often used as a sign of new beginnings. Here, in Genesis eight, the human race got a new beginning when Noah and his family left the ark to begin their new life on the earth. But, before they left the ark, the waters must subside. Then, after they left the ark, Noah builds an altar to God and the Lord is pleased. God has not left them without hope. As the chapter begins, God remembered Noah.

What Does It Say?

1. The fountains also of the ________ and the _________ of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained.
2. Noah opened the window of the ark and sent forth a ________ which went forth to and fro unto the waters were dried up from off the earth.
3. When the waters were dried up from off the earth, Noah removed the ____________ of the ark.
4. Noah built an altar and made burnt offerings of every _______ beast and of every ________ fowl.
5. While the earth remains, God promised the continuation of seedtime and __________, and cold and _________, and summer and __________, and day and __________.

What Does It Mean?

1. Verse 11 states, “And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.” This verse has become the basis for the dove as an olive branch in its mouth as a symbol of peace. In what ways is this usage in agreement with scripture? In what ways does it distort the scriptural symbol?
2. Genesis 7:11In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
   See All...states that the flood began in the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, and the seventeenth day of the month. Genesis 8:14And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.
   See All... states, “And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.” How long from the beginning of the flood until Noah and his family left the ark? How does this work with the other references to time in this passage? See Genesis 7:12And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
   See All..., Genesis 7:24And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.
   See All...; Genesis 8:3-6, Genesis 8:10And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
   See All..., Genesis 8:12-13 [12] And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more. [13] And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
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3. After Noah made sacrifices to the Lord, He promised, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth.” What do you think the connection is between God’s promise not to curse the ground and the imagination of man’s heart? What does one have to do with the other?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Chapter eight of Genesis begins with these precious words: “And God remembered Noah.”  What was the condition of Noah at the time God said this? What is the significance of God remembering Noah and what do you think this means? How can you apply this to times in your own life?
2. In Genesis 8:16Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
   See All..., God commanded Noah, “Go forth from the ark.”  Why do you think God had to command Noah to leave the ark? Would there be any reasons that he or his family would have hesitated to leave the ark? Think of the ark as a place of safety. Are there times when the Lord asks us to leave our arks of safety and go out into the world? How would you make practical and spiritual application of this command?

Suggested Memory Verses

Genesis 8:22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
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