The Open Window

“And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 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. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.” Genesis 8:6-12 (KJV)

After the ark settles in the mountains of Ararat Noah waits forty more days. Endurance, security, and patience seem to be evidence of faith. Faith which is given by God holds on to God. Noah shows great wisdom in using the dove and the raven. These two birds are very different in character. The text does not mention it, so I will let you know this is only my assumption; but it almost seems that both ravens would have been released – the male and the female. The dove returns because she found no place for her feet. The raven, however, being an unclean bird is carnivorous, and would have found plenty of corpses to light upon, rest and feed. From that I assume that both ravens would have been released, because the raven does not return.

Noah waited seven more days, after taking the dove back into the ark, and sent the dove out again (v. 10). This time the dove returns with an olive leaf, which has been plucked from an olive tree. This means that the land is drying up, and that vegetation is coming back on the land. My how God has designed the regenerating power of His creation. The earth can renew herself after great devastation, but man cannot renew himself. We are totally dependent upon the LORD God for renewing, regeneration and eternal life.

When the dove returned with the leaf, Noah again waited seven more days. We hear much about the patience of Job, but Noah exhibits a tolerable amount of it himself. His wisdom and patience and faith are great. Would to God that we who call ourselves Christians practiced such faith during our storms and trials and tribulations; and, after they are finished. When Noah released the dove this final time it would not return. This was the sign to release the animals and to go forth from the ark Yet he would not depart until God said “Go…” (v. 16). This is a commission from Jesus to the Church, “Go, and make disciples…” We have no sanctuary but Christ Jesus. He abides in us, and we in Him. He is our security, our peace, our assurance, and it is from Him we have faith. He is our Open Window to the Father.