The Raven and The Dove

Today's Reading is in Genesis 8:1-10:32.


I like the picture God gives us through the actions of the raven and the dove in Genesis 8:6-12; After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth.  Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground.  But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark.  He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark.  When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.  He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.

The raven willingly left the confines of the ark.  Even when he found no place of rest, he still wandered the skies watcing and waiting for the waters to recede.  All he was concerned about was his freedom.  I feel this is a picture of most men and women today.  They reach an age of maturity and pull up stakes, leaving behind the peace and security they found in the house of their parents.  They may have nothing on which to stand, but they fly the coup anyway.  They give no thought to what they are going to do for shelter.  Their basic needs are simple in there eyes.  Food is plenteous so they look no further than their bellies.  Their motto is something like; 'Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.' 


The dove released in this passage does a quick tour of the area, and finding no place to call home returns to the safety of the ark.  When again set free, she takes another tour or the area and finds the top of an olive tree to rest on for a moment.  This not being a true home where she can make a place for a family, she grabs a twig and takes it back to her safe haven to show Noah that the situation outside is improving, but still is not ready to be a proper resting place for her.  Whe she is released the third time, she has found the perfect place to build a home and raise a family.  She now feels safe and secure enough to venture out on here own for she has found the safety and assurance in which she can live with out fear.


Jesus is our ark of Salvation.  He is where we find rest and peaceful contentment.  When times are rough He carries us in His arms; and when we are strenghtened He walks beside us - never leaving us alone to fen for ourselves.   David knew this when he wrote Psalm 4:8; In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.  We can trust in Jesus with our whole heart, just as David did.  He is my hiding place; is He yours?


Until next time