The Covenant God Remembers and Provides Rest for the Weary

God Remembers His people (Genesis 8;1a)

Situations can seem hopeless. They can be hopeless. But when God moves in, things change for the better. Noah and his family had been on the Ark for months and months. They had been living with the reality that they were the only living humans left on the earth. Except, they couldn’t see the earth - no land in sight. They didn’t see any land for about 8 months (cf Genesis 7:10 and 8:5)

The Ark was massive in size, but think about being on a boat for 5 months. Day after day being inside and listening to the rain. No natural light and no wind.

Illustrate: living in Northern Canada or Alaska during the winters. Only have sunlight for a few hours /day.

Argument: It would have been easy to think that God had forgotten Noah and company. The text does not indicate that God spoke to Noah from the time He told them to enter the Ark until it was time to get off the Ark.

But God … When God moves in the situation is changed.

The Covenant God providentially cares for His people (Genesis 8:1b)

God is in control of everything in this world. He is able to rearrange whatever He desires to bring about His intended purpose. We now see Him send a wind that causes the waters to recede. (The Hebrew word for wind is the same word for Spirit (cf (Genesis 1:2)

The Covenant God grants Rest to the Weary (Genesis 8:4)

The Ark came to rest upon the mountains. The Ark became a resting place. Noah’s name means the one who will give rest. This is is type or picture of the ultimate rest that we find in Christ Himself.

(cf., Matt. 11:28-30)

Our Response to the loving and providing God who grants us rest is to be thankful sacrifice (Gen 8:20)