Genesis 8

Introduction:

Genesis 8 marks a powerful shift from judgment to renewal.

After 377 days on the ark, the chapter opens with hope: “Then God remembered Noah.” God had never forgotten him—He was sustaining Noah every day—but now He turns His active attention toward bringing Noah into a new season.

In this chapter we see God remembering His people, bringing rest once His work is complete, calling Noah to wait patiently, speaking when the time is right, receiving worship through costly sacrifice, and being pleased with a sincere heart.

Genesis 8 reminds us that the God who carried Noah through the flood is the same God who carries us—faithful to remember, restore, and lead us into a new beginning.

1. (V1) Then God remembered Noah

a) Then God remembered Noah

This chapter opens with a simple but profound statement: “Then God remembered Noah.” 

It’s not that God ever forgot him, but that God turned His active attention toward Noah once again—sustaining him every single day in ways Noah could not see.

God remembered Noah: This is a non-literal picture of God expressed in human terms

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””

b) Imagine being on a ark for 377 days with your family and animals

God had to sustain them

In times of trials, King David may have felt forsaken or forgotten about,

Psalm 10:1 “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?”

By the end of the Psalm he goes back to what he knows, not what he feels

Application: In our time of our suffering we can question, Lord have you forgotten about me?

God will never forget about you, that would go against His nature

Keep your eyes on Christ

Not why is this happening, but, Lord what are you trying to teach me through this trial

1.1 (V2-5) The Ark rested

The flood water accomplished the judgement on the unbelieving wold and the ark rested

a) The ark rested in the mountains of Ararat

According to one commentary, its possible the mountains of Ararat are in Eastern Turkey, but the precise location is unknown

b) It was more than a physical rest of landing on a dry place, but it was a fresh start and a new beginning

God’s judgement was complete and the ark rested

Application: We can rest in Christ, we don’t have to strive to earn His love

We simply receive it

His finished work on the cross allows us to enter into His rest

c) The number 7 expresses the idea of completion, perfection, holiness

Seventh month, the seventh day of the month

377 days after they entered the ark

1.2 (V6-12) Noah waited for the work to be finished

a) The number 40 is associated with testing and purification

Especially before entering something new and significant.

b) Ravens are scavengers, and this bird might rest and feed on dead, floating carcasses.

c) No resting place because the work of God had not been completed

d) Noah waited Patiently

Imagine the disaster that could of happened if Noah if he didn’t wait

The hardest command for me to obey is to wait

1.3 (V15) Then God spoke to Noah

a) Go out of the Ark and take your family

Take all every living things with you

Application: Noah was obedient and did not run ahead, he waited until God told Him to go

1.4 (V20) Noah built an alter to the Lord

a) Noah’s first act after leaving the ark was to worship God through sacrifice.

His gratitude and admiration of God’s greatness led him to worship God.

It was a costly sacrifice being there was only

With only seven of each animal on the ark, Noah risked extinction by sacrificing some of these animals. But costly sacrifice is pleasing to God.

Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;”

Hebrews 13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

Application: Our lives should be a living sacrifice, it comes with a cost

Our time

Our money

We’re called to worship God by giving ourselves to Him

An attitude of thanksgiving

1.5 (V21) The Lord smelled a soothing aroma

a) The lord was well pleased by the sacrifice

Its the condition of the heart that was well pleasing to the Lord

Its the act of sacrifice, not necessarily the sacrifice

My best efforts are never good enough on their own, but the Lord accepts them because He knows my heart in trying to please him

1.6 Man’s heart is evil from his youth

a) Our inherited sin nature remains

Jeremiah 17:9 ““The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

Conclusion:

As Genesis 8 shows, God remembers, God restores, and God leads His people into new beginnings—but He also calls us to wait, trust, obey, and worship with a sincere heart.

Just as Noah rested in God’s finished work and responded with costly devotion, we too are invited to surrender our lives as a living sacrifice. 

So the question is this: in your own season of waiting or renewal, what step of faith is God asking you to take today?