A New Start

Written by Pastor Kyle Jones

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded (Genesis 8:1)

This verse marks a pivotal turning point in the flood narrative, signaling the beginning of a new creation. The floodwaters that had overwhelmed the earth are now receding, and God’s act of remembering Noah parallels His creative work in Genesis 1, where the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, bringing order out of chaos. Just as He once separated the waters from the dry land to create a habitable world, He now drives back the waters of the flood, preparing the earth for a new beginning. The wind, reminiscent of the Spirit’s movement in Genesis 1, once again brings life and hope, foreshadowing God’s ongoing work of renewal and salvation.

This theme of God’s remembering is not limited to Noah; it is a recurring motif throughout Scripture that highlights God’s faithfulness to His promises. In Exodus, God “remembered” His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when His people cried out under the oppression of Egypt (Exodus 2:24). This divine remembering was not merely a passive recollection but an active intervention, leading to the deliverance of Israel from slavery. God’s mighty hand parted the Red Sea, echoing His command over the waters at creation and the flood. In both instances, God brings His people through the waters of judgment and death into new life and freedom, showing His power to save and His commitment to His covenant promises.

Genesis 8:1 also points forward to the ultimate act of divine remembering in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Christ, God remembers His creation, tainted by sin and deserving of judgment, and provides a way of salvation. Just as Noah and later the Israelites were delivered, believers are saved through Christ in His death and resurrection. The wind that blew over the earth, causing the waters to subside, prefigures the Holy Spirit, who brings new life and regeneration. In salvation, God’s Spirit hovers over the chaos of our sinful hearts, transforming us and drawing us into the new creation in Christ.

These parallels remind us that God’s work of creation, redemption, and renewal is woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. From the first act of separating the waters in Genesis 1 to the flood in Genesis 8, to the exodus of His people from Egypt, God consistently demonstrates His sovereign control over the elements and His unwavering commitment to His people. His remembrance is not just a distant acknowledgment but a powerful, saving intervention. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of all these acts of deliverance, as He passes through the waters of death on our behalf and rises to bring us into new life. Genesis 8:1, then, is more than a mere historical note; it is a testament to God’s character—His faithfulness, His power, and His mercy. It assures us that God does not forget His promises or His people. Just as He remembered Noah, He remembers us in our times of trial, and He is always working to bring us through the waters of judgment into the safety of His salvation. In this, we find hope, knowing that the God who once commanded the waters and sent the wind to dry the earth is the same God who, through Christ, commands all things for our good and His glory

Image by Lewis Roberts at Unsplash