"The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred
and fifty days.
But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle
that were with him in the ark;
and God caused a wind to pass over the earth,
and the water subsided" (Gen 7:24-8:1).
Sometimes we experience devastating events that leave us wondering if we will ever get back on our feet, ever smile again, ever have a normal routine. Consider the Flood Story from the perspective of the Jewish people who experienced the destruction of the first Temple and subsequent exile.
No doubt, Noah's story offered much hope. Although we tend to think about the Flood Story only in terms of devastation, the story focuses a lot on renewal and re-creation as well. After the world is completely destroyed by water (Gen 7:24), God remembers his soon-to-be covenantal partner, and causes a wind to pass over the earth.
Since "wind" and "Spirit"
are the same word in Hebrew, Genesis 8:1 is clearly an allusion
to the Creation Narrative in Genesis 1
which describes the
Spirit of God over the water (1:2). The point: because God
remembers his promises,
he will make all things new!
No matter how bad things may appear, as
God's covenantal partners we can be quite assured that
he always remembers. And because he remembers,
we always live in the
hope of renewal and life from the dead,
the hope of restoration and second chances.
"Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and
passes over the
rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever, because
He delights in unchanging love.
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.
You will give truth to Jacob and unchanging
love to Abraham, which You swore to our forefathers
from the days of old"
(Mic 7:18-20).