13 Now it came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first of the month, that the water was dried up from the earth. Then Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the surface of the ground had dried up. 14 And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.

15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying, 16 “Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every crawling thing that crawls on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” 18 So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him. 19 Every animal, every crawling thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark.

Genesis 8:13-19 (NASB)

A year later

They’ve been all coupled up on the ark for a year! (see the timeline from yesterday). Can you imagine? I’m guessing they got used to the smell, the dank, dark confines, and the limited food selection (I wonder if they cooked on a wooden boat?). It’s been about 210 days since the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. Three months and the Dove hasn’t returned. Noah opens the convertible top and takes a look around; all dry. Time to get off this blessed boat.

Awaiting God’s timing

But they didn’t get off. They waited. Why? Surely they wanted to get off. Freedom. Time to plant some crops and eat fresh food. Let’s head out and explore. Maybe a time to grieve their lost loved ones and friends.

Why did they wait? He waited for God’s timing. It’s pretty clear that they didn’t exit the Ark until God commanded them. Noah continues in his obedience and trust in the Lord. You can bet the animals and birds were also quite happy to get on dry ground – although after a year at sea (maybe some were even born at sea) it probably took a while to adjust. Imagine the cheetah’s learning how to run again, the elephants finally have room to turn around. The giraffe’s can finally straighten up tall.

RЯeflection

• As did Noah, “We should watch the leading of Providence [The Lord] to direct us in every step of the journey of life.”  (JFB commentary) Even if we already know from experience what to do (or especially in this case), we should seek the Lord for how to proceed.
• Is there something God is asking you to wait before doing? Is there some activity you are planning – without seeking the Lord?