Genesis 8:11 –
This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone.
This is the first known reference of the dove with the olive branch. Does anyone know what this is a symbol of today?? It’s peace whose origins come from the revolutionary war. Today the olive branch and the dove represent peace, but how did this come from Noah??
Well for one … even though it rained for 40 days, and the flood waters did not recede for another 150 days … it still took some time to be such that they could empty the boat. They were in the boat for 10 or 11 months … the dove with the olive branch was hope that the journey was over.
Afterwards, Noah build an alter and sacrificed with pleased God who say no more destroying everything on earth … so two things. First, we found out about the sacrifices, this was not mentioned on the boat. Second, Gods promise not to destroy the earth again … then Revelations has the earth destroyed by fire. Again Gods promise … what’s different? The promise not to destroy “all living things” is the key difference. Revelations destroys all evil … and saves ones who follow Jesus.
Proverbs 4:18-19 – “<18> The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. <19> But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.”