5/8/2014 The Raven and the DoveScriptures: Genesis 8:10-12 and 1 Peter 3:20-22
The story of Noah speaks of two distinctly different birds that were involved: the raven and the dove. The raven was called an "unclean animal," because it was a scavenger that fed on death. The dove was a "clean animal," it was a symbol of purity and innocence. The dove was the image God used to represent His Holy Spirit. Noah released the unclean bird first and then the clean bird. The raven went out of the ark looking for death. For many people the flood was about judgment, sin and death. When traumatic events happen we humans have a tendency to go looking for death. To just count our losses. The raven flew away and never returned: his life as consumed with death. Death was not welcome in the ark. So Noah released another bird: the dove. The dove went looking for life. The dove returned two times to the ark. The flood was also about new life, fresh starts and living life like God intended with hope. The dove returned the second time with an olive branch: the sign that God's people can survive the most traumatic events. Life is always welcome in the ark! God has not created His people to die, but to live and have hope! Comments are closed.
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