Noah Opens the Window of the Ark!

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Join Noah as he tells the exciting story of opening the ark's window after the Great Flood! Discover what happened with the raven and the dove in this captivating historical event for children aged 3 and up.

Read more on the website about Noah's Ark.

Noah Opens the Window of the Ark Introduction

Hello, my dear little friends! It's me, Noah, and I'm so glad to see your bright faces again! Do you remember our last story? The big, big boat, the Ark, finally found a resting place on the giant, pointy mountain called Mount Ararat!

We had been inside the Ark for a very, very long time. Can you imagine? Almost a whole year! The big rains came in the second month, on the seventeenth day. Do you remember how loud it was? And then, oh my, the water covered everything! Even the tallest mountains in the land of Canaan, where we used to live, were swallowed by the mighty floodwaters. It was a watery world all around us!

Here is the text of Genesis 8:1–12 from the English Standard Version (ESV):

1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.

 

2 The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained,

 

3 and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated,

 

4 and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.

6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made

 

7 and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters had dried from the earth.

 

8 Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground.

 

9 But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him.

 

10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark.

 

11 And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.

 

12 Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore.

 

The Flood Calendar: Entering the Ark to Opening The Window!

Let's look at our special calendar to see how much time had passed!

The day we entered the Ark was the tenth day of the second month, then the big rain started on the seventeenth day! We floated and floated, then the waters receded at the end of hundred and fifty days or five months. 

Then, in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day, the Ark rested on the mountains of Ararat! But still, the water was very high. It wasn't until the tenth month, on the first day, that the tops of the mountains could be seen! Imagine, a whole new world slowly peeking out from under the water!

Waiting and Watching

Even though the mountain tops were showing, the ground was still too wet for us to step out. So we waited. We waited for forty days:

"At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made" (Genesis 8:6 ESV).

Forty days! That's a long time, isn't it? Like playing 40 games of hide-and-seek! I opened a window, a special window right at the top of the Ark, so I could see what was happening outside. Was the water going down more? Was it safe yet?

The Raven's Journey

The first creature I sent out was a big, black bird. Do you know which one?

 

"He sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters had dried from the earth" (Genesis 8:7 ESV).

A raven! It's a clever bird. The raven flew out and went back and forth until the waters dried up from the earth. Ravens are known to scavenge and can find food even in difficult conditions. When it did not return I knew that there was enough exposed land for it to survive outside the ark.

A raven

Noah Sent Out The Gentle Dove

After the raven, I wanted to send a gentler bird, one that liked clean, fresh places.

"Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground" (Genesis 8:8 ESV).

A beautiful, white dove! I hoped the dove would bring good news.

But what happened?

"But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 8:9 ESV).

Oh, dear! The dove couldn't find anywhere dry to land. So, it came fluttering back to me. I reached out my hand and brought it back into the safety of the Ark. The ground was still too soggy, too muddy, too wet. We had to wait longer.

A dove

Waiting Again, and Again!

It was hard to wait, but we knew God was with us.

"He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove from the ark" (Genesis 8:10 ESV).

Seven more days! Can you count to seven? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7! Then, out went the dove again, flying across the sky. This time, I had a hopeful feeling in my heart.

And guess what? The dove returned with a freshly picked olive leaf in her mouth:

"And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth" (Genesis 8:11 ESV).

An olive leaf! A green, fresh, beautiful olive leaf!

That meant there were trees, growing trees, with leaves, on the dry land! It was such a wonderful sign! The water was going down, and new life was appearing!

I Sent Out The Dove One More Time!

But I wanted to be absolutely sure.

"Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and it did not return to him anymore" (Genesis 8:12 ESV).

One more time, seven days later, I sent the dove out. And this time, it didn't come back! It had found its new home, a safe, dry place in the wide, wide world. This told me that the earth was finally ready for us!

What Does My Experience Teach Us?

My experience in the flood teaches us about patience and trust. Even when things seem to take a long time, God is always working. He had a plan for us, just like He has a plan for you! We waited, and we watched, and finally, God showed us that it was safe to come out.

FAQ

Q: Why did Noah send out a raven first? A: Noah sent out the raven because ravens are known to scavenge and can find food even in difficult conditions. Its not returning indicated that there was enough exposed land for it to survive outside the ark.

Q: Why did the dove come back the first time? A: The dove came back the first time because it found no dry place to land. Doves prefer clean, dry areas, so its return showed that the floodwaters were still covering most of the earth.

Q: What did the olive leaf mean? A: The freshly plucked olive leaf meant that the floodwaters had receded enough for trees to be growing again. It was a clear sign that new life was returning to the earth and it was becoming safe to leave the ark.

Q: How many times did Noah send out the dove? A: Noah sent out the dove three times, each time waiting seven days in between.

Conclusion

So, my little friends, that is how we knew the time was near to leave the Ark! The raven, then the dove, each brought us clues about the drying land. Soon, we would step out onto a brand new earth, ready for a fresh start with God!

Want to see some amazing animations of the Ark and the animals? Ask your grown-up to help you find videos about Noah's Ark on YouTube! It's super exciting!

What do you think will happen next when we finally leave the Ark? Come back next time to find out!

References

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles. (Original work published 2001)

Sarna, N. M. (1989). Genesis: The traditional Hebrew text with new JPS translation. Jewish Publication Society.

Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis. Zondervan.

YouTube. (n.d.). Noah's Ark for kids. [Search for educational videos about Noah's Ark on YouTube for visual aids

Noah's Ark Rested on the Seventh Month: A Story of God's Promise

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Join Noah as he recounts the amazing story of how the Ark, filled with every kind of creature, finally came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, a testament to God's enduring promise and faithfulness. Discover the ancient lands and the incredible journey that brought new life to the world.

Learn more about Noah's Ark

How it all Began: The World Before the Flood

My dear children, gather 'round, and let old Noah tell you a wondrous tale! Do you see the beautiful sky above us? The green grass beneath our feet? The playful animals that bring us such joy? There was a time, long, long ago, when the world was filled with sadness. People had forgotten to be kind and to love God, and their hearts were often filled with evil. They also did many wicked deeds. It grieved God's heart to see such things.

Do you know what happened then? God, in His great sorrow, decided to wash the world clean with a mighty flood. But God, in His boundless love, always remembers His children. He chose me, Noah, and my family, to build a magnificent boat—a colossal Ark—to save us and two of every living creature on the earth. Can you imagine such a sight? A boat so big it could hold elephants, lions, birds, and even the smallest creeping things!

When the time came, the rains fell for forty days and forty nights, and the waters covered the whole earth. It was a time of great mystery, but inside the Ark, we were safe, trusting in God's mighty hand.

The Waters Recede: A New Beginning - Genesis 8: 1-5 NKJV.

Now, let us turn our hearts to the ancient words from the book of Genesis, chapter 8, verses 1-5:

"Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. 

The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. 

And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. 

Then the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat."

Can you feel the hope in those words? "God remembered Noah." It means God never, ever forgets His promises!

The Ark's Long Journey and Final Rest

Oh, what a journey we had inside that Ark! For five long months, we floated upon the vast waters. Sometimes it was calm, and other times the waves tossed us about like a tiny toy. But God was with us, always. We fed the animals, cleaned their pens, and waited, and waited, trusting that God would show us the way.

Then, one glorious day, after 150 days of floating, something wonderful happened! Do you remember what the Bible verse said?

 "The ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat." 

Imagine the joy that filled our hearts! We felt a gentle bump, then another, and then the mighty Ark settled. We knew, deep in our souls, that God had guided us to safety.

Think about it, children. For months, all we saw was water. But now, beneath us, was solid ground! We could not see it yet, for the waters still covered the lower parts of the mountains, but we knew it was there. The great Ark, our home for so long, had found its resting place.

Mountains of Ararat

Where Did the Ark Rest? The Mountains of Ararat!

Now, you might be wondering, "Noah, where exactly are these 'mountains of Ararat'?" That's a very good question! The Bible tells us the Ark rested "on the mountains of Ararat." This isn't just one single peak, but a whole range of majestic mountains in a land far away, in what we now call Eastern Turkey.

Picture a place where enormous mountains touch the sky, some with snow on their caps even in the warmer months. It's a land with deep valleys, rushing rivers, and vast plains. This region, known for its dramatic landscape, is where God guided the Ark to its final destination.

Over many, many years, brave people, just like adventurers in your storybooks, have searched for the remains of my Ark. There are fascinating stories and even some archaeological findings that point to specific locations in the Ararat region where something truly ancient and boat-shaped has been discovered!

One remarkable site, often called the Durupınar site, has captured the attention of many. It's an unusual boat-shaped landform high up in the mountains, about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat's summit. This formation is quite large, over 500 feet long, which is very close to the biblical dimensions of the Ark!

Why is this so interesting? Well, researchers who have explored this site have found what they believe are evidence of large wooden timbers, metal rivets, and even fossilized animal dung, all consistent with what one might expect from a massive wooden vessel that carried many creatures. Imagine, children, finding something that might have been part of our very Ark! It makes my heart sing to think that God left such a sign for generations to come.

You can even find videos on YouTube with fascinating explorations of this area! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a real archaeological dig? It's like solving a giant puzzle from the past!

What We Did on the Mountains

Even though the Ark had rested, we couldn't just open the doors and walk out! The waters were still high. So, what did we do? We waited! God teaches us patience, doesn't He?

First, the tops of the other mountains began to appear. Imagine seeing the very peaks of the land slowly emerge from the vastness of the water! It was like the world was being born again, little by little.

FAQs About the Ark's Resting Place

Q1: Is the Ark still on Mount Ararat? 

A1: While many believe the Ark came to rest in the broader "mountains of Ararat" region, whether its physical remains still exist and are identifiable is a subject of ongoing debate and research. The Durupınar site is one of the most compelling archaeological candidates.

Q2: What is the significance of the seventh month? 

A2: In the biblical calendar, the seventh month (Tishrei) often marks significant events and feasts. The Ark resting in this month could symbolize a new beginning and a return to normalcy after the judgment of the flood.

Q3: How do we know the location of the Ark is in Eastern Turkey? 

A3: The Bible explicitly states the Ark rested "on the mountains of Ararat." The historical and geographical understanding of "Ararat" places it in the ancient Armenian highlands, which today include parts of Eastern Turkey.

Conclusion: God's Everlasting Promise

My dear children, the story of the Ark resting on the mountains of Ararat is more than just an old tale. It's a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His incredible love for us. Even when things seem lost, God remembers His promises. He brought us through the great flood, giving the world a fresh start, and He marked that promise with a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

Just as God never forgot me and my family, He will never forget you. He has a plan for each of your lives, and He will guide you through all your journeys. Do you trust Him? Will you listen to His gentle voice?

If you want to learn more about the amazing stories from the Bible and God's wonderful plans, ask your parents or teachers! Explore the wisdom found in His word, and always remember His promise.

References

Collins, C. J. (2018). Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. P & R Publishing.

Faulkner, J. (2010). The Geologic Column and the Flood. Answers Research Journal, 3, 119-132.

Snelling, A. A. (2009). Earth's Catastrophic Past: Geology, Creation & the Flood. Institute for Creation Research.

Standish, R., & Standish, R. (1999). The Ararat Report. Hartland Publications.

Wise, K. P. (2002). Faith, Form, and Time: What the Bible Teaches and Science Affirms About Creation and the Age of the Earth. Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Woodmorappe, J. (1996). Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study. Institute for Creation Research.

God Shut the Door of the Ark: A Story of Faith and a New Beginning

God Shuts the Door of the Ark: A Story of Faith and a New Beginning

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Join Noah as he recounts the amazing story of the Great Flood, how God gathered the animals, and protected his family in the ark, bringing about a new beginning for the world. This biblical narrative, told for children, focuses on faith, obedience, and God's mighty power.

Learn more about Noah and the Ark.

Let's listen as Noah tells how God shut the door of the Ark.

Hello, my dear children! Gather 'round, gather 'round, for I have a most wondrous story to tell you today. It is a story from a very, very long time ago, when the world was filled with much naughtiness, and God, in His great sorrow, decided to wash the earth clean. 

My name is Noah, and I was alive then, a very old man, 600 years of age when this grand adventure began! Can you imagine being 600 years old? I had seen many things, but nothing, oh nothing, like the time of the great flood.

A Message from God

Do you know why God chose me? Because I walked with Him. I listened to His voice, and I tried my best to do what was right in His eyes. And one day, God spoke to me, His voice like thunder and yet so gentle in my heart. He said, "Noah, the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

Oh, my heart was heavy, for I knew the world was indeed full of wickedness. But then God gave me a most amazing command! He told me to build an ark! Not just any boat, mind you, but a colossal wooden vessel, a floating house big enough to save my family and all the creatures of the earth.

Building the Mighty Ark

For many, many years, my sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and I, with the help of our wives, toiled away. We cut down mighty trees, sawed huge planks, and sealed every crack with pitch, inside and out. The ark was an enormous undertaking, longer than a hundred cars lined up end to end, and taller than a three-story house! People would walk by and stare, pointing and laughing. "Noah, what are you doing?" they would shout. "Building a boat in the middle of dry land? Are you mad?"

But I knew in my heart that God's word was true, and so we kept on building. We built rooms, three decks high, for all the animals. We gathered food, enough to last for a very, very long time.

The Animals Arrive At The Ark!

Then, the most extraordinary thing began to happen! Can you imagine? When I was 600 years old, God told me, 

"Go into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 

Of every clean animal you shall take seven pairs, male and female; and of every animal that is not clean, two pairs, male and female; and of the birds of the air, seven pairs, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth."

The animals came! Not by my calling, but by God's mighty hand. From the towering mountains and the deepest jungles, from the wide plains and the hidden valleys, they came.

Two by two, and sometimes seven by seven, they marched. The majestic lions, the towering giraffes, the playful monkeys, the buzzing bees, the slithering snakes, the tiny mice, and the giant elephants. They walked right into the ark, as if guided by an invisible shepherd. It was a sight that would make your heart leap with wonder! We helped them settle into their places, feeding them and making them comfortable.

God Shuts the Door of the Ark

For seven days, after all the animals and my family—my wife, my three sons, and their wives—were safely inside, the world outside was still. The people still mocked, still went about their wicked ways, unaware of what was to come. But then, on that seventh day, something truly amazing happened.

It wasn't me, or my sons, who shut the massive door of the ark. Oh no! This door was too heavy, too grand for human hands to close completely. The Bible tells us, "And the Lord shut him in." Can you imagine? God Himself, with His mighty hand, closed the door, sealing us inside, safe from the storm that was about to break. It was a sign, a promise of protection for all within.

The Waters Rise

Then, the heavens opened! Have you ever seen a truly big rainstorm? Imagine that, but a thousand, million times worse! On the seventeenth day of the second month, when I was 600 years old, "on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened." It wasn't just rain; it was as if the very ground burst open, sending up geysers of water, and the clouds emptied themselves with a roar!

The rain fell for forty days and forty nights without stopping. The waters rose higher and higher. First, they covered the little hills, then the taller trees. Soon, the tallest mountains were swallowed by the raging waters. The Bible tells us that the waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. 

Now, what does fifteen cubits upward mean? Imagine your father or mother, standing on a very tall ladder, and then imagine another person standing on their shoulders! That's how deep the water went above the highest mountain peaks! It was higher than a three-story building, even over the very tallest mountains!

Outside the ark, everything that had the breath of life perished. Every living thing on the dry land, from the smallest creature to the tallest giants, was swept away by the flood. It was a terrible thing to think about, the entire world outside the ark consumed by the relentless waters. But inside, we were safe, bobbing on the waves, protected by God's promise.

Floating for Many Days in the Ark

The ark floated upon the face of the waters. For 150 days, that's five months, the waters covered the earth. Imagine five whole months of just water, water everywhere! We were completely reliant on God's grace, day in and day out, as the ark tossed and turned. But God remembered me and all the living things that were with him in the ark. He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside. Slowly, slowly, the floodwaters began to recede.

A New Beginning

At last, on the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. It was a moment of great relief and thanksgiving! Still, we waited. It was not until the first day of the first month of my 601st year that the waters had dried from the earth. Finally, on the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was completely dry, and God told us it was time to leave the ark.

We stepped out onto a fresh, clean earth. The birds flew out, the animals bounded away, and my family and I knelt down to thank God for His faithfulness and His mercy. He had saved us, and through us, He would begin again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How old was Noah when the flood started? Noah was 600 years old when the great flood began.

• How many animals went into the ark? For clean animals and birds, there were seven pairs (14 animals in total) of each kind. For unclean animals, there were two pairs (4 animals in total) of each kind.

• How long did the rain last? The rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights.

• How long did the waters cover the earth? The waters covered the earth for 150 days before they began to subside.

Conclusion: God's Promise

So you see, my dear children, the story of the flood is a powerful reminder of God's justice, but also of His incredible love and mercy. He chose one family, one righteous man, Noah, to save humanity and all living creatures. And after the flood, God made a beautiful promise to us, a covenant that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. He set His rainbow in the clouds as a sign of this promise, a reminder that even after the greatest storms, there is always hope and a new beginning.

What does this story tell us about God? It tells us that He is mighty, that He keeps His promises, and that He loves us. Just like Noah, we can trust in God, listen to His voice, and strive to live in a way that pleases Him.

Think about it: What does it mean to trust God, even when things look impossible, like building a huge ark in the middle of dry land?

God shut the door of the ark - Genesis 7

References

The Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published various dates).

Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis. Zondervan. (Provides insights into the ancient Near Eastern context of the Genesis narrative).

Young, D. A., & Stearley, R. F. (2008). The Bible, Rocks and Time: Geological Evidence for the Age of the Earth. InterVarsity Press. (Discusses scientific and theological perspectives on the flood narrative).