Chapter Summary

Waters receding, exit from the ark. Noah's altar.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 8

1. Genesis 8 provides the details the flood waters receding. Science and observation has shown that flood areas are able to recover because the water is able to continue downstream or return back to a larger body of water. How do the waters recede during the great flood if the entire earth is flooded? How do the flood waters receding reflect God's sovereignty?
2. Noah and those on board the ark remain there for 150 days after the rain stops. This brings the total time on the ark over a year. How is food and water provided for Noah, his family, and the animals for the entire duration of time? What do you think happen to the animals' natural tendencies during this time, especially carnivores? How does this reflect God's sovereignty?
3. Noah first sends a raven to check for dry land in Genesis 8 and then a dove who finally brings back the olive branch/leaf. In the Great Flood story in Epic of Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim releases first a dove and then a raven to try to find dry land. What do you think the authors base the stories on? How do the similarities in the stories affect a believer's belief in the accuracy of the Bible?
4. God commands that Noah, his family, and the animals were to leave the ark and to swarm the earth, be fruitful, and multiply on the earth. There isn't any verse in the scripture to delay and hinder the reproduction of life. What do you think have been the effects of population control of not only humans but also animals upon the natural order of the earth? How should a Christian use family planning methods to decide the timing and size of a family? Does a believer sin if they use family planning? Why or why not?
5. Genesis 8:1 says that God used a great wind to make the flood waters recede. How great was the wind and how does God protect the Ark since it did not have any means to steer? Many times noticing these events become trivial to some but how does the notice of insignificant facts or absence of them affect our faith as we read scripture?
6. After Noah made sacrifices to God in Genesis 8:21, God says, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth." Is God correct about man's heart being evil? Why or why not? Does man have the ability to change their way? Why or why not? Has God kept His promise not to curse the ground because of man? If so, how do explain natural disasters that destroy the farmers' crops?
7. Genesis 8:22, says "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” According to this scripture, what can be the effects of global warming? Are there limits to the damage caused by global warming? Very few will argue about the existence of the Ice Age. How does this verse affect the timing of the Ice Age its effects on the animals that were present during the time of the Ice Age?
8. We are now aware of different climates based on the location in reference to the equator. After this acknowledgement, do you think that the promise that seasons will remain is intended only for Noah and the Mediterranean region or for all of mankind? Why?
9. Genesis 8:2 says the fountains of the deep were stopped. Describe the fountains of the deep in modern terms and how prevalent do you believe they were in the times of Noah? How do you think the waters of the deep affect the land masses on earth we know today?
10. When you read the story of the Great Flood and other biblical stories with details that seem to not to be able to take place, how can a believer reconcile some of the biblical events to modern day science?

Key Words/Phrase

Rest, v. 4.

Characters

Noah and family.

Strong Verse(s)

1, 20.