This week, we have been looking at Genesis 8:6–12, and we will wrap up this week’s post by looking at the final three verses, beginning in verse 10.

“So he waited yet another seven days; and again he sent out the dove from the ark. The dove came to him toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth. Then he waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; but she did not return to him again.”

It would not be fair to forget that this dove was sent out by Noah. Whatever motive ruled the creature, there was a higher purpose at work through Noah, who sent her out.

There are times when the Lord permits His people to endure temptation. Look no further than our Lord to see this truth. “After He was baptized, He was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1).

Temptation, when met with faithfulness, can produce excellent results. It is in these moments of testing that we run to our Savior for strength and grace, growing in our dependence upon and love for Him.

Note also that the dove returned with a sign of life in her beak in the form of a freshly picked olive leaf. In a similar way, when we face temptation and respond in faithfulness, the Lord produces spiritual fruit in our lives.

Finally, in the dove’s last departure, we see a picture of reaching our true resting place, which, for us, is our eternal home with God in Heaven. Until that day comes, we continually return to Christ, finding our rest and strength in Him, until we are finally called home to be with Him forever.