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The Fruit of the Olive Tree
Noah waited patiently in the safety of the ark for an answer. He had counted 150 days by the rays of sun and moon light beaming through the small window near the roof. During that time he often remembered when God told him and his family to enter the ark, and how he had known then that there wouldn’t be much time for the others to relent and join them. No one came. No one believed Noah’s words of warning. God’s mercy was refused again and again. So, God himself shut and sealed the door of the ark, with a finality that rang in Noah’s ears. Noah had been grateful for the deafening sounds of the great springs bursting from deep within the ground combined with the new torrent of waters falling from heaven. He didn’t want to hear the desperate cries of terror outside the ark.
All Noah could do was wait, as the rains fell for 40 days and 40 nights, and while the Earth remained flooded 150 days more. He filled his days with chores – taking care of the animals and his family. With each passing day, the stench coming from within the ark assaulted his nose and stung his eyes. He looked forward to his walks to the 3rd upper deck for time alone with God, to collect fresh air and water, and to mark another passing day in the pitch on the wall. How much longer he would wonder, until he saw the fruits of his labor. Noah wondered many things, but he was confident in the promise of a future with God.
God remembered Noah, and brought him and the ark to rest on Mount Ararat. It seemed to set precariously as the waters slowly receded, but God secured a place for it. And as the mountaintops became more visible over the next 40 days, Noah opened the window and sent forth first a raven, then a dove.
There is where he stood patiently, waiting, after sending out the dove again 7 days earlier. He scanned the horizon from his viewpoint. He saw nothing but clear blue skies straight ahead, unable to see what lay below, for the position of the ark obstructed it. He knew not to rely on his own feelings and judgment, but to wait patiently for the Lord’s answer. Everything in his being wanted to jump out of the stale, confined spaces of the ark. God’s voice said, “Noah, be patient, be still, wait for your answer.”
Noah paced back and forth a few more steps, stopped and closed his eyes. He knew the plans God had for him were to prosper him and not harm him, to give him hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
He opened his eyes, and there on the windowsill sat the dove staring at Noah with small black, unblinking eyes. In its beak there was a freshly plucked olive branch! Noah knew the graceful, billowing feather shape and the grayish green foliage of the Olive tree. He remembered and welcomed the sweet fragrance of the cream colored olive flower! He remembered well the tenacious Olive tree; how it could sprout back when chopped to the ground. Patience would bring fruit to that tree! Patience had brought Noah the fruits of his labor and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
God opened the door of the ark, and Noah stepped in to his future.
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