Have you ever felt like you had a split personality, or that there was a war going on inside you between two different people? Well, if you are a child of God, there is! No, I'm not crazy! :) It plainly says in God's Word that when we are saved by God's grace, that we now have a Spiritual man and a Fleshly, or Carnal man (Romans chapter 6).There is a perfect picture of this in the Bible's account of the raven and the dove in Genesis chapter 8.
Genesis 8 finds Noah on the end side of the flood, waiting on God to see when they could leave the ark. The waters were departing from the earth, vs 1-3, and the ark now rested on the mountain tops of Ararat (present day Eastern Turkey border with Iran). Remember Noah had no window to look out of except the one located in the TOP of the ark. This allowed him to only see the sky and keep his eyes on the Lord! Verse 6&7 says Noah opened the window and sent forth a raven to see if the waters were dried up from the face of the earth. Verse 8 says he also sent forth a dove. Why were these two birds chosen?
Both were on the ark and had been spared the judgment of the flood. They had been saved, and found sanctuary in the Ark. This is a type of a Christian when saved, and has come to the Ark of the cross for salvation. We have a old nature, the flesh, and a spiritual man, or nature after salvation. The raven represented the fleshly nature, and the dove the spiritual nature.
A raven is a scavenger. They feed on dead things and roam, not wanting to stay in one place. They are also fearful creatures that stalk or sneak up on their prey. Noah knew the habits of this bird. So, in order to find out if there was still carnage floating on the waters, and if there was any dry land that was uncovered, he released him first. The Bible says in Gen.8:7, "And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth." This bird found PLENTY to feast on, and was so engaged in doing so,that he NEVER returned to the ark. As Christians, we know what sinful habits we used to partake in before salvation, and we should "let them go" as Noah did. If we do not, they will keep us from the Lord and walking in the Spirit. "Romans 7:18-25 states .."that in our flesh dwelleth no good thing;..". Romans 13:14b says, "...Make NO PROVISION for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof;". To be carnally minded is death, Rms 8:6.We need to "mortify" the old man and purpose that we will not walk in old desires and sins that will prevent us from "returning to the ark,"to have fellowship with God, Galatians 5:24.
The dove is a creature that feeds on fruits, berries, and cornmeal and bread! Doves have a wholesome appetite.Noah knew this as well, and knew that if none of these were present, it would return to him.Gen.8:9a says, "But the dove found NO REST for the sole of her feet, and she returned unto him into the ark..." How can we have a wholesome appetite and stay walking in the Spirit? Galatians 5:16 tells us to "..Walk in the Spirit, and ye SHALL NOT FULFILL the lusts of the flesh." Ephesians 5:18b & 19 read, "...but be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." The world has NOTHING wholesome or profitable to our spiritual man. Reading our Bibles daily, feasting on His Word as the dove eats bread and praying helps to fortify our spiritual man. The last half of Gen.8:9 says, "..then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark." James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." As Noah, stretched out his hand to pull in the dove when she drew near the ark, the Lord will pull to Him in fellowship when we come before Him.
It is a daily battle to live for the Lord. One day this will end, praise the Lord, (I Thessalonians 5:13-18). Until then, the more we starve the "raven," the less we will see of it. When we feed the "dove", we are promised life and peace, (Romans 8:6). Which "bird of a feather" will you flock with today?
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