Doves and Ravens

In Genesis 8:6-12 Noah released two very different birds to survey the earth for him. Noah released a raven and a dove. The raven is an “unclean” bird and is not acceptable for ritual sacrifice. It eats dead flesh. It did not return in submission to Noah. In contrast, the dove is a “clean” bird and is acceptable for ritual sacrifice. The dove submitted to Noah and brought good news to all of the ark's inhabitants. We have a choice using this metaphor of raven versus dove. Which bird are we? Clean or unclean? Today's message states we must be like the dove by returning and submitting to God, by landing and putting our feet down in clean places, by eating clean food (i.e., The Word of God), by bringing peace and the Hope of Jesus to others. When we say “yes” to God we will then be filled with God's purpose for us on earth, which is to spread the Hope and Good News of Jesus to those people that He puts in our lives.