Psalm 23:4 speaks of walking through the valley of the shadow of death without fear of evil, for God’s presence brings comfort. This verse is widely recognized and cherished among Christian believers. It reminds us that, when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, the word “comfort” acts as a lifeline, keeping us afloat.

During the period Noach appeared on the scene, creation was in need of a lifeline.

The Hebrew word translated as comfort, nacham appears 3[i] times in Genesis 5 -6, specifically when we are introduced to Noach. This was a period marked by growing corruption on the earth, with the planet crying out and desperately longing for a comforter.

Noach had a destiny to bring comfort not just to mankind, but to all of creation, which had been suffering under the curse of the ground. The time had come for a fresh start, to restrain the overwhelming evil within humanity and offer a new opportunity for mankind to find hope and a path back to Eden.

Noach, the one who was destined to bring comfort and rest, finds himself in a position where he stands between God and the imminent destruction of mankind. This situation is similar to Moses, who stood between God and the idolatrous Israelites that He intended to destroy in Exodus 32.

In Genesis 6:6, we come across the passage where it states, “And יהוה was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” It is interesting to note that the word used here for “sorry” is nacham, which is translated as “comfort” in the two other verses mentioned.

If we were to replace the word “sorry” with “comfort,” the meaning of the verse would be altered. Instead of merely expressing remorse, we would witness a vivid portrayal of God’s desire to console us, lamenting over our sorrow caused by the sinful world that seems to engulf us. His deepest longing is to provide us with comfort and instil hope within us.

In John 11:35, Yeshua exhibited the very same emotion as He wept upon hearing the news about Lazarus. His tears were a manifestation of love and profound emotion, filled with sympathetic sorrow. Although He knew Lazarus was safe, His heart was heavy with grief for those who were mourning. Through those tears, He revealed His longing to comfort His people.

Just imagine the emotions Noach must have felt as he drifted towards the unknown.

Yet, as the rain subsided and the land started to dry, a flicker of hope was brought by a white dove. Hope that surely brought comfort.

In this particular piece of Scripture, we are introduced to the comforting nature of our Creator. The symbol that we are all familiar with in the New Testament, representing the Comforter that Yeshua sends, is the dove.

In the details of the dove, Noah saw the promise of dry land that brought forth life.  We also see a profound prophetic image of hope and comfort, a prophecy about Messiah.

According to Scripture, the dove was sent out three times, specifically mentioned as being sent out from Noach himself. The first time, the dove returned as it couldn’t find a place to rest. After seven days, it was sent out from the ark once again. On this occasion, the dove came back with a freshly plucked olive leaf. Another seven days passed before Noach sent the dove out for the final time, and this time it didn’t return. The dove had found a place to settle.

This is my understanding of the 3 dove visits to the earth.

The first flight of the dove can be seen as the embodiment of the Spirit of Elohim, which was present even before Creation as mentioned in Genesis 1:2. The Spirit of Elohim was moving upon the surface of the waters. However, due to sin, He could not find a lasting resting place and returned to the Father.

In Isaiah 1:11, we come across the well-known prophecy about the Messiah: “A Rod shall emerge from the stump of Yishai, and a Sprout from his roots shall bear fruit.” Following the dove’s second flight, it returned to Noach with a plucked leaf in its beak, indicating the growth of a fresh branch from a submerged tree. This young branch and leaf symbolize the Messiah. Just as an olive leaf torn is bitter, Yeshua was rejected and torn away amidst bitterness and suffering. However, similar to the tree that was drowned in the flood and now produces new leaves, He returned from death, signifying new life and hope. Noach reached out and received the dove back unto himself, while the Heavens opened to welcome the Messiah back.

The third flight of the dove symbolizes the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Yeshua. From that point onward, the Spirit has been present with us until the time when He, who was taken from us, shall come back.

All to the Glory of our Creator, The One who comforts us !

[i] Gen 5:29, 6:6 and 6:7