Genesis 6-8 - The Flood
Genesis 6-8 – The Genesis Flood
Without a doubt, the flood in Genesis chapter 6 is one of the most widely know stories of all the Bible. And it is also one of the most disbelieved stories in the Bible. Some do not believe that there was literally a world wide flood. All kinds of questions are asked, Did the flood really occur, how wide spread was the flood, was the ark really large enough to hold all the animals. And where did all that water come from?
When the authors of the Bible write about events, the authors do not try to prove what they are writing about is true. Instead the Bible focus is on obedience and faithful in living for God. The flood is a true story of what God did through a man name Noah. God is not going to try and explain the food. God's main focus is on the faith and obedience of Noah. The flood as recorded here actually happened.
Some people have a hard time with this story, like Jonah and the whale.
A young Christian girl was challenged by an atheist. He said, "I have a question for you. Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God?" She said, "Yes I do." Then he said, "Do you believe in the story of Noah and the food?" She said, "Yes I do." "Then you must also believe in that Jonah was swallowed by a whale and lived to tell about it?" "Yes, I do believe that." He then said, "How is it possible that a man can be
swallowed by a whale and live? How can that happen?" She said, "I don't really know, but when I get to haven I will ask Jonah to explain it to me." "Oh really," the man said, "What if he is not in heaven, what if he is in hell?" She said, "Then you can ask him."
Just suppose that we were able to predict the day that Jesus Christ was going to return. So as a result we were to advertise on TV and radio, and we were to put up bill boards. Do you think that it would have an impact on the way that people lived? Do you think that people would change their life style? I think that very few people would change their life? Because that is exactly what happened during Noah's life time. In Noah's life time people did not change their behavior or their lifestyle.
And that is exactly what Jesus told us about the days prior to the flood. Jesus said, that when the Son of Man returns,
Matthew 24:37-42
37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 “Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. NASV
Things have gotten so bad morally and spiritually during Noah's life time that God says in Genesis 6:5-7
Genesis 6:5-7
5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 And the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them." NASV
Some people question God judging mankind so harshly. Some would question the justice of God. The righteousness of God, the love of God in judging sin. They wonder why would God judge the generation of Noah so harshly?
I suggest that they an ample warning. God gave them opportunity after opportunity to repent. Look at:
FIRST -- the warning that God gave them.
1. Just like everyone, they had the testimony of nature.
Romans 1:18-20
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
NASV
The Bible says, only a fool would look at creation and say, "It was all an accident." Only a fool would say, "There was not a master and designer."
Now consider this, the creation of the world in Noah's time was in better shape than it is today.
2. They also had the testimony of conscience.
Romans 2:14-15
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them," NASV
In the heart of Noah's generation, they knew that murder, violence, adultery was wrong.
3. They had the promise of a redeemer.
Do you remember in Genesis 3:15
Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel." NASV
God promised there would be a deliver, the Christ, the one who would redeem mankind. Remember there was one who would crush Satan's head. The people knew that a redeemer was coming.
4. They knew that their sins could be forgiven through the shedding of blood sacrifice.
Remember the Lord God took animal skins and He gave it to Adam and Eve for covering themselves. And remember in Genesis chapter 4, that Abel brought an animal sacrifice which was very pleasing to God. So Noah's generation knew that God could be approached.
5. They also had the example of those who lived a godly life.
Although Adam and Eve fell into sin, they testified of the Lord in the days following.
Enoch was also a man who walked with God. The Bible says that Enoch was a preacher of righteousness.
They also had the testimony of Noah.
There was also there was Methuselah. Do you remember what his name means? It means, when he dies it shall be sent.
Now what is interesting is this: Noah's generation did not just sin, they went overboard in sinning. They were the worst of the worst. The Bible says,
EVERY THOUGH OF THEIR HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY.
And when you compare Noah's generation sin our generations sins, and compare the light that our generation received and our generation has received.
Think of all the churches, all the Christian radio stations, and the Christian TV stations, and yet it seems that today people go out of their way to break God's commandments.
So God sent the flood.
SECOND -- WAS THE FLOOD A LOCAL FLOOD OR A WORLD WIDE FLOOD.
The answer is found in Genesis 7:19-20
Genesis 7:19-20
19 And the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. 20 The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. NASV
That is very obvious, the Bible says the flood was over the entire earth. So it was a universal flood.
Someone says, "Do you actually believe that all the different kinds of animals were put on the ark? Is that really possible?
I believe it was possible and that it did happen. Did you look at the size of the ark? Look at Genesis 6:15
Genesis 6:15
15 “And this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. NASV
And it had 3 levels.
There are about __ million species living on earth today. We can double that number allowing for the animal that are extent. Do you know the capacity of the ark. It was 1.4 million cubit feet, which is equal to the capacity of 522 railroad boxcars.
Now what is interesting is that God gave to Noah the command to build the ark. And God gave to Noah the directions on how to build the ark. But what is fascinating is that there is no record of God speaking to Noah until he entered the ark. That is a 120 years where God did not speak to Noah.
What a tremendous example of faith and obedience. There are times when God speaks to us and we are certain of God's direction. And then there are times where it seems we can not sense God's leading. It is during those times that God is teaching us to walk by faith and not by our feelings. And just like Noah we must continue on living for God.
And there is another interesting observation here. God did not speak to Noah again until after Noah had completed what he was told to do. We must do what God has told us to do.
A great example of this is Paul the apostle. We were told to leave a great ministry and go out on a missionary journey. So he goes to Cyprus, and preaches thought the whole island and only one person trust Jesus Christ as Savior.
The Christian life is a step of faith, another step of faith, and another step of faith. It is only after we have obeyed God that God gives us the next step of faith.
So if God is telling you to do a certain thing and you do not do it, you're going to miss out in what He wants to do in your life.
Esther 4:14
14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” nasv
When God says, "Step out, we need to step out."
There is a time to sow and there is a time to reap.
We need to be like Noah and obey God.
THIRD -- THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SHIP.
A. THE SAFETY OF THE SHIP.
Genesis 6:14
14 “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch. NASV
What was the pitch for? Well, it was to keep the water out. And what was the water? It was the judgment of God. And here is the great part. Not one drop of water could come through the ark. The pitch was to keep the judgment of God out of the ark.
Notice the word "COVER" and "PITCH." It is the same Hebrew word. Elsewhere in the Bible it is translated "ATONEMENT."
B. THE SUFFENENCY OF THE SHIP.
Genesis 6:15
15 “And this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. NASV
Genesis 7:1
1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household; for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. NASV
Noah ship was so big that it would take 522 boxcars to carry the same capacity. Do you know what that means? Anybody could have gotten on board. There was room on board for you. That tells me there is room at the cross for you.
The Bible says, "WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME."
A young Filipino, traveling in Chicago, registered at the Hotel Sherman. Taking a walk, he became lost. He could not remember the name of the hotel, or even the location of the hotel. He could not even remember the appearance of the hotel. So he was unable to find it again. Consequently, he selected another room at the Hotel Aster. Unwilling to acknowledge to the police that he was lost, he tried for 5 days to find the place where he dad deposited his baggage.
He was unsuccessful. Finally he appealed to the police. They soon found his original registration place. And informed him that for 5 days he had been living next door to the place where he had left his baggage. Although he was so near, he lost 5 days of peace of mind. Five days use of his baggage, all because he would not tell an officer that he was lost.
C. THE SECUDLE OF THE ARK.
Genesis 8:3-4
3 and the water receded steadily from the earth, and at the end of one hundred and fifty days the water decreased. 4 And in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of AraraT. NASV
What was the first month in the Jewish Calendar? It was October. What is the 7th month in the Jewish calendar? April.
What day in April did the ark come to res? April 17th, which is 3 days after the Passover. Folks that is the dame day that Jesus Christ arose from the grave.
Did you know there is evidence of the resurrection all around us? Every plant and every three are a living testimony to the resurrection. Before a seed can give life, it must first die. Then it resurrects into life.
D. THE SECURITY OF THE SHIP.
Genesis 7:1
1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household; for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. NASV
Genesis 7:16
16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the Lord closed it behind him. NASV
Who sealed the door shut? God did.
Ephesians 1:13
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. NASV
Noah may have fallen down in the ark, but he never fell out of the ark, because God sealed him in.