Genesis 6-7 – The Flood
March 15, 2019
“Father, I’m so grateful for your Bible. Today, as I open it, will you help me see your love and forgiveness available for me? Open my heart and help me understand. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Open your Bible and Read Genesis 6 and 7.
God came to a very grave conclusion concerning man’s wickedness. He would send a flood to destroy every living thing on earth, including the animals. Nothing missed His eye as He looked across the world, including one man who walked with God in the midst of a world gone completely evil.
Noah was righteous (6:9) – not perfect, but righteous. He was blameless because he knew how to find forgiveness in his walk with an Almighty God. When we admit our sin, God forgives us completely. He always makes a way to start over if we are willing to take it. Because Noah followed God, God made a way to rescue him. It intrigues me that God did not just take Noah out of the world like He did Enoch. He literally made a way through the storm. By doing this, He made a way for you and me to exist, and He made a way to keep His promise to Eve to defeat Satan through Jesus.
Noah was to build an ark, filling it with animals and his own family. God gave specific instructions, and Noah followed every one (6:22). God had thought of everything. He brought all the animals to Noah, so he didn’t have to chase them down or worry about missing some (7:8-9). He even shut the door (7:16). After all, who else was going to shut it?
The outside of the ark was covered with pitch (like tar). In this way, it would be waterproof and provide safe passage through the flood. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for pitch comes from the same word as atonement. Atonement means satisfaction for a wrong, or making amends. Once again, God gives us a glimpse into His plan for our future. Just as God made a way for Noah through the ark, God made a way for all of us through Jesus. The symbolism in the Bible is amazing! When we believe in Jesus, and recognize our sin against God, we find forgiveness. Then we can have safe passage into our new, eternal life when we die.
When they were all safely inside, the rain began. It wasn’t just rain, the underground springs burst and the water layer above the earth fell (7:11-12). The earth was covered with water until the mountains were all at least 20 feet under water (7:20). Stop and imagine how much water that is. Everything died. Even the birds had no place to land and nothing to eat. Can you see the tears in God’s eyes?
The flood came suddenly, but not without warning, to those who were seeking God. Again, God gives us a picture into the future. One day, Christ will return to this earth to claim those who are following Him who are still alive on earth, and to judge those who refused to believe. It is a day that will come suddenly, but not without warning. We have the warning in the Scriptures, available to all who will see:
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” Matthew 24:37-39.
Questions for thought:
- For Discussion: What are the parallels between the flood and the final judgment of man?
- For Discussion: What encouragement does the ark bring to the storms of your life?
The flood and final judgement day are so incredibly similar. The parallels are first and foremost an anticipated event that will take some to hell and others to heaven. It’s as simple as that. We all have an equal opportunity to be forgiven if we just believe in the Lord Jesus and his unconditional love for us. If not, we are faced with our judgement. Another parallel is taking the things we care most about with us. In heaven I imagine there being my loved ones present. 🙂 I’m encouraged by the ark because it means I will someday have a place to call home. Just as the ark was a safe place to be, heaven will be our safe place if we just give ourselves to Jesus. Lastly, although the storms in my life seem overwhelming at times and I want to quit I find rest and comfort in knowing that none of it will matter when I reach my final resting place in heaven. God is my safe place like the ark was for Noah and his loved ones.
I agree Theresa, and I look forward to my new home someday in heaven!! But I also think that my relationship with God gives me a safe place to be right now too. The world may crumble around me, but I can find peace and protection in my alone place with God.