Go into the Ark

As we begin the next chapter in the Precept Upon Precept Genesis study, we see that the theme of Genesis 7 continues over from Genesis 6. This chapter is about Noah and the Flood.

Time is critical in Genesis 7. Thus, there are many references to it. Noah was righteous in his generation (7:1). God started the flood seven days after they entered the ark (7:4, 10). The flood lasted for 40 days and 40 nights (7:4, 11, 17). Noah was on the 2nd month and 17th day of his 600th year of life when the Flood started (7:6, 11). The flood started the very day they entered the ark (7:13). The flood lasted 150 days (7:24).

Even more significant than the references to time are all the references to water. After all, it was a flood, so I guess that should be expected, right? Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came on the earth (7:6). Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the flood (7:7). After they were on the ark for 7 days, the floodwaters came on the earth (7:10). For 40 days, the flood kept coming on the ground, and as the waters increased, they lifted the ark high above the earth (7:17). The waters rose and increased significantly on the planet, and the ark floated on the surface of the water (7:18). The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than 15 cubits (7:20). The waters flooded the earth for 150 days (7:24).

As uncomfortable as it may be for some people today, death is a significant factor in the events of Genesis 7. God said he would wipe from the face of the earth every living creature he had made (7:4). Every living thing that moved on land perished — birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the world was wiped out. People and animals and the creatures that moved along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth.

This event in Genesis 7 is fascinating. For some, I am sure it is hard to imagine. The global flood account fills a lot of people’s minds with questions, but that’s okay. That’s why we must keep studying. If you have any questions about this event, what are they? Have you talked to God about them?