Read with Me
Genesis 7:17-24 (HCSB)
The flood continued for 40 days on the earth; the waters increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth. The waters surged and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. Then the waters surged even higher on the earth, and all the high mountains under the whole sky were covered. The mountains were covered as the waters surged above them more than 20 feet. Every creature perished—those that crawl on the earth, birds, livestock, wildlife, and those that swarm on the earth, as well as all mankind. Everything with the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrils —everything on dry land died. He wiped out every living thing that was on the surface of the ground, from mankind to livestock, to creatures that crawl, to the birds of the sky, and they were wiped off the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. And the waters surged on the earth 150 days.
Listen with Me
The torrential rain kept on falling, and the great waves washed over the land with subterranean water pouring out of “the fountains of the great deep”. The depth of the water continued to increase for forty days until all land on the earth was covered completely, and until even the highest mountains were covered to the depth of twenty feet.
Those who try to make this a record of a severe local flood must ignore all the completely inclusive language that God inspired Moses to write in this section. He stressed that ALL the land was covered that, that EVERY animal with the breath of life which was not on the ark was drowned in the cataclysm. He also points out very clearly that ONLY Noah and those with him on the ark survived the flood.
The early stages of the flood’s rising would have been the most challenging for Noah and those on the ark with him. As the first waves hit the side of the ark and began to lift it above the earth, there would have been a lot of jostling of everyone and everything on board. As the water deepened, though, the ride would have smoothed out dramatically. Tests have shown that a boat made with the ark’s proportions would have provided a very stable ride, even in the midst of wind and waves.
After the ark was underway, Noah and his family fell into the rhythm of life that they would have for the following year. This included feeding and watering the animals and removing their waste, as well as feeding themselves and getting rested each night in preparation for the following day. That might sound like a monotonous and draining lifestyle to some. But everyone on board was well aware that they had been spared from certain death by the gracious hand of the Lord, and that this was the task that they had been assigned to do in exchange. So, they worked consistently, and even joyfully, aware that God’s hand was on them.
Pray with Me
Father, we so easily forget that this was no short and pleasant “boat ride”. The ark was a life-saving device, and every person on board knew it. They could hear the rain pouring on the roof and feel the waves impacting the sides of the ark, fully aware that at that moment the land was being scoured of every trace of life that wasn’t on board the ark. But as You point out in this account, You had not only given Noah the plans for the boat, You helped him successfully build it, You brought the animals, and then You kept Your hand on them the whole time they were on the Ark. Thank You, Lord, for this amazing example of Your love and of Your care for us.. Amen.