We continue our “Series in Genesis“
BEFORE READING GENESIS 7, I RECOMMEND READING JOHN GILL’S INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS
Chapter CONTEXT from MHCC: In this chapter we have the performance of what was foretold in the foregoing chapter, both concerning the destruction of the old world and the salvation of Noah; for we may be sure that no word of God shall fall to the ground. There we left Noah busy about his ark, and full of care to get it finished in time, while the rest of his neighbours were laughing at him for his pains. Now here we see what was the end thereof, the end of his care and of their carelessness. And this famous period of the old world gives us some idea of the state of things when the world that now is shall be destroyed by fire, as that was by water. (See 2 Pt. 3:6, 7.) We have, in this chapter, I. God’s gracious call to Noah to come into the ark (v. 1), and to bring the creatures that were to be preserved alive along with him (v. 2, 3), in consideration of the deluge at hand (v. 4). II. Noah’s obedience to this heavenly vision (v. 5). When he was six hundred years old, he came with his family into the ark (v. 6, 7), and brought the creatures along with him (v. 8, 9), an account of which is repeated (v. 13-16), to which is added God’s tender care to shut him in. III. The coming of the threatened deluge (v. 10); the causes of it (v. 11, 12); the prevalency of it (v. 17-20). IV. The dreadful desolations that were made by it in the death of every living creature upon earth, except those that were in the ark (v. 21-23). V. The continuance of it in the full sea, before it began to ebb, one hundred and fifty days (v. 24).
| Genesis chapter 7 Simplified Outline | |
| Ge 7:1-16. | Noah, with his family, and the living creatures, enter the ark, and the flood begins. |
| Ge 7:17-20. | The increase and continuance of the flood for forty days. |
| Ge 7:21-23. | All flesh is destroyed by it. |
| Ge 7:24. | Its duration. |
Here in chapter 7, we have the continuation of the Flood Story. Like all the bible there are themes within chapters that can be explored to help us better understand them. Here in Chapter 7, I find three helpful themes:
1) Righteousness: In the first verse God says to Noah that he has been found righteous in God’s sight and therefore should move his family into the ark. In (v.5) we have Noah’s reaction to God’s command, And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. Righteousness begins with obedience, Noah built the ark without complaint, why would he question God now?
2) Power: God who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1) now decides to unleash (v.6-20) part of creation upon the rest. God has full and ultimate control over nature (v.4) and (v.12) prove this. God is sovereign over His creation.
3) Wrath: In case you missed it in our previous post in the series, we covered God’s Righteous Wrath against His Creation (6:6-7). Here God puts that righteous wrath into action with the great flood and the Antediluvian (fancy theological word for Pre-Flood) world (minus those in the ark) is destroyed.
It often amazes me how many folks are okay with a Noah flood story yet will have questions about the “fairness” or “goodness” of God who would do such a thing. In the past, I would attempt to reason with people but learned that is usually a lost cause. Now I just ask them a simple question, ‘if someone commits a crime against you or your family do they deserve to be punished, yes or no?’ Up until maybe the past 6-8 years the answer was always a resounding yes. So I could easily say, mankind committed crimes against God’s law they too deserved punishment. In the past 6-8 years however I have run into folks with this response, ‘depends on the crime.’ Really so some crimes are Okay? This shows how depraved our society has gotten.
Praying through Genesis 7:1
Heavenly Father, I never cease to wonder at the stubborn refusal and wilful ignorance of sinful man to believe Your Word, repent of their sin, and trust in Christ for the saving of their soul. The same arrogant attitude that was evident in Noah’s day seems to be increasingly prevailing today, and hearts appear to become progressively hardened – despite the truth of Your Word. I pray that while it is still ‘today’ many would be convicted by the Holy Spirit, turn from their sin, and believe in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin and life everlasting. Thank You that Your grace embraces ALL who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thank You that by grace we are covered in His righteousness, by faith. Bring into my path those who will be willing to hear the truth and bring many into Your eternal Kingdom. This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)
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