The Bible tells the story of a great flood that covered the earth. But what happened before the flood? Today, we will talk about the events leading up to the flood, why it happened, and the lessons we can learn from that time in history.
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What Does The Bible Say About Before The Flood
Genesis 6:5-8
The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created— and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground— for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
This passage reveals the state of human wickedness that led to the flood. The evil in people’s hearts and their constant inclination towards sin caused great sorrow and regret to God. His decision to destroy humanity was a response to the deep trouble in His heart. Yet, amidst this darkness, Noah found favor in God’s eyes. This verse reminds us of the consequences of a life characterized by wickedness and the significance of finding favor in God.
Genesis 6:9
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.
Noah’s character and faithfulness to God set him apart from the wicked generation. He was deemed righteous and blameless in his obedience to God’s ways. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God, even in the midst of a corrupt society. It encourages us to be faithful and walk with God, regardless of the prevailing culture.
Genesis 6:13
So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.”
God’s intention to bring an end to humanity was a response to the overwhelming violence that filled the earth. This verse emphasizes the serious consequences of living in a society characterized by violence and wickedness. It serves as a warning against the destructive nature of such behaviors and the importance of seeking righteousness in our lives.
Genesis 6:18
But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
Despite the impending destruction, God made a covenant with Noah. This verse demonstrates God’s faithfulness and kindness towards those who are righteous. The establishment of the covenant ensured Noah’s protection and salvation through the ark. It serves as a reminder that God always provides a way of escape for His faithful followers.
Genesis 7:1
The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.”
God acknowledged Noah’s righteousness once again and instructed him to enter the ark with his family. This verse reiterates the significance of living a righteous life, especially in times of great wickedness. Noah’s obedience to God’s command ensured his safety and the preservation of humanity through the flood.
Genesis 7:4
Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.
God announced His plan to send rain and destroy all living creatures in this verse. It emphasizes the gravity of His judgment and the extent of the flood’s devastation. The significance of the forty-day period demonstrates that God’s justice will be thorough and complete.
Genesis 7:5
And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.
Noah’s obedience to God’s commands is highlighted in this verse. He followed God’s instructions without hesitation, displaying his complete trust in God’s wisdom and faithfulness. Noah’s obedience serves as an example of how we should respond to God’s guidance in our own lives.
Genesis 7:16
The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.
This verse emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s command to Noah regarding the animals entering the ark. It underscores the divine orchestration of this event, as God allowed only the appointed ones to enter. God’s act of shutting Noah inside the ark symbolizes His protection and preservation of His chosen ones during a time of destruction.
Genesis 7:24
And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.
The phrase “a hundred and fifty days” reaffirms the prolonged period of the flood’s dominance over the earth. This verse highlights the extensive judgment poured out by God, showcasing His power and authority over creation. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and its consequences.
Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
God’s remembrance of Noah and the animals in the ark demonstrates His faithfulness and compassion. The sending of the wind and the receding of the waters signify God’s intervention and deliverance. This verse illustrates how God’s faithfulness never wavers, even in the midst of devastating circumstances.
Genesis 8:4
And in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
The coming to rest of the ark on the mountains of Ararat marked the end of the flood. This verse signifies the completion of God’s judgment and the transition to a new phase of restoration. It symbolizes the hope and renewal that God brings after a period of trial and purification.
Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.
After leaving the ark, Noah expressed his gratitude and worship to God by building an altar and offering burnt sacrifices. This verse emphasizes the importance of gratitude and worship in our relationship with God. Noah’s act of thanksgiving reflects his recognition of God’s faithfulness and provision throughout the flood.
Genesis 8:21-22
The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
God’s response to Noah’s sacrifice and worship is captured in this verse. Even though humanity’s inclination towards evil remained, God made a covenant never to destroy all living creatures again. This passage highlights God’s mercy, as He promises the continuation of predictable seasons and the cycle of life on earth.
Genesis 9:12-13
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
God established the rainbow as a sign of His covenant with Noah and all living creatures. This verse represents God’s promise of protection, reminding us of His faithfulness and the enduring nature of His covenants. The rainbow serves as a visual reminder of God’s love and His commitment to His creation.
Genesis 9:15-16
I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
In this passage, God affirms the permanence of His covenant and His commitment to not destroy all life by flood. The rainbow serves as a reminder to God Himself of this everlasting covenant. This verse showcases God’s unwavering faithfulness and His desire to maintain a loving relationship with His creation.
Genesis 9:18
The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.)
This verse introduces Noah’s sons and their descendants. It lays the foundation for future narratives and demonstrates how humanity repopulated the earth after the flood. This simple statement holds significance as it continues the narrative of God’s plan for redemption through Noah’s lineage.
Genesis 9:20-21
Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.
After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and encountered the consequences of his excessive consumption of wine. This passage serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls of indulgence and the importance of self-control. It highlights the reality that even righteous individuals can stumble, reinforcing the need for vigilance in our own lives.
Genesis 9:22-23
Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.
This passage recounts the incident where Ham saw his father’s nakedness and dishonored him by sharing this information with his brothers. Shem and Japheth, on the other hand, exhibited respect and covered their father’s nakedness. This story emphasizes the importance of honor, respect, and maintaining the dignity of others.
Genesis 9:25-27
Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” He also said, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend Japheth’s territory; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth.”
In this passage, Noah pronounces blessings and curses upon his sons and their descendants. The curse on Canaan signifies a subordinate status for his people, while blessings are granted to Shem and Japheth. This verse foreshadows future developments in the biblical narrative and provides insight into the relationships between different nations and cultures.
Genesis 9:28-29
After the flood, Noah lived 350 years. Noah lived a total of 950 years, and then he died.
This verse marks the end of Noah’s life, stating his total lifespan. Noah played a vital role in God’s plan for redemption and restoration, as he faithfully followed God’s instructions. His life serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God and the significance of obedience in fulfilling God’s purposes.
2 Peter 2:5
if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others
This verse refers to Noah as a preacher of righteousness who found favor in God’s sight. It highlights Noah’s role as a faithful proclaimer of God’s truth amidst a sinful generation. The mention of Noah’s protection underscores God’s commitment to safeguarding the righteous in the midst of judgment, showcasing His justice and mercy.
2 Peter 2:9
if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
This verse draws a parallel between the rescue of Noah and God’s ability to deliver the godly from trials. It reassures believers that God is aware of their circumstances and has the power to save them. It also emphasizes that God will hold the unrighteous accountable for their actions, demonstrating His justice in the day of judgment.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
This verse highlights Noah’s faith and obedience to God’s warning. It underscores the significance of faith in responding to God’s commands and sets Noah as an example for believers. The mention of Noah condemning the world through his faith highlights the stark contrast between his righteous actions and the wickedness of the world.
Matthew 24:37-39
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.
Jesus references Noah and the days leading up to the flood to illustrate the state of the world before His second coming. This verse warns against spiritual indifference and ignorance, as people went about their daily lives without understanding the impending judgment. It serves as a reminder to be prepared and watchful for the return of Christ.
Luke 17:26-27
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
Similar to the previous verse, Jesus compares the days of Noah to the future days before His return. The focus on normal human activities illustrates the unawareness of the impending judgment. It serves as a cautionary reminder to live in spiritual readiness and not become consumed by the distractions of the world.