PROPOSITION: GOD SENDS DESTRUCTIVE JUDGMENT TO A WORLD THAT REACHES CERTAIN LEVEL OF WICKEDNESS, BUT GOD WILL PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE RIGHTEOUS.

Notice the opening words in verse 1 “And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark” We know that the ark was finished at this time; and now Noah in the spirit of implicit faith which had influenced his whole conduct, waited for directions from God. This voice of God was not an order or call for Noah and his family to enter immediately, but only, as appears (Genesis 7:1-7), but it is only to make preparations for entering on a specified day as God told him.

Then God said, “for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” The basis for God’s command is the righteousness of Noah but Noah was not sinless because he needed sacrificial animals. But Noah lived godly life in God’s way and followed God’s standards. The universal wickedness of the antediluvians is implied here, their wickedness opposed to the piety of Noah, which was fervent as well as habitual. The upcoming punishment of for that generation is distinctly contrasted to what God see in Noah, together with profitable justice toward Noah the holy patriarch, not because he was exempted from the general destruction by any intrinsic merits of his own, but because Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord,” (Genesis 6:8) and besides only trusting to a “better righteousness,” in which he put his confidence. Therefore, Noah’s deliverance may be regarded as a reward of God to him. The preservation of Noah and his family showed that the destruction of all the world was not due to the effect of blind chance or was not due to the work without distinction between the righteous and the wicked. But the preservation of Noah with his family is truly the reward of the Judge who did what was right. God commanded Noah for He seen his righteousness in the midst of unmatched and uncontrollable wickedness. This will surely suitable to motivate us now to live righteously (I John 2:29).

However there are modern scholars generally reject this view, as they found the repetition of the word “sevens” [Hebrew, shibaah (H7651), this distributive number seven in Hebrew being expressed by a repetition of the foremost importance, while the two shnayim (H8147), is mentioned only once at the end of the verse 2. This interpretation indicated by the addditonal words, “male and his female,” and was confirmed as recorded afterward in verse 9, that the animals went into the ark by “two and two.” The “fowls of the air” mentioned in verse 3, must be understood with the same principle as brought into the ark in seven pairs, and because of this view the Septuagint version, for safeguard they inserts the limiting clause which is not in our Hebrew text, “and of fowls that are not clean by two, the male and his female. We notice that there was so great number of clean animals being ordered and allowed to enter the ark, was probably the rapid multiplication of these clean animals was of highest importance when time comes the earth should be renovated: starting from being their articles of food for their survival (verse 3b), secondly being employed as service of man, thirdly as being necessary for their offering sacrifice (Genesis 8:20). If you notice although “creeping things” were also included among specified creatures to be taken into the ark (Genesis 6:20), but there is no mention of them here in Genesis 7:2-3, it is because reptiles were reckoned unclean animals, therefore no species of the reptiles being deemed fir for sacrifice. Some consider there is discrepancy in their statements regarding the animals that were to be taken into the ark. They said that formerly Genesis 6:19 specified “two” of every sort, while here in Genesis 7:2 mentions they were to be taken by “sevens”. But there is consistency of the narrative and it is unimpeachable, for the difficulty being removed by considering the first portion of the chapter 7 supplementary to the preceding chapter and containing several particulars description which were not included in the general directions when it was first given to Noah. The one passage commands Noah to take of the beasts and fowls by two’s or pairs, male and female while the other passage specifies the number of pairs to be taken, therefore there is no contradictions between the chapter 7 and chapter 6. Obviously, Noah knew the distinction between the clean and unclean animals. The legal matter of Levitical (Leviticus 11) and Deuteronomic (Deuteronomy 14) was apparently already operative in the sacrificial system during Noah’s day.

The words “For yet seven days”, was said on the tenth day (verse 11). All the special communications which man had with his creator in the first ages of the world were probably made upon the Sabbath, or weekly day of holiness, therefore this command was given to Noah on the Sabbath day. During the six days following the Sabbath, then, Noah with his seven human companions and the beasts and fowls, enters the ark. Some interpreters consider that the incident recorded between verse 5 and verse 16 had happened previously and all that remained to be done in the last seven days was for Noah with his family to enter, that is an additional of seven days being given to the world. The earth had seven survival days left. Seven indicates that the complete amount of time had been fully allowed. The last term of grace was given to the world to repent was only the remaining one week. How the world use it? Did they still laugh and ridicule Noah as a fool, as they had done earlier? Some of the wicked witnessing the extraordinary spectacle of the various animals marching in pairs to the ark might have been brought to serious thought. But regarding the vast majority of the antediluvian people who were living at that time, the Lord saw and felt the full amount of man’s iniquity and perverseness, and Jesus told of the reckless disregard (Luke 17:27). The last word of God is “For yet seven days,” before the serious judgment of God to destroy…every living substance that God have made. Seven years of tribulation before the earthly coming of Jesus Christ at his ferocious judgement, all the believers in Christ will be commanded to enter the clouds of meet Christ in the air, at the so-called rapture before the tribulation. – I Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Genesis 7:5-9, 13-16 “And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. ⁶And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. ⁷And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. ⁸Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, ⁹There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. ¹³In the selfsame day entered Noah and shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sans with them, into the ark; ¹⁴They and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. ¹⁵And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breadth of life. ¹⁶ And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commaned him: and the Lord shut him in."

Genesis 7:5-9, 13-16 “At ginawa ni Noe ang ayon sa lahat ng iniutos sa kanya ng Panginoon. ⁶Si Noe ay animnaraang taon nang ang baha ng tubig ay dumating sa lupa. ⁷At sumakay sa daong si Noe at ang kanyang mga anak, ang kanyang asawa, at ang mga asawa ng kanyang mga anak upang umiwas sa tubig ng baha. ⁸Sa mga hayop na malinis, at sa mga hayop na hindi malinis, at sa mga ibon at sa bawat gumagapang sa ibabaw ng lupa, ⁹ay dala-dalawa, lalaki at babae, pumasok sa daong kasama ni Noe, ayon sa iniutos ng Diyos kay Noe. ¹³Nang araw ding iyon, pumasok sa daong si Noe, sina Sem, Ham, at Jafet na mga anak ni Noe, ang asawa ni Noe, at ang tatlong asawa ng kanyang mga anak na kasama nila, ¹⁴sila, at bawat mailap na hayop ayon sa kani-kanilang uri, bawat maamong hayop ayon sa kani-kanilang uri, bawat gumagapang sa ibabaw ng lupa ayon sa kanilang uri, at bawat ibon ayon sa kanilang uri, lahat ng sari-saring ibon. ¹⁵Sila'y sumakay sa daong, kasama ni Noe, dala-dalawa ang lahat ng hayop na may hininga ng buhay. ¹⁶Ang mga sumakay ay lalaki at babae ng lahat ng laman, pumasok sila gaya ng iniutos sa kanya ng Diyos. At siya'y ikinulong ng Panginoon sa loob.” TAGALOG VERSION

Look at the words “And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him” (verse 5), indicates the obedience to God’s word was the key factor that distinguished and separated Noah from all others in the world. Noah consistently obeyed God precisely and did what God’s word commanded him to do (Genesis 6:22; Genesis 7:5, 9; Genesis 8:15-16, 18). Noah’s obedience is a great challenge for us to obey God’s Word completely exactly, in order for God to distinguish ourselves from others. Obedience reaps blessing, but disobedience resulted to God’s curse.

Notice the arrangement of names in verse 13 “¹³In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;” – this is according to the eastern usage, the mentioned first in all passages relating to the persons saved in the ark (Genesis 6:18; Genesis 8:18), except in Genesis 8:16). In verse 13, the verb “entered” [baa (H935)], had come, not came into the ark. The idea of this is not that Noah with his family, and all the animals, entered the ark on the very day on which the rain began, but the idea is that on that day he had entered, had completed the entering, which occupied the seven days between the giving of the command (verse 4) and the beginning of the flood (verse 10).

In verse 14 it says “every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind”. The Hebrew word [chayaah (H2416) refers to wild animals, with or without the earth haa aarets (H776), signifies a beast of the field, a wild beast (Genesis 1:24) bheemaah (H929) referring to livestock] that includes not only the herd and the flock, but also asses, camels, and other beasts of burden (Numbers 32:26; 2 Kings 3:17). The distinction is of importance to notice, the words “every living thing of the flesh” is mentioned in the first announcement (Genesis 6:19). These includes the wild animals, the tamed cattle (Genesis 6:20), the larger domesticated as specified above with several species of the deer and goat, the creeping things mentioned are the smaller quadrupeds, and the birds were those of the peaceable, useful and pleasing kinds. Through Noah full obedience of all the kinds and given numbers of animals to be taken are exactly done by Noah. Noah had solid obedience. God knows who are the obedience among us and God will not forget our obedience, He will bless us in He was exalted, honored, and glorified by our obedience.

In verse 16, the phrase “as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.” We have two divine names are used here. The God as the Creator was providing for His creatures, whereas “the Lord,” who shut in Noah and his family, was providing for the preservation of His Church. The words “shut him in” literally, shut the door after him and after Noah perfectly did all as God commanded him, that although a destructive calamity was about to fall upon the world, Noah was the special object of God’s care and protection while to those without, the season of grace was all but over (Matthew 25:10).

Genesis 7:11-12 “In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. ¹²And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights ¹⁷And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. ¹⁸And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. ¹⁹And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. ²⁰Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.”

Genesis 7:11-12; 17-20 “Sa ikaanimnaraang taon ng buhay ni Noe, sa ikalabimpitong araw ng ikalawang buwan, nang araw na iyon, umapaw ang lahat ng bukal mula sa malaking kalaliman, at ang mga bintana ng langit ay nabuksan. ¹²Umulan sa ibabaw ng lupa sa loob ng apatnapung araw at apatnapung gabi. ¹⁷Tumagal ang baha ng apatnapung araw sa ibabaw ng lupa. Lumaki ang tubig at lumutang ang daong, at ito'y tumaas sa ibabaw ng lupa. ¹⁸Dumagsa ang tubig at lumaki nang husto sa ibabaw ng lupa, at lumutang ang daong sa ibabaw ng tubig. ¹⁹At dumagsa ang tubig sa ibabaw ng lupa at inapawan ang lahat ng matataas na mga bundok na nasa silong ng langit. ²⁰Ang tubig ay umapaw sa mga bundok sa taas na labinlimang siko.” TAGALOG VERSION

The date is here given, at which the flood commenced and the entrance into the ark was completed. “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life” actually that is in the six hundred year of Noah’s age. The year as comprising a period of twelve months, or 360 days. This is the beginning of the six hundred year of Noah’s life for he was one year inside the ark (Genesis 8:13), and Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood, and Noah died hundred and fifty years old (Genesis 9:29), so evidently when the flood commenced, Noah had just entered on his six hundred year.

If the first month began on September 21^st, therefore the 17^th of the second month (March-esvan) would be seventh day of November. But Moses writing for his Hebrews countrymen, so he reckoned according to the Hebrew calendar which the Hebrew people were familiar with. Now the sacred ecclesiastical year of the Israelites began in Nissan (middle of March) and therefore the second month is called Jar that correspond to the latter half of April and the former half of May. And that is a fair and dry season, when the serene atmosphere and unclouded sky would make a flood of water the least of all probable events (Genesis 8:4).

It says “the windows of heaven were opened.” The Hebrew term [(wa a rubboṯ) denotes windows or apertures closed with lattice not with glass (Genesis 6:16 with Ecclesiastes 12:3; Isaiah 60:8) and hence, they are represented as "opened;" so that the waters from the clouds, were poured down. This awful judgment proceeds at the same time from two opposite sources, from atmospheric and the other from subterranean receptacles. The one indicates a continued descent of rain, and the other upheaval from the rivers and the sea or beneath the level of ocean of that portion of the earth which man lives.

Then it tells us how much rain poured down to the earth by the phrase, “And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” The Hebrew word used here for rain is geshem differing from another Hebrew word maaTaar which means rain in general. The word rain or geshem denotes unusual and continuous torrents of rain for forty days and forty nights. Imagine that continuous raining without ceasing for “Forty days and forty nights.” It must be interpreted here as denoting literally forty days. But in verse 17 it says, “And the flood was forty days upon the earth.” It talks about where the rain comes from and the eruption of water from subterranean channels (verse 12). Notice that the words “and forty nights” have been dropped out from Hebrew text in verse 17 but these words are found in the Septuagint as well as in many manuscripts and versions of the Latin Vulgate. Probably, the insertion of the words “and forty nights” in those versions was made from the Hebrew text of verse 12 of our passage where the statement is more complete. To simply reconcile the two passages Genesis 7:17 and Genesis 7:12 is by considering that the words have been omitted by a copyist and by restoring them to the text, we will read it according to Genesis 7:12 “"And the flood was forty days and forty nights upon the earth." And as the rains continues the bible says in verse 17, “the waters increased.” The lapse of forty days before the ark floated indicates it is not a sudden and violent invasion but a gradual and gentle rise of water, while it was pledge to Noah, it would give a final but still fearful warning to the unbelieving world. It says, “the waters prevailed, upon the face of the waters” the ark floating, thrown upwards until the rains had stopped, the winds sleeping and no noise was heard around except from the crying of the beasts and frequent waves of the endless seas. More water and more, so that the people without the ark were obliged to remove, not only from the lower to the higher rooms in their houses, and to the tops of their houses, but they tried to the highest trees; and when these trees were bore down, they tried to the highest hills and mountains; and for many it was in vain to fly. There have been animals discovered in Artic regions that were literally frozen in mid-leap. What an awful devastation illustrated.

Also “all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were covered” in verse 19, this is the spectator recording testimony regarding his impressions of what he witnessed, and therefore all the hills were those within the range of his visible horizon. Now, the phrase “under the whole heaven” cannot be taken in its literal sense but must be understood with limitation, because it was also the case as of other passages, first: In Deuteronomy 2:25 where a promise is made that the fear of the Jews would be put “upon the nations that are under the whole heaven” but upon comparing with Genesis 11:25 which lays their “fear” and “dread” “upon all the land” that they should “tread upon” will be seen and requires no proof, and that statement applied only to the people of Canaan and to the neighboring nations; secondly: in Act 2:5 it is said that on the day of Pentecost, “there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven,” but with the enumeration of the names in Acts 2:9-44 certainly does not include all people; thirdly: in Colossians 1:23, where the Gospel declared to have been “preached to every creature under heaven.” Though it appears that the chief countries composing the Roman empire are what it meant here.

The water level reached an unprecedented level as it is revealed in verse 20 “fifteen cubits upward.” It is 15 cubits, and estimating the cubit at eighteen inches, then the waters were twenty-three feet above the peaks of the highest mountain, and this accurate measurement of the depth would show by using the plummet. That is not only careful observations were made, but a faithful record was kept by Noah or some of his family. The statement in verse 20 “fifteen cubits upward” indicates that the water rose fifteen cubits above the mountains, is probably founded upon the fact that the ark drew fifteen feet of water, and when the waters subsided, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4), from which the conclusion that the greatest height attain would be naturally be drawn.

Genesis 7:21-23 “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: ²²All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. ²³And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.”

Genesis 7:21-23 “At namatay ang lahat ng laman na gumagalaw sa ibabaw ng lupa: ang mga ibon, mga maamong hayop, mga mailap na hayop, bawat gumagapang sa ibabaw ng lupa, at lahat ng tao. ²²Ang bawat may hininga ng buhay sa kanilang ilong na nasa lupang tuyo ay namatay. ²³Namatay ang bawat may buhay na nasa ibabaw ng lupa: ang tao, hayop, ang mga gumagapang, at ang mga ibon sa himpapawid. Sila'y nalipol sa lupa. Tanging si Noe at ang mga kasama niya sa daong ang nalabi.” TAGALOG VERSION

What a sad scene in verse 21 “all flesh died that moved upon the earth.” The Hebrew word that is commonly rendered “earth” is frequently used also to denote “land”, “country” or “regions” and the expressions “whole earth” or “all the earth” is in many instances translated in our version “the land”, “the whole land”, “all the land” sometimes describing several countries collectively as one extensive region, and at other times pointing to one country. The phrase “all flesh”, “all in whose nostrils was the breadth of life,” and “every living substance.” It speaks of the godless race of antediluvian men, whose enormous wickedness was the moral cause of the judgment, together with the inferior animals enlisted in their service or residing in their neighborhood which would suffer in the worldwide calamity. Everything died. It has been discovered by geologists that many faster type of animals were found fossilized in higher elevated spots of the world. Obviously, as the flood came, those animals that would run fast tried to run to tops of the mountains to escape the rising water. But when the purpose of God is to destroy life, there is no escape, no one can hinder God. All died both human and all kinds of animals that were not inside the ark and “Noah only remained alive and they that were with him in the ark” according to verse 23. God could have saved Noah and his family by miracles but God chose to saved Noah and his family by using the instrument of an ark. God used the ark, as sufficiently large and solid to contain the living cargo, as well for the preservation of animal life, to provide proper food to sustain all creatures that is why God never used miracles but God use natural or ordinary means.

The flood overall total extent of time was 371 days. It shows God’s wisdom as He calculated precisely all judgment time.

Noah as preacher of righteousness kept on working as he was building the ark at the same time kept on warning as Noah spoke of a future coming judgement but most people laughed and ridiculed at him, but Noah consistently preach and stayed faithful to God. Until one day, God said to Noah “you get into the ark” for God will pour His wrath as the rest of the world are doomed. Probably these wicked ungodly people shook their fists at heaven and without fear cursed God. God did not change or withhold his terrible judgment because His serious judgment was not some fancy and whimsy but it was carefully calculated by God to destroy everything in this earth.