Scriptural Background
Even though Noah was a preacher of righteousness, calling people to repent for nearly 75 years, no one but his family came into the ark with him. The people who heard Noah’s message of imminent judgment refused to believe. When the flood came, Noah and his family were safe in the ark, but every other person and air-breathing, land-dwelling animal on the earth was destroyed: all flesh died that moved on the earth (Genesis 7:21), every man (Genesis 7:21), and everything on dry land with the breath of life (Genesis 7:22). So God destroyed all living things from the earth, and only Noah and
those who were with him in the ark remained alive (Genesis 7:23). God was faithful to his promise that he would provide and protect in the midst of this severe judgment (Genesis 6:18).
God revealed his patience with the people of Noah’s day by giving them time to repent. But because of his holiness and justice, he finally had to punish the wicked and those who were suppressing the truth. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).
While the rest of the world was being destroyed outside, Noah and his family were safe in the ark. God mercifully rewarded Noah’s faith and obedience by saving him and his family from the flood. God continues to demonstrate his mercy to all of us through Jesus Christ. We can think of the ark as an example of how we can be saved from God’s judgment of our sin. Just as Noah entered the door of the ark to be saved, so we are saved if we repent, turn from our sins, and trust Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.
Historical/Apologetics Background
The Bible is very specific about the timeline of the flood. Although biblical skeptics arbitrarily dismiss this account as pure mythology, Christians stand on the Word of God and our Creator who was there rather than the opinions of fallible men who were not.
The flood came in the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month. Scripture records that on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open (Genesis 7:11) and the waters prevailed upon the earth for
150 days (Genesis 7:24). As we examine the flood account in Genesis chapters 6–8, we can determine the overall progression of the year-long global flood.
The flood was a real event, specifically recorded in God’s Word. This catastrophic judgment by God on man’s wickedness lasted more than a year.
Because the Bible is the true history book of the universe, you can be confident that the flood was a real event—it occurred just as the Bible tells us. Many people wonder how Noah could have possibly built an ark of this proportion, even in 75 years! Although the biblical record is not specific about this, we do know a few things.
Building the ark was a huge task—one that had never been accomplished before. And, although the Bible doesn’t record much information about the world before the flood, we know that the people of this time were very intelligent. Genesis gives us insight into these folks and what they were capable of. For instance, they built cities (Genesis 4:17), raised and cared for livestock (Genesis 4:20), made and played musical instruments (Genesis 4:21), and were metalworkers in bronze and iron (Genesis 4:22). When God created Adam, he was perfect and intelligent. Noah and the people of his day were fairly recent descendants of Adam—probably maintaining much of the intelligence God originally gave man
Many people dismiss this historical event as impossible—both the flood and the ark that survived it. But with God’s guidance, Noah’s faith, and man’s intelligence, the ark’s construction was accomplished in God’s timing according to God’s purpose.
Studying God’s Word
Introduction
? Compared to the world around him, how would we describe Noah’s
character?
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? Why was it necessary for God to judge the sin of the earth?
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? Was Noah righteous because of his actions, or was there another source?
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The Worldwide Flood
Genesis 6:1–9:19
? How do fairy tales typically begin?
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? How is this passage different?
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? What words are used to describe what perished in the flood?
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? What words are used to describe what survived the flood?
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Discover the Truth
? Based on what we have read in the text, is it accurate to say that every
land-dwelling, air-breathing animal that was not on the ark perished?
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? Based on this description, did Noah need to prepare an aquarium on the
ark for the dolphins?
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? What language did you notice in this passage that connects back to
the creation of the animals?
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? Who was saved on the ark?
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1 Peter 3:20
? How does 1 Peter 3:20 confirm this?
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2 Peter 2:5
? How does 2 Peter 2:5 relate to this?
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Hebrews 11:7
? How does Hebrews 11:7 relate to this?
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? Looking at the timeline in light of the text, what interesting things stand
out to you? What things surprise you? What things have you thought
of in the wrong way in the past?
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Christ, Our Ark Activity
In Genesis 6:9 we read that Noah found favor (grace) in God’s eyes and
that he was saved on the ark through that grace.
? How is that reflected in the salvation that is in Christ? What Bible
passage supports this?
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Connect to the Truth
There are certainly many ways in which salvation in Christ is seen in
the account of the ark.
Ultimately it is the mercy of God that saved Noah and his family and
the justice of God that brought judgment on the ungodly inhabitants
of earth. Because God is just and holy, he must judge sin. However, he
also shows mercy and grace and rewards those who follow him. We see
God’s consistent character on display as his actions throughout history
demonstrate that perfect character.
Application
? How would you use the text of this passage to respond to someone who
thought this account was just a mythical story about a man and a boat?
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? Many people have a Noah’s ark theme for their nursery or children’s
play area. What is the real message of the flood?
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? What can we learn about God’s character by comparing salvation by
means of the ark with salvation in Christ?
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? How should we approach God, knowing that he is holy and will judge
mankind for their sinfulness?
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? We see Noah as an example of faith and obedience in the face of many
unknowns. What unknowns are you facing in your life, and how can
you walk in obedience to God through those unknowns? What can you
expect from God as you do that?
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Group Prayer Time
• Praise God that although we have sinned against him, he has shown
mercy through the cross.
• Ask God for understanding of how to use the flood account to share
the gospel with others.
• Thank God for extending his grace toward all mankind.
Additional Request:
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