Flooded and Floated!

February 24, 2013

Flooded and Floated!

Genesis 7:1-24

Read For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth, rising more than twenty-two feet above the highest peaks. All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. . . . The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. (Genesis 7:17-21, 23)

Reflect Was the Flood a local event, or did it cover the entire earth? A universal flood was certainly possible. Enough water exists in the oceans to cover all dry land. And since God promised never again to destroy the earth with a flood, this flood must have either covered the entire earth or destroyed all the inhabitants of the earth. Remember, God's reason for sending the Flood was to destroy all the earth's wickedness. It would take a major flood to accomplish this. And how did this animal kingdom roundup happen? Scholars estimate that almost 45,000 animals could have fit into the boat. Pairs of every animal joined Noah in the boat; seven pairs were taken of those animals used for sacrifice. Did Noah and his sons spend years collecting all the animals? In reality, the creation, along with Noah, did just as God commanded. Gathering the animals seemed to be no problem—God took care of those details while Noah did his part by building the boat. Noah didn't need to worry about how the animals would get there; he just trusted God.

Respond Often we do just the opposite of Noah. We worry about the details over which we have no control, while neglecting specific areas that are under our control such as attitudes, relationships, or responsibilities. Like Noah, concentrate on what God gives you to do, and leave the rest to him. What details do you need to entrust to God?