Genesis 7
Genesis 7 begins with a scene in which God gives Noah the command to enter the ark. After Noah, his family, and all kinds of animals enter the ark according to what has been set, God sends a great rain upon the earth for 40 days, and the deep springs burst forth, covering the entire land with water. As a result, all living creatures that breathe on the earth perish, and only the creatures that were in the ark survive.
1verseThe LORD said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.
2verseYou shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female.
3verseAlso of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth.
4verseIn seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing that I have made from the surface of the ground.”
5verseNoah did everything that the LORD commanded him.
6verseNoah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth.
7verseNoah went into the ship with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, because of the floodwaters.
8verseClean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground
9versewent by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as God commanded Noah.
10verseAfter the seven days, the floodwaters came on the earth.
11verseIn the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the sky’s windows opened.
12verseIt rained on the earth forty days and forty nights.
13verseIn the same day Noah, and Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ship—
14versethey, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort.
15versePairs from all flesh with the breath of life in them went into the ship to Noah.
16verseThose who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then the LORD shut him in.
17verseThe flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the ship, and it was lifted up above the earth.
18verseThe waters rose, and increased greatly on the earth; and the ship floated on the surface of the waters.
19verseThe waters rose very high on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered.
20verseThe waters rose fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered.
21verseAll flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man.
22verseAll on the dry land, in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died.
23verseEvery living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and birds of the sky. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ship.
24verseThe waters flooded the earth one hundred fifty days.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–5: The process in which God gives Noah His final command and Noah obeys it
- Verses 6–16: The scenes of Noah’s family and the animals entering the ark, and the moment the ark’s door is closed
- Verses 17–24: The process in which the rain falls, the whole world is submerged in water, and the judgment is brought to completion
Overall Meaning and Theme
This chapter contains the dual themes of God’s judgment and salvation. Because of human wickedness, judgment comes, but at the same time God protects Noah, his family, and a portion of the created world. God’s covenant with Him and His faithfulness are emphasized, showing that even in the midst of judgment, there remains hope of salvation and a new beginning.
Reflection Points
- You can reflect on what results God’s warning, patience, and human obedience bring about.
- It would be good to think deeply about how God values all His created beings and fulfills His promises faithfully.
Personal Application
- I can also look back on how I am obeying God’s word.
- Even in difficult circumstances or times of judgment, I can live by trusting the new opportunities and the protection God provides.
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