The Great Flood [Genesis 6:1-9:17]

Date of Events & Date of Writing & Primary Audience

• Date of Events: The events of Genesis 6:1-9:17, describing the Great Flood, are traditionally dated to around 2348 BC, though exact dates vary.
• Date of Writing: The Book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses and is believed to have been written around 1446-1406 BC during the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.
• Primary Audience: The primary audience was the Israelites, providing them with an understanding of divine judgment and salvation.

Story Summary

• Summary: Genesis 6:1-9:17 recounts God’s decision to send a flood to cleanse the earth of humanity’s wickedness, Noah’s obedience in building the ark, the preservation of his family and the animals, and the covenant God establishes with Noah afterward.

Story Background

• Background: The narrative of the flood is situated within the broader ancient Near Eastern context, where flood myths were common. The biblical account presents a monotheistic perspective emphasizing moral and spiritual themes.

Story Highlights

• Highlights:
  • Human Wickedness: God sees the great wickedness of humanity (“The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth”).
  • God’s Decision: God decides to destroy the earth with a flood (“I am going to put an end to all people”).
  • Noah’s Obedience: Noah finds favor with God and builds an ark (“So make yourself an ark of cypress wood”).
  • The Flood: The floodwaters rise, covering the earth and destroying all life outside the ark (“Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died”).
  • Covenant with Noah: God establishes a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow (“I have set my rainbow in the clouds”).

Story Purpose

• Purpose: To demonstrate God’s judgment on sin and His mercy in providing salvation through Noah, as well as establishing the covenant relationship with humanity post-flood.

Story Theme

• Theme: The themes include judgment, obedience, salvation, and covenant.

Jesus Connection

• Jesus Connection: The flood prefigures Christian baptism, symbolizing death to sin and new life in Christ (1 Peter 3:20-21). Noah’s deliverance points to Jesus’ salvation.

Kingdom Connection

• Kingdom Connection: The flood narrative illustrates the principles of divine justice and mercy, fundamental to the Kingdom of God, and foreshadows the ultimate restoration of creation.

Archaeology or Scientific Discovery

• Archaeology/Scientific Discovery: Archaeological findings and ancient texts (e.g., Epic of Gilgamesh) provide cultural parallels to the flood narrative, though they differ significantly in theological interpretation.

Hebrew Meanings of the Keywords

• Keywords:
  • “Tevah” (תֵּבָה) – “Ark,” indicating a vessel of salvation and preservation.
  • “Mabul” (מַבּוּל) – “Flood,” describing the cataclysmic event of divine judgment.
  • “Berit” (בְּרִית) – “Covenant,” signifying a binding agreement between God and humanity.
  • “Tzadik” (צַדִּיק) – “Righteous,” describing Noah’s moral standing before God.
  • “Geshem” (גֶּשֶׁם) – “Rain,” referring to the heavy downpour that caused the flood.

Kingdom Teaching(s)

• Kingdom Teaching(s):
  • Divine Justice and Mercy: The flood narrative exemplifies God’s justice in responding to sin and His mercy in providing a means of salvation, reflecting Kingdom principles.
  • Covenant Relationship: God’s covenant with Noah establishes a framework for understanding God’s ongoing relationship with humanity in the Kingdom context.
  • Obedience and Faith: Noah’s obedience to God’s command highlights the importance of faith and trust in God’s directives within the Kingdom.

By examining the story of the Great Flood through these various lenses, we gain a comprehensive understanding of divine judgment, mercy, and covenantal relationship, all within the framework of the Kingdom of God.