Here’s a quick and simple summary of Genesis 7, all about Noah and the Flood. Tap to listen to the audio version or read on.
Before the Flood
Genesis 7 picks up where the last chapter ended: Noah had finished building the ark, and God was ready to flood the earth as part of His judgment on a world full of evil and violence.
God gave Noah additional instructions to bring his family into the ark. He also told him to bring seven pairs (male and female) of each “clean” animal (those used for offerings to God), one pair of each “unclean” animal, and seven pairs of each kind of bird. This was God’s way of ensuring that life could spread again after the flood.
God then told Noah that in seven days, the rain would start and continue for 40 days and 40 nights. This wasn’t going to be a light drizzle but a powerful downpour that would flood the entire earth.
As always, Noah followed God’s instructions exactly. He, his wife, his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), and their wives entered the ark, along with all the animals God had sent to him.
The Great Flood
Seven days later, just as God said, the rain began. But it wasn’t just rain pouring from the sky—water also burst out from deep underground. Over time, all the land and even the mountains were covered by the rising floodwaters.
As the floodwaters rose, the ark floated safely on the surface. Outside, life as everyone knew it came to an end. People, animals, birds, and all creatures that moved on the ground—died. Inside the ark, Noah and his family remained safe.
Beyond the 40 Days
The rain poured for 40 days and nights, just as God said. By the time it stopped, the flood covered even the tallest mountains by over 20 feet. It was a total reset for the earth!
The floodwaters didn’t go down right away. Instead, they stayed high for 150 days. During this time, Noah, his family, and the animals remained in the ark, waiting for God’s next move.
Lessons to learn
Genesis 7 is filled with amazing lessons for us as believers.
- Trust and obey: Noah followed God’s instructions to build and fill the ark, even before the flood started. His faith and obedience saved him and his family. This shows how important it is to trust God, especially when we ourselves can’t control or know what will happen next.
- Justice and mercy: The flood shows us that God is just in punishing the evil in the world. But it also reveals His mercy in saving Noah, who chose to live in a way that pleased Him. This teaches us how God perfectly balances both justice and mercy.
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