Genesis 7:1-24: The Flood Begins – A Story of Obedience and God’s Faithfulness

This passage in Genesis describes the dramatic start of the great flood. After years of preparation, the day finally arrived for Noah and his family to enter the ark.

What Happened?

• God calls Noah, his family, and the animals into the ark.
• It rains for forty days and forty nights.
• The waters rise, covering the entire earth.
• All living creatures outside the ark perish.

Why is this Important?

• It shows the severity of human sin and the consequences of rebellion against God.
• It highlights the importance of obedience to God, even when it seems difficult or unpopular.
• It demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises and His commitment to preserving those who trust Him.
• It foreshadows the future judgment and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

What Does This Mean for Us?

• We live in a world that is still broken by sin, and we need to be aware of the consequences of our choices.
• God calls us to obey Him, even when it’s hard. Trusting and following Him is always the best path.
• God is faithful, and we can always count on Him to keep His promises.
• Jesus is our ark of salvation. We need to turn to Him for forgiveness and eternal life.

Study Questions

1. Why did God choose to send the flood? What does this tell us about His character?
2. How did Noah respond to God’s instructions? What can we learn from his obedience?
3. What do you think it was like for Noah and his family to be inside the ark during the flood?
4. How does the story of the flood point us to Jesus?
5. In what ways are we called to be obedient to God today? What are some challenges we might face?
6. How can we share the message of salvation with others, so they can find refuge in Jesus?

Challenge

Take some time this week to think about areas in your life where you might be struggling to obey God. Ask Him for the strength and courage to follow His will, even when it’s difficult. Remember, He is faithful, and He will always be with you.

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Genesis 7:1-24 narrates the dramatic commencement of the Flood, a pivotal event in biblical history. God’s judgment upon a sinful world is executed, while Noah and his family find refuge in the ark. This commentary draws upon insights from Spurgeon and Matthew Henry to illuminate the text’s significance.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

• Verses 1-5: Entering the Ark

“Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)  

Spurgeon emphasises the exclusivity of salvation: “Noah alone was righteous, and therefore Noah alone was saved. The rest were wicked, and therefore the rest were drowned.” Matthew Henry highlights God’s specific instructions, noting that Noah’s obedience was crucial: “Noah did not go into the ark till God bade him.”

• Verses 6-10: The Flood Begins

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” (Genesis 7:11)  

Spurgeon describes the overwhelming power of the Flood: “It was not a gentle shower, but a tremendous downfall; it was not a local inundation, but a universal deluge.” Matthew Henry points to the divine origin of the Flood: “The flood came not till God opened the windows of heaven, nor were the waters dried up till he shut them again.”

• Verses 11-16: All Flesh Destroyed

“And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and every man.” (Genesis 7:21)

Spurgeon underscores the universality of the judgment: “The flood spared none; it swept away rich and poor, learned and ignorant, bond and free.” Matthew Henry focuses on the consequences of sin: “Sin brought the flood upon the world; let us therefore hate sin.”

• Verses 17-24: The Waters Prevail

“The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered.” (Genesis 7:18-19)  

Spurgeon paints a vivid picture of the devastation: “The waters rose higher and higher, until the loftiest peaks were submerged beneath the waves.” Matthew Henry reminds us of God’s sovereignty: “The waters prevailed according to the word of God; they could rise no higher than he permitted them.”

Conclusion

Genesis 7:1-24 presents a sobering account of God’s judgment upon a sinful world. The Flood serves as a reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God, while Noah’s salvation highlights the importance of faith and obedience. Spurgeon and Matthew Henry’s commentaries offer valuable insights into this pivotal biblical narrative.