Noah and the Flood

Genesis 6:9-8:19

In our study of God’s story in God’s people, we find early on that God “regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart” (Gen. 6:6). God’s regret[1] stemmed from the great wickedness that permeated the world. God saw “that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Gen. 6:5 NIV). He was sorry for making humans, the animals, creatures, and birds, and he intended to wipe them out by a universal flood.  

God, the Creator, choosing to wipe out humanity, raises a question. Why did God want to blot out all living things (except Noah and his family), especially when humanity’s sinful nature remained, as God states after the flood, “For the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21)? This passage describes original sin—humanity’s inherited sin nature.  

Let’s think through this. 

Genesis 6 portrays a time on earth when wickedness reached levels never seen before or since. “The wickedness of man was great in the earth,” and “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Gen. 6:5 NIV). In this context, the wickedness seems to have reached this point because “the sons of God” took the “daughters of man” as their wives and bore children (Gen. 6:2, 4).   

The phrase “sons of God” in Scripture refers to angels or messengers,[2] including fallen angels or demons. While there are many interpretations of this passage, I believe the best explanation is that demons took on human bodies (the Nephilim) and cohabited with human women. 

God had promised that the Messiah would come through the offspring of the woman and would one day crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15). Was this Satan’s attempt to pollute humanity’s bloodline?[3] We can’t be dogmatic about this, but it seems plausible given the extreme wickedness. God’s judgment on sin was to wipe out humanity from the face of the earth, except for a small family.

There was one person amid the evil who “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Gen. 6:8). 

Noah was a “righteous man” who “walked with God” (Gen. 6:9). The word “righteous” derives from a Mesopotamian term meaning “river reed.” In ancient times, the river reed was used to determine whether a wall or fence was straight, much like our present-day leveler. God uses the term to describe his nature. He is the straight edge by which all things are evaluated and measured. Noah’s life aligned with God’s standard. He loved God and was his friend, enjoying God’s presence.

Due to the unprecedented wickedness on earth and what I believe is a demonic invasion, God decided to reset humanity; however, God had different plans for Noah and his family. He instructed Noah to build a large vessel[4] to protect them from the coming flood. He was to bring “of every living thing of all flesh…two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive,” along with all the food his family and the animals would need (Gen. 6:20-21). Noah obeyed the Lord by doing “all that God commanded him” (Gen. 6:22; 7:5).

We don’t know how long it took to build the massive ark, but during those years of construction, people could have turned to God. No doubt, people had conversations with Noah. In fact, the apostle Peter called Noah “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet. 2:5 NIV).

Only Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sons’ wives followed God’s instructions. On the seventeenth day of the second month of Noah’s 600th year, the floodwaters came. With Noah’s family and animals secure on the ark, the Lord shut the door (Gen. 7:16). Don’t miss that important detail in the account! Yahweh, the personal God, sealed the ark, ensuring everyone on board was safe. 

The rains poured down from heaven and “fountains of the great deep burst forth” (Gen. 7:11). Allen Ross, an Old Testament scholar, says this refers to “gigantic upheavals and shiftings of the earth’s crust which caused the oceans’ floors to rise and break up their reservoirs of subterranean waters. As a result, the whole earth was flooded in the disaster. No doubt the surface of the earth, the manner of life, and the longevity of life were changed by this catastrophe.”[5]

What are the takeaways from the account of Noah and the flood? 

First, the apostle Paul reminds us that the events in the Old Testament serve as examples, warnings, and instructions for us (1 Cor. 10:6, 11). When we study the Old Testament, we should look for truths that apply today. A key lesson from this remarkable story is that God judges sin while protecting his people. As the flood engulfed the earth, destroying all forms of life, Noah and his family were secure in the ark, shielded from destruction, and ultimately saved. God is not only just; he is merciful. 

Jesus also uses this story to drive home an important truth about his second coming. Jesus said, “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:37-39).

By referring to this story, Jesus reminds us that he is coming again and that we must be ready. In our study of the book of Revelation, we saw that the earth will be destroyed again. In Noah’s day, all who heeded God’s instructions to build and enter the ark were saved from the flood; likewise, all who are in Christ have protection from the coming destruction and judgment. Jesus is the only one “who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).  

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Genesis 6:9-8:19.

Talking to God: Are you walking with God as Noah did, or blending in with the surrounding culture?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step. 

SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.