Bible Commentaries
Genesis 6

Introduction

THE FLOOD

(Genesis 6-8)

There are many references to the Flood in the New Testament in addition to the account found

recorded in the Book of Genesis.

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in

marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them

all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (Matt. 24:38-39).

This is a description of life as it was lived in the days of Noah. It actually describes life today.

Those people who lived wicked, dissolute, godless lives were given ample warning to turn from their evil

ways. Noah was a "just man and perfect in his generations" and preached to the people of his day,

warning them of the judgment of God. Because "the earth was filled with violence," God spoke to Noah

and told him of the destruction which He would bring upon the earth: "Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood

of waters upon the earth." God showed Noah a way of escape: "Make thee an ark of gopher wood." Not

only did God warn Noah to build an ark, but He gave him all the specifications for it. No doubt Noah

was mocked, ridiculed, and despised by the men of that day for building this big ship on dry land in the

fear that a flood would descend upon the earth. These men lived on in their wickedness in utter disregard

of God’s promised judgment. This demonstrates again that just because men (p.71) do not believe that

God will act and do as He has spoken, this does not make a bit of difference as to what God will do. In

His own time God sent the flood to destroy that generation.

This fate of unbelievers arouses sober thoughts about the future. The loose, casual views about the

judgment of God which are so popular today influence so many people and lull them into a sense of false

security. There are many passages of Scripture predicting the future which are variously interpreted, but

all emphasize very clearly that God will not tolerate evil.

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness bringing in

the flood upon the world of the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:5).

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and

saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they

were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God

the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that

then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the

same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men

(2 Pet. 3:3-7).

These words should shock men everywhere out of complacency and indifference. The Flood is the

classic example of the judgment of God which will surely come. The next time that judgment comes it

will be by fire.

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten

thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of

all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly

sinners have spoken against him (Jude 14-15).

The record of the Flood shows that sin had become universal. "God saw that the wickedness of man

was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his (p.72) heart was only evil

continually" (Gen. 6:5). This brings to our minds that the conduct and every thought of man is known to

God. Nothing is hid from Him. Yet here it is recorded that hand in hand with God’s judgment on evil His

mercy went out to Noah, who "walked with God." Just as Noah entered the ark to escape the flood, so

men today may flee for safety to Christ Jesus, who is their Ark of Safety. Noah obeyed God in

preparing the ark as he was commanded. So I am to find my Ark of Safety by studying and believing

God’s infallible and inspired Word. I am to believe and trust in God, as He has set forth His promises in

His Word. How wonderful to read that "whosoever believeth in Him shall never perish, but have

everlasting life!" Thus it is man himself who decides his eternal destiny by accepting or rejecting the

mercy of God.

The story of Noah reveals a message that is hopeful for the world today. Noah lived at a time when all

men were given over to being exceedingly sinful, when their every thought was wicked and evil. What

happened to him shows that even if sin abounds in our day, those who believe God’s Word can find

grace in the eyes of the Lord. Even if everyone else around me is an unbeliever, I can yet believe in God

and be saved. I can turn to Him and He will receive me.

When the waters of the flood had subsided, Noah and his family came out of the ark. The first thing he

did was to build an altar to worship God. A new start is very important, and after that I need a new way

of life. I need more than just another chance tomorrow; I need another heart. I need to think differently.

A new life must be centered around the altar, the place of worship, where I look up to God and

remember that my life is in His hands and that I am responsible to Him. God is merciful and full of

compassion, and I am privileged to walk with God and live in blessing as Noah did.

Noah sacrificed burnt offerings upon the altar, "of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl." The

Lord accepted the sacrifice of Noah and made a promise to him. (p.73)

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a

flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth (Gen. 9:11).

The record shows that God blessed Noah and his sons. Noah received the same blessing Adam had

been given, but God gave him more than that.

In this covenant with Noah there is a new element. Man is to be responsible to control his fellow man

that he may protect the innocent. In the course of time some men would take advantage of and hurt

others. The responsibility for restraining all such aggressors was now put into the hands of men. The

following statement is classic and is basic to all real government of men.

Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man (9:6).

Life was not to be destroyed at any man’s pleasure. Man was to counter force with force and thus

restrain evildoers. When an aggressor threatens the life of an innocent person, other men are to stop him.

If he takes the life of an innocent person, other men are to take his life. This is God’s directive and it is

the basis for capital punishment.

In this covenant there is also the basis for war. It is right to go to war to protect the innocent. God

sealed His covenant with Noah in these words:

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and

the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will

look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all

flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have

established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth (9:14-17).

As long as the rainbow appears in the heavens it is a sign that there will never be another flood which

will destroy the earth. The Bible does teach that one day the earth (p.74) will be judged by fire (2 Pet.

3:7), but never again by water.

And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was

drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his

father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both

their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were

backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his

younger son had done unto him. And be said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his

brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shern; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall

enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant (Gen. 9:20-27).

This story contains a very profound truth. It shows that lack of respect is a major blemish. Also it

reveals that lack of charity is a fundamental weakness. Both of these faults were in Ham. He saw his

father in an embarrassing condition. Some may take exception to this story because it reports that Noah

was "drunken" while he was asleep. This is actually not of any importance to the truth to be observed

here. Ham saw his father in this situation and went out and told his brothers about it. What Ham did can

be seen when it is noted what his brothers did. They refused to look on their father in his nakedness.

They covered him, showing compassion for their father as well as respect and charity. James writes,

"Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from

death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." This does not mean that when I lead a soul to Christ my own

sins will be hidden. But when I win another to the Lord, I am to cover his past and his sins and never

talk about them.

Some may wonder whether the curse pronounced upon Ham has any bearing on some particular race

of people. No! The curse upon Canaan had no biological or racial significance. It has a spiritual

connotation and indicates a solemn warning to all who indulge in gossip. The curse of (p.75) Ham will

fall upon those who publish what is hurtful or embarrassing to someone else. If I know things which are

detrimental to someone, I am to cover them up. I am not to speak of such! When I take advantage of any

man when he is helpless, even if he has brought that state upon himself, I am in grave danger of bringing

the curse of Ham upon myself. Gossiping is a form of cruelty in which a Christian should have no part.