Bible Study: Genesis

Lesson 6: Genesis 6- 9: The Flood

The Flood, Part 1

The Flood Narrative (6:9-9:17)

A. Preliminary observations

1. chiastic structure (Wenham)

A violence in creation (6:9-12)

B God resolves to destroy (6:13-22)

C God commands Noah to enter (7:1-10)

D flood begins (7:11-16)

E flood waters rise (7:17-24)

X God remembers Noah (8:1)

E' flood waters recede (8:2-5)

D' the earth dries (8:6-14)

C' God commands Noah to leave (8:15-19)

B' God resolves to preserve order (8:20-22)

A' covenant with creation (9:1-17)

2. concentric structure featuring days (Wenham)

7 days of waiting for flood (7:4)

7 days of waiting for flood (7:10)

40 days of flooding (7:11)

150 days of water triumphing (7:24)

150 days of water receding (8:3)

40 days of waiting (8:6)

7 days of waiting (8:10)

7 days of waiting (8:12)

3. parallels between the flood and creation/Noah and Adam

i. both worlds are created out of a watery chaos

ii. both Adam and Noah are associated with the image of God

iii. both rule the animals, Adam by naming, Noah by preserving

iv. both receive commission to be fruitful, multiply, etc.

v. both work the ground (3:17-19; 9:20)

vi. immediate result of their sin is shameful nakedness and are covered

vii. both have three named sons

viii. from sons humanity is divided into elect and non-elect

4. comparative literature

a. There are many flood stories among cultures worldwide. However, the case that these flood stories support, the historicity of the flood is not as convincing as some evangelicals have believed.

"We know ... that numerous peoples have no flood legend in their literature. Flood stories are almost entirely lacking in Africa, occur only occasionally in Europe, and are absent in many parts of Asia .... In addition, many of the known flood legends differ radically from the biblical story and stand independent of it and of one another. Many do not know a worldwide flood at all, but only a local inundation; not all relate the rescue of a man or a family who 'found favor in the eyes of the Lord.' Often the heroes save themselves in boats or by scaling mountains, without intervention of the gods. Further, only a few of the flood stories give the wickedness of man as the cause for the Flood .... Often storms cause an inundation, sometimes rains and ocean tidal waves, occasionally, earthquakes. The saved may be a single person, a couple, an entire family, a definite or indefinite number of people. Only in a few sagas are seeds and representatives of various species of animals taken into the vessel of deliverance. The duration of the flood, if given, varies from a few days to many years." -- Int. Dict. of the Bible.

b. The significance of these stories lies not so much in possible similarities, but in their differences with Genesis particularly in their portrayal of God and of humanity. The God of the Bible does not act capriciously or on a whim, rather he acts out of ethical displeasure with the state of mankind. And even in his judgment grace and mercy are to be found.

5. quests for the ark

"Research into this type of evidence for the ark's survival is ... fraught with difficulties. The sources are often third- and fourth-hand. Years could be and have been spent in trying to verify some of them. The original documents often cannot be found -- if they ever existed. Alleged eyewitnesses have died and thus cannot verify the reports attributed to them or clarify critical details. The reports are filled with discrepancies, some minor but others so substantial as to raise the question of credibility. A few are expressed in such strident, polemical terms as to destroy any claim of objectivity. Without questioning the integrity of some reporters, it appears that details have been added as their observations were retold" -- Bailey, Noah.

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