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The structure of the flood narrative in Gen 6–9 indicates that the main theme concerns why God preserved Noah, not why he sent the deluge (Gen 8:1).[1]

As a righteous and blameless person, Noah wholeheartedly committed himself to his relationship with the Lord (Gen 6:9).[2]

Thus, he would not suffer the destruction which would come upon the rest of humanity (Gen 6:13–14).[3]

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By filling the earth with violence (Gen 6:11),[4] rather than with people and animals (Gen 1:20–22, 26–28),[5] humanity had ruined the planet in God’s sight (Gen 6:11–12).[6]

Since they had spoiled the earth by their sin, the Lord would complete its destruction. This is a textbook example of the punishment fitting the crime.[7]

Humanity’s progressive degradation called for immediate action,[8] and God made an irrevocable decision.[9]

However, the Lord informed Noah of his plan to destroy all that had been corrupted yet preserve a righteous remnant (Gen 6:14–18). This would include representatives of the creation that humanity was intended to steward (Gen 1:28; Gen 6:19–20).[10]

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Unlike in other Ancient Near Eastern flood accounts, Noah’s salvation was neither an accident nor a thwarting of God’s plan.[11]

As a result, the Lord specified how to build the ark rather than leaving the plan of escape to Noah’s imagination.[12]

The instructions are quite brief, giving us minimal details (Gen 6:14–16).[13] However, they are specific enough to imply that Noah was not a shipbuilder by trade.[14]

No rudders or sails are mentioned for Noah’s boat, indicating that it was never intended to be navigated. Noah’s fate was in God’s hands (Gen 7:16).[15]

Only after receiving construction plans did Noah learn why the Lord commanded him to build a gigantic boat. He planned to bring a flood of water to ruin all flesh which had breath (Gen 6:17).[16]

Every human and animal would perish. The breath (ruach) of life which the Lord had given, he would take away.[17]

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Noah then discovered why God ordered him to build a boat which was far too large for him and his family.[18]

The Lord began by saying, “And I shall establish my covenant with you.”

Even before the rain began, the Lord intended to provide for the continuation of human and animal life.[19]

By means of an ark, God would save the righteous seed of the woman (Gen 3:15) as well as representatives of the nonhuman creation (Gen 6:18–20).[20]

The Lord said, “And you shall enter the ark: you and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.”

The Lord would preserve the family structure of humanity, extending salvation to Noah’s children.[21]

Even today, those who have married can attest that a person does not marry one individual but into an entire family.

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Noah was surely grateful that he and his sons would not have to find and capture two of every kind of animal.[22] Instead, the Lord would guide them to the ark.

On the other hand, they did gather and store enough food to sustain them and the animals (Gen 6:21). The effort necessary to build and equip the ark had to be expensive and exhausting.

Yet, “Noah did according to all which God commanded him. Thus he did” (Gen 6:22). This brief statement provides insight into Noah’s character.[23]

It emphatically affirms Noah’s complete obedience. Noah succeeded where Adam had failed (Gen 2:16–17; Gen 3:6).[24]

Image via Wikimedia Commons

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Go to By Twos and Sevens (Gen 7:1–4)

[Related posts include Inhabitants of the Sea and Sky (Gen 1:20–23); Living Things from the Earth (Gen 1:24–25); Stewards of the Earth (Gen 1:26 cont.); Male and Female He Created Them (Gen 1:27); The Blessing of Fruitfulness (Gen 1:28); Forbidden Fruit (Gen 2:16–17); Succumbing to Temptation (Gen 3:6); The First Good News (Gen 3:15); Kings as Sons of the Gods (Gen 6:1–2 cont.); Taking Wives for Themselves (Gen 6:1–2 cont.); Nephilim in the Land (Gen 6:4); Righteous and Blameless (Gen 6:9–10); Violence Filled the Earth (Gen 6:11–12); The End Was Near (Gen 6:13); Specifications for an Ark (Gen 6:14–16); A Deluge to Ruin All Flesh (Gen 6:17); God Establishes a Covenant (Gen 6:18); Two of Every Kind (Gen 6:19–22); New Creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17); Receiving Christ’s Righteousness (2 Cor 5:21); and Receiving a Divine Warning (Heb 11:7)]

[Click here to go to Chapter 6: The Promise of a Covenant (Genesis 6:9–22); or go to Chapter 7: God Opens the Heavens and the Earth (Genesis 7:1–24)]

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[1]Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary, 124.

[2]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 133.

[3]Walton, Genesis, 311.

[4]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 134.

[5]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 171.

[6]Alexander, From Paradise to the Promised Land, 2nd Ed., 134.

[7]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 171–2.

[8]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 126.

[9]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 172.

[10]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 122.

[11]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 165.

[12]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 135.

[13]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 172.

[14]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 281.

[15]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 135.

[16]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 174.

[17]Note that the Hebrew word ruach means both “breath” and “spirit/Spirit,” https://archive.org/stream/hebrewenglishlex00browuoft#page/924/mode/2up.

[18]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 175.

[19]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 284.

[20]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 121.

[21]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 136.

[22]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 284.

[23]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 285.

[24]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 176.