God brought at least two of every kind into the ark. After this was done, we read that God shut Noah in. God was in charge of the timing of the flood and interestingly there was no need for anyone to guard the doorway to keep people from entering. No one else showed any interest in entering the ark at that time. That would change quickly in a very short time, but it would be too late.
In verse 17 we read that the flood was forty days upon the earth. During that time the waters increased and the ark began to float. In verse 18 we read that the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth. The earth had never had this amount of water on it since creation. The ark was made in such a way that it would float on the water. It was very stable.
In verse 19 we read that the high hills were all under water. It tells us that all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were covered. This was a universal flood. The entire earth was under water. There was no place for any man or animal or bird to find rest or shelter.
In verse 20 we read that the highest mountain was covered in fifteen cubits of water. That would be 15x18”=270” or 22.5’. There was no way for anything outside the ark to survive.
In verse 21 we read that all flesh that moved upon the earth died. There was no living thing left outside of the ark. The waters prevailed long enough that nothing outside of the ark could survive. Verse 22 confirms this further. God wanted all of Noah’s descendants to know that He destroyed all that has the breath of life in it. This was a massive judgment. God wanted all people to be reminded of the destructive nature of sin. When a society is sold out to wickedness, there is no hope for them. We have seen other civilizations destroyed since the flood. They became so wicked that they perished. However, at the time of the flood, all that was outside of the ark perished.
In verse 23 God continued to describe the destruction that was brought upon this earth. This was not an accident. The flood was not a natural catastrophe. It was a supernatural judgment of God that affected the entire earth. This was the hand of God working in judgment upon the wickedness of man, and all of creation was affected by this sin.
The pressure of the water and the moving of the water would have caused currents and earthquakes that would reshape the topography. The earth that we see today does not have the same topography that it had prior to the flood. Things changed drastically. We see some of those things and we marvel at them. The Grand Canyon is a great tourist attraction. The “painted desert” is also a wonder to behold. The petrified wood that can be found in certain places is also amazing. When you travel in the Rocky Mountains, you will notice the grain of the rocks running horizontally at times and then with curves in it at other places and in some places even vertically. All of this is evidence of the world wide flood that massively changed the structure of the earth.
For those that are saved, while we wonder at these things, we are also reminded that they are the result of the judgment of God upon wickedness.
God also reminds us that Noah and his family and all that was in the ark remained alive. There was no disease that infected those on the ark. There was no air quality issue. God provided for those on the ark and they all remained healthy for the entire time they were on that ark.
It is important to note as well that while there were many different types of animals and birds, it did not need to be older, mature animals that entered the ark. It could have been younger ones that would not be fully developed yet, but would be so by the time they left the ark.
In verse 24 we read that the waters prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days. The ark rode upon the waters during this entire time. It faced the stirring of the waters and it moved with the waters. However, it was designed by God and built by Noah, the obedient servant of God, and thus it would withstand all the movement on the water. It would come to rest and it was still in good shape when it rested. Noah did not need to flee for his life. He left in safety and was able to re-establish himself on the earth that was no doubt very different than what he had known prior to the flood.
We have mentioned that the flood and the ark are a picture of God’s judgment and of His protection during that judgment. They are a picture of God’s salvation. God saves a person and He changes that person and He makes a way for that person to live and flourish in this sin cursed world, until He says it is time to leave. It is a blessing to know the Lord and to be held in His hand and brought safely into that eternal rest in heaven.
Those that are saved have much to be thankful for. As we gather today in the Lord’s house, we can be thankful for His mercy and grace in providing hope to mankind in these last days. He has been faithful to all generations and He has provided for man to be able to know Him and serve Him. It is a good thing to go to a good local church today and learn of the true God and to fellowship with other saints. It is a good thing to go to a good local church today if you are not saved, in order to hear the truth and be saved. You will never regret that.
Pastor Bartel