We don’t see things the way they are; we see things the way we are.
Perhaps you’ve heard this idea expressed this way: perception is reality. Of course, those expressions don’t mean we can change a situation based on our mindset. They mean we will process events based more on ourselves than anything else.
That’s not shocking or strange, but if we’re unaware of our knack for doing this, then we risk massive blind spots in our lives. For Christians who say we believe the Bible, the early part of Genesis really spotlights this.
Let’s continue today in Genesis 7:17-24.
17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. 18 The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19 They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. 20 The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits. 21 Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. 23 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. 24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.
Genesis 7:17-24, New International Version
After the Lord protected Noah and the Ark’s inhabitants (last week) by closing the door, the judgment of the Lord began.
Verses 21-24 point us back to Genesis 6:1-8. Humanity’s sin had gotten to the point where the Lord set judgment on His creation. Just as sin had corrupted creation completely, the Lord’s judgment was complete.
The details of the Flood are frightening. First, the flood lasted forty days. Think about that. That’s almost six weeks this flooding portion lasted. And it wasn’t just rain. Genesis 7:11 informs us that “all the springs of the great deep burst forth.” The rain fell, and the ground opened up to release water.
Verse 19 summarizes the amount of water: enough to cover all the mountains on earth. This is more than just a regional flood. The text doesn’t leave us that wiggle room. It’s very explicit. Moreover, the text states, “Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out” (Genesis 7:23). While some could be tempted to say this is hyperbole, the context doesn’t lend itself to hyperbole.
In other words, to say this flood was just a local phenomenon and not a global one is to ignore what the text reads and make it say what we want. Why would any follower of Jesus want to do that? If we jump through hoops to rewrite creation or the flood, why wouldn’t we do the same for the claims of the divinity of Jesus?
Some contend those are separate issues because one concerns ancient history and the other our salvation. However, the problem is that the Bible presents creation, the flood, Jesus, and all its other information as fact. If we’re willing to discard one for today’s cultural accommodation, what goes tomorrow?
Does this mean there is no scientific data for a worldwide flood? Not at all. Answers in Genesis have worked hard to demonstrate this data.
But, worldview affects outlook. If your worldview is based on atheistic humanism, then you’ll look at the data and see one thing. On that note, if you’re determined not to see God, then you’ll shut your eyes so you won’t.
If your worldview is Biblical theism, then you’ll look at the data and see a global flood. The issue isn’t the data; it’s the interpretation. We’re all looking at the same data. The conclusions are based on worldview. All cultures have a flood story. Only the Bible gives us the reasons for it, the warnings of it, and the grace in it.
The Bible teaches humanity’s sin caused the Lord’s punishment on all the earth. “Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark” (Genesis 7:23b).
The final sentence of our passage today summarizes the flood and prepares us for its aftermath: for 150 days, the flood waters remained.
Why do we struggle with this being a global flood? Scientific method? Perhaps that’s some of it, but I’ve found most people aren’t as interested in that so much as the ramifications of it.
If the Lord punishes sin, the flood is the most potent example. And if he punishes sin, then he’ll punish sin now. We’re comfortable with a loving, gracious God. The Flood presents the Lord as holy and righteous with the right and power to judge the Earth.
Are we comfortable with a more complete view of God? Are we willing to see Him as HE really is?
Life Meets Theology 