SEMESTER 2
418 – The Flood
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY II LESSON # 18
THE FLOOD
Read Gen. 7:1-24
repeatedly.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Geological evidence leaves no question about a worldwide flood, though geological evidence is not necessary.
2. Claims of “many floods,” “ice ages,” and other “natural catastrophes” are made, to cast doubt on the authenticity of Scripture.
3. Nevertheless, the flood is undeniable and only Scripture can tell how, when and why it happened.
I. THE TIME ELEMENT – (GEN. 5:1-32
)
1. Scripture comparison makes it absolutely clear that the flood was 1656 years after the creation of Adam. (Hear explanation on tape.)
2. The flood came on the six hundred and first year of Noah’s life, second month and seventeenth day. (Gen. 7:11)
3. The rain fell for forty days and the waters prevailed upon the earth for 150 days. Note: Gen. 7:24 – Gen. 8:4.
4. It was another two and one-half months before any mountain tops appeared. (Gen. 8:5)
5. The total time Noah spent in the ark was one year and ten days. Compare Gen. 7:11-13 to Gen. 8:14-19.
Note: Do not confuse the date when God ordered Noah to fill the ark, (Gen. 7:1-4) and the actual day of final entry. (Gen. 7:11-13)
6. It seems that the flood took place about 4220 years ago, or about 2238 B.C.
II. FILLING THE ARK
1. It has been thought a great miracle or question, as to whether all life could be fitted into the ark.
2. This is not a miracle. The massive size of the ark makes it adequate for either 2 and 7 of all species or 4 and 14.
3. The miracle is: How all these could be brought in, in such a timely and orderly fashion.
4. Gen. 7:9 explains it. They went in voluntarily, under the command of God.
III. LIGHT AND VENTILATION
1. It is obvious that the window was the only source of light and air.
i. However, do not put too much emphasis on the obvious.
2. Remember, we know little of the interior design of the ark, or the total dimensions of the window.
3. We could arrive at human designs by which these animals could survive. How much easier could God so design it?
IV. DATING CLAIMS
1. The flood’s unquestionable occurrence is one of the most difficult issues for the atheistic geologist.
2. Their great issue for argument is dating, usually by various carbon methods.
3. Thus, many (but by no means all) of these scientists claim the varying placement of geological strata much earlier than I have herein indicated.
4. Remember, however, that carbon dating is based upon a constant deterioration of the earth’s magnetic field, which no scientist claims.
III: The vast variation of dating estimates.
III: The dating claim of stalactites and stalagmites in caves.
V. WATER DEPTHS
1. Careless reading might lead one to think the water was only a few feet deep, as some here have claimed “low mountains” at that time.
i. i.e., “fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail.”
2. The present height of the mountains of Ararat tells us something.
3. That all flesh died (including mountain dwelling animals) tells us something.
4. My understanding is that the water rose near twenty-seven and one-half feet above the highest mountains.
5. This is the best explanation I know of for such things as the petrified forests and caverns like Carlsbad.