4. The Flood

Sabbath Afternoon

Prayer Thought

The rebuke of God was upon them because they followed the imagination of their own hearts continually; and there was violence in the land. "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." "And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth" (Genesis 6:6, 12, 13). . . . {2SM 151.1}

Memory Text

"But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:37

This SS Lesson will disclose the tragic result of sin and how God delivered His people from destruction. It includes the extent effect of the flood to God's creation and plan of salvation laid upon by His sovereign power to recreate in man the desire to serve Him through His chosen servant Noah. And we'll described His covenant with human race after the flood.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Preparation for the Flood {Preparing the Ark}

Gen. 6:13-7:10; Exo. 2:3; 25:10, 22; 39:32, 42; 40:16; Heb. 11:7; James 2:20; 2Pet. 2:5-9

Monday: The Event of the Flood {The Flood: Beginning and the End}

Gen. 1:7, 16, 25, 26, 31; 2:2; 7:2, 3, 4, 10; 1:27; 7:14; 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25; 7:8, 14, 21, 23, 24; 7:15, 22; 2:7; Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17; Rom. 6:1-6

Tuesday: The End of the Flood {God Remembered}

Gen. 7:22-24; 8:1; 19:29; 8:2, 13, 15-19; 19:29; Ps. 106:4

Wednesday: The Covenant - Part 1 {A Covenant of Life}

Gen. 6:17, 18; 8:20; 9:2-4; Num. 15:1-11

Thursday: The Covenant - Part 2 {A Covenant of Preservation}

Gen. 8:21-9:1; Gen. 1:22, 28; 9:8-17; Exo. 31:12-17

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: Preparation for the Flood {Preparing the Ark}

Gen. 6:13-7:10; Exo. 2:3; 25:10, 22; 39:32, 42; 40:16; Heb. 11:7; James 2:20; 2Pet. 2:5-9

“And God said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.’” (Genesis 6:13)

Building an Ark On Dry Land

Noah was commanded to build an ark for the saving of himself and his house. It is stated, “Noah . . . have I found righteous before me in this generation.” And it is also stated that “Noah walked with God.” Noah did not stop to question, “What will the inhabitants of the old world think of me if I begin to build this boat upon dry land?” He believed just what God had told him, and he commenced to work upon the light and plan that God had given him. He had to employ many carpenters to help him in this great work of building, and there were many of these who were believers at that time. But the largest part of the Noachic world were unbelievers, and they made a great deal of sport of Noah. They ridiculed the idea of building a great boat on dry land. {CTr 55.2}

The Cause of Destruction of the World by a Flood

For nearly a thousand years Adam lived among his descendants, a witness to the results of sin. Faithfully he sought to stem the tide of evil. . . . He witnessed the wide-spreading corruption that was finally to cause the destruction of the world by a flood; and though the sentence of death pronounced upon him by His Maker had at first appeared terrible, yet after beholding for nearly a thousand years the results of sin, he felt that it was merciful in God to bring to an end a life of suffering and sorrow.—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 80-82. {CTr 38.5}

As the Days of Noe, so shall also the Coming of Jesus

Everything is devised that can possibly turn the mind from that which is noble and pure, and the boundary line is almost reached when the inhabitants of the earth will be as corrupt as were the inhabitants of the world before the flood. Of the condition of society at that day it is written, "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." "And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence." Jesus said concerning our own day, "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." {RH, March 31, 1896 par. 5}

Consider the Following

Why did God destroy the world He had created?

Humans were going to destroy themselves. God believed that extreme measures and a new beginning were necessary (Genesis 6:5-7). He chose Noah to warn everyone and offered a means of salvation: the ark (2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 6:8, 13-14).

“Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” (Genesis 6:22). God is offering His grace to us too, and He’s expecting a response of faith and obedience.

God gave direction that an ark was to be built for those who desired to be saved from the coming destruction. He was about to speak in determined language against the wickedness that had grown to fearful proportions. He was about to clothe Himself with vengeance and execute His judgment against the transgressors of His law.—Manuscript 72, 1902 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, pp. 92, 93). {CTr 56.4}

As Noah proclaimed his warning message, some listened and worked with him in building the ark. But they did not endure. Evil influences prevailed. They turned away from the truth to become scoffers. {CTr 56.5}

Monday: The Event of the Flood {The Flood: Beginning and the End}

Gen. 1:7, 16, 25, 26, 31; 2:2; 7:2, 3, 4, 10; 1:27; 7:14; 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25; 7:8, 14, 21, 23, 24; 7:15, 22; 2:7; Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17; Rom. 6:1-6

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” (Genesis 7:11)

A Warning Given Before the Flood

The antediluvians were warned, but the record states that they knew not until the Flood came and took them all away. . . . They saw Noah and his wife and their sons and their wives passing into the ark; and the door was closed upon them. Only eight persons entered that refuge from the storm, and for a week they waited for the rain to come. . . . Daily the sun rose and set in a clear sky, and daily there came to Noah the temptation to doubt. But the Lord had said that the Flood was coming, and Noah rested in this word. {CTr 61.2}

Offered Pardon for those who will come to Repentance

Before the Flood God sent Noah to warn the world, that the people might be led to repentance, and thus escape the threatened destruction. As the time of Christ's second appearing draws near, the Lord sends His servants with a warning to the world to prepare for that great event. Multitudes have been living in transgression of God's law, and now He in mercy calls them to obey its sacred precepts. All who will put away their sins by repentance toward God and faith in Christ are offered pardon. {CC 41.5}

A Similar Event will Come to Past in the Last days

Thus the inhabitants of that long-lived race perished in the Flood, and even the beasts perished, except those that were in the ark. Christ said, “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.” Thus shall it be when Christ shall be revealed at His second coming. {CTr 58.3}

Consider the Following

How are Creation and the Flood similar?

[1] The waters are divided (1:6) => The waters come together (7:11);

[2] God created the animals according to their kind (1:21, 25) => God preserves the animals according to their kind (7:14);

[3] God brought the animals to Adam (2:19) => God destroys the animals because of humans (6:7).

God had to destroy everything He had created so humankind could have a new beginning. God will also destroy this world to make a new Creation, free of sin (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1).

Where now was the ark and those at whom the people had jeered and mocked? Preserved by the power of God, the immense boat was riding safely upon the waters, and Noah and his family were safe inside.—Signs of the Times, Apr. 10, 1901. {CTr 61.7}

Tuesday: The End of the Flood {God Remembered}

Gen. 7:22-24; 8:1; 19:29; 8:2, 13, 15-19; 19:29; Ps. 106:4

“Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark.” (Genesis 8:1a)

The lineage of Covenant Keeping People

The reverence manifested by Shem and Japheth for their father, and thus for the divine statutes, promised a brighter future for their descendants. Concerning these sons it was declared: “Blessed be Jehovah, God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.” The line of Shem was to be that of the chosen people, of God’s covenant, of the promised Redeemer. Jehovah was the God of Shem. From him would descend Abraham, and the people of Israel, through whom Christ was to come. “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” And Japheth “shall dwell in the tents of Shem.” In the blessings of the gospel the descendants of Japheth were especially to share. . . . {CTr 67.2}

The Faithful God which Keepeth His Covenant and Mercy

On the other hand, how richly rewarded was Shem’s respect for his father; and what an illustrious line of holy people appears in his posterity! “The Lord knoweth the days of the upright,”“and his seed is blessed.”“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 117, 118. {CTr 67.4}

Consider the Following

Had God forgotten about Noah?

God hadn’t actually lost His memory. “God remembers” means that the right time for something has come (Genesis 19:29; 30:22; Exodus 2:24; 1S. 1:19).

Once the Flood ended, Noah opened the window of the ark (Genesis 8:6). He sent some birds to study the current state of the earth (Genesis 8:7-12). He trusted God, and he also took action to confirm his faith.

Noah still waited for God’s command before exiting the ark, even when the earth had already dried up (Genesis 8:15-18).

Founders of the Human Race after the Flood

To repeople the desolate earth, which the Flood had so lately swept from its moral corruption, God had preserved but one family, the household of Noah, to whom He had declared, “Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Yet in the three sons of Noah was speedily developed the same great distinction seen in the world before the Flood. In Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who were to be the founders of the human race, was foreshadowed the character of their posterity. {CTr 68.2}

Wednesday: The Covenant - Part 1 {A Covenant of Life}

Gen. 6:17, 18; 8:20; 9:2-4; Num. 15:1-11

“But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” (Genesis 6:18)

The Establishment of a Noahic Covenant

And lest man should be terrified with gathering clouds, and falling rains, . . . God graciously encourages the family of Noah by a promise. "And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood. . . . And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. . . . And the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth" (Genesis 9:11-16). {AG 132.5}

History Foretold of 3 Great Races

Noah, speaking by divine inspiration, foretold the history of the three great races to spring from these fathers of the human race. Tracing the descendants of Ham, through the son rather than the father, he declared, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.”. . . Evil characteristics were perpetuated in Canaan and his posterity, whose continued guilt called upon them the judgments of God. . . . {CTr 68.3}

Though the prophetic curse had doomed them to slavery, the doom was withheld for centuries. God bore with their impiety and corruption until they passed the limits of divine forbearance. Then they were dispossessed, and became bondmen to the descendants of Shem and Japheth. . . . {CTr 68.4}

Consider the Following

What was God’s covenant with Noah?

“Build an ark, and I will save you from the Flood.” This is the same covenant God makes with us: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

God fulfilled His covenant, and Noah responded with an act of gratitude, a burnt offering (Genesis 8:20).

Although Moses did not mention it in that verse, the animals that could be eaten were the clean ones (Genesis 7:2; 8:20).

Thursday: The Covenant - Part 2 {A Covenant of Preservation}

Gen. 8:21-9:1; Gen. 1:22, 28; 9:8-17; Exo. 31:12-17

“Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:11

Token of His Covenant

Lest the gathering clouds and falling rain should fill men with constant terror, from fear of another flood, the Lord encouraged the family of Noah by a promise: "I will establish My covenant with you; . . . neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. . . . I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud. . . . And I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature." {PP 106.1}

Purpose to Preserve a Specimen of His Perfect Work of Creation

The pure and lovely Garden of Eden, from which our first parents were driven, remained until God purposed to destroy the earth by a flood. God had planted that garden and specially blessed it, and in His wonderful providence He withdrew it from the earth, and will return it to the earth again more gloriously adorned than before it was removed from the earth. God purposed to preserve a specimen of His perfect work of creation free from the curse wherewith He had cursed the earth. {LHU 350.2}

Consider the Following

What are humans expected to do in this new covenant?

Nothing. This is a unilateral covenant. God’s the one committing. It is a gift of grace for humankind that we’ll remember every time we see a rainbow.

God gave humankind a second chance, a “new creation.” He also committed to preserve life on Earth (Genesis 8:22).

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Thus it will be in the last days of this earth’s history. Those who today hear the message of truth, but do not believe, will fall amid the moral infidelity, even as in Noah’s day those who were not firmly grounded failed to stand till the end of their probation. When the Lord rewards everyone according to his deeds, these people will understand that God is truth, and that His message would have been their life and salvation if they had accepted the evidence given and practiced the conditions laid down. Then they will see that they might have been saved had they not rejected the only means of salvation. {CTr 56.6}

Questions to Ponder

1. What lessons can we learn from this account of human history as preparation for similar events ahead?

2. How does Noah and his family alone had been saved and what lessons does it portray for us?

3. Based on the passage above {CTr 56.6}, to see is to believe had been their basis but it’s too late, for the ark had been closed. How can were late with our time?

4. What are the things that hinder us to believe in the present truth that God haven sent and may pose the same experience with the antediluvian?

5. We’ve noticed in this lesson, that describes it its similarities with the last days' event. For more advanced consideration on this topic please visit the link below. Just copy and paste to your browser to navigate this study. What similar things that the study below depicts?

Present Truth Lessons 2020 (google.com)

Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 30: The Flood: In Type and Antitype (google.com)

From the Pen of Inspiration

“As we gaze upon the beautiful sight [the rainbow], we may be joyful in God, assured that He Himself is looking upon this token of His covenant, and that as He looks upon it He remembers the children of earth, to whom it was given. Their afflictions, perils, and trials are not hidden from Him. We may rejoice in hope, for the bow of God's covenant is over us. He never will forget the children of His care.” E. G. W. (Our High Calling, November 4)

SSL-Q2-04 - The Flood (fliphtml5.com)