Topical Encyclopedia The event of the Flood, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, represents one of the most extraordinary occurrences of rain in biblical history. This cataclysmic event is described as a divine judgment upon a world that had become exceedingly corrupt and violent. The narrative of the Flood is primarily found in Genesis chapters 6 through 9.Divine Judgment and Preparation The account begins with God's observation of humanity's wickedness: "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5). In response, God decided to cleanse the earth through a flood, sparing only Noah, a righteous man, and his family. God instructed Noah to build an ark, a massive vessel designed to preserve human and animal life: "Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out" (Genesis 6:14). The Onset of the Flood The extraordinary rain began as God fulfilled His promise to bring judgment upon the earth. Genesis 7:11-12 describes the onset of the Flood: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights." This deluge was not merely a natural occurrence but a divinely orchestrated event, with both the "fountains of the great deep" and the "floodgates of the heavens" contributing to the overwhelming inundation. Duration and Impact The rain continued unabated for forty days and nights, resulting in a global flood that covered even the highest mountains: "The waters prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters. So the waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them to a depth of fifteen cubits" (Genesis 7:18-20). This extraordinary rain led to the destruction of all living creatures on the land, except for those preserved in the ark: "Every living thing that moved upon the earth perished—birds, livestock, animals, every creature that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind" (Genesis 7:21). Cessation and Covenant After the rain ceased, the waters gradually receded, and the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. God remembered Noah and all the living creatures with him, causing a wind to pass over the earth to aid in the drying process: "But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded" (Genesis 8:1). Following the Flood, God established a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow was given as a sign of this covenant: "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth" (Genesis 9:13). The extraordinary rain of the Flood serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy, illustrating both His judgment against sin and His provision for redemption. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 7:4,12For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Concerning the Flood; and after what Manner Noah was Saved in an ... Light at Evening Time Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ... Egypt and Greece. Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals. The Wicked Husbandmen. Paul and Barnabas in Lystra. Canaan on Earth Blessed are they that Mourn Matt. Ii. 1, 2 Resources What is the Latter Rain Movement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the rain falls on the just and the unjust? | GotQuestions.org What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.org Rain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rain of Christ in the Communication of his Graces Rain of the Doctrine of Faithful Ministers Rain: (Destructive) of a Poor Man Oppressing the Poor Rain: (Destructive) of God's Judgments Rain: Answer to Prayer For, Promised Rain: Canaan Abundantly Supplied With Rain: Contingent Upon Obedience Rain: Designed For: Making Fruitful the Earth Rain: Designed For: Refreshing the Earth Rain: Designed For: Replenishing the Springs and Fountains of the Earth Rain: Divided Into: Overflowing Rain: Extraordinary: After Long Drought in Ahab's Reign Rain: Extraordinary: After the Captivity Rain: Extraordinary: During Wheat Harvest in the Days of Samuel Rain: Extraordinary: Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: Extraordinary: Time of the Flood Rain: Forty Days of, at the Time of the Great Flood of Noah Rain: Frequently Withheld on Account of Iniquity Rain: God Causes, to Come Down Rain: God Exhibits Goodness in Giving Rain: God Exhibits Greatness in Giving Rain: God Sends Upon the Evil and Good Rain: God should be Feared on Account of Rain: God should be Praised For Rain: Impotence of Idols Exhibited in not Being Able to Give Rain: Miraculously Caused by Elijah Rain: Miraculously Caused by Samuel Rain: North Wind Unfavorable To Rain: Not Sent Upon the Earth Immediately After Creation Rain: Occasioned by the Condensing of the Clouds Rain: Often Impeded Travelling in the East Rain: Often Succeeded by Heat and Sunshine Rain: Promised in Due Season to the Obedient Rain: Rainy Season in Palestine is in the Ninth Month, Corresponding to December Rain: Storm and Tempest often With Rain: The Appearance of a Cloud from the West Indicated Rain: The Earth Will Never Again be Destroyed By Rain: The Former, After Harvest, to Prepare for Sowing Rain: The Lack of Causes the Earth to Open Rain: The Lack of Dries up Springs and Fountains Rain: The Lack of Occasions Famine Rain: The Lack of Removed by Prayer Rain: The Latter, Before Harvest Rain: The North Wind Drives Away Rain: The Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: The Rainbow often Appears During Rain: Thunder and Lightning often With Rain: Withheld for Three Years and Six Months in the Days of Elijah Rain: Withheld, in Answer to Prayer Related Terms Thunder-flames (8 Occurrences) |
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