Topical Bible: The Deluge: Decrease of Gradual

◄ The Deluge: Decrease of Gradual ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Deluge, commonly referred to as the Great Flood, is a pivotal event described in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 9. This cataclysmic flood was sent by God as a divine judgment upon the earth due to the pervasive wickedness and corruption of humanity. The narrative centers on Noah, a righteous man chosen by God to preserve human and animal life through the construction of an ark.

Biblical Account of the Flood's Decrease

The decrease of the floodwaters is a significant phase in the narrative, marking the transition from divine judgment to the restoration of the earth. According to Genesis 8:1-5 , "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 began to subside. The springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained. The waters receded steadily from the earth, and after 150 days the waters had gone down. On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month, the tops of the mountains became visible."

Theological Significance

The gradual decrease of the floodwaters signifies God's mercy and faithfulness. After the period of judgment, God initiates a process of renewal and restoration. The cessation of rain and the closing of the springs of the deep demonstrate God's control over creation, emphasizing His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises.

Symbolism and Typology

The decrease of the floodwaters and the eventual emergence of dry land symbolize new beginnings and the hope of redemption. The ark's resting on the mountains of Ararat is seen as a type of salvation, prefiguring the deliverance found in Christ. Just as Noah and his family were saved through the ark, believers find salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Covenantal Implications

Following the decrease of the floodwaters, God establishes a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. This covenant is marked by the sign of the rainbow, as stated in Genesis 9:11-13 : "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.'"

Historical and Geological Considerations

From a historical perspective, the account of the Deluge has parallels in various ancient cultures, suggesting a widespread memory of a significant flood event. While some scholars debate the historicity and extent of the flood, conservative Christian interpretations uphold the biblical account as a literal and historical event, affirming the reliability of Scripture.

Conclusion

The decrease of the floodwaters in the Deluge narrative is a profound demonstration of God's mercy, sovereignty, and covenantal faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the hope and renewal that follow divine judgment, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 8:3,5
And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

'Clear Shining after Rain'
... admitting that there was a 'universal deluge.' But 'universal ... 2. The gradual subsidence
of the flood is told ... The slow decrease negatives the explanation of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/clear shining after rain.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... which about that time threatened to deluge the land. ... There was, however, a gradual
increase in many ... Year: 39,150; Last Year: 43,411; Decrease: 4,261 " Total ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm