Tag: Genesis 7

Prevailing Waters

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Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. And the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered.
Genesis 7:17-19 (NASB)

In Genesis 7, there’s a dramatic build up of power in verses 17, 18, and 19. It reads a little bit like basic repetition in English, but is a very clear increase in the Hebrew.

Vayirbu ha-mayim: and increased- the waters.
Vayigberu ha-mayim vayirbu me’od: and prevailed- the waters, and increased VERY.
Veha-mayim gaveru me’od me’od: and the waters prevailed VERY VERY.

The increase appears quite dramatic in the Hebrew!

First, we have an increase that raises the Ark.
Then we have water PREVAILING and a LARGER increase that lifts the ark so it fully floats on the surface.
Finally, we have water prevailing VERY VERY (me’od, me’od!), so much that the water covers the mountains.

In the oral tradition, this is an intense story, full of drama and flailing hands and theatrics, I’m sure.

It’s fun. It’s also meant to drive the point home. These are unstoppable waters, covering everything until there is nothing left of the earth to see, save for a boat that is protecting all of us.

Song of Noah

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Song of Songs is a poem about a man who loves a woman, to the exclusion of all other woman. She is elevated above all other women, and adorned as such.

The story isn’t about the rejection of other women in the poem. It’s about a special relationship.

In a way, the story of Noah and the Flood in Genesis 6 and 7 is the same story as the Song of Songs.

Here is the difference:

Perhaps neither of these “other” groups are meant to point to people.

The “other women” in Song of Songs are the heavenly hosts that cheer the union.

The “people not on the boat” are the demonic forces that God will destroy because they desire to harm His bride.

The House of the LORD

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Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)

Nearly every translation renders this “before me” or “in my presence,” and those are correct meanings. But the literal Hebrew here is “to my face.” This feels… intimate. As close as lovers. Face to face.

God calls us to come into His boat. His house. His presence.

Can you feel it?

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)

And God said to REST

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Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)

The name Noah means “rest.” Here in Genesis 7, we know it refers to the man’s name, but if you get very, very, absurdly literal, consider this other theological statement that it appears to say:

Then the Lord said to REST. He said stop. Trust.

And because the rest of the verse describes God inviting Noah into the Ark, which represents atonement, we have this:

“Come into my protection. My dwelling. My house, you and your people. I see you desire to be with me, to be near me, to be face to face with me right here, and right now. Come. Be with me.”

I’m telling you, this is a love story.

The Exodus and the Flood

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In Exodus, the avenging angel swept through and killed the first-born sons of the land. This was terrifying, but those covered by the sign of atonement were safe.

The flood waters in Genesis 7 were also terrifying, and it served a similar purpose. Terrifying, but those covered by the Ark (which is a place of atonement) were also safe.

Perhaps

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Genesis 1-2: God is our Father.
Genesis 3-4: We turn away from Him. We’re like a son who demands his inheritance and leaves.
Genesis 5: Time passes. We wander until things get so bad we need to come home.
Genesis 6-7: The father runs to meet us and brings us back into the house.

God is on the Boat

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Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)

Different translations render Genesis 7:1 as “GO into the ark” or “ENTER the ark” as though these all mean the same thing… but the Hebrew word בֹּֽא־ (“bo”) most often means to “come in.”

God didn’t say “GO into THAT boat over there.” He said “COME into MY boat with Me, right HERE.”

You’re on the Boat

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If you read the Bible and you don’t know God loves you with the greatest love, the words will sound like hell.

You’re going to see yourself cast out of the garden.
Marked for death.
A random name in a list of names.
Left off the boat as the flood rises.

But that’s not the story.

He left the garden with you.
He shielded you from vengeance.
He knows your name.
He carries you in the boat.

It is your story. It is the story of His great love for you.

Eat what God has Provided

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In Hebrew numerology, you know that three and seven are important. This make multiples (3 x 7 = 21) stand out as well.

So I find it amusing that in the Garden, the word “eat” is stated 21 times in the Hebrew in Gen 1 and Gen 2.

And “eating” is tied to the greenery.

Interestingly, similar to the way the animals in Genesis 1 are described in triplicate (livestock, creeping things, wild animals), we are shown three kinds of plants: grass, herbs, and trees.

In Genesis 6 and 7, the text is specific: God brings all three types of animals. But there’s no mention of the three types of plants. It is only hinted at in this phrase: מִכָּל־מַאֲכָל (mi-kol ma’akhal). This phrase means “of every food.”

You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.
Genesis 6:21 (NIV)

I used to wonder why humans and animals were vegetarian before the flood. Perhaps it’s linked to atonement: the Ark is a grand parable of humanity being preserved.

The three animals are a metaphor for all people, and people should not devour one another. God has provided every food we need.

The Ark is Big Enough

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God destroys the world with a flood. This points to the end of things.

But on the boat, we see:

Both pure and impure animals.
All three of Noah’s sons, including Ham, the “bad one.”
All three kinds of animals, including the creeping ones, which are the “bad ones.”
Animals and birds.
Males and females.

What do you suppose this is saying? Perhaps the Ark represents God planning to redeem everyone. To make all things new.

People often argue that Noah’s boat wasn’t big enough for all the animals of the world, but perhaps we are meant to think that. We’re meant to be shocked at the absurdity of the story, in the same way we should be surprised by the spiritual equivalance: “Perhaps God’s grace is big enough for everyone.”