Genesis 7 recounts the moment when God’s judgment through the Great Flood unfolds, yet His deliverance is revealed through Noah’s obedience. As the rains pour for forty days and forty nights, the earth is submerged, wiping out all life outside the ark. Only Noah, his family, and the animals within the ark are saved, showcasing God’s faithfulness to those who walk in righteousness. This chapter highlights divine justice, the importance of obedience, and the ultimate deliverance found in God’s protection. Through this account, we see both the severity of judgment and the promise of salvation for the faithful.
Genesis 7 Overview
- Noah and His Family Enter the Ark (Genesis 7:1-5)
- The Flood Begins: Forty Days of Rain (Genesis 7:6-12)
- The Waters Cover the Earth Completely (Genesis 7:13-20)
- All Life Outside the Ark Perishes (Genesis 7:21-23)
- The Waters Prevail for 150 Days (Genesis 7:24)
Genesis 7
Noah and His Family Enter the Ark
1 Yahweh said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation. 2 You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female. 3 Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the surface of all the earth. 4 In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing that I have made from the surface of the ground.”
5 Noah did everything that Yahweh commanded him.
The Flood Begins: Forty Days of Rain
6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. 7 Noah went into the ship with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, because of the flood waters. 8 Clean animals, animals that are not clean, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground 9 went by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as God commanded Noah. 10 After the seven days, the flood waters came on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the sky’s windows opened. 12 The rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.
The Waters Cover the Earth Completely
13 On the same day Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ship— 14 they, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 They went to Noah into the ship, by pairs of all flesh with the breath of life in them. 16 Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; and Yahweh shut him in.
17 The flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the ship, and it was lifted up above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed, and increased greatly on the earth; and the ship floated on the surface of the waters. 19 The waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered. 20 The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.
All Life Outside the Ark Perishes
21 All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land, died. 23 Every living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and birds of the sky. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ship.
The Waters Prevail for 150 Days
24 The waters prevailed on the earth one hundred fifty days.
Sermon Themes
Genesis 7 teaches us that God provides a way of deliverance for those who obey Him. Just as Noah found refuge in the ark, we find ultimate salvation in Jesus Christ. Are you walking in obedience to God’s word and seeking His protection in your life? Take time to reflect on how you can trust in God’s provision and live according to His will.
- God’s Call to Enter the Ark – Salvation is available to those who respond to God’s invitation (Genesis 7:1).
- Obedience Leads to Deliverance – Noah did all that the Lord commanded, ensuring his family’s safety (Genesis 7:5).
- The Righteous Find Refuge in God – Noah and his family were protected because they walked with God (Genesis 7:1, 16).
- Divine Protection in the Midst of Chaos – God Himself shut the door, securing those inside the ark (Genesis 7:16).
- The World Perished Outside the Ark – Judgment falls on those who reject God’s warnings (Genesis 7:21-23).
- Salvation is by God’s Grace – Noah found grace in God’s eyes, highlighting the role of divine mercy (Genesis 7:1).
- Only One Way to Be Saved – The ark had one door, symbolizing salvation through Christ alone (Genesis 7:16).
- Walk in Obedience – Like Noah, follow God’s commands even when others doubt (Genesis 7:5).
- Find Security in God – Trust that God will protect and provide for those who follow Him (Genesis 7:16).
- Judgment is Real – Live with an eternal perspective, knowing that God’s justice will come (Genesis 7:21-23).
- Grace is Available Today – Like Noah, we must walk with God to receive His favor (Genesis 7:1).
- Lead Your Family in Faith – Noah’s obedience saved his household; be a godly leader (Genesis 7:7).
- One Door to Salvation – Just as there was only one ark, salvation comes only through Christ (Genesis 7:16).
▷ Scripture quotation taken from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain.
