GENESIS 7
17 The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubitsdeep. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days. – Genesis 7:17-24
GENESIS 7 THE EXTINCTION OF LIVING THINGS ON EARTH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As the wrath of God continues over the corruption of man
The flood was non-stop for forty days above the ground
The waters were so mighty that it covered the highest mountains
Every living flesh died and extinguished all creatures and mankind.
The ark was the only thing that contained life inside it
And the Lord God made sure that they were unscathed
Noah and his family were the only righteous people in the land
Every living thing and human being died in that great big flood.
Let’s go back to Genesis 1:1-2 when the earth was without form and void and darkness was over the deep where God’s face was hovering over the waters. In this flood account, I have the same feeling that the whole earth was spiritually dark from wickedness and evil. Just like in the beginning God was watching over the darkness of the waters and during this flood, I somehow see the same vision that God was watching over the darkness (evil) in his created beings. When he said “Let there be light” at the start of creation, he did the same thing here as being the light shining on earth. He flooded wickedness and corruption and saved mankind through one man’s family. It was a foreshadowing of Jesus.
REFLECTION
- What trait of God was depicted in the annihilation of living beings in this account?
