The Book of Genesis
Part 18
Our studies of the Deluge would not be complete if we did not examine some of the details of events and circumstances which immediately followed this cataclysm. Let us consider:
The Renovated World
To do so properly demands that we contrast in some matters the pre-Deluge state of the world with its post-Deluge condition.
The Anti-Deluvian World:
The Lord Jesus has given a very concise description of the anti-deluvian world. “In the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; until the day that Noe entered into the ark” (Matt. 24:38). It would appear that this statement of our Lord embraced more than merely the occupation with the ordinary pursuits of life. The tone of the entire passage intimates; first, that there was an over-emphasis upon the affairs of the present, and this to the exclusion of any proper consideration of the things of the future; and, second, that so great was man’s concern for present matters he indulged in gluttony, frivolity, and irresponsibility. Moreover, as we have noticed in the past, there was a dreadful moral degeneracy, “The wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
The Post-Deluvian World:
There is no doubt but that the flood caused many great and permanent changes.
Geological changes: The tremendous pressure of water must have caused changes in the earth. Some have seen what changes even a tornado or a hurricane has caused in changing water-courses, washing away bridges, roads, buildings, etc. These would be minor matters compared to the geological upheavals resulting from so great a flood.
Zoological changes: From the fossils of anti-deluvian life, we know that there were many changes in this department as well.
Moral changes: Whatever changes there were in the fields of geology and zoology, there was none in the mind and heart of man; man remained irretrievably sinful. God said to Noah, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done” (Gen. 7:21).
Governmental changes: After the flood we have the establishment; first, of civil rule. Man became once more the human representative of Divine government. The Lord imposed this responsibility upon him, “Into thy hands are they delivered,” said God to man. In second place, criminal law was invoked. The murderer was no longer to be dealt with mildly as had been Cain, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9:6).
The Replenished Population:
“Be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein” (Gen. 9:7). While there is striking similarity between God’s command to Noah and God’s command to Adam, there is also a very striking difference. God did not say to Noah, “Multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it,” as He had to Adam. If we are correct in the assumption that outside of the Garden of Eden there still existed disorder, and that man, as the human representative of Divine government, was to subdue the entire earth and order its affairs, does not the omission of such an assignment to Noah suggest that through sin man had become weak and incapacitated? The assurance of physical protection that immediately follows this command would favour such a conclusion. “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth.” God placed in the brute an instinctive fear of man, and this timidity provides protection for the human race.
It is well to notice that as God placed a prohibition upon Adam for he was not permitted to eat of “the tree of life,” even so, God placed a prohibition upon Noah against eating of the fluid of life, “The flesh with the life (soul) thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” (Gen. 9:4).
The justice of God should be one of our great incentives in preaching. It was because Paul knew the terror of the Lord, that he persuaded men.