Bible E-Course 3e - Flood Testimony & Lessons

Are documented testimonies of Noah’s flood believable witnesses? Let’s look at biblical and extra-biblical testimonies and some important lessons that are relevant for us.

Biblical Testimony

Does the Bible speak of just a local flood, or something that destroyed all humanity? It speaks of the end of what?

“all flesh” (Genesis 6:13, 17, 19; 7:15-16, 21; 8:17; 9:11, 15-17 WEB)

How widespread were the waters?

“The waters rose even higher over the earth; they covered all of the highest mountains under the sky.” (Genesis 7:19 CEB)

What was Jesus’ testimony about the flood?

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:36-39 NIV)

Other Testimony

The genealogies of many European royal houses show them descending from Japheth, one of the sons of Noah, records in existence long before those nations knew of a Christian Bible, as evidenced by their pre-Christian vocabulary. Many Indo-European legends reveal Japheth as the ancestor of those peoples.

Flood legends exist in well over 200 cultures around the world. They are all remarkably similar in many aspects, though some details are different. Common elements often include a family, a boat and universal destruction. These legends are to be found in ancient and modern places like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Syria, Greece, Egypt, China, India, North and South America, the Pacific Islands, and more. How did this happen? Could it be that descendants of Noah separated over time, migrated around the world and told this story throughout their generations?

Flood Lessons

Noah was obedient to God.

“Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” (Genesis 6:22 NKJV)

“And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.” (Genesis 7:5 NKJV)

Noah teaches us that living a righteous life may require us to be lonely and an object of derision in a world gone mad. If we have a family that is at least friendly towards our faith, then we should count ourselves blessed. Preaching the gospel today can be just as lonely, and even if only half a dozen people listen, we have done as God wills.

There is only one race of humans on earth. Marrying someone of a different skin color may put us in danger of bigotry, but it is not biblically wrong. What is strongly discouraged throughout the Bible, is marrying outside our faith, as many Bible passages explain (Genesis 24:3-4; Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Malachi 2:11; 1 Corinthians 7:12-14, 39; 2 Corinthians 6:14). We are different skin shades, perhaps like Noah’s sons and daughters-in-law, but we are all one human family.

“These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.” (Genesis 10:32 NLT)

A little discussed lesson from Noah’s history is that there was plenty of room on the ark for others. The nave of some older churches is so-called because its ceiling looks like an upturned boat, with its structural ribbing, and it was a reminder to visitors that there is room for any who turn from their sins and turn to God. Material salvation is a picture of eternal salvation in Jesus.

Noah’s name means “rest” and reminds us of the true rest for our souls that only Jesus can give.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV)

Because of his righteousness, Noah’s family was also counted among the holy and allowed to escape. This same thing happens when a husband or wife becomes a believer. Because the believer is holy, God provides a certain measure of protection to the whole family.

“For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” (1 Corinthians 7:14 ESV)

As Noah entered a new world, so will the resurrected believer enter a pure, clean world untainted by sin. As righteous Noah found salvation by entering the door of a barge, so will we find eternal salvation only in Jesus, the door to the sheepfold.

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9 KJV)

There will come a time when it is too late to enter. God will shut the door.

“And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in.” (Genesis 7:16 ESV)

Will you have a change of heart and mind and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!

Bible E-Course 3d - Flood Morality and Geology

How could a good God destroy most of humanity in a worldwide flood? How can modern Christians even believe that such a flood existed? What does the Bible actually say?

Flood Morality

Can atheists have any basis for a statement questioning the morality of God’s judgment? If there is no God and we are just purposeless cosmic dust, then morality is just an opinion and irrelevant.

Why then would a good God have chosen to end most human life in a great worldwide flood? There is an explanation.

“The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil… Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt.” (Genesis 6:5, 11–12 NLT)

Would a good God want people to continue hurting each other? Would He want children to grow up in constant danger? Words like “totally evil” and “filled with violence” picture homicide, abortion, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual violence, self-harm and collective violence like gang violence and war. Did God send a warning to that ancient world through a preacher? Did people listen?

“And during Noah’s time, God did not have pity on the ungodly people of the world. He destroyed them with a flood, though he did save eight people, including Noah, who preached the truth.” (2 Peter 2:5 CEV)

What about innocent adults and especially children of Noah’s time? We must understand that God has power over life, therefore death is only temporary, and God is perfectly just. We may not understand how or when He will deliver justice to the innocent, but we know that He will and must.

But how? There we enter the realm of pure speculation. Some theorize that either immediately after death or at a future resurrection, God will reveal Himself to such people, and give them space to choose. We really don’t know how God will provide fair treatment for the innocent, but we do know that God is perfect in justice, and therefore some righteous solution must exist.

Most people still ignore the warning given by faithful preachers. God will again judge the world, not by a flood, but something far more ominous.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32 NKJV)

What about scoffers who believe in uniformitarianism, that geological change is slow, continuing as things were from the beginning, and that no catastrophic changes like a worldwide flood have occurred?

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV)

As physical salvation from the flood catastrophe was available to any who chose to believe and join Noah in an ancient barge, so too is salvation from eternal death available in Jesus.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)

Flood Geology

Was the flood just local or worldwide? If it was only local, then God has broken His rainbow promise often (Genesis 9:12-17). Evidence for a worldwide flood is ubiquitous, if we have eyes to see that are not blinded by uninformed indoctrination and prejudice.

Sea fossils on high mountains are usually interpreted as being lifted up from the ocean by tectonic activity. Could they actually be evidence of a flood that covered the mountains?

Exposed rock such as in the Grand Canyon, reveals many layers that are usually interpreted as being deposited over millions of years. If indeed that were true we would expect abundant evidence of erosion between layers. Where is it? Could the lack of erosion evidence between layers actually indicate that they were laid down rapidly, by a great catastrophic flood?

What about sedimentary rock layers that exist over whole continents? The word sedimentary means that these rocks were once loose soil, sand and gravel in a flood. How could depositing such layers over whole continents have occurred except in a great catastrophic flood?

Fossils are assumed to be buried gradually over time, but they must be buried rapidly to preserve such things as one fish eating another, or an animal in the midst of a birth. Don’t widespread rapid burial and preservation show indications of a great flood?

Bent rock formations cannot have occurred after the rock layers had hardened or they would have cracked. Wouldn’t they have to have been bent by geological activity while still soft after having been deposited by flood waters?

These are just a few of many, many questions raised by those willing to examine earth science and challenge a popular worldview. There are some scientists who are willing to be ridiculed because they believe that geological evidence is consistent with a worldwide flood, as described in the Bible.

Will you have a change of heart and mind and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!

Bible E-Course 3c - Genesis Principles

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan.

Genesis is the first book of Moses, of the law, of the Pentateuch, of the Torah. How does Old Testament law relate to Christians? It applies in spirit and not in the letter.

“who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV)

For instance, we are circumcised of the heart, not the flesh.

“... True circumcision is something that happens deep in your heart, not something done to your body. And besides, you should want praise from God and not from humans.” (Romans 2:29 CEV)

None of us may have committed murder literally, but hatred and verbal abuse are the same spirit of murder.

“You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22 CEB)

Faithfulness to a spouse is laudable, but lust in our hearts is the spirit of adultery.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28 KJV)

A day to rest to worship God is good, but the Sabbath only points to our true rest in Jesus.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NASB)

A day to rest and worship is wise, but a specific day is not commanded in the New Testament.

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:5-6 NIV)

We are not to judge one another over such things as food choices and worship days.

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV)

The Old Testament is built on a series of covenants: e.g. Noahic, Abrahamic, Sinaitic (Mosaic), the Davidic and Levitical covenants. As we read Genesis, let’s look at it as having two parts. First, human failure in sin along with God’s grace in continuing to provide for us, followed by a second part, the story of a covenant between God and the successors of four faithful generations.

Genesis 1-11 Sin & Grace

Finish reading Genesis 1-11. The first part of Genesis reveals God and a family line of people who loved Him. It also records sin, human corruption, disobedience, murder, lust, immorality, violence and how God dealt with these issues in two ways: punishment and grace. God’s punishment included being expelled from the garden, limited life spans, the flood, the tower of Babel and physical death. God’s grace included the death penalty often being withheld, Cain being protected with a mark, Noah being preserved, and despite sin God is still gracious, allowing people to reproduce and have rain to produce food.

2 Ways

We can discern two overall directions which people took: the way of Cain in which people became worse and worse (Genesis 4), and the way of Seth in which people called upon God’s name and walked with God.

“Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.” (Jude 1:11 WEB)

The way of Seth and his descendants was different.

“When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name.” (Genesis 4:26 NLT)

“Enoch walked with God. After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch lived 300 years; and he had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:22 CEB)

Walking with God pictures a day of continual prayer, talking over every part of the day with God as a constant companion. These two ways, one of life and the other leading to death, are summarized so well in Psalm 1. Please take time to read it.

Genesis 12-50 Four Faithful Men

Read Genesis 12-50. God called Abram. What was required of him? Was it obedience, a responsive faith? Is that also required of us today?

The covenant promise to Abram is a narrative theme throughout the rest of Genesis. Why Abram? God did not do this for him or his descendants alone, but for all the families of the earth. Blessings are to be shared. God blesses His people today not for us to focus inwardly, but because there is work to be done (Genesis 13; 15; 17; 22), because He wants to see all people blessed. This is the gospel, according to Paul.

“Long ago the Scriptures said that God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. That’s why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him.” (Galatians 3:8 CEV)

Why are Genesis 10 and 11 out of time-order? Ancient writers were not always concerned with things being in perfect chronological succession, but in teaching sequential lessons. Perhaps Genesis 11 and 12 are together as a lesson. Why? In Genesis 11 people tried to make their name great, but God cursed their efforts. In chapter 12 God promised to make Abraham's name great.

We can summarize the promise to Abram as: descendants, a relationship with God, and a land. These three ingredients are expounded in the rest of the Pentateuch: 1. Genesis (Descendants), 2. Exodus & Leviticus (a relationship with God), 3. Numbers & Deuteronomy (the promised land).

God had to intervene so Sarah could bear a child. He created a people by divine election, just as today Christians are a people created by divine election. A main component of the covenant relationship was faith, a component Israel lacked. Being an Israelite or a physical descendant of Abraham is not enough. We must believe.

“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7 NIV)

Abraham's descendants Isaac, Jacob & Joseph were a partial fulfillment of the promise. When and how is the complete fulfillment of this promise?

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” (Romans 4:11-12 KJV)

Postlude

The forensic evidence for God is ubiquitous. Creation provides overwhelming confirmation, and those who avoid this are living in denial of the obvious. Teleology is right. Design proves that there is a designer and a purpose. God is far more powerful than we could imagine.

Men and women are equals before God but created with mutually excelling differences for complementary roles.

Let’s learn to be satisfied with unexplained mystery and recapture the important hidden secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis. Let’s take God at His Word. Let’s have a change of heart and mind and believe the good news of God’s reign. You decide!

Resources for Further Study

We may have a chance to get into greater depth in Genesis in later lessons. In the meantime, here are some excellent resources.

Morris, Dr. Henry M. The Genesis Record. A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Baker Book House. 1976.

R. C. Sproul, Norman L. Geisler, J. I. Packer. Explaining Biblical Inerrancy. Bastion Books. 2013. Available as a free PDF download from bastionbooks.com

Lisle, Dr. Jason. Understanding Genesis. How to Analyze, Interpret and Defend Scripture. Master Books. 2015.

Dr. Henry M. Morris, Dr. John C. Whitcom. The Genesis Flood. 50th Anniversary Edition. Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing. 2011.

Prodigal or Judgmental

Hymns: You Raise Me Up (Joshua 5); Forgiven (Psalm 32); We Are Standing on Holy Ground (2 Corinthians 5); Father I Have Sinned (the Prodigal Son Song).

Readings: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Prelude: Imagine someone who wasted his inheritance on wild living, went broke, was homeless, smelled like a pig and just wanted to come home? Purpose: Let’s look at the prodigal son. Plan: Let’s examine Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32.

Wasted

“A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” (Luke 15:11b-13 NKJV)

The older son pictures those who have always attended church and never really gotten into serious trouble or strayed too far from God. The younger son pictures all the rest who have wandered far from God and gotten their lives in a real spiritual and financial mess.

A lazy and greedy second child bled his father dry, taking what he could of his inheritance before his father’s death. In our society as well as theirs that would be presumptuous. But, the father divided the inheritance between them before his death. Some in our society have done this. Thus, both children received their inheritance.

Bankrupt

“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.” (Luke 15:14-16 NKJV)

A son squandered his inheritance in a far, distant country. Unlike the Jews, whose law required them to give to the poor, few other nations did, and there no one gave him anything. He was in a desperate situation on the edge of death.

Repentant Son

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ “And he arose and came to his father.” (Luke 15:17-20a NKJV)

We may want to be independent, but eventually realize how much we need each other. We may burn bridges, offend others, and cut off contact. We may never be able to repair some of our damaged relationships in this life, but we can always repair our damaged relationship with God.

The prodigal son came to a better mind. Repentance is a change of mind and involves action: turning FROM sin and TO the Father. So, he acted and made the difficult journey home in shame.

Would his father turn his back and disown him? Would the father demand a probation period? Would he accuse the wasteful son of embarrassing the family name? How do we treat those who are taking cautious, awkward steps out of the stench of life's tragically bad decisions, back to God?

Loving Father

“But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.” (Luke 15:20-22 NKJV)

We have all distanced ourselves from God at times. We have turned our back on him and put heaven to shame. Yet, all that is forgotten in an instant when we make any effort to return. Even while the son was a long way off, his return brought great joy to his father.

Feast

“And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:23-24 NKJV)

If we are still a long way off, let’s begin making just a few steps in return to God. God is already running to greet us with great joy. The son’s confession was interrupted by his father’s joy. As we begin to pray again, God forgives before we even finish.

Angry Brother

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’” (Luke 15:25-27 NKJV)

The story is really about two lost sons. The loyal son was also lost in anger. A faithful church goer can also be lost. There are dangers even among those who have never left church, never gone wild and never been disloyal to their families. We can become self-righteous, self-centered, and merciless.

Angry

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.” (Luke 15:28-29 NKJV)

The prodigal son failed by wandering from good sense. The judgmental son failed by lacking mercy.

The Father’s Plea

“But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” (Luke 15:30-32 NKJV)

If a church celebrated a wayward derelict, would the faithful among us be angry? Our Father encourages us to rejoice that a lost child has returned and remember that the faithful will receive a far greater reward in eternity.

Postlude: Which son are we, the prodigal or the angry? Do we see ourselves in both? Do we see God our Father, merciful to both? God joyfully welcomes us home when we fail and tenderly reminds us not to also fail by being harsh, but remember our eternal reward for faithfulness. Let’s be thankful that we have a Father in heaven who loves both.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Wilkins, Michael J. Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.; Nolland, J. Vol. 35B: Word Biblical Commentary : Luke. 2002. Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 497.

R.T. France. NICNT. The Gospel of Matthew; William L. Lane. NICNT. The Gospel of Mark; Green, Joel B. NICNT. The Gospel of Luke; J. Ramsey Michaels. NICNT. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Mich. W.B. Eerdmans. 2007; 1974; 1997; 2010.

Brian Stoffregen. Exegetical Notes. crossmarks.com/brian/

Bearing Fruit

Where is God when bad things happen? Purpose: Let’s discuss time and chance, and God giving us one last chance to repent. Plan: Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-9.

Martyrs

“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-3 NKJV)

Were the victims of recent atrocities around the world being punished by God? Are innocent victims of war worse people than us? Are massacres God’s punishment? Pilate massacred Galileans during worship. Was their worship insincere? Such judgmental questions annoy Jesus, because as He said, we will all perish unless we change our ways. Judgment by human governments does not necessarily constitute divine judgment.

Accident Victims

“Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5 NKJV)

Were the victims in recent accidents being punished by God? Those who died in a Jerusalem building collapse, were no worse or better than you and me. Unless we all repent we too will perish. We love to judge the fate of others, but Jesus reminds us to judge ourselves and repent.

Fruitlessness

“He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’” (Luke 13:6-7 NKJV)

What do you do with a fruitless tree that is wasting garden space? What does God do with a believer that is showing no fruit of repentance or faith? This is first a warning to Israel as a nation, but then also to every Christian, faith without works is dead.

Last Chance for Fruitfulness

“But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” (Luke 13:8-9 NKJV)

We can’t blame everything on time and chance. One day God will cut off the unrepentant. God gives space to repent. The parable of the fig tree shows that God’s leniency will not last forever. There is a certain urgency to repentance. So let’s repent, before it is too late.

“His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 136). Not every calamity is God’s punishment. Time and chance happen to everyone (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Not every loss is punishment and not every gain is a reward. Even when punishment is due, Jesus showed God’s preference to give us a second chance to repent.

Postlude

Next time we hear of an atrocity, a major sickness or a natural disaster, let’s look upon those people with compassion instead of judgment. Let’s also understand that we can’t blame time and chance for everything. God is giving us a little time to bear fruit. Let’s repent before it’s too late.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.