Noah, Perfect in His Generations
Previously I had mentioned the problem of angelically corrupted DNA and concluded that Noah and the seven who joined him in the Ark had true human DNA and could safely carry forward the seed of Adam and Eve.
When one considers the unequaled devastation that took place at the time of the flood one feels compelled to balance that with an unequaled threat to the future of God’s plan for humanity. A corrupted form of humanity blending human and angelic DNA would certainly provide that unequaled threat; the marriage of believing men and unbelieving woman would not, that has continued throughout the history of humanity.
Noah’s Challenge
At the time God revealed His plan to Noah I would estimate Noah was around 480 years old. The world was an entirely different place and provided a considerably more healthful environment than it did after the flood. The water vapor canopy which surrounded the earth provided an excellent temperature balance with an oxygen rich atmosphere from North Pole to South Pole; I would estimate the two polar extremes enjoyed year-round semi-tropical conditions.
A casual search of the internet will reveal a considerable number of reports and articles on tropical vegetation and animal life found under the ice at both poles which, of course, supports the Biblical account of creation perfectly.
Another characteristic of this greenhouse environment was a total absence of rain; the ground was watered by streams or a mist emerging from the earth. All of this undoubtedly increased Noah’s confusion when he was told to build a huge ship. I can easily imagine he must have created a great deal of curiosity as construction progressed.
According to the Genesis record Noah may have worked on the ark for around 20 years before Shem, Ham, and Japheth were born. From the Bible we can determine that Japheth was born first, Shem second, and Ham third. One can only guess how many more years were to pass before they could help Noah in the construction of the ark.
Corruption and Violence Filled the Earth
In Genesis 6:11-12 we read, “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.”
What is this… in the midst of environmental perfection mankind was filled with corruption and violence? Kind of reminds me of the Millennium; after 1,000 years of governmental and environmental perfection under the Lord Jesus Christ huge numbers of people will revolt under the leadership of Satan.
This very forcefully says to me that mankind’s basic problem is spiritual, not circumstantial or environmental which is precisely what the Bible tells us. Mankind’s default position since the fall of Adam is spiritual death until born again by the power of God the Holy Spirit when a person is brought back to spiritual life by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Instructions for Building the Ark
The Bible spends a brief time on the who, why and when of building the Ark but no time explaining the where and the how. I’m forced to assume Noah had help; handling the timbers that must have been involved would require either machines or men to help move and place the timbers for assembly.
In Genesis 6:14-16 a very summary description of the Ark is given which is likely an abbreviated account for the Biblical record. The Bible does not tell us much about Noah; nothing is mentioned as to his technical qualifications to design and build the Ark from the brief description given of him in the Bible. For all we know Noah may have been a major ship builder by trade and all of this was a piece of cake for him.
To be continued….
davidbowerkingwood 
Very interesting, again! Your explanation of the “why” of the flood makes complete sense and fills in a large gap in my understanding! Thank you so much for sharing your insights, David!
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By: Alison on April 27, 2012
at 9:34 am
Alison:
I first learned of this back in the 60’s and was fascinated by the implications. The Bible is a rich storehouse of exciting information given in understated terms. One has to read and meditate to discover the somewhat hidden gems of truth.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
David
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By: davidbowerkingwood on April 27, 2012
at 12:27 pm
Mankind’s default position since the fall of Adam is spiritual death until born again by the power of God the Holy Spirit when a person is brought back to spiritual life by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
I’ve been thinking about Adam lately. What it must have been like to have been used to dwelling in God’s presence and walking with him . . . and then to be kicked out of the Garden.
I think that even though they left the Garden of Eden, Adam must still have had conversations with God. How could he not? I think he would have still been attuned to God’s presence and I am sure God gave him promises for the future.
If not, I can’t imagine how he would have even been able to bear continuing on.
Also, there was knowledge of the Most High that predates the Torah. Melchezidek was his priest and Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”
Adam died during the time of Lamech, Noah’s father, so during all this time people had access to the knowledge of someone at least one person removed from the one who walked with God.
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By: Carla Alvarez on April 30, 2012
at 11:29 pm
Carla:
It’s good to hear from you again. You’ve raised some interesting points about Adam and the unrevealed knowledge that must have been circulating before the writing of the Torah. I too have been fascinated and mystified by Job’s amazing statement in Job 19:25. His knowledge of the Redeemer goes far beyond what God chose to reveal in the Bible up to that time. It will be interesting to talk someday to those who lived at that time and find out all they knew and how they actually lived before the flood.
I’m reminded of John 21:25 where John comments on the volume of books that could have been written if all of the things Jesus did should have been written down. There are so many interesting things about creation and the world before the flood that “the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”
I agree that Adam’s sense of loss must have been particularly keen as he was the only man to enjoy the privilege of personal walks and talks with God. From that perspective it then becomes rather strange that the phrase “walked with God” was only applied to Enoch and Noah and not to Adam. It makes me wonder to what extent a possible sense of failure and unworthiness may have influenced Adam’s thinking after the fall. As human beings we often have a harder time forgiving ourselves than forgiving others.
The overlap of lives was one of the interesting points brought out by the timeline; at the time of Adam’s death Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, and Lamech were all alive. What is fearful about all of that is all of the other sons and daughters mentioned as having been born with exception of the eight members of Noah’s immediate family would die in the flood; an awesomely fearful event.
David
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By: davidbowerkingwood on May 1, 2012
at 7:41 am