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THE NARRATIVE OF THE GREAT FLOOD

Text: Genesis 4-6
26 July 2011

(I) THE NARRATIVE OF THE GREAT FLOOD

1. The prevailing power of evil

a) Murder

i) Cain (Genesis 4:1-15)

ii) Lamech (Genesis 4:23)

b) Evil (Genesis 6:5)

c) Corruption (Genesis 6:11a, 12)

d) Violence (Genesis 6:11b, 13)

2. Divine Judgment

a) Destruction of mankind contemplated (Genesis 6:13)

b) Global flood (Genesis 6:17)

(II) THE FIRST COVENANT

1. Promise of God to preserve life (Genesis 6:18-20)

a) To Noah

b) His family

c) Every species of living things

2. The Establishment of the Noahic Covenant after the Flood

“As for me, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants forever after you.

And with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth.” Genesis 9:9-10

a) The earth would not be cursed in the same way again (Genesis 8:21)

b) Even if man’s heart continues to pursue wickedness (Genesis 8:21)

c) Man would never be destroyed by a Flood again (Genesis 8:21; 9:11)

d) The laws that govern nature and its seasons would be permanent (Genesis 8:22)

3. The Sign of the Covenant

a) A Rainbow (Genesis 9:13)

b) God would always remember His covenant (Genesis 9:15)

c) This would be an everlasting covenant (Genesis 9:16-17)

(III) SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE NARRATIVES

1. Ancient records were not well kept

2. Theological significance of the Doctrine of “Covenants”

a) This would be the first one

b) There would be others

c) God relates to man in the framework of a Covenant