Genesis 7

Introduction:

As we move from Genesis 6 into chapter 7, the scene shifts from warning to fulfillment.

In chapter 6, God revealed the depth of human corruption and the grief it brought to His heart, yet He also highlighted a man who “walked with God”—Noah.

Genesis 7 now brings us to the moment when God’s word becomes action. The time of patience has ended, and the floodwaters are about to come.

Yet in the midst of judgment, we see God’s faithfulness and mercy as He calls Noah and his family into the ark.

1. (V1) I have seen you are righteous before me

Genesis 6:9 “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

a) Noah spent the years before the flood in active obedience.

He not only believed God would send the flood; he obeyed what God told him to do in preparation for the coming judgment.

It was an act of faith because it had never rained before the flood

He didn’t know how long they would be inside the ark

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

b) Noah was a righteous man

The first time the word righteous was used

Noah was a man of integrity

Despite the wicked and perverse generation, he was a just man

He was righteous not because of his good works, but because he was righteous he had good works

⚡️Application: Noah was faithful despite the evil time he was living in

He lived a righteous life

He was faithful to warn the unbelieving world

He was faithful obey everything the Lord commanded, which is a theme of chapter 6 and 7

Don’t grow weary while doing good

Don’t let your guard down, continue to live that abundant life Jesus speaks of in

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

1.1 (V2) Noah gathered all the animals

a) How did Noah gather all the animals?

God caused these animals to come to Noah

How do animals know when to migrate?

Animals know when to migrate primarily by sensing changes in daylight, or photoperiod, which triggers hormonal changes that prepare them for the journey.

Additionally, environmental cues such as temperature and food availability also play a significant role in their migratory timing

b) A pair of every kind to reproduce

2. (V4) After seven days I will cause it to rain

a) After 7 days the rain began

A week of waiting for the rain to begin

Noah, the animals, and his family had to wait in the ark seven days for the rain to come.

They had never seen rain, so you could imagine what the week was like for Noah and his family

2.1 I will cause it to rain for forty days and forty nights

a) The number 40 is associated with testing and purification

Especially before entering something new and significant.

This is seen in several cases.

Moses’ time on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18, Deuteronomy 9:25).

The spies’ trip to Canaan (Numbers 13:25).

Israel’s time in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33, 32:13).

Elijah’s miraculous journey to Sinai (1 Kings 19:8).

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:13).

b) We also see number 7 is repeated, which the number 7 expresses the idea of completion, perfection, holiness

2.2 (V5) Noah did all that the Lord commanded

a) Noah was faithful to follow all that God commanded

⚡️Application: We can over complicate things, but we simply need to hear from and do all that he commands us

There can be many competing voices, but only one we need to follow

2.3 (V11-12) The clouds opened up and it began to rain

a) Rained for forty days and forty nights

In the ark for 1 year and seventeen days

2.4 (V16) All went into the Ark and the Lord shut them in

a) No more second chances for those who were left out of the ark

As the Lord sealed the door, so was the worlds fate

I would imagine their laughter turned to despair as the water level continued to rise

⚡️Application: No different for those who reject Christ today

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

2.5 (V18) The waters prevail and greatly increased on earth

a) The waters prevailed

Complete flood

Hundreds of people groups have their own accounts and legends of the flood.

One of the most remarkable is the Babylonian account, which is like the Genesis account in many ways and is apparently drawn from it.

b) Evidence of the flood

Fossils of sea creatures are found in rock layers high above sea level all over the world

Scientist have found billions of dead plants and animals buried and fossilized in sand, mud, and lime that were deposited rapidly by water in rock layers all over the earth

2.6 (V21) All flesh died that moved on the earth

a) Judgement fulfilled

No do overs, no take backs, judgement was complete

This shows us that God takes sin seriously

Seriously enough to wipe the earth clean

2.7 (V24) The water prevailed on earth for 150 days

a) Some suggest that God put some of the animals on the ark in hibernation for this period

Meaning that less food, space, and supervision was necessary.

Conclusion:

As we look at Genesis 7 through the example of Noah, we’re reminded that righteousness is proven in obedience.

Noah didn’t just believe God’s warning—he acted on it, even when nothing he saw made sense.

He lived faithfully in a corrupt world, he obeyed completely, and when the moment of judgment came, he was safely shut in by the Lord Himself.

Just as the flood came exactly as God said, so every promise of Christ’s return will come to pass.

The door of the ark reminds us that God’s grace has a window—and one day that window closes.

The question for us is simple: Are we walking with God like Noah?

Are we listening to His voice above all others?

And are we living with our eyes fixed on Christ, ready for His coming?