Genesis 8:6-14
"And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.” (Genesis 8:6-7)
Forty days after seeing the tops of the mountains. Noah opened the window and sent out a raven to see what whether it was possible to survive outside the ark. Being omnivorous, the raven could eat spoiled flesh or any form of food available. After forty days there would have been enough new plants growth to support him. That the raven didn’t return clearly indicated that things were getting back to normal.
“Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.” (Genesis 8:8-9)
The dove is far more discriminating in its tastes, requiring more developed seeds to eat. The plants had not yet produced seed, and the ground was still too muddy for her to be comfortable, so she returned to the ark, making it obvious that not every animal could survive yet.
“And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.” (Genesis 8:10-12)
Seven days after the dove returned the first time, Noah sent her out again. She returned with an olive leaf indicating that things were growing and developing, but that she had not yet found enough seeds to satisfy her. Almost two months after first seeing the tops of other mountains, enough plants had produced seed for the dove to survive away from the ark, and she no longer returned.
“And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.” (Genesis 8:13-14)
After ten and a half months, for the first time they can see the ground. People from the deepest snow regions know what it is like finally seeing the ground again after months of it being covered. Just as they open windows and doors and put away winter things, Noah opened the top of the ark so everyone could look out and enjoy the view. Even though they could see the ground finally, there was still puddles of standing water and mud was very deep. It would take nearly two more months for the ground to get completely dried out. It is easy to understand the delay if one has ever observed a pond or lake being drained so the dm could be repaired. Until sufficient water evaporates from the soil, the mud has no bottom. One sinks so far into the mud as to make travel almost impossible. Finally, a year and ten days after the rain started the ground was dry enough to allow resumption of normal life. I suspect cabin fever began to be an issue, after a year of not walking on land.
“And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.” (Genesis 8:15-17)
Only when conditions were completely right did God direct Noah to leave the ark. Human impatience would have caused most of us to jump out of the ark as soon as it looked fairly dry, with the result that some would have been mired in the mud. Waiting for God’s direction avoided the problem.
“And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.” (Genesis 8:18-19)
I can only imagine the frolicking of the animals once they were sure of the safety outside the ark. They were no longer crowded together and could run and play freely. The smell of fresh air and new plant growth like that in early spring would only heighten their pleasure, and the taste of fresh food was even better.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Flood Recedes
Genesis 8:1-5
A lot of people believe that God started the world into motion then just watches it without taking an active part in it’s function. As we have seen, he actively intervened in Adam’s sin, in the murder of Cain, in shortening mankind’s lifespan, and in starting the flood. He not only caused the flood to come, he actively controls the recovery from it.
“And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.” (Genesis 8:13)
In Genesis 6:17-18 God told Noah, “And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.” He had not forgotten his promise of a covenant with Noah, but he made sure all other life was dead before fulfilling it. Genesis 7:11 states, “In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.”
Forty days later, it stopped raining and the underground reservoirs stopped draining. For the next three and a half months the waters steadily receded. Exactly five months after the start of the flood, the ark grounded on top of mount Ararat, but it was almost three months later before they could see the tops of the other mountains. During this period, evaporation and absorption by the ground appears to have been responsible for most tof the drop in water level. It was relatively slow in spite of a special wind sent for the purpose.
“And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.” (Genesis 8:4-5)
Just under five months after the tops of the mountains were first seen, Genesis 8:14 tells us, “And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.” The rate at which the water receded accelerated dramatically, far beyond what would seem reasonable by the appearance of the mountain tops. We know that the modern aquifers are replenished by absorption of ground water, and God probably caused the same process to operate in a faster manner than it does today, eliminating a lot of the water.
In addition, the broken and tilted construction of modern mountains suggests that they were up thrust in the relatively recent past. Some of the sedimentary layers are not fractured but rather bend smoothly, indicating that those layers had not yet hardened when the upthrust occurred. With the ark safely grounded on mount Ararat, the up thrusting would have caused little problem, especially if it occurred rather slowly. With the ground still saturated and soft, erosion could have produced features like the Grand Canyon in a matter of days, rather than millions of years. Sedimentary rocks containing sea shells could easily have risen to the tops of mountains, where they are often found.
If such up thrusts of the earth’s surface occurred after the flood, it is probable that far less water would have been required to cover the mountains than would be required today, and that the raising of some areas would result in deepening of others, such as the Marianas trench, a huge canyon or trench in the Pacific Ocean, far deeper than any other part of the ocean. Lowering such areas would have allowed the water to drain away rapidly without having to evaporate, speeding up the drying process.
Genesis 2:10-14 indicates that a river flowed from Eden to four rivers. Today those same four rivers flow in the opposite direction, and we are no longer able to locate the Garden of Eden. The fact that the rivers now flow toward the same area rather than away would indicate that the Garden of Eden has sunk. Perhaps it is now under the Mediterranean Sea,the Persian Gulf, or the Red Sea.
Please understand that most of historical geology’s explanations are just as much speculation based an what has been observed as the comments I have made, with the difference that I have tried to say possibly or probably, rather than stating it as proven fact. Neither I, nor the geologists were there to observe what happened. I believe that the flood provides a more plausible explanation for the geologic features around us than does historical geology. That so many ancient cultures have stories of a flood, even though they differ tremendously in detail, indicates that some kind of a flood did occur.
Hebrews 11:6 describes the importance of faith on our part. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” If we cannot believe God in these areas, how can we trust him about anything else. Hebrews 11:3 states, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” I choose to believe what the Bible says, but I do not have to ignore evidence to do so, contrary to what many believe.
A lot of people believe that God started the world into motion then just watches it without taking an active part in it’s function. As we have seen, he actively intervened in Adam’s sin, in the murder of Cain, in shortening mankind’s lifespan, and in starting the flood. He not only caused the flood to come, he actively controls the recovery from it.
“And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.” (Genesis 8:13)
In Genesis 6:17-18 God told Noah, “And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.” He had not forgotten his promise of a covenant with Noah, but he made sure all other life was dead before fulfilling it. Genesis 7:11 states, “In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.”
Forty days later, it stopped raining and the underground reservoirs stopped draining. For the next three and a half months the waters steadily receded. Exactly five months after the start of the flood, the ark grounded on top of mount Ararat, but it was almost three months later before they could see the tops of the other mountains. During this period, evaporation and absorption by the ground appears to have been responsible for most tof the drop in water level. It was relatively slow in spite of a special wind sent for the purpose.
“And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.” (Genesis 8:4-5)
Just under five months after the tops of the mountains were first seen, Genesis 8:14 tells us, “And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.” The rate at which the water receded accelerated dramatically, far beyond what would seem reasonable by the appearance of the mountain tops. We know that the modern aquifers are replenished by absorption of ground water, and God probably caused the same process to operate in a faster manner than it does today, eliminating a lot of the water.
In addition, the broken and tilted construction of modern mountains suggests that they were up thrust in the relatively recent past. Some of the sedimentary layers are not fractured but rather bend smoothly, indicating that those layers had not yet hardened when the upthrust occurred. With the ark safely grounded on mount Ararat, the up thrusting would have caused little problem, especially if it occurred rather slowly. With the ground still saturated and soft, erosion could have produced features like the Grand Canyon in a matter of days, rather than millions of years. Sedimentary rocks containing sea shells could easily have risen to the tops of mountains, where they are often found.
If such up thrusts of the earth’s surface occurred after the flood, it is probable that far less water would have been required to cover the mountains than would be required today, and that the raising of some areas would result in deepening of others, such as the Marianas trench, a huge canyon or trench in the Pacific Ocean, far deeper than any other part of the ocean. Lowering such areas would have allowed the water to drain away rapidly without having to evaporate, speeding up the drying process.
Genesis 2:10-14 indicates that a river flowed from Eden to four rivers. Today those same four rivers flow in the opposite direction, and we are no longer able to locate the Garden of Eden. The fact that the rivers now flow toward the same area rather than away would indicate that the Garden of Eden has sunk. Perhaps it is now under the Mediterranean Sea,the Persian Gulf, or the Red Sea.
Please understand that most of historical geology’s explanations are just as much speculation based an what has been observed as the comments I have made, with the difference that I have tried to say possibly or probably, rather than stating it as proven fact. Neither I, nor the geologists were there to observe what happened. I believe that the flood provides a more plausible explanation for the geologic features around us than does historical geology. That so many ancient cultures have stories of a flood, even though they differ tremendously in detail, indicates that some kind of a flood did occur.
Hebrews 11:6 describes the importance of faith on our part. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” If we cannot believe God in these areas, how can we trust him about anything else. Hebrews 11:3 states, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” I choose to believe what the Bible says, but I do not have to ignore evidence to do so, contrary to what many believe.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The Destruction of Life
Genesis 7:21-24
“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” (Genesis 7:21-23)
Those who have observed flash floods or a tidal wave are often stunned by the power of that first wave of water traveling very fast and sweeping almost everything before it. Some survive by being swept onto an area where the water is shallow and climbing to safety, while others see the danger and flee before it. Those who escaped death in the first few hours of the flood undoubtedly sought higher ground for safety. The dinosaur and human tracks found near Glen Rose, Texas appear to be fleeing the same thing. Could it have been the stream of water and soil which preserved their tracks? Eventually the rising water covered the areas they had fled to and they exhausted themselves trying to escape and drowned. Floating debris would enable others to survive for a while, but they would eventually starve if they didn’t drown. Scavengers could survive for a while longer on the corpses of those who’d died, but even they and the birds and amphibians would find it impossible to survive very long.
Modern day ocean liners are able to endure and survive the storms of today because of their size, and design. The ark was of similar dimensions, and research indicates that the relationships of length to width to height produce the most stable vessel possible. The twenty feet of freeboard would have meant that only the largest waves could splash in, while the roof would have kept most of the water out. Scuppers could easily have drained away what water was splashed through the window before it got to the lower decks. Only those within the ark would ultimately survive.
“And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.” (Genesis 7:24)
For five months, the ark floated freely and nothing was visible. By that time all the animals except those who live full time in the water had either drowned or starved if they were outside the ark. Even many of the sea creatures would have died as a result of the sediment in the water.
In producing pressure treated or stabilized wood products, wood is immersed in chemicals under high pressure, for prolonged periods and the chemicals replace water in the cells. When we build a dam to retain a large body of water, trees and plants that were not washed away with the initial influx of water eventually die from being submerged. The pressure of the water forces it into the cells, and frequently the wood is preserved for long periods. Individual trees submerged during the flood were exposed to tremendous pressure, and large amounts of certain minerals were dissolved in the water as erosion exposed them. The petrified wood we see today would have resulted from the process much like that of pressure treating wood today, and the duration of the flood would have provided the necessary conditions.
While most plants would not have survived such sustained immersion, most seeds would have remained viable, just waiting for favorable conditions to begin growing.
The size of the ark would provide sufficient room to store an adequate supply of food for more than a year, sustaining animal life. Without divine guidance and assistance, it is unlikely that Noah could have designed or built a boat of sufficient size to provide what was needed, at least without years of experimentation.
“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” (Genesis 7:21-23)
Those who have observed flash floods or a tidal wave are often stunned by the power of that first wave of water traveling very fast and sweeping almost everything before it. Some survive by being swept onto an area where the water is shallow and climbing to safety, while others see the danger and flee before it. Those who escaped death in the first few hours of the flood undoubtedly sought higher ground for safety. The dinosaur and human tracks found near Glen Rose, Texas appear to be fleeing the same thing. Could it have been the stream of water and soil which preserved their tracks? Eventually the rising water covered the areas they had fled to and they exhausted themselves trying to escape and drowned. Floating debris would enable others to survive for a while, but they would eventually starve if they didn’t drown. Scavengers could survive for a while longer on the corpses of those who’d died, but even they and the birds and amphibians would find it impossible to survive very long.
Modern day ocean liners are able to endure and survive the storms of today because of their size, and design. The ark was of similar dimensions, and research indicates that the relationships of length to width to height produce the most stable vessel possible. The twenty feet of freeboard would have meant that only the largest waves could splash in, while the roof would have kept most of the water out. Scuppers could easily have drained away what water was splashed through the window before it got to the lower decks. Only those within the ark would ultimately survive.
“And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.” (Genesis 7:24)
For five months, the ark floated freely and nothing was visible. By that time all the animals except those who live full time in the water had either drowned or starved if they were outside the ark. Even many of the sea creatures would have died as a result of the sediment in the water.
In producing pressure treated or stabilized wood products, wood is immersed in chemicals under high pressure, for prolonged periods and the chemicals replace water in the cells. When we build a dam to retain a large body of water, trees and plants that were not washed away with the initial influx of water eventually die from being submerged. The pressure of the water forces it into the cells, and frequently the wood is preserved for long periods. Individual trees submerged during the flood were exposed to tremendous pressure, and large amounts of certain minerals were dissolved in the water as erosion exposed them. The petrified wood we see today would have resulted from the process much like that of pressure treating wood today, and the duration of the flood would have provided the necessary conditions.
While most plants would not have survived such sustained immersion, most seeds would have remained viable, just waiting for favorable conditions to begin growing.
The size of the ark would provide sufficient room to store an adequate supply of food for more than a year, sustaining animal life. Without divine guidance and assistance, it is unlikely that Noah could have designed or built a boat of sufficient size to provide what was needed, at least without years of experimentation.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The Severity of the Flood
Genesis 7:13-24
“In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.” (Genesis 7:13-16)
Rather than depending on Noah to find two of every single creature, God caused them to come to Noah. As a result, instead of years trying to collect them all, Noah was able to get them all into the ark in a single day. Once they were all aboard, God shut the door and sealed it so it wouldn’t leak. For the next seven days, the ark sat there as a testimony of Noah’s faith. Anyone who wanted in could have been taken in through the window around the top, but no one came. It was their last chance.
Genesis 2:5-6 informs us, “…for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” I am sure that the concept of rain had an unreal quality to people who had never seen rain, just as the concept of flash flood seems to people visiting the desert. They weren’t really concerned right up until the water began to fall, as Jesus described in Matthew 24:38-39. “For as 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, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away;…” I can only guess at the terror and shock when the water began to rise.
“And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. ” (Genesis 7:17-18)
If the rain only fell at the rate it sometimes falls in the rain forest, about thirty inches a day, That would make over a hundred feet of water in forty days. Within a week, even without the subterranean waters gushing out the flooding would have been severe. The rising waters launched the ark when they reached a depth of about fifteen cubits or twenty three feet.
“And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” (Genesis 7:19-20)
With modern mountains over twenty thousand feet in height, is seems impossible for there to have been enough water to have completely submerged them. However, geology indicates that the mountains have been pushed much higher than they were originally. Less than a tenth as much water would be required if they were only about two thousand feet in elevation. Over pumping some aquifers has caused vast areas to subside a foot or more in modern times. To break up and empty them completely would probably cause far greater amounts of sinking, and the amount of water required may have been far less than we would assume. Such vast amounts of water rushing to the lowest areas would cause tremendous erosion, filling in low lying areas, decreasing the differences in elevation and further decreasing the amount of water required.
Flash flooding in our state occasionally traps and kills people and animals and washes our trees, burying them in sediment here in New Mexico after a rain of only an inch or two in a relatively small area. It is easy to understand how such a major downpour over such a sustained period could trap even fish and sea animals and leave the fossils we see today, as well as the large coal beds and oil reserves. Quickly trapped and compacted, the sediment could easily begin to harden even before the flesh began to decay. Large piles of wood or animal bodies would be compacted and eventually change to coal or oil. This process has been observed in the aftermath of the Mount St. Helens collapse. Eventually the water reached such a depth that the ark floated safely over even the highest mountains. That deposits of coal and oil are found under deep layers of sediment are not surprising since the plants and animals would be among the first things to be washed away.
“In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.” (Genesis 7:13-16)
Rather than depending on Noah to find two of every single creature, God caused them to come to Noah. As a result, instead of years trying to collect them all, Noah was able to get them all into the ark in a single day. Once they were all aboard, God shut the door and sealed it so it wouldn’t leak. For the next seven days, the ark sat there as a testimony of Noah’s faith. Anyone who wanted in could have been taken in through the window around the top, but no one came. It was their last chance.
Genesis 2:5-6 informs us, “…for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” I am sure that the concept of rain had an unreal quality to people who had never seen rain, just as the concept of flash flood seems to people visiting the desert. They weren’t really concerned right up until the water began to fall, as Jesus described in Matthew 24:38-39. “For as 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, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away;…” I can only guess at the terror and shock when the water began to rise.
“And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. ” (Genesis 7:17-18)
If the rain only fell at the rate it sometimes falls in the rain forest, about thirty inches a day, That would make over a hundred feet of water in forty days. Within a week, even without the subterranean waters gushing out the flooding would have been severe. The rising waters launched the ark when they reached a depth of about fifteen cubits or twenty three feet.
“And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” (Genesis 7:19-20)
With modern mountains over twenty thousand feet in height, is seems impossible for there to have been enough water to have completely submerged them. However, geology indicates that the mountains have been pushed much higher than they were originally. Less than a tenth as much water would be required if they were only about two thousand feet in elevation. Over pumping some aquifers has caused vast areas to subside a foot or more in modern times. To break up and empty them completely would probably cause far greater amounts of sinking, and the amount of water required may have been far less than we would assume. Such vast amounts of water rushing to the lowest areas would cause tremendous erosion, filling in low lying areas, decreasing the differences in elevation and further decreasing the amount of water required.
Flash flooding in our state occasionally traps and kills people and animals and washes our trees, burying them in sediment here in New Mexico after a rain of only an inch or two in a relatively small area. It is easy to understand how such a major downpour over such a sustained period could trap even fish and sea animals and leave the fossils we see today, as well as the large coal beds and oil reserves. Quickly trapped and compacted, the sediment could easily begin to harden even before the flesh began to decay. Large piles of wood or animal bodies would be compacted and eventually change to coal or oil. This process has been observed in the aftermath of the Mount St. Helens collapse. Eventually the water reached such a depth that the ark floated safely over even the highest mountains. That deposits of coal and oil are found under deep layers of sediment are not surprising since the plants and animals would be among the first things to be washed away.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Flood Came
Genesis 7:11-12
“In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” (Genesis 7:11-12)
The period from creation to the flood lasted about sixteen hundred fifty six years. Because most of the dates are not as precisely defined as this one, there could be as much as nine years of variation, a possible error of only about one half percent. Some of the other dates given throughout the Old Testament also give only approximate periods for the same reasons, but the variation is still roughly the same, and the amount of error is negligible for our purposes.
Because we do not know how old Joshua was when he became leader of Israel, or how long after his death it was before his son-in-law became the first judge, the period from Deuteronomy to the second chapter of Judges cannot be determined precisely, although it had to be less than a single individual’s lifetime, and probably more than about thirty years. A fifty year estimate seems fairly conservative here. We also have no clear length of time for the period from Samson’s death till Saul became king, although we know that Samuel started as a young boy, and was old when he anointed Saul king. Fifty years here is a very conservative estimate with a hundred being very possible.
Using these assumptions and the given dates, and recognizing that there can be some variation, we find that the date of the flood was probably around 2600 BC. It may have been as much as a hundred years earlier, or fifty years later. Since we know that even with the far more precise and complete records since Roman times, there is definitely an error of at least three years in our dating to the time of Christ, and possibly ten, we know that even fairly modern dates are not as precise as we are sometimes led to believe. The exact date is not critical, but the timeframe is, because it definitely affects whether evolutionary theory and the Bible record can be reconciled There is no place for the millions of years most evolutionists insist on. Creation must have been about 4300 BC.
Scientific evidence implies that in the early earth there was a vast amount of water in the upper atmosphere, far greater than modern day clouds contain. Genesis 1:7 speaks of the firmament dividing the waters, the breathable atmosphere. Since rain is dependent on the amount of moisture in the upper atmosphere, such an abundance would have enabled far greater rain than we now experience. Some areas of the earth have recorded a thirty inch rainfall in a single twenty four hour period, Forty days of that much rain would be a hundred feet of water. In the modern world, about two thirds of the earth is covered with water, so this would raise the water level by about a hundred fifty feet. Global warming advocates say the melting of the polar icecaps could raise the water levels by about six feet. Think how much more serious raising it by a hundred fifty feet would be, even with modern topography. Knowing the serious flash flooding a single localized inch of rainfall can cause here in New Mexico, I really wouldn’t want to be there.
In addition, scripture tells us, “the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up.” Literally, the vast underground reservoirs of water that now supply most of our water were emptied. This would cause me to expect settling of large areas of land to squeeze out the water. We have no idea how much water is actually trapped under the earth’s skin. There is no way of guessing how much the water level was raised by this, but the breaking up of the fountains and collapsing into the voids would have caused landslides and earthquakes. Many things would have been trapped in such conditions. The rapid trapping and inundation with mineral laden water explains the vast number of fossils we find here on the earth.
Since living material, in wet conditions, tends to rot very quickly, the presence of fossils indicates a rapid covering and solidification of the sediments around it before the material had an opportunity to decay. From developing means of preserving wood and other things we have learned that very high concentrations of minerals and high pressures amust be applied before the wood has a chance to dry to attain maximum penetration. Petrified trees had to be inundated almost immediately to enable petrifaction. The very existence of fossils is scientifically more indicative of a flood than of evolution.
Historic Geology dates rocks based on the types of fossils found in them. If the world has existed for millions of years, and that life evolved a step at a time, the it is logical that rocks containing the earliest fossils would be the oldest rocks. It would also be logical to assume they would be most commonly found beneath the newer rocks. That a nearly exact opposite organization is found in many areas, in some cases covering many square miles is more indicative of a rapid flooding and erosion trapping various organisms than of a prolonged evolution.
Near Glen Rose Texas, fossilized footprints of dinosaurs and humans have been found in the same strata of rock, sometimes overlapping each other. It is unlikely that sediment soft enough to have retained a dinosaur track could have retained it for millions of years while remaining soft enough to take a human imprint. They had to be made within a couple of days of each other, clearly indicating that there were no millions of years of evolution between the extinction of the dinosaurs and the evolution of humanity. The Creation Research Center has shown that most of the scientific evidence offers more support for creation than for evolution.
When Mount St. Helens erupted, a careful study of the effects and results was conducted. Ten years later the same scientists returned to see what changes had occurred. At least one of the geologists became convinced that the times claimed by historical geology were unfounded, after finding that some of the wood had already been turned to coal and various other fossilization and conversion events. As a result, he became convinced of the accuracy of the biblical record.
Hydrological engineers tell us that all of the geological formations supposedly indicating at least seven ice ages could easily have been the result of a single world wide flood, eliminating any basis for many millions of years of supposed existence for the earth.
Ultimately, there is as much or more evidence for creation as there is for evolution. Whichever one chooses to believe is a matter of faith. It indicates our underlying attitude toward God. I have not proven creation to be true, but neither has science proven evolution. I doubt that either can be proven empirically, so I have just tried to present enough to show there is evidence for both sides, For more evidence I would suggest some of the various books by the Creation Research Center as a starting point, but ultimately you will have to choose which you believe.
If it occurred, and I believe it did, the flood was the largest single geological event since the creation of the world. That almost every ancient culture has some legend relating to it indicates that something significant happened, even if it is, as some anthropologists insist, just an adaptation of the Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic. They still had to have had contact with people who carried it from Babylon at some point, and that they remembered it implies they took it seriously. Almost every legend has some sort of basis in fact, though it may be vastly distorted. The fact that they have become mythological does not destroy the original basis, although it may conceal it. Anyone who has played the game “Gossip”, can understand how the details may be distorted.
“In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” (Genesis 7:11-12)
The period from creation to the flood lasted about sixteen hundred fifty six years. Because most of the dates are not as precisely defined as this one, there could be as much as nine years of variation, a possible error of only about one half percent. Some of the other dates given throughout the Old Testament also give only approximate periods for the same reasons, but the variation is still roughly the same, and the amount of error is negligible for our purposes.
Because we do not know how old Joshua was when he became leader of Israel, or how long after his death it was before his son-in-law became the first judge, the period from Deuteronomy to the second chapter of Judges cannot be determined precisely, although it had to be less than a single individual’s lifetime, and probably more than about thirty years. A fifty year estimate seems fairly conservative here. We also have no clear length of time for the period from Samson’s death till Saul became king, although we know that Samuel started as a young boy, and was old when he anointed Saul king. Fifty years here is a very conservative estimate with a hundred being very possible.
Using these assumptions and the given dates, and recognizing that there can be some variation, we find that the date of the flood was probably around 2600 BC. It may have been as much as a hundred years earlier, or fifty years later. Since we know that even with the far more precise and complete records since Roman times, there is definitely an error of at least three years in our dating to the time of Christ, and possibly ten, we know that even fairly modern dates are not as precise as we are sometimes led to believe. The exact date is not critical, but the timeframe is, because it definitely affects whether evolutionary theory and the Bible record can be reconciled There is no place for the millions of years most evolutionists insist on. Creation must have been about 4300 BC.
Scientific evidence implies that in the early earth there was a vast amount of water in the upper atmosphere, far greater than modern day clouds contain. Genesis 1:7 speaks of the firmament dividing the waters, the breathable atmosphere. Since rain is dependent on the amount of moisture in the upper atmosphere, such an abundance would have enabled far greater rain than we now experience. Some areas of the earth have recorded a thirty inch rainfall in a single twenty four hour period, Forty days of that much rain would be a hundred feet of water. In the modern world, about two thirds of the earth is covered with water, so this would raise the water level by about a hundred fifty feet. Global warming advocates say the melting of the polar icecaps could raise the water levels by about six feet. Think how much more serious raising it by a hundred fifty feet would be, even with modern topography. Knowing the serious flash flooding a single localized inch of rainfall can cause here in New Mexico, I really wouldn’t want to be there.
In addition, scripture tells us, “the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up.” Literally, the vast underground reservoirs of water that now supply most of our water were emptied. This would cause me to expect settling of large areas of land to squeeze out the water. We have no idea how much water is actually trapped under the earth’s skin. There is no way of guessing how much the water level was raised by this, but the breaking up of the fountains and collapsing into the voids would have caused landslides and earthquakes. Many things would have been trapped in such conditions. The rapid trapping and inundation with mineral laden water explains the vast number of fossils we find here on the earth.
Since living material, in wet conditions, tends to rot very quickly, the presence of fossils indicates a rapid covering and solidification of the sediments around it before the material had an opportunity to decay. From developing means of preserving wood and other things we have learned that very high concentrations of minerals and high pressures amust be applied before the wood has a chance to dry to attain maximum penetration. Petrified trees had to be inundated almost immediately to enable petrifaction. The very existence of fossils is scientifically more indicative of a flood than of evolution.
Historic Geology dates rocks based on the types of fossils found in them. If the world has existed for millions of years, and that life evolved a step at a time, the it is logical that rocks containing the earliest fossils would be the oldest rocks. It would also be logical to assume they would be most commonly found beneath the newer rocks. That a nearly exact opposite organization is found in many areas, in some cases covering many square miles is more indicative of a rapid flooding and erosion trapping various organisms than of a prolonged evolution.
Near Glen Rose Texas, fossilized footprints of dinosaurs and humans have been found in the same strata of rock, sometimes overlapping each other. It is unlikely that sediment soft enough to have retained a dinosaur track could have retained it for millions of years while remaining soft enough to take a human imprint. They had to be made within a couple of days of each other, clearly indicating that there were no millions of years of evolution between the extinction of the dinosaurs and the evolution of humanity. The Creation Research Center has shown that most of the scientific evidence offers more support for creation than for evolution.
When Mount St. Helens erupted, a careful study of the effects and results was conducted. Ten years later the same scientists returned to see what changes had occurred. At least one of the geologists became convinced that the times claimed by historical geology were unfounded, after finding that some of the wood had already been turned to coal and various other fossilization and conversion events. As a result, he became convinced of the accuracy of the biblical record.
Hydrological engineers tell us that all of the geological formations supposedly indicating at least seven ice ages could easily have been the result of a single world wide flood, eliminating any basis for many millions of years of supposed existence for the earth.
Ultimately, there is as much or more evidence for creation as there is for evolution. Whichever one chooses to believe is a matter of faith. It indicates our underlying attitude toward God. I have not proven creation to be true, but neither has science proven evolution. I doubt that either can be proven empirically, so I have just tried to present enough to show there is evidence for both sides, For more evidence I would suggest some of the various books by the Creation Research Center as a starting point, but ultimately you will have to choose which you believe.
If it occurred, and I believe it did, the flood was the largest single geological event since the creation of the world. That almost every ancient culture has some legend relating to it indicates that something significant happened, even if it is, as some anthropologists insist, just an adaptation of the Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic. They still had to have had contact with people who carried it from Babylon at some point, and that they remembered it implies they took it seriously. Almost every legend has some sort of basis in fact, though it may be vastly distorted. The fact that they have become mythological does not destroy the original basis, although it may conceal it. Anyone who has played the game “Gossip”, can understand how the details may be distorted.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Loading the Ark
Genesis 6:19-7:10
“And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.” (Genesis 6:19-20)
One popular excuse for doubting the Flood story is that the Ark would not have been capable of transporting all the different animals. It is estimated that if the average size of all the different animals which have ever lived, as indicated by fossils and living animals were as large as a sheep, a hundred and twenty boxcars would provide adequate space for two of every one. In fact it would provide more area than is presently provided in many commercial hog and chicken farms. Since the ark was bigger than five hundred boxcars, only a single floor would provide enough space for all the animals. Since the vast majority of animals are insects and far smaller than a sheep, there should be plenty of room for all. It would not have been necessary to have taken the largest of every species, and since many animals hibernate or estivate for part of the year, even less room might be required.
“And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.” (Genesis 6:21)
With space equal to four hundred boxcars available for storing food, there would be an adequate supply for the animals , especially if some were in hibernation. Since all the animals were originally designed to eat a vegetarian diet according to Genesis 1:29-30, they were probably to subsist on it even though some had started eating meat, obviating the need for keeping it fresh, and reducing the levels of stress. Domesticated animals, good tools and other people would greatly simplify collecting adequate food.
The opening or window around the top of the Ark would have provided adequate ventilation allowing the wind to minimize concentrations of ammonia and humidity as well as supplying fresh air. It would also provide adequate lighting, while having some kind of covering or shield to prevent water from entering, tha had to be removed when Noah released the raven in Genesis 8. Being so high above the water level prevented most of the waves from entering. It may not have been pleasant by modern standards, but it would have been livable.
A source of fresh water is essential for sea going ships today. We know however that the salinity of the ocean is constantly increasing as minerals are dissolved from the soil and carried into it by the rivers, and water evaporates leaving the minerals behind. Assuming a similar rate of increase in salinity for the roughly five thousand years since the flood, the water would not have been so saline as to have caused much problem at the time, especially when diluted by the underground reservoirs and the water canopy that scientific research indicates was above the earth early in it‘s existence. This canopy may well be the waters above the atmosphere referred to in Genesis 1:6.
“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (Genesis 6:22)
Though it was a huge undertaking, Noah undertook to build the ark as directed, because he believed God. Hebrews 11:7 states, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” As James 2:26 states, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Faith that doesn’t result in action is worthless. Noah acted on his faith.
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.” (Genesis 7:1-4)
God had allowed Noah time to complete the Ark and to provision it. When he finished the work he gave the next set of instructions. Noah’s obedience by faith made him righteous. Romans 6:16 asks, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Though all Seth’s descendants knew of God only Noah and his family obeyed, because of their faith. The same faith that resulted in Noah’s building the Ark made him righteous before God.
Once everything is ready, God gave final instructions to Noah. He was to take a male and a female of every creature, including rodents, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and birds to maintain their existence on the earth. Noah was charged with keeping every creature preserving every creature to prevent their extinction. In the case of the “clean” animals, those who were approved for sacrifices, he was to take seven of each one. Leviticus 11:1-31 gives a description of what were to be considered clean animals. What ever God’s reasons for these being considered clean, it is known that they are less susceptible to diseases that can be passed on to man than are the unclean animals.
“And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.” (Genesis 7:5-9)
God gave the final instructions and he and the animals boarded the Ark seven days before the flood started, in a single day according to verse 13. Having dealt with livestock, under normal circumstances today, eight people could not have loaded such a diverse group of animals in seven days, much less one. Notice the Bible says they went in, God caused them to go voluntarily. Otherwise they’d never have managed to load them in time. I suspect God worked in similar ways to speed building the Ark.
“And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.” (Genesis 7:10)
Seven days would have given the animals time to settle in and get used to their surroundings before there was a problem with the motion of the boat. It also gave people, especially those of Seth’s descendants who were not aboard one last warning that judgment was coming, and a chance to turn to God. Imagine how busy eight zookeepers would be in such a situation. They’d have to be pretty efficient to get everyone fed and watered. I doubt if boredom was a major problem.
“And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.” (Genesis 6:19-20)
One popular excuse for doubting the Flood story is that the Ark would not have been capable of transporting all the different animals. It is estimated that if the average size of all the different animals which have ever lived, as indicated by fossils and living animals were as large as a sheep, a hundred and twenty boxcars would provide adequate space for two of every one. In fact it would provide more area than is presently provided in many commercial hog and chicken farms. Since the ark was bigger than five hundred boxcars, only a single floor would provide enough space for all the animals. Since the vast majority of animals are insects and far smaller than a sheep, there should be plenty of room for all. It would not have been necessary to have taken the largest of every species, and since many animals hibernate or estivate for part of the year, even less room might be required.
“And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.” (Genesis 6:21)
With space equal to four hundred boxcars available for storing food, there would be an adequate supply for the animals , especially if some were in hibernation. Since all the animals were originally designed to eat a vegetarian diet according to Genesis 1:29-30, they were probably to subsist on it even though some had started eating meat, obviating the need for keeping it fresh, and reducing the levels of stress. Domesticated animals, good tools and other people would greatly simplify collecting adequate food.
The opening or window around the top of the Ark would have provided adequate ventilation allowing the wind to minimize concentrations of ammonia and humidity as well as supplying fresh air. It would also provide adequate lighting, while having some kind of covering or shield to prevent water from entering, tha had to be removed when Noah released the raven in Genesis 8. Being so high above the water level prevented most of the waves from entering. It may not have been pleasant by modern standards, but it would have been livable.
A source of fresh water is essential for sea going ships today. We know however that the salinity of the ocean is constantly increasing as minerals are dissolved from the soil and carried into it by the rivers, and water evaporates leaving the minerals behind. Assuming a similar rate of increase in salinity for the roughly five thousand years since the flood, the water would not have been so saline as to have caused much problem at the time, especially when diluted by the underground reservoirs and the water canopy that scientific research indicates was above the earth early in it‘s existence. This canopy may well be the waters above the atmosphere referred to in Genesis 1:6.
“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (Genesis 6:22)
Though it was a huge undertaking, Noah undertook to build the ark as directed, because he believed God. Hebrews 11:7 states, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” As James 2:26 states, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Faith that doesn’t result in action is worthless. Noah acted on his faith.
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.” (Genesis 7:1-4)
God had allowed Noah time to complete the Ark and to provision it. When he finished the work he gave the next set of instructions. Noah’s obedience by faith made him righteous. Romans 6:16 asks, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Though all Seth’s descendants knew of God only Noah and his family obeyed, because of their faith. The same faith that resulted in Noah’s building the Ark made him righteous before God.
Once everything is ready, God gave final instructions to Noah. He was to take a male and a female of every creature, including rodents, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and birds to maintain their existence on the earth. Noah was charged with keeping every creature preserving every creature to prevent their extinction. In the case of the “clean” animals, those who were approved for sacrifices, he was to take seven of each one. Leviticus 11:1-31 gives a description of what were to be considered clean animals. What ever God’s reasons for these being considered clean, it is known that they are less susceptible to diseases that can be passed on to man than are the unclean animals.
“And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.” (Genesis 7:5-9)
God gave the final instructions and he and the animals boarded the Ark seven days before the flood started, in a single day according to verse 13. Having dealt with livestock, under normal circumstances today, eight people could not have loaded such a diverse group of animals in seven days, much less one. Notice the Bible says they went in, God caused them to go voluntarily. Otherwise they’d never have managed to load them in time. I suspect God worked in similar ways to speed building the Ark.
“And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.” (Genesis 7:10)
Seven days would have given the animals time to settle in and get used to their surroundings before there was a problem with the motion of the boat. It also gave people, especially those of Seth’s descendants who were not aboard one last warning that judgment was coming, and a chance to turn to God. Imagine how busy eight zookeepers would be in such a situation. They’d have to be pretty efficient to get everyone fed and watered. I doubt if boredom was a major problem.
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Design Of The Ark
Genesis 6:9-18
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” (Genesis 6:9-10)
God created man in his own image and spent time with him. Cain rebelled against God and separated himself from him, leading his followers into bondage to Satan. Seth led his descendants to draw close to God but as time passed more and more of Seth’s family followed Cain’s leadership until finally only Noah’s family was still doing things the way God planned. Noah, like Adam and Enoch, walked with God, and kept his life right.
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Genesis 6:11-12)
God created the world and everything in it for his pleasure according to Revelation 4:11. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Thanks to Satanic influence and Man’s sin, the entire world had been messed up or corrupted. Wars, crimes and murder filled the earth and every thing that could be was deliberately done contrary to the way God had intended. It was no longer satisfactory to God.
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.(Genesis 6:5-7)
Humans were the ones causing the problems, and it had become so bad God regretted creating them. He decided to redo the part that was causing the trouble. He decided to keep the parts that were not causing the trouble, and destroy those which were messed up. When building something, if I can’t get a part to function as I want it to, I have the right to destroy it and make a new one, and God has the same right with the things he has made.
“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.” (Genesis 6:13-16)
This appears to have been the first large boat ever built, as the world appears to have consisted of just one continent prior to the flood, obviating the need for sea going vessels. With no idea what would be needed man would have needed a great deal of experimentation to designed such a boat.
No larger boat had ever been built until the early nineteen hundreds, when the Queen Elizabeth was first launched. A standard cubit is roughly eighteen inches long making the Ark about four hundred fifty feet long, about the length of one and a half football fields, or four and a half basketball courts. It was about seventy five feet wide or about half as wide as a foot ball field. In addition it was as about as tall as a three story building and had three floors, giving about two and a half acres of floor space with very high ceilings. It is estimated to hold the equivalent of more than five hundred railroad boxcars. The relationship of length, width and height comes very close to what modern science shows as the ideal design for oceangoing vessels to best handle storms at sea.
An opening of about eighteen inches high was to be left around the top of the boat to provide free air movement, which probably indicates the top floor was the one used for the animals. Since the Hebrew word translated ark simply means a box, it is probable that the ark was simply a huge box or barge, rather than the boat shape most modern drawings portray. With no means of propulsion, streamlining was not relevant.
"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee." (Genesis 6:17-18)
The Ark was a huge undertaking for one man, and tradition tells us it took Noah a hundred twenty years. The scripture makes no such claim, and in fact indicates otherwise. Since Shem turned a hundred two years after the flood according to Genesis 11:10, Genesis 7:11 tells us the flood came when Noah was six hundred, and Genesis 5:32 indicates that Noah’s oldest was born when he was five hundred, it would seem unlikely God would have told Noah to take his sons and their wives onto the Ark before they were even born.
It is very possible Noah enlisted other workers, making it likely that far less time was required than tradition would have us believe. Knowing that smelting of iron and brass and domestication of animals had been developed, good tools were available, and beasts of burden could have been used to transport the materials, greatly reducing the time required for construction, perhaps even down to as little as a couple of years. Since the scripture gives no timetable, the only thing that can be said with certainty is that Noah built it. Everything else is pure speculation.
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” (Genesis 6:9-10)
God created man in his own image and spent time with him. Cain rebelled against God and separated himself from him, leading his followers into bondage to Satan. Seth led his descendants to draw close to God but as time passed more and more of Seth’s family followed Cain’s leadership until finally only Noah’s family was still doing things the way God planned. Noah, like Adam and Enoch, walked with God, and kept his life right.
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Genesis 6:11-12)
God created the world and everything in it for his pleasure according to Revelation 4:11. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Thanks to Satanic influence and Man’s sin, the entire world had been messed up or corrupted. Wars, crimes and murder filled the earth and every thing that could be was deliberately done contrary to the way God had intended. It was no longer satisfactory to God.
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.(Genesis 6:5-7)
Humans were the ones causing the problems, and it had become so bad God regretted creating them. He decided to redo the part that was causing the trouble. He decided to keep the parts that were not causing the trouble, and destroy those which were messed up. When building something, if I can’t get a part to function as I want it to, I have the right to destroy it and make a new one, and God has the same right with the things he has made.
“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.” (Genesis 6:13-16)
This appears to have been the first large boat ever built, as the world appears to have consisted of just one continent prior to the flood, obviating the need for sea going vessels. With no idea what would be needed man would have needed a great deal of experimentation to designed such a boat.
No larger boat had ever been built until the early nineteen hundreds, when the Queen Elizabeth was first launched. A standard cubit is roughly eighteen inches long making the Ark about four hundred fifty feet long, about the length of one and a half football fields, or four and a half basketball courts. It was about seventy five feet wide or about half as wide as a foot ball field. In addition it was as about as tall as a three story building and had three floors, giving about two and a half acres of floor space with very high ceilings. It is estimated to hold the equivalent of more than five hundred railroad boxcars. The relationship of length, width and height comes very close to what modern science shows as the ideal design for oceangoing vessels to best handle storms at sea.
An opening of about eighteen inches high was to be left around the top of the boat to provide free air movement, which probably indicates the top floor was the one used for the animals. Since the Hebrew word translated ark simply means a box, it is probable that the ark was simply a huge box or barge, rather than the boat shape most modern drawings portray. With no means of propulsion, streamlining was not relevant.
"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee." (Genesis 6:17-18)
The Ark was a huge undertaking for one man, and tradition tells us it took Noah a hundred twenty years. The scripture makes no such claim, and in fact indicates otherwise. Since Shem turned a hundred two years after the flood according to Genesis 11:10, Genesis 7:11 tells us the flood came when Noah was six hundred, and Genesis 5:32 indicates that Noah’s oldest was born when he was five hundred, it would seem unlikely God would have told Noah to take his sons and their wives onto the Ark before they were even born.
It is very possible Noah enlisted other workers, making it likely that far less time was required than tradition would have us believe. Knowing that smelting of iron and brass and domestication of animals had been developed, good tools were available, and beasts of burden could have been used to transport the materials, greatly reducing the time required for construction, perhaps even down to as little as a couple of years. Since the scripture gives no timetable, the only thing that can be said with certainty is that Noah built it. Everything else is pure speculation.
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