Did the flood really take place? There is much evidence for it in creation. That other cultures recorded flood accounts in their ancient mythologies well before Moses wrote Genesis is not evidence that the Bible copied its story of a world-wide flood from other sources. Man had been sharing oral accounts of this amazing event for generations. That someone wrote it down before Moses did does not diminish the authenticity of Moses’ account. Again, if we want accurate information, we need to consult the only available eyewitness to the flood.
God brought the flood to wipe out mankind and start over again with his finest specimen, because man was so evil that God regretted creating him. That fine specimen, Noah, had his faults, too, and even after performing so well in building the ark and getting into it, he blew it. How many times was God going to have to wipe out mankind and start over before man would get it right? Well, God had just better have a better plan than that. In fact, He did have a most amazing plan, one that would be incredible! Hint: reference Isaiah 9:6, Luke 1:35, Luke 2:10-12, and Matthew 1:22-23. The take-away from Noah’s life is that even someone who pleases God enough for Him to save mankind through him, is capable of ruining that reputation and blowing it in shameful sin. But for God’s grace, that will be us.
The flood brought changes to the world to make it the place it is today. Flood waters came not only from rain, but from the depths of the earth. Parts of the earth broke open to let out water. Our continents were formed as we know them today. Animals now feared man, and rightfully so, because now God gave the animals to man for food and whatever else he could use them for. Death came a lot sooner to man with the atmospheric changes resulting from the flood. These changes brought by the flood are more characteristics of this earth that cause us sorrow, prompting us to wonder if there is a God, or if He is the good God He claims to be. This important lesson from the flood story is that man, not God, is the source of evil in this world. God made it all good; man’s choice ruined what is no longer good.
The real culprit, however, is Satan. It is his influence that causes evil in this world. When man commits evil deeds, he is cooperating with Satan, promoting Satan’s agenda against God, allowing himself to be used by Satan to try to hurt God. May every evil that we witness or by which we are victimized, drive us to God and away from Satan.