For 40 Days – Day 2: The Clean Slate Initiative: Content

Key Episode Scripture: Genesis chapters 6-9

For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. (Genesis 6:16-17 ESVUK)

The idea in considering the content is to check the action in which the forty days feature. It’s definitely worth reading and listening to chapters 6 to 9 of Genesis. This is not a replacement for that. This is more of a summary of action.

Genesis 6

1-7 – Disturbing developments with humanity, including intervention from angelic beings. God’s observations of the earth lead to the opposite of what He said after the earth’s creation. It’s not good – it’s not good at all.

8-10 – Enter Noah – and what a way he enters the narrative. It’s worth noting how he’s described as someone who “walked with God”.

11-13 – The reason why God is speaking to Noah. Reaffirming just how bad the situation is.

14-16 – Ark building instructions to Noah.

17-22 – God plans to wipe out the earth and establish a covenant with the survivors as well as how a remnant of creatures will survive beyond the ark as well as on it.

Genesis 7

1-5 – God instructs more creatures to get on the ark. He also indicates when to expect the rainfall and how long the rainfall will last.

6-10 – Summary of Noah’s obedience to ensure everything and everyone is on board in time.

11-16 – Timing of events and how the flood takes place, including how God ensures those on the ark are secured; the 40-day reference regarding the length of time for the rainfall, though the flood also happens because of the bursting of the earth’s fountains.

17-24 – Not so much “How deep is your love?”, more, “How deep is this flood?”, as measurements are given for the flood that causes the wipeout required for the clean slate.

Genesis 8

1-5 – God causes the waters to stop flooding and the floods to gradually ” abate ” over time, with markers for how the waters recede.

6-12 – Noah’s ways of checking outside, including using a raven and doves.

13-19 – After virtually a year shut in, God gives the all-clear for Noah and the passengers of the ark to get out and allows the creatures to be busy replenishing and filling the earth.

20-22 – Noah’s offering and God’s response in His heart leading to …

Genesis 9

1-7 – God’s blessing to Noah sets the mandate to be fruitful, allowing the use of animals for food in the right conditions. Respect for all life is stated, along with consequences for taking human life illicitly.

8-17 – God outlines the covenant with humanity and the earth – no more wiping them out with a flood, and there’s a sign of it in the clouds for God’s benefit in recalling the covenant.

18-28 – Noah gets drunk and naked; his final son does not react appropriately, whereas his older sons do, and Noah gives a curse and blessings when he finds out.

Next, we’ll consider concepts in this episode to understand what’s being conveyed and why.

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom