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When the World Was Destroyed by Water
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who made it and the punishment of the beings He has created will
never take place. Do not be afraid, Noah is a wild fanatic.” They
continued their disobedience and wickedness, as though God had
not spoken through His servant.
But Noah stood like a rock in a storm. Connection with God
made him strong in the strength of infinite power. For one hundred
and twenty years his solemn voice fell on the ears of that generation,
warning of events which, as far as human wisdom could judge, were
impossible.
Up to that time rain had never fallen; the earth had been watered
by a mist or dew. The rivers had never yet passed their boundaries
but had carried their waters safely to the sea because God’s fixed
commands had kept the waters from overflowing their banks (see
Job 38:11
).
But time passed on; people whose hearts at times had trembled
with fear began to be reassured. They reasoned that nature is above
the God of nature. If the message of Noah were correct, nature
would be turned out of her course. They showed their contempt for
the warning of God by doing the same as they had done before the
warning was given. They continued their festivities and gluttonous
feasts. They ate and drank, planted and built, laying plans for the
future. They claimed that if there were any truth in what Noah had
said, the famous people who were respected—the wise, the prudent,
and the great people—would understand the matter.
The time of their probation was about to end. The ark was
finished exactly as the Lord had directed and was stored with food
for humans and animals. And now the servant of God made his last
solemn appeal to the people. Noah pleaded with them to seek a
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refuge while there was still time, but they again rejected his words
and ridiculed Noah with loud voices.
Suddenly beasts of every description were seen coming from
mountain and forest, quietly making their way toward the ark. Birds
were flocking from all directions, and in perfect order flew into the
ark. Animals “went into the ark to Noah” two by two, and the clean
beasts by sevens. Philosophers were called upon to account for
this unique event, but they could not explain it. The doomed race
banished their rising fears by feasting and partying and seemed to
invite upon themselves the awakened wrath of God.