When the World Was Destroyed by Water
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disobedience and wickedness, as though God had not spoken through
His servant.
But Noah stood like a rock amid the tempest. Connection with God
made him strong in the strength of infinite power. For one hundred
and twenty years his solemn voice fell upon the ears of that generation
in regard to events which, so far as human wisdom could judge, were
impossible.
Heretofore rain had never fallen; the earth had been watered by a
mist or dew. The rivers had never yet passed their boundaries but had
borne their waters safely to the sea. Fixed decrees had kept the waters
from overflowing their banks. See
Job 38:11
.
But time passed on; men whose hearts had at times 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 manifested their contempt for the
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warning of God by doing just as they had done before the warning was
given. They continued their festivities and gluttonous feasts. They
ate and drank, planted and builded, laying plans in reference to the
future. They asserted that if there were any truth in what Noah had
said, the men of renown—the wise, the prudent, the great men—would
understand the matter.
The period of their probation was about to expire. The ark was
finished in every part as the Lord had directed and was stored with food
for man and beast. And now the servant of God made his last solemn
appeal to the people. He entreated them to seek a refuge while it might
be found. Again they rejected his words and raised their voices in
scoffing.
Suddenly beasts of every description were seen coming from moun-
tain and forest, quietly making their way toward the ark. Birds were
flocking from all directions, and in perfect order passed to the ark.
Animals “went in, two and two, unto Noah into the ark,” the clean
beasts by sevens. Philosophers were called upon to account for the
singular occurrence, but in vain. The doomed race banished their
rising fears by merriment and seemed to invite upon themselves the
awakened wrath of God.
God commanded Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the
ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.” His