Chapter 7—The Flood
This chapter is based on
Genesis 6
and
7
.
In the days of Noah a double curse was resting upon the earth in
consequence of Adam’s transgression and of the murder committed by
Cain. Yet this had not greatly changed the face of nature. There were
evident tokens of decay, but the earth was still rich and beautiful in the
gifts of God’s providence. The hills were crowned with majestic trees
supporting the fruit-laden branches of the vine. The vast, gardenlike
plains were clothed with verdure, and sweet with the fragrance of a
thousand flowers. The fruits of the earth were in great variety, and
almost without limit. The trees far surpassed in size, beauty, and
perfect proportion any now to be found; their wood was of fine grain
and hard substance, closely resembling stone, and hardly less enduring.
Gold, silver, and precious stones existed in abundance.
The human race yet retained much of its early vigor. But a few
generations had passed since Adam had access to the tree which was
to prolong life; and man’s existence was still measured by centuries.
Had that long-lived people, with their rare powers to plan and execute,
devoted themselves to the service of God, they would have made their
Creator’s name a praise in the earth, and would have answered the
purpose for which He gave them life. But they failed to do this. There
were many giants, men of great stature and strength, renowned for
wisdom, skillful in devising the most cunning and wonderful works;
but their guilt in giving loose rein to iniquity was in proportion to their
skill and mental ability.
God bestowed upon these antediluvians many and rich gifts; but
they used His bounties to glorify themselves, and turned them into a
curse by fixing their affections upon the gifts instead of the Giver. They
employed the gold and silver, the precious stones and the choice wood,
in the construction of habitations for themselves, and endeavored to
excel one another in beautifying their dwellings with the most skillful
workmanship. They sought only to gratify the desires of their own
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